Harley-Davidson’s China-built Platform Inches Closer To Production
Modified On Mar 6, 2023 02:11 PM By Sudipto Chaudhury for Harley Davidson X 350
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The smallest Harleys will make their first official public appearance on March 10
[UPDATE: Harley-Davidson has launched the X 350 in China, its most affordable small-capacity bike yet. For pricing, mileage, performance and other details, check out or launch report here]
Courtesy type-approval documents leaked late last year, we know that Harley-Davidson and Chinese bikemaker QJ Motor, are building the X350 and X500. These, the smallest Harley bikes yet, are aimed primarily at Asian markets. And now, we finally know that the bikes will be unveiled in China on March 10.
As mentioned in our previous stories, the X350 and X500 get a flat tracker-like design, a somewhat scaled-down version of the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200, most evident by the single-pod analogue instrument cluster with a digital inset. However, they look far from vintage, sporting a USD fork and twin petal discs up front, along with modern elements like an LED headlight with an LED DRL, taillight and indicators.
The biggest differentiating point on the small Harleys, though, is the engine. This is because while Harley-Davidson is known for V-twins, these QJ-derived models sport liquid-cooled parallel-twin motors. From what we know so far, the X350 will feature a 353cc unit (from the QJMotor SRK350), producing roughly 36PS, with a claimed 140kmph top speed and 195kg kerb weight. Meanwhile, the X500 will sport the familiar 500cc unit from the Leoncino 500, with 47.5PS and 46Nm, a claimed 160kmph and a kerb weight of around 207kg.
Speaking finally about an India launch, though QJ Motor has an India presence, the chances of the Harley-Davidson X350 and X500 coming to India are remote. This is because Harley-Davidson has its own initiative in India, under a partnership it has with Hero Motocorp. Moreover, the first offerings from this joint venture are slated to launch this year as well, so stay tuned!