I think the triumph 400 as a competitor is a much better finished product and better to ride. I was considering one of these as a commuter, but went a different way. Enjoyed the review.
I've got the same engine in my TRK502X, it feels basically "fine" for everything with a slightly more interesting note than say a cb500x. Picked it up BARELY used for 7k aud, used as a daily and no real problems in 13,000km so far. I don't think I'd have as much of a problem with the Harley if they didn't try to slap their tax on a Leoncino with stickers, aesthetically I think it's a massive downgrade even
You mention lane splitting on the bike. Here in Oz Learner riders cannot lane split. I don't know the law over there in NZ. Anyway still a BIG thumbs up for the review overall.
Interesting. No restrictions like that over here. But don’t tell the Nz government, they seem to take all your laws and bring them over here one by one.
I was tossing up between this and a street 500. Ive always wanted a harley davidson. The look and sound. Just sucks these are the only 2 options. I really wanted a HD for my first bike now not sure
@@MotoNZ yamahas v star 650 is more of a harley then the street 500 just dont get anything less then the H-D street rod 750 or iron 883 and youll be alright but if you have LAMS to worrie about just go get a v star 650 you cant even tell its not a harley its so well made
I have a HD Street myself, great bike with a V engine like a “real” Harley. However be aware as they have been discontinued for a few years now, some parts are now obsolete or pending obsolete so that may or may not be an issue in the long run. They also didn’t have much aftermarket support on the Street series compared to the Irons etc.
@@MotoNZ we could have a thorough discussion next time we see each other. At least on the styling front they put a bit more effort in with the X 350 than they did with the 500…
They are thinking that the riders who buy their traditional older bikes are getting older and eventually will stop riding or die. If they want to stay in business they will have to come out with bikes that appeal to younger and beginner riders. And they are right. It's the same reason Cadillac is making smaller, sportier and more efficient cars now instead of the old massive land yachts.
Yep, but they have done it in the laziest, most unimaginative way… and the bike they decided to do a “badge-engineering job” on just sucks… Then they hiked the price. There are better and cheaper options available.
I'm surprised HD still exists. They didn't innovate much, their big bikes turned into cool dinosaurs which became cool. But that is a dead end street. Royal Enfield is somewhat similar, they built their old Bullets for decades until they became cool. Big difference is that RE was able to make a new start with modern retro-looking bikes and develop new engines for a new market. Their strategy of KISS, reliability and a good price paid off.
It's an HD for the rider that doesn't have 35K+ to spend on the rest of their lineup. FFS, motorcycle journalists are all like "HD has lost out on the new, younger rider market because they're focused on high end bikes for old retired guys" and when they do make one that isn't for a retired Boomer "it's shite".
Compare it with a Japanese cruiser and you have to admit that this creation is less reliable, less fun to ride, less attractive, heavier, thirstier and way more expensive. Those are facts, has nothing to do with retired guys or boomers.
It’s not a Harley-Davidson. H-D couldn’t be bothered designing anything them selves, so they purchased the rights to take an average Benelli and rebadge it, then charge more for it. That aside, I disliked riding it greatly.
@@PrimoStracciatella Except it's HD's attempt to sell bikes to people not my age that aren't retired and have excess money and a pension. It's market placement, not engineering to sell bikes to compete with said Japanese cruisers and still retain the HD brand.
@@MotoNZ And it's that branding and rebadging that's the point for marketing. HD knows that their archaic design doesn't appeal to younger and new riders. Have you forgotten about their other marketing ventures into eBikes as well? RyanF9 did an entire video on the subject.
well its from Harley lol. don't tell me u one of those skull riders fk the world types. u guys have been shitting on the brand for a long time. finally there's a nice bike were we don't have to be associated with the bogans nice bike!
I think the triumph 400 as a competitor is a much better finished product and better to ride.
I was considering one of these as a commuter, but went a different way.
Enjoyed the review.
If you're interested in a 500 cruiser, buy a HONDA Rebel 500 and never look back.
Awesome review and thank you for your honesty big love from Brisbane 😊😊😊
I've got the same engine in my TRK502X, it feels basically "fine" for everything with a slightly more interesting note than say a cb500x. Picked it up BARELY used for 7k aud, used as a daily and no real problems in 13,000km so far. I don't think I'd have as much of a problem with the Harley if they didn't try to slap their tax on a Leoncino with stickers, aesthetically I think it's a massive downgrade even
You mention lane splitting on the bike. Here in Oz Learner riders cannot lane split. I don't know the law over there in NZ. Anyway still a BIG thumbs up for the review overall.
