The Harley-Davidson X 500 is based on the same platform as the Benelli Leoncino. Click here to read more.
The second product of the Harley-Davidson and QJMotor collaboration has broken cover, and it is called the X 500. Last month, the smaller of the two offerings, the X 350, broke cover and to read more about that click here.
- Made in collaboration with Chinese giant, QJMotor
- Currently sold only in China
- Has neo-retro roadster styling
Harley-Davidson X 500: engine and cycle parts
The HD X 500 is powered by a liquid-cooled, 500cc, parallel-twin engine making 47.5hp and 46 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. This along with the smaller X 350 are the only two bikes in the iconic American bikemaker’s lineup to not feature a V-twin engine. Interestingly, these figures as well as the bore and stroke figures of 69mm x 66.8mm, respectively, are identical to the Benelli Leoncino 500. The main frame and the swingarm on the X 500 also appear to be quite similar to the ones found on the Leoncino.
Suspension duties on the X 500 are handled by a 50mm USD fork and monoshock, both of which are preload and rebound adjustable. A particularly handy feature here is the remote preload adjuster for the rear monoshock. The X 500 has cast alloy wheels sized 120/70-ZR17 (front) and 160/60-ZR17 (rear), shod with Maxxis Supermaxx ST rubber. With the 13 litre fuel tank fully brimmed, the X 500 weighs in at 208 kg, making it substantially heavier than something that’s a segment above, like the Kawasaki Z650RS.
Harley-Davidson X 500: design and features
The silhouette that the X 500 cuts is loosely resemblant of the Benelli Leoncino 500, although the Harley does have its own distinct flair. The taillight integrated into the rear indicators is a very Harley touch as is the ‘chopped’ design of rear fender. This is certainly a very pleasing machine to look at with its clean, uncluttered lines and neo-retro design language.
The Harley-Davidson X 500 is a relatively simple machine and doesn’t feature any riding aids outside of dual-channel ABS, although it does get all-LED lighting. Instrumentation is handled by a simple digi-analogue cluster, much like the smaller X 350.
Currently, the Harley-Davidson X 500 is only being sold in China and while it might be sold in other international markets at a future date, we in India will get the motorcycle jointly developed by Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp.
What are your thoughts on this new Harley-Davidson? Let us know in the comments section below.