Qianjiang-Produced Harley-Davidson X 500 Coming to America for 2024?
US-specific owners manual published by Harley
Harley-Davidson has released a U.S. owner’s manual for the X 500, indicating the roadster manufactured by China’s Qianjiang Motorcycle will be coming to America for the 2024 model year. The X 500 was announced for the Chinese market in April, and later for Australia and New Zealand, but the newly published owner’s manual also hints at a U.S. launch.
The manual for the 2024 X 500 was released on Harley-Davidson’s Service Info site, with some distinct changes compared to the 2023 owner’s manual, adding information specific to the American market such as a U.S. vehicle identification number (VIN). The manual’s VIN breakdown explicitly outlines the codes for models manufactured by Qianjiang in China for export to the United States.
UPDATE Oct. 12, 2023: Harley-Davidson reached out to us, saying the X 500 remains designed for the Asian market and will NOT be sold in America. The official owner's manual still suggests otherwise, but it's possible it was published in error. Stranger things have happened. We'll take Harley-Davidson's word that the X 500 will not be offered in the U.S., even over its official owner's manual, unless we have more evidence otherwise. We've left our article intact, as it remains true that the manual contains the information outlined here.
The 2023 manual included warranty information that was specific to the Chinese market, with a section titled “Other Limitations” that included six items. The 2024 manual adds a seventh item specifically for United States customers about modifications that are not approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air Resources Board.
Elsewhere, there is language for “USA Owners 49 State Limited Emissions Warranty” as well as a section about emissions control warranty for California, as well as a definition of tampering with noise control or exhaust emissions control systems in contravention with EPA regulations. None of this was present in the 2023 manual, and they would only be necessary for models to be sold in America.
The X 500 is the second model to be produced under the partnership between Harley-Davidson and Qianjiang, following the X 350. In its Q1 2023 report, Harley-Davidson reiterated that they were intended mainly for the Chinese market, with a X350RA variant to be used by Harley-Davidson’s Riding Academy. At the moment, there is no indication about a consumer version of the X 350 for the U.S., though that was true of the X 500 up until today.
We expect there will be a strong reaction in some corners about Harley-Davidson selling a Chinese-produced motorcycle in the U.S. with the impending arrival of the X 500.
The 2024 owner’s manual showed no changes to the specifications for the X 500. That means we can expect the same liquid-cooled 500cc Parallel-Twin engine, claiming 47 hp at 8,500 rpm and 33 lb-ft. at 5,000 rpm. The claimed wet weight remains 456 pounds, and the fuel economy is unchanged, still claiming 49 mpg. Valve inspections are scheduled for every 15,500 miles.
2024 Harley-Davidson X 500 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine | Liquid-Cooled, Parallel-Twin Cylinder, 500cc |
Displacement | 500cc |
Bore x Stroke | 69.0 mm x 66.8 mm |
Compression Ratio | 11.5:1 |
Horsepower | 46.9 hp at 8,500 rpm (claimed) |
Torque | 33.9 lb-ft. at 6,000 rpm (claimed) |
Fuel System | Electronic Air Intake Fuel Injection (ESPFI) |
Exhaust | 2 into 1 short order, 3 catalysts |
Main Drive | Chain, 74/38 |
Maximum Lean Angle | 46.9° left, 49.5° right |
Front Suspension | 50mm inverted rebound adjustable |
Rear Suspension | Oil-air separation, rebound damping adjustable, preload adjustable shock absorber |
Front Brake | Dual four-piston fixed calipers |
Rear Brake | Single-piston floating caliper |
Rear Wheel | Cast Aluminum |
Front Tire | Maxxis Supermaxx ST 120/70-ZR17/58W |
Rear Tire | Maxxis Supermaxx ST 160/60-ZR17/69W |
Length | 84.1 inches |
Seat Height | 32.3 inches |
Ground Clearance | 6.0 inches |
Rake / Trail | 24.5° / 4.0 inches |
Wheelbase | 57.4 inches |
Fuel Capacity | 3.4 gallons |
Oil Capacity (With Filter) | 0.8 gallons |
Curb Weight | 456 pounds (claimed) |
Fuel Economy | 49 mpg (claimed) |
Lighting | Front Lights: All LED, low beam, high beam and position lights; Tail Lights: All LED Lights; Front Signal Lights: All LED Lights; Rear Turn Signal Lights: All LED |
Instrumentation | Combined electronic instrument Stepper motor indicates vehicle speed, digital indicates speed, hour, total travel, two-way (A+B), km/mile indication |
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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No that’s not at all what I meant. I was just referring to Harley diehards. Not quite sure why y’all wanted to make it political and I have no idea what it has to do with this.
Why can the chinese have twin disc brakes up front and my brand new nightster is still getting by with one. Granted the single disc is AWESOME, but still. Come on.
Something about this bike makes me want to ride it though. It looks fun. I think you could convert this into a nice scrambler.