Harley-Davidson 338R Patent Images Leaked

The patent images look similar to the pre-production Harley-Davidson 338R that was also leaked online some time back

• Harley-Davidson has teamed up with Benelli’s parent company QJ Motors for its small-capacity bike.
• Dubbed the Harley-Davidson 338R, a pre-production version was spotted in August.
• It was initially rumoured to be axed under Harley’s new “The Rewire” business plan.
• However, the recently leaked patent images suggest otherwise.

Looks like Harley-Davidson is still betting on its small-capacity affordable bike to turn around its fortunes. That’s because the patent images of the Harley-Davidson 338R from China have surfaced online, affirming this possibility. Interestingly, a picture of the pre-production version leaked back in August this year, and the recent patent images look quite similar to the real deal.

Going by the images, it is evident that Harley has borrowed the legendary XR1200’s roadster design theme and coherently fused it with the Benelli 302S’ underpinnings. Sporty intent is visible all over, thanks to bits like trellis frame, inverted front fork, rear monoshock, and disc brake on both ends. 

Compared to the Italian naked, the Harley gets a slightly bigger 338cc parallel twin liquid-cooled engine. Expect a bit more power and torque from this American naked compared to the 302S’ 38.06PS and 25.62Nm. As expected from a modern motorcycle, the lighting system is all-LED and the instrument cluster too is likely to be a fully digital unit.

Initially, it was believed that the project of building a small-capacity Harley might have been scrapped under the brand’s new ‘The Rewire’ plan. But the surfacing of these patent images affirms the possibility that the brand may still be optimistic about it. That said, it might be restricted only to China and certain other southeast Asian markets. It is unlikely that the baby Harley will enter our shores as the brand had just exited our country as a part of the new business plan. But all is not lost yet. If the rumoured tie-up with Hero MotoCorp works out in the near future, Harley might just consider bringing this motorcycle to India. All this is still quite some time away, so fingers crossed until then.