The Harley-Davidson X350 Finally Has A Launch Date

[Bob Riebe]

Harley-Davidson and “entry-level” have never been synonymous, but the MoCo is all set to change that in a few days. We say this because Harley-Davidson has finally announced the much-awaited X350 roadster will break cover on March 10, 2023. The unveiling will take place in China, where the motorcycle is built by QJ Motors, as part of Harley’s Chinese collaboration.

Harley-Davidson X350 Teased Ahead Of Debut
The American giant has announced the date via a video teaser, and it reveals some interesting details about the upcoming roadster. For starters, you get a closer look at the neo-retro design language, made evident by the LED headlight and indicators, the former flaunting a circular shape. There’s also a short but significant look at the instrument cluster, which only seems to feature a puny LCD (possibly for the clock/trip meters) and an analog speedometer.

Besides this, as suspected, the X350 boasts premium mechanicals such as upside-down forks, alloy wheels, and dual disc brakes–all visible in the teaser. The disc brakes, in particular, are a neat touch for an ‘entry-level’ Harley, especially when you consider even the flagship Sportster 1250 has a single disc up front. In addition to this, previously leaked Chinese documents suggest the Harley-Davidson X350 will employ a 353cc, twin-cylinder mill (identical to the Benelli 353S), expected to thump out 36 horsepower.
We say ‘thump’ because the teaser has a pulsating exhaust in the background, usually unheard of on parallel twins. It could be something Harley-Davidson specifically infused to make the motorcycle feel more Harley-like rather than QJ-like. Though the power output seems likable (it’s considerably more than the Royal Enfield Hunter 350), the motorcycle’s 430-pound weight might hamper its real-world performance. Time will tell, though.

When Will The X350 Arrive In America?
The prime goal for the Harley-Davidson-QJ Motors tie-up was to exploit the entry-level Asian markets, and thanks to this very reason, the new X350 is unlikely to set foot in the American market. The focus word here is “market,” since you will see the X350 serve duty in the Harley-Davidson Rider Academy under the X350 RA name. It will be de-tuned to produce just 23-HP and will feature slimmer tires and an array of crash protectors. So the only way you can have a taste of Harley’s smallest roadster in America is via the rider academy.

However, all hope isn’t lost. Harley's tie-up will also birth a bigger X500 roadster, and we believe it's destined for America rather than the X350. After all, the X500 is expected to boast considerably more power (46 ponies) which is enough to keep all riders - entry-level or experienced - more than entertained on the streets. It’ll also allow Harley to lock horns with two popular entry level motorcycles, the Honda Rebel 500 and Royal Enfield Interceptor 650.

There was an article on a Motorcycle site trashing the Chinese for these farce bikes.
The Chinese have bikes that look nearly identical to top line bikes from most every major motorcycle manufacturer but under the body work is an anemic two cylinder engine of 350 to 500 cc making 30 to 50 horse power.

I should have book marked it as they had a picture of each pissant imitation, very sad that Harley Davidson is part of this scam.

[Lloyd Smale]

just what we need a chinese harley

[oldandslow]

Harley has had an entry level bike for a long time. It's called a Sportster.

Why not a chinese Harley? Damn near everything we can buy today is chinese thanks to Billy-Boy Clinton. I don't like it and Trump was doing something about but then along came Jones or rather slojo.

[Drilling Man]

  Was it OK when we had Italian Harleys?

  I know some call the Sportster an "entry level bike", but I can tell you, my 1200 is NO entry level bike!



  I don't even think the 883's should be an entry level bike.

  DM

[oldandslow]

I was just gigging Lloyd. The old iron heads were a real bear. You needed gorilla hands and strength to operate the hand levers and they were tall.

[Ranger99]

The last one I rode was the
modern version of whatever
an electraglide is now.
Sorry, I'd have returned it for
a refund if it had been mine.
Poor highway machine compared
to other bikes I've ridden.
I guess they count on the
majority of the buyers these days
to be the trailer crowd instead
of actual riders that ply the
interstate
Not sure I'll have another anything
anytime soon.

[Lloyd Smale]

i think the opposite. most of the high miles per year guys i know ride harleys because there more simplistic bikes and are relatively light. the posers that are more concerned with info screens, seat warmers and how many usb ports there  bike has vto get them 20 miles to work drive japs. the days of harleys shaking you to death or breaking down all the time are  well in the past and an FLH will stand up to any bike. just two years ago CYCLE magazine rated the ultra as touring bike of the year and thats from a very much pro jap magazine

[oldandslow]

Another thing is the Harleys are designed for a comfortable riding position instead of one like a monkey humping a football.  Sportsers even followed the design. Way back when I first started riding road bikes the Sportser was held in disdain by all the bike publication until one that was somewhat honest did a comparision on some twisty mountain road in California between it and the what was considered the ultimate bike for that type road then, the Triumph. Conclusion: One was just as capable as the other.

There are a lot of mo'cycle riders in this area because of the weather I suppose. At least 95% of them are on big Harleys. You see a Yamaha knock off of the Harley infrequently and I can't remember the last Leadwing I have seen on the road. My son is still riding his 15 year old FatBoy. It has close to 60,000 miles on it without any problems and the only reason it doesn't have more is because his shoulder gave up on him over two years ago and he hasn't been able to ride. He bought his first Harley at 19 and has had one ever since. He just had his sixty third birthday and says the FatBoy is the most comfortable of them all and it's going nowhere. He does say no more long trips on it since his new man made shoulder isn't up to the task.

[Lloyd Smale]

yup i hopped on the neighbors 1100 bmw two years ago because he told me to take a ride and tell him what i thought. nice bike but with that semi crotch rocket lay forward seating position i honestly almost called him after getting to a town 50 miles away. took a long break and bucked up and drove it back but you couldnt pay me to ride it again. sitting on my harley is like kicking back in my recliner. my not be great for going fast but its about as good as it gets for putting miles under you in one sitting. last year the brother in law traded hi gold wing on a flh ulta and said he would never go back to a tank like that, said its like sitting on top of a car

Another thing is the Harleys are designed for a comfortable riding position instead of one like a monkey humping a football.  Sportsers even followed the design. Way back when I first started riding road bikes the Sportser was held in disdain by all the bike publication until one that was somewhat honest did a comparision on some twisty mountain road in California between it and the what was considered the ultimate bike for that type road then, the Triumph. Conclusion: One was just as capable as the other.

There are a lot of mo'cycle riders in this area because of the weather I suppose. At least 95% of them are on big Harleys. You see a Yamaha knock off of the Harley infrequently and I can't remember the last Leadwing I have seen on the road. My son is still riding his 15 year old FatBoy. It has close to 60,000 miles on it without any problems and the only reason it doesn't have more is because his shoulder gave up on him over two years ago and he hasn't been able to ride. He bought his first Harley at 19 and has had one ever since. He just had his sixty third birthday and says the FatBoy is the most comfortable of them all and it's going nowhere. He does say no more long trips on it since his new man made shoulder isn't up to the task.