Specifically, it appealed to me because the Harley-Davidson X350 is now the cheapest Harley you can find. And when you consider it is priced at CNY 33,388 (about Rs 3.90 lakhs), it certainly feels like Harley is making its foray into an entirely new world of affordable bikes, and I like it. This is another bike developed with QJ Motors in China and one that’s bound to draw the attention of riders who’ve always wanted a Harley but never quite made the transition.
Engine and Performance
Overall I’m really impressed with what Harley has done here when I look at the numbers. Pushing out 36.5 HP / 31 Nm (7,000 rpm), the 353cc liquid-cooled inline 2-cylinder is cooled by liquid. I mean, admitted, its not a big V–twin like you would expect from Harley, but when it comes to a sort of daily riding, mostly in the city, its way more than enough. I can only guess what the 6 speed gearbox would feel like—whether on the highway or just cruising through city streets. But the fact that this thing can go up to 150 km/h and carry myself and two younger kids? Pretty good considering this is this price range.
Chassis and Handling
There’s one thing I look out for in a bike: how it handles. When looking at the Harley X350, you’ll find that the seat height is 817mm, which might sound a bit high for shorter riders, but I don’t believe they will feel uncomfortable actually sitting on it. This bike isn’t feather light, with ground clearance of 185mm and a kerb weight of 180kg, but it’s manageable. It will feel sturdy like a Harley, I imagine, but with a more agile feel thanks to the Pirelli Angel ST tyres — 120/70 17 in front and 160/60 17 rear. You should have a solid grip with these tyres from leaning into the corners to cruising straight on.
It has a suspension setup (41mm inverted front fork, rear shock absorber) to help smooth out the bumps, and with dual floating discs at the front and a fixed disc at the rear, I don’t think braking should be an issue. It also has dual channel ABS, and that’s a big fat thumbs up on the safety front, especially if you’re riding the bike in changing conditions.
Design and Features
What is most striking about the X350, though, is that Harley managed not just to improve the original design, but to make the bike more practical for urban use without changing that classic design language. That flat tracker influence styling, which I really like. It looks stripped down, clean and lets you to get on with it and tell a story. I appreciate the LED lighting and the fact that it has a digital instrument cluster inserting a bit of modernity while staying true to that Harley heritage.
On the plus side, the 13.5 liter fuel tank should be plenty enough to zip around in and with a claimed fuel consumption figure of around 20 km/l something tells me Harley is attempting to find a healthy balance between performance and practicality. There’s no mistaking this bike for a show bike; it’s a bike built to ride.
Pricing and Positioning
If you’re dying to get a Harley but not broke, this is the bike you should keep an eye out for. It’s priced in China at the equivalent of Rs. 3.90 lakh and I would expect it to be priced in the Rs 2.5-3 lakh bracket in India too (if and when it does make it to our shores, which I am hoping it does soon). Yes, it’s a Harley, but for that price you’re also getting a bike that’s designed for those newer riders, or for people who want something a little more nimble and city friendly.
My Take
But for me, the Harley-Davidson X350 is Harley declaring that you don’t have to have a massive $20k bike to be part of the club. If you’re like me and want the Harley name and vibe without owning, powering, or maintaining it — albeit, easier to manage and more affordable — this is the bike for you. Without feeling like I’m fighting a monster, I can see myself taking this out for weekend rides later in life (or even daily commutes).
Additionally, we can’t help but mention that when it arrives in India, it’ll be facing off with the Honda CB350 and Royal Enfield’s 350cc range. With the Harley branding alone the X350 feels like a winner in style department, honestly I’m excited to see how it stacks up. And while it makes for great marketing, it’s the performance and price that will ultimately define whether this really is the next big thing for entry level Harley riders.
The X350 could be the bike that hits all those points if you’re like me and have always wanted a Harley and just weren’t willing to wait any longer for the right blend of price, performance and style. So the only thing left is to wait for that Indian launch, some time in 2024 or so.
