Harley-Davidson X350 and X500 Details Leaked Ahead Of Debut

Published December 18, 2022
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Further details on the Harley-Davidson/QJ joint venture’s duo of bikes are now out

Recently leaked type-approval documents have brought to light additional details on the first two bikes which are currently being jointly developed by Harley-Davidson and QJ Motor. And along with the hardware and engine specs, they also comprise clearer images of the two bikes, internally called the HD 350 and HD 500, which now give us the monikers that the finished bikes may sport.

Now, we already knew that Harley-Davidson has signed a deal with Chinese brand QJ Motor for smaller offerings aimed at developing markets. The first bike under this JV, initially revealed in 2019, was called the 338R, and was slated to use the liquid-cooled parallel-twin mill (a Harley first!) from the Benelli 302S. However, QJ later introduced a 353cc version of this motor, which will now appear in the finished Harley-Davidson which also gives us a hint of its name: X350.

The Harley Davidson X350 will make a competent 35-36PS, though that’ll be offset somewhat by the reported 195kg kerb weight. And yet, the documents reveal a claimed top speed of 89mph or roughly 143kmph.

Moving on now to the bigger bike – the X500. It’ll sport the same 500cc (47.5PS/46Nm) engine from the Benelli TRK 502 ADV, Leoncino 500 scrambler and 502C cruiser. This one will sport a claimed 99mph (159kmph) top speed, at par with compatriots with a similar performance profile, like the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Moreover, it’ll be a bit lighter than the Benellis, coming in at a claimed kerb weight of 207kg.

Both bikes will sport a roadster-like silhouette, though the X500 gets a more traditional outline. That said, the mechanicals on both are roughly identical, with a USD fork and monoshock, alloy wheels, and discs at the front and rear. That said, while the X500’s twin-disc setup up front uses conventional rotors, the X350 gets petal rotors.

Ultimately, though, the chances of seeing either of these on Indian soil are quite slim. However, Harley is already working with its Indian partner, Hero Motocorp, for a more India-centric small-capacity bike, which would be a good rival to Royal Enfield’s J-platform bikes like the Classic 350, Hunter 350 and Meteor 350.