Harley-Davidson X500 Unveiled in China, Based on Benelli Leoncino 500

Harley-Davidson, the American bikemaker, has launched the new affordable cruiser - X500 - in international markets. The small-capacity bike is available for purchase in China at Rs 5.30 lakh (44,388 Yuan). The price is ex-showroom. Already on sale in the American market, the X500 is the product of a partnership between Harley-Davidson and Qianjiang Motorcycle (QJ Motors). The X500 cruiser is aimed at making the brand more accessible to customers in China and other emerging markets, according to the bikemaker. To keep development costs low, the cruiser is powered by a liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine, rather than a V-Twin engine, which is used in nearly all Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Besides, the bike shares its underpinnings with the Benelli Leoncino 500 and, thereby gets the same engine and design as the Leoncino 500. It is offered in Dazzling Black, Bright Silver, and Vibrant Orange colour options. 

Harley-Davidson X500: Design & Features

The new Harley-Davidson X500 gets a round LED headlamp up front, circular turn indicators that also act as brake lights, a single-piece seat, a short tail section, centrally-mounted footpegs, and a teardrop-shaped tank that can store around 13 litres of fuel. It rides on 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Maxxis Supermaxx tyres 120/70 front and 160/60 rear tyre. The bike's dry weight sits at 199kg. Furthermore, the X500 carries a single-pod instrument console that houses an odometer, a trip meter, a speedometer, and a gear position indicator. 

Also Read: 2023 Harley-Davidson Sportster S Launched in India at Rs 18.79 Lakh

Harley-Davidson X500: Suspension & Braking

The Harley-Davidson X500 is mounted inside a tubular frame that is suspended by 50mm upside-down front forks offering 124mm of travel and a mono-shock at the rear offering 112mm of travel. The bike even supports preload and rebound adjustments. Braking duties are carried out by a dual front disc with 4-piston callipers and a single rear disc with a single-piston calliper, accompanied by a switchable dual-channel ABS (anti-lock braking system). 

Harley-Davidson X500: Powertrain & Performance

Since the newly launched Harley-Davidson bike is based on the Benelli Leoncino 500, the X500 draws power from the same 500cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine. Mated to a 6-speed gearbox, this engine is good enough to generate 47bhp of maximum power at 8,500rpm and 46Nm of peak torque at 6,000rpm. 

Also Read: 2023 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Edition Launched in India at Rs 26.59 Lakh

Harley-Davidson X500: Price

The Harley-Davidson X500 is available in the Chinese market at a sticker price of around Rs 5.30 lakh (ex-showroom). It is not expected to make an entry on our shores as the bikemaker signed a partnership deal with Hero MotoCorp to develop a range of motorcycles in India that also include the recently teased Hero-Harley HD 4XX bike.