Additional information on the first two bikes, which are now being developed jointly by Harley-Davidson and QJ Motor, has recently come to light thanks to the recently released type-approval paperwork. They also include crisper pictures of the two bikes, internally known as the HD 350 and HD 500, which now offer us the names the finished bikes may wear. These images are included in addition to the hardware and engine specifications.
We previously knew that Harley-Davidson and the Chinese company QJ Motor had an agreement in place for smaller models geared at developing markets. The 338R, the first motorcycle under this JV, was unveiled in 2019 and was intended to feature the liquid-cooled parallel-twin mill from the Benelli 302S (a first for Harley!). The finished Harley-Davidson will use a 353cc version of this motor, which QJ later unveiled and which also provides us with a hint as to its name: X350.
The Harley Davidson X350 will produce a respectable 35–36PS, although its 195 kg kerb weight will partly negate this. But the paperwork show that the declared top speed is only 89 mph, or about 143 kmph. Now let’s move on to the larger bike, the X500. It will use the same 500cc (47.5PS/46Nm) engine as the Leoncino 500 scrambler, Benelli TRK 502 ADV, and 502C cruiser. This one will reportedly have a top speed of 99 mph (159 kph), matching those of fellow countrymen with comparable performance profiles, such as the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. It will also weigh a little less than the Benellis, with a claimed kerb weight of 207kg.
Although the X500 has a more conventional design, both bikes will have a roadster-like appearance. However, both bikes’ mechanical components—including the USD fork and mono-shock, the alloy wheels, and the front and rear discs—are essentially the same. However, the twin-disc layout on the front of the X500 employs conventional rotors, whereas the X350 uses petal rotors.
The likelihood of witnessing one of them on Indian soil, though, is ultimately pretty low. Harley is already developing a more India-focused small-capacity motorcycle with its Indian partner, Hero Motocorp, which would be a strong competitor to Royal Enfield’s J-platform motorcycles like the Classic 350, Hunter 350, and Meteor 350.
