Comparing the Harley-Davidson X350 and X500: A test ride that showed me the joys of a mid-size bike on the street | Test Ride

The X350 and X500 are mid-range naked bikes sold by Harley-Davidson. They caused quite a stir when they were released, not only because they could be ridden with a standard motorcycle license (medium-sized license), but also because their pricing was similar to that of domestically produced bikes in the same class.

Now, with the new Cosmic Blue color scheme being adopted for the X350, we were able to test ride one again. Tester Goto lived in the US from the 1980s to the 1990s, and witnessed Harley-Davidson’s success in road races and flat track races firsthand. The X350 exudes the atmosphere of those days, which is a delight. He’s also intrigued by the bold design of the machine, which is geared towards performance.

Harley-Davidson X350…699,800 yen

The X350 has a highly rigid frame, inverted forks, and 17-inch radial tires front and rear. It is manufactured by QJ Motors, a strategic partner of Harley-Davidson. While there was a time when China-made bikes were looked down upon, as we all know, they have recently been improving their technological capabilities at an incredible pace. When it comes to bikes from major manufacturers, they are now on par with Japanese-made bikes in terms of performance, quality, and reliability. As for QJ Motors, they will be the first Chinese brand to compete in the SSP category of WSBK from 2024. There is no doubt that they have the animal spirit to catch up and surpass Japan.

The design evokes the image of the classic racing machine, the XR750. It has been well received by older riders, including Goto. However, it’s unfortunate that the young Japanese riders who will likely be the primary target audience for this machine are largely unaware of the legend of that time.

The engine is a parallel twin-cylinder with a 360-degree crank. While there are many strong rivals in this class, the X350 is the only one with a 360-degree crank. It is also the only bike in this class to combine a neo-retro design with a body that is geared towards performance.

Harley-Davidson X500…839,800 yen

The X500 is a different bike from the X350, not only in terms of the engine, but also in terms of the frame, exterior, etc. When you look at the X350, the large tank makes it look a little bulky.

The X350 and X500 are fundamentally different because they are based on the Benelli chassis and engine produced by QJ Motors.

Smooth and lively engine

To start with, the X350’s engine was quite interesting. It had sharp response and a distinctive 360-degree crank exhaust sound. The 360-degree crank’s evenly spaced firings made it extremely smooth at low and mid-range speeds. Despite its ultra-short stroke, it had plenty of torque even at low rpm, making it extremely easy to ride on the street.

If you revved it up to high rpm, the power increased in proportion to the revolutions. It wasn’t a sudden surge of power or a change in feeling that made it feel lively, so it lacked a bit of drama, but it’s too much to expect with this displacement. Instead, the feeling of it expanding at high rpm was pleasant. There’s no tachometer, but the bike is easy to ride so I didn’t feel it was particularly necessary.

One thing that bothered me a little about the engine was the amount of vibration. The 360-degree crank naturally causes a lot of primary vibration because the left and right pistons move up and down at the same time. In the case of the X350, the vibrations at the footpegs are quite large. As the rotation speed increases, the tank also vibrates. It’s not particularly bad, but it feels a little louder than other bikes in the same class.

The suspension is set on the hard side. It doesn’t feel like a comfortable ride, but it’s probably at a reasonable level considering it’s a sports naked bike. The small diameter dual discs work well and are easy to handle. The ABS has a large pulse and doesn’t feel like it controls delicately, but it works steadily and the bike never loses its balance no matter how many times I applied full braking.

I’ll mention this in the position section, but I was bothered by the fact that the footpegs are positioned too far back and that the part where your heel hits is a bit protruding. However, it seems that custom parts are available to address this issue, so if you buy it and it bothers you, you can adjust the position to your liking.

The 500 makes street riding more fun

Unlike the X350, which has a sporty feel, the riding position of the X500 feels like a standard naked bike. It is a bike that seems easy to handle both around town and on tours. The engine doesn’t have as much power as the 350, but it has plenty of torque at low and mid-range. Because the body is compact , it feels great to accelerate lightly the moment you open the throttle from any RPM . The response is sharp, but it doesn’t have as much torque as a big twin, so it is easy to handle even without electronic controls and other devices , and because it has power that can be used to the fullest, there is no stress. It is an engine that feels just right in many ways.

I thought that the larger displacement would cause more vibration, but perhaps it was due to the resonance point, but the vibration was less noticeable than on the 350. When I opened the throttle, the seat and tank vibrated slightly.

The handling is generally straightforward. However, and this can be said for both the 350 and 500, I feel that if the bike were set up in a more flexible direction on the street, it would be even easier to ride. The body can be leaned over easily, but the steering is a little nervous when the lean angle gets deep, so the rider needs to make corrections. The rear suspension seems to move well, so this may be due to the balance with the front suspension or the wider tires.

However, this is something you feel when you try to push hard, and as long as you’re riding normally, it’s very easy to ride. Also, the impression will change considerably once you’re able to press the suspension and tires against the road on a circuit or winding roads.

The X350 and X500 have different characteristics, but they were both very fun bikes. There are an increasing number of veteran older riders who want light and fun bikes, so this bike will be very attractive to them. Personally, I think it would be fun to build a custom machine in the style of the 1980s or 1990s based on the X350 or X500.

I wondered if this excitement was being conveyed to young riders who aspire to ride a Harley, so I spoke to a few of them. The response was lukewarm…because what they want is an American-style cruiser like a Sportster or Big Twin. In the end, many of them get their regular motorcycle license, then ride a mid-size American bike first, and then get a larger one before switching to a Harley.

Of course, even Harley must know this. But I think these two bikes were born from the enthusiasm to pioneer the sports naked route.

X350 position and foot reach (height 178cm, weight 75kg)

The X350 seems to be designed with a strong focus on sports. The seat is firm and the footpegs are positioned quite far back. I think many riders will find them a little too far back. If the heel rests a little further inward, it would be easier to use your toes for footwork and hold the bike with your ankles during sporty riding.

The foot placement is good. The knees are bent quite a bit with both feet on the ground.

X500 position and foot placement (height 178cm, weight 75kg)

Unlike the 350, the X500 has footpegs located in the front, making it easier to control the machine on the street.

The foot reach is at the same level as the X350, and the body is compact for a large bike.

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X350 main specifications

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X500 main specifications

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