Just ahead of the new year, Hero MotoCorp filed new securities exchange documents saying that it's extending its partnership with Harley-Davidson, on both development and manufacturing of motorcycles. Some will be related to the existing X440, of course, but a new motorcycle is also included in its plans.
At this point, details are thin on the ground about what the next Hero/Harley model outside the X440 platform could be. So, anything we say at this point should be taken as speculation and/or wishful thinking, just so we're totally clear.
But believe me, we have some thoughts.
See, Hero already has a middleweight ADV success on its hands with the XPulse 200 4V. So, what if Hero's next move with Harley is something akin to a small displacement Pan America? I mean, people have been talking about wanting a smaller Pan America ever since the original one came out. And by 'people,' I don't just mean me.
I promise.
Maybe even something in the 400cc range, like the X440. That way, depending on the particulars of Hero's partnership documents with Harley on the new bike, perhaps it could go on to develop its own Hero-branded 400cc ADV bike, much like the Mavrick 440, which has significantly different styling but uses the same engine and chassis as the X440.