Interesting.
No restrictions like that over here. But don’t tell the Nz government, they seem to take all your laws and bring them over here one by one.
I was tossing up between this and a street 500. Ive always wanted a harley davidson. The look and sound. Just sucks these are the only 2 options. I really wanted a HD for my first bike now not sure
Get a street 500,
The x500 is not a real HD
@@MotoNZ yamahas v star 650 is more of a harley then the street 500
just dont get anything less then the H-D street rod 750 or iron 883 and youll be alright but if you have LAMS to worrie about just go get a v star 650 you cant even tell its not a harley its so well made
I have a HD Street myself, great bike with a V engine like a “real” Harley. However be aware as they have been discontinued for a few years now, some parts are now obsolete or pending obsolete so that may or may not be an issue in the long run. They also didn’t have much aftermarket support on the Street series compared to the Irons etc.
Yep, much better options on the market. Question is, which is worse - The X 350 I rode or the X 500 you rode?
th-cam.com/video/rw8-XQYbPnE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=RYz-3CrtOlj6nS9v
Do you really want to find out? 🤭
@@MotoNZ we could have a thorough discussion next time we see each other. At least on the styling front they put a bit more effort in with the X 350 than they did with the 500…
@@OnThrottle If only there was a platform where we could have such a discussion.... hmmmmmm
should we start a podcast?
@@MotoNZ nah, sounds like a lot of effort
just found your channel. im looking forward to watch your content
They should have brought in The X 440 which is available inn India only
They are thinking that the riders who buy their traditional older bikes are getting older and eventually will stop riding or die. If they want to stay in business they will have to come out with bikes that appeal to younger and beginner riders. And they are right. It's the same reason Cadillac is making smaller, sportier and more efficient cars now instead of the old massive land yachts.
Yep, but they have done it in the laziest, most unimaginative way… and the bike they decided to do a “badge-engineering job” on just sucks…
Then they hiked the price.
There are better and cheaper options available.
Thought you were not commuting any more
Yep. Typical Harley. They’ve been phoning it in for decades now.
I'm surprised HD still exists. They didn't innovate much, their big bikes turned into cool dinosaurs which became cool. But that is a dead end street.
Royal Enfield is somewhat similar, they built their old Bullets for decades until they became cool.
Big difference is that RE was able to make a new start with modern retro-looking bikes and develop new engines for a new market. Their strategy of KISS, reliability and a good price paid off.
Hey look, its Minime's bike from Austin Powers!
Why cant america make a classic enduro/adventure bike
Its a Benelli its as simple as that.
well it is a learner bike... I think that's Harleys aim to make money? to approach the beginner market?
It's an HD for the rider that doesn't have 35K+ to spend on the rest of their lineup. FFS, motorcycle journalists are all like "HD has lost out on the new, younger rider market because they're focused on high end bikes for old retired guys" and when they do make one that isn't for a retired Boomer "it's shite".
it's still a shite bike, its probably the worst option on the market if your a young rider with $12k looking for a lams motocycle
Compare it with a Japanese cruiser and you have to admit that this creation is less reliable, less fun to ride, less attractive, heavier, thirstier and way more expensive. Those are facts, has nothing to do with retired guys or boomers.
It’s not a Harley-Davidson.
H-D couldn’t be bothered designing anything them selves, so they purchased the rights to take an average Benelli and rebadge it, then charge more for it.
That aside, I disliked riding it greatly.
@@PrimoStracciatella Except it's HD's attempt to sell bikes to people not my age that aren't retired and have excess money and a pension. It's market placement, not engineering to sell bikes to compete with said Japanese cruisers and still retain the HD brand.
@@MotoNZ And it's that branding and rebadging that's the point for marketing. HD knows that their archaic design doesn't appeal to younger and new riders. Have you forgotten about their other marketing ventures into eBikes as well? RyanF9 did an entire video on the subject.
the reg harley riders would look down there nose at that as everyone else another harley fail id say
Yee hate on this all you want, this ain't no Harley!
well its from Harley lol. don't tell me u one of those skull riders fk the world types. u guys have been shitting on the brand for a long time. finally there's a nice bike were we don't have to be associated with the bogans
nice bike!
Looks like an uglier cf moto cl 700x 😂😂😂😂