autoX Awards 2024: Hero Mavrick 440 Performance, Quality and Value for Money Ranked

autoX Awards 2024: In our last anniversary jury round, we had the Harley-Davidson X440 as Hero’s flagship contender. This year, Hero has introduced its very own version – the Mavrick 440. Since its launch in February, we’ve had ample opportunities to experience what it brings to the table, and it has impressed us in both on-road and rough-road conditions. However, I was especially eager to push all 27bhp of the Mavrick’s power to the limit on the racetrack to see if the characteristics that helped it shine in daily and off-road settings would hold up in a high-pressure, closed environment. Just to recap, the Mavrick produces 27bhp and 36Nm of peak torque – 2Nm less than the X440.

Before even testing its performance at the Buddh International Circuit, I was already impressed by its capabilities for everyday use. Its strong low-end torque, agile nature, and short final-drive ratio make it an excellent all-rounder. That said, these characteristics are best suited for smaller circuits like the Madras International Circuit or Kari Motor Speedway. On the BIC’s long, flowing corners and fast straights, it became evident that the Mavrick 440 strength lies in short bursts of power and handling. It starts to lose steam when pushed beyond its comfort zone in terms of rpm and lean angles. The suspension setup is soft, offering 130mm of travel at both ends, and it has a ground clearance of 175mm. With such specs, one might expect a scrambler or dual-purpose bike, but Hero has aimed to create a machine that strikes a balance between sporty and rough-road capabilities for everyday use.

Also Read: Hero Mavrick 440 First Ride Review: Fun and Versatile, But Not Perfect

Overall, the Mavrick 440 turned out to be a fun companion on the tarmac and a comfortable one over uneven roads. However, it does fall short in terms of all-out handling, especially during sharp turn-ins. The Mavrick 440, in my opinion, just might be the most practical 400cc in the market, but this comes with some compromises in terms of sportiness.

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