It’s a positive step for HD with the rising costs of petrol and car running costs road tolls and parking charges it never made more sense to leave the car at home and ride to work.
I spent 3 weekends in February on extended test rides on the CFMOTO 300, Benelli Leoncino 500 & Harley X350. The Benelli had the most character, with its 360 degree engine, which is shared by the Harley X500, but I can't look past the styling & ride-ability of the X350. As a lover of cantankerous V-Twins from Europe's arse kicker I wasn't expecting to like the X350 as much as I did. I was expecting it to be an easy bike to ride, as it's aimed at beginners, but I was not ready for how ridiculously easy it is. I found myself taking corners & roundabouts at speeds I wouldn't even consider doing on my larger bikes, just to keep the momentum & fun going for as long as possible. And the looks had me reminiscing about watching Evel Knievel as a very young feller. I've never owned a Harley, but theX350 has got me seriously considering changing that fact. If Harley made a modern stripped down XR with a massaged version of the 975 motor I'd be in for sure.
It's a shame the US will not be getting either one for consumers to buy. The 350 is for Riding Academy use only. I have ridden the 350 multiple times as I work for a HD dealer and it's a really nice small bike. I weigh 240lbs and the 350 will pull off from a dead start in second gear with no need to slip the clutch. Highway top speed for me was just over 70mph, I can get a little more if I laid out on the tank. I imagine the 500 would be perfect with the extra power. Definitely not a rebadged Benelli but you can see the Benelli DNA all over it.
HD has adopted them as their new Riding Academy bikes over the Street 500s. So at least you'll be able to buy em used in a few years. The problem is that they sit higher than the Street 500s so they've pretty much eliminated anyone from taking their Academy course who's under a 32" inseam. HD really took the piss with this bike.
There's absolutely no reason to buy these over their QJ Motor / Benelli versions. You're literally paying a few grand more just for the Harley sticker.
I like the 350 but sad to see Harley like so many other great companies selling out to China not to mention I counldn't get one in the U.S. anyway. Another reason I'm gonna stick with my Indian. Harley just seems to make alot of bad decisions anymore.
They would make good daily comuter bikes , but lets be real. Harley just cant compete in this market sector. They are out classed by just about every other brand.
These bikes are trash, and just another example of the minimal effort Harley puts into things these days. I don't care where a bike is made, but at least Triumph bothered to do the design and engineering on their new 400's. These are just Chinese Benelli's with a price hike and an HD badge slapped on.
Why would I buy liquid cooled small displacement Harley if I can go for many other better japanese and italian choices. What the fuck harley is doing. Respect for old school hard and big harley fans. Cheers
It’s a positive step for HD with the rising costs of petrol and car running costs road tolls and parking charges it never made more sense to leave the car at home and ride to work.
I spent 3 weekends in February on extended test rides on the CFMOTO 300, Benelli Leoncino 500 & Harley X350. The Benelli had the most character, with its 360 degree engine, which is shared by the Harley X500, but I can't look past the styling & ride-ability of the X350. As a lover of cantankerous V-Twins from Europe's arse kicker I wasn't expecting to like the X350 as much as I did. I was expecting it to be an easy bike to ride, as it's aimed at beginners, but I was not ready for how ridiculously easy it is. I found myself taking corners & roundabouts at speeds I wouldn't even consider doing on my larger bikes, just to keep the momentum & fun going for as long as possible. And the looks had me reminiscing about watching Evel Knievel as a very young feller.
I've never owned a Harley, but theX350 has got me seriously considering changing that fact. If Harley made a modern stripped down XR with a massaged version of the 975 motor I'd be in for sure.
It's a shame the US will not be getting either one for consumers to buy. The 350 is for Riding Academy use only. I have ridden the 350 multiple times as I work for a HD dealer and it's a really nice small bike. I weigh 240lbs and the 350 will pull off from a dead start in second gear with no need to slip the clutch. Highway top speed for me was just over 70mph, I can get a little more if I laid out on the tank. I imagine the 500 would be perfect with the extra power. Definitely not a rebadged Benelli but you can see the Benelli DNA all over it.
HD has adopted them as their new Riding Academy bikes over the Street 500s. So at least you'll be able to buy em used in a few years. The problem is that they sit higher than the Street 500s so they've pretty much eliminated anyone from taking their Academy course who's under a 32" inseam. HD really took the piss with this bike.
Getting rid of Buell and losing $100 million on MV Agusta was the wost decision Harley ever made.
They have been making bad decisions after bad decisions ever since
Worse than being sold to AMF?
Save $3k and buy a Benelli Leocino, same bike
Built in China???????? Harley has sold its soul.
I like the style but I would save $2000 and buy the Leoncino 500.
It looks almost identical
Harley has tried something new here, made good looking motorcycles that aren't the size of a car.
The x models are built in india not china. Harley collaborated with hero motor company in india.
Do a review on the HD x440 much better than the 350 or 500
There's absolutely no reason to buy these over their QJ Motor / Benelli versions. You're literally paying a few grand more just for the Harley sticker.
I think I'll wander over to my Honda and Yamaha dealer....
except the 350 is basically the price of the Benelli 500.... makes sense to me
These models never came to Europe...😢
Do you know there is Harley Davidson x440
@@febinlibby6810 yes , but not in Australia. In Australia these are the approved learner motorcycles
These bikes are not for europe(Netherlands). I have a Harley davidson MT 350 from 1996.
I like the 350 but sad to see Harley like so many other great companies selling out to China not to mention I counldn't get one in the U.S. anyway. Another reason I'm gonna stick with my Indian. Harley just seems to make alot of bad decisions anymore.
Good looking CFMoto right there 😂😂
They would make good daily comuter bikes , but lets be real. Harley just cant compete in this market sector. They are out classed by just about every other brand.
i love it how they sell lack of features as a feature...... hahah classic
These bikes are trash, and just another example of the minimal effort Harley puts into things these days. I don't care where a bike is made, but at least Triumph bothered to do the design and engineering on their new 400's. These are just Chinese Benelli's with a price hike and an HD badge slapped on.
HD sticker you mean😂
these are simply rebadged china made benellis if i am not wrong thats why harley is not bringing in india
Harley paid you good didnt they! These bikes are junk and way over priced, a complete failure again for Harley.
I thought the 450 was made in India.
This is the Australian version of the X range. The 350 and 500
Why would I buy liquid cooled small displacement Harley if I can go for many other better japanese and italian choices. What the fuck harley is doing. Respect for old school hard and big harley fans. Cheers
I personally think it’s ugly lol. I don’t think Harley when I see it at all 🤷🏽♂️
Buy a honda