In 2019, just before the COVID19 pandemic, Harley-Davidson announced the idea of manufacturing a medium displacement motorcycle, with parallel cylinders, called 338r. This model took "borrowed" pieces and engine of the Benelli 302S (brand property of the Chinese manufacturerQianjiang).
The production model
This project has resulted in a 350cc model X350 (HD350), manufactured in China by the company Zhejiang Jisheng Motor Vehicle Co., Ltd., a joint company created by Harley-Davidson andQianjiang.
As we can see in the photographs presented for homologation (in China at the moment), aesthetics is inspired by the competitions ofFlat Track.
Although not too much data has been published for now, it is known that the tires are 120/70-17 in the front and 160/60-17 in the rear. The suspension and brakes come directly from the Benelli 302S, including the Petal Style front discs and the inverted fork.
The big sister
At the same time, a similar model is being prepared, but of greater displacement, the Harley-Davidson X500 (HD500). Based on the chassis and the engine of the Benelli Leoncino 500. Similar to the X350, it has larger brake discs and radial assembly tweezers (directly from Leoncino 500) and its style is more traditional than that of the HD350, especially the back part.
Both models corroborate the "Company" policy (as HD is often called in their country of origin) to penetrate more markets and consumption segments. But, after Harley-Davidson has recently announced the presentation of the new models for January 18, 2023 (coinciding with the 120 anniversary of the brand), the question that everyone is asked is:
Will these models arrive in the United States, Europe and the rest of the world?
At the moment its introduction in the United States has already been confirmed by 2023.
Frank Burguera