The 500cc parallel-twin DOHC 8V motor on Harley-Davidson X500 is similar to Benelli Leoncino 500 with 46.8 bhp and 46 Nm
Harley-Davidson X500 has been launched in China. This comes after the launch of X350 and teaser of HD-4XX for Indian market. New X350 and X500 are China-specific for now and will likely ship to other markets in the future. Both are manufactured by China’s QJ motorcycle brand.
These are not likely to hit our shores. Harley-Davidson is strategically partnering up with local manufacturers for better market penetration. For China, it is QJ and for India, it is Hero MotoCorp. There are three colours to choose from, Dazzling Black, Vibrant Orange and Bright Silver. It costs 44,388 Yuan (approx Rs. 5.29 lakh).
Harley-Davidson X500 – The American Cousin For Chinese-Owned Italian Bike
Underneath all the American styling, Harley-Davidson X500 is a Benelli Leoncino 500. Benelli is now part of QJ. Harley X500 is an extensive badge engineering exercise between QJ and Harley-Davidson. One look at the spec sheet is enough to say that both Harley-Davidson X500 and Benelli Leoncino 500 share a lot of components.
Speaking of spec sheets, both X500 and Leoncino 500 get the same 500cc parallel twin engine. It has 4V per cylinder, a DOHC setup and a liquid-cooled architecture. This engine is capable of generating 46.8 bhp of power at 8500 RPM and 46 Nm of torque at 6000 RPM. There are slight differences in dimensions, lean angles and wheelbase.
Most of the componentry is similar to. Harley-Davidson X500 dons 50mm USD front forks with 124 mm travel. It even supports rebound adjustment. There is a flatter rear subframe than Leoncino 500. It is suspended by the same mono-shock unit with 112 mm travel. It gets preload and rebound adjustments. (Suspension travel is from Leoncino 500).
Engine crankcase is identical, but gets Harley-Davidson branding. Fuel tank shape is almost identical to Leoncino 500 and can hold 13L of fuel. Alloy wheels, dual barrel exhaust canister, dual 320 mm rotors with 4-piston caliper front and single 260 mm rotor with single-piston caliper rear brake setup are identical too. Switchable dual-channel ABS is present as well.
Harley X500 Features And Specs
X500 gets a different circular LED headlight with illuminated Harley-Davidson lettering and circular turn indicators doubling as brake lights. Harley-Davidson has installed Maxxis Supermaxx tyres measuring 120/70-R17 at the front and 160/60-R17 at the rear. Fatter rubber would lend an even muscular stance.
There is a part-digital instrument console as well which looks relatively modern. Footpegs look center set, enabling an upright riding posture and neutral stance. All these are mounted on a trellis frame that looks identical to that of Leoncino 500. Harley-Davidson X500 weighs 208 kg wet. And is just a kilo heavier than its QJ-Benelli counterpart.
At Rs. 5.29 lakh, X500 would be a good addition to Harley’s Indian lineup. But we will witness the Hero-Harley HD-4XX instead. It will bear a single-cylinder engine and launch at a much lower price tag.
