At the minute, there are no plans to retail these bikes outside of the Chinese market.
For quite some time now, it’s been known that iconic American bikemaker, Harley-Davidson is developing a range of new accessible, low-capacity models in partnership with Chinese giant Qianjiang Motorcycle. Now, the X350 and X500 have been revealed fully before their official launch on March 10.
- Both entry-level Harleys have parallel-twin engines
- Feature neo-retro roadster styling
- Currently, only for Chinese market
New Harley-Davidson X350, X500: what can be seen?
The biggest change here is the absence of a V-Twin engine, a staple of nearly all Harley-Davidson motorcycles, since 1903. Instead, these new bikes use a liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine which will displace roughly around the same capacity as the name of the bike. Power outputs are unknown at the minute but if QJMotor’s other bikes of a similar capacity are referred to, the X350 should make somewhere between 30-35hp while the larger X500 should be closer to the 50hp mark.
The design language is a key part of a Harley-Davidson and both bikes feature neo-retro roadster styling, something loosely along the lines of the erstwhile XR1200. Both bikes can be seen sporting all-LED lighting, a USD fork/offset monoshock setup and disc brakes at both ends.
A simple analogue speedometer with a small digital inset can be seen hinting at the company’s efforts to keep costs low. Apart from ABS, it is unlikely that these bikes will be offered with other riding aids, considering they will sit at the accessible end of the market. Currently, there haven’t been any indications from the company to sell these products anywhere outside of the Chinese market and we in India, will instead get the bikes being co-developed by Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson.
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Do you think a Harley-Davidson that’s made in China and doesn’t have a V-Twin engine will be accepted by the brand’s traditionalists? Let us know in the comments section below.