Harley-Davidson held its huge a hundred and twentieth anniversary reveal final week, and for essentially the most half, the announcement included the bikes we anticipated, such because the Nightster Particular, and the return of the Breakout with a Milwaukee-Eight 117ci engine. What we additionally anticipated to come back for 2023 however was not included within the announcement had been the X350 and X350RA. Nonetheless, regardless of not being a part of the massive Jan. 18 announcement, we managed to get our fingers on some info confirming extra particulars of the Chinese language-built fashions.
The X350 is the product of Harley-Davidson’s partnership with China’s Qianjiang Motors that was first introduced in 2019. After some regulatory delays, the QJ-built X350 is lastly near manufacturing as a small-displacement mannequin for Asian markets. The X350 and an X350RA variant appeared in Automobile Data Quantity information submitted by QJ to the U.S. Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration, and as we lately reported, Harley-Davidson included the X350RA in its 2023 mannequin 12 months VIN info.
Following the Jan. 18 announcement, Motorbike.com has secured a replica of the X350RA’s official proprietor’s handbook, plus a single picture of the mannequin, with clear proof it’s meant to be used for Harley-Davidson’s Using Academy. We’ve additionally briefly received a have a look at the official elements catalog, confirming among the variations between X350 and X350RA.
The picture above briefly appeared on Harley-Davidson’s Service Data Portal, displaying a roadster with impartial using ergonomics and, tellingly, brilliant orange bars bolted on to both facet of the radiator.
The proprietor’s handbook consists of an illustration of the X350RA from the rider’s perspective, and it affords one other view of the radiator guards. The added safety additional confirms our suspicions that the “RA” model of the X350 is meant for the Using Academy.
The proprietor’s handbook additional confirms some specs of the X350RA. The bike is powered by an eight-valve liquid-cooled Parallel-Twin engine displacing 353cc. The engine isn’t solely new however a bigger model of the engine employed by the QJ-built Benelli 302S. The X350’s 45.2 mm stroke is identical because the Benelli’s, however its 70.5 mm cylinder bore is bigger than the 302S’ 65.0 mm. The X350’s 11.9:1 compression ratio is simply barely off the 12:1 ratio of the Benelli 302S.
The X350 reportedly claims an output of 36 hp, however the Harley-Davidson VIN info confirms the X350RA will solely declare 23 hp. An government order issued by the California Air Assets Board additional confirms that the RA mannequin has been restricted, because it certifies the X350 and X350RA alongside a “derating eliminated” model of the RA which might presumably provide its full energy output.
The proprietor’s handbook additional confirms the X350RA could have a round instrument module with an analog speedometer and a small digital display screen displaying mileage, time or engine pace.
The handbook supplies directions for adjusting the damping on the inverted fork and rear shock. Additionally current are ABS and twin petal-shaped disc brakes, which is a little bit of a shock as lots of Harley-Davidson’s bigger, extra highly effective fashions nonetheless solely use a single entrance disc brake.
The X350RA runs on 17-inch wheels, back and front. Pirelli provides its Angel CT tires with a 110/70-17 up entrance and a 150/60-17 on the rear. From the elements catalog, we will verify the non-RA mannequin could have bigger tires, with a 120/70-17 up entrance and 160/60-17 on the rear.
In response to the proprietor’s handbook, the X350RA claims a working weight of 440 kilos,with its 3.6-gallon gas tank at 90% capability. We count on the non-RA mannequin to come back in a bit lighter because it lacks the protecting bars. The X350RA additionally has a 55.5-inch wheelbase, 5.6 inches of floor clearance, and a 30-inch seat peak.
We don’t count on to have for much longer to attend earlier than Harley-Davidson formally declares the X350 and X350RA. Whereas we thought there was an opportunity it could have been a part of the Jan. 18 announcement, we will see how a small-displacement Chinese language-manufactured Using Academy mannequin would stick out in an occasion targeted on Harley-Davidson’s a hundred and twentieth anniversary. Harley-Davidson probably has a coordinated launch plan with Qianjiang for each the X350 and X350RA
Develop into a Motorbike.com insider. Get the newest motorbike information first by subscribing to our e-newsletter right here.
