Bashan BS1200-G: Chinese Hardtail Bobber With Harley Clone Engine Receives Type Approval

• Model designation: Bashan BS1200-G
• Engine: air-cooled 1,202 cc V-twin by Shineray producing 45 kW (61 hp) at 5,500 rpm
• Curb weight: 245 kg (540 lbs), top speed per type approval: 120 km/h (75 mph)
• True hardtail with no rear suspension, springer fork up front

Bashan is hardly a household name in the Western motorcycle world, despite the company having existed for over two decades. Chongqing Astronautic Bashan Motorcycle Manufacturing Co. was founded in 2002 and has been exporting motorcycles to Europe since 2005, followed shortly after by the United States. Until now, the portfolio was limited to affordable single-cylinder models with small displacement, including 250 cc dual-sport machines and scooters. Bashan also manufactures ATVs, electric vehicles, commercial three-wheelers, and small engines. The BS1200-G now marks a radical change of direction and the entry into the large-displacement cruiser class.

Where Does the BS1200-G’s Engine Come From?

The heart of the Bashan BS1200-G is an air-cooled V-twin with 1,202 cc displacement, built by Shineray. Shineray is a major Chinese conglomerate headquartered in Chongqing that acquired the Italian brand SWM in 2014 and has since been producing motorcycles at the former Husqvarna factory in Lombardy, among other locations. The Chinese type approval explicitly confirms Shineray as the engine manufacturer, meaning this is not a separate replica but the same unit already used in the SWM Stormbreaker V1200.

The technical parallels to the discontinued Harley-Davidson Evolution Sportster engine are hard to miss. The bore and stroke of 88.9 mm and 96.8 mm are identical to the Evo, as is the resulting displacement of 1,202 cc. The 45-degree cylinder angle, the OHV valve train with pushrods and two valves per cylinder, and the oil filter position also match the American original. Shineray has never officially commented on exactly how the engine was developed. The official narrative states that the engine was designed in Italy. In comment sections and specialist forums, however, there is intense debate over whether Shineray may have acquired construction plans or even tooling from Harley-Davidson.

One significant difference lies in the compression ratio: the Shineray engine operates at 9.1:1, while the Evo had a compression ratio of 10:1. This reduction is likely one of the reasons the Shineray engine meets the Euro 5 emission standard, while Harley-Davidson discontinued the air-cooled Sportster engine in 2022, partly due to tightened emission regulations. The last classic air-cooled Sportster rolled off the assembly line at the Harley-Davidson plant in York, Pennsylvania, on November 18, 2022.

Power output is on par with the former Sportster 1200: 45 kW (61 hp) at 5,500 rpm and 90 Nm (67 lb-ft) of torque at 4,000 rpm. For comparison, the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight produced approximately 67 hp and 99 Nm according to manufacturer specifications. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a five-speed gearbox.

How Is the BS1200-G’s Chassis Designed?

The most striking aspect of the BS1200-G is arguably its chassis, as it is a true hardtail. Unlike modern motorcycles with a hardtail look that use hidden rear suspension, the Bashan employs no suspension at the rear whatsoever. The double-cradle steel frame runs rigidly to the rear wheel. The only comfort buffer is a sprung tractor-style seat. Anyone brave enough to take the pillion seat on the rear fender has only a thin foam pad and the tire sidewall as buffers against road imperfections.

Up front, a vintage-style springer fork provides what can only be described as minimal travel and damping by modern standards. Springer forks were widely used in motorcycle production until roughly the 1940s and were last offered by Harley-Davidson in production models such as the Crossbones between 1988 and 2011. Today, they are found almost exclusively on custom builds.

What Are the Technical Specifications of the Bashan BS1200-G?

According to the Chinese type approval documents, the BS1200-G has a curb weight of 245 kg (540 lbs) and a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph). The wheelbase measures 1,600 mm (63.0 in), with an overall length of 2,319 mm (91.3 in). This makes the Bashan noticeably longer and lower than the SWM Stormbreaker V1200 with its 2,180 mm overall length and 1,500 mm wheelbase, as well as the former Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight at 2,164 mm in length and 1,497 mm (58.9 in) wheelbase.

Despite its thoroughly retro-oriented appearance, the BS1200-G must meet minimum legal requirements. It features electronic fuel injection and dual-channel ABS on both wheels. The braking system uses disc brakes front and rear in essentially identical configuration. The headlight is an LED unit with integrated daytime running light. Both wheels are 16-inch wire-spoke wheels fitted with tires in the classic inch-size 5.00-16, identical front and rear.

How Does the BS1200-G Differ From the SWM Stormbreaker?

Although both models use the same Shineray engine, they pursue fundamentally different concepts. The SWM Stormbreaker V1200 is visually and technically closely modeled on the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight: conventional telescopic fork, twin rear shock absorbers, cast wheels with 130/90-16 and 150/80-16 tires, a 14-liter tank, and a curb weight of approximately 250 to 262 kg depending on the source. In Europe, the Stormbreaker is offered at a price of 9,990 euros (approximately $10,750).

The Bashan BS1200-G, by contrast, goes all-in on the bobber style: hardtail frame, springer fork, uniform 5.00-16 tires, spartan equipment. It weighs slightly less than the Stormbreaker at 245 kg but is noticeably more stretched out with its 1,600 mm wheelbase and 2,319 mm overall length.

What Is the Current Status and Will the BS1200-G Come to Europe?

The BS1200-G was first presented as a prototype at a Chinese motorcycle show in October 2025. This early version featured chrome-plated components on the fork and engine casing. A revised, all-black variant was subsequently displayed at the Canton Fair 2026 in Guangzhou. Chinese type approval by MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) has since been granted, which is the prerequisite for sales on the Chinese market.

Whether the BS1200-G will also be offered in international markets is currently uncertain. The Euro 5 certification of the Shineray engine at least removes a key technical hurdle for the European market. Bashan has previously exported motorcycles to various countries through third-party distributors, with some models sold under different brand names. A specific timeline or confirmed export markets do not yet exist.

In the United States, where Bashan already has a presence with small dual-sport models, an import would be theoretically possible. However, the target audience for a Chinese hardtail bobber with a Harley clone engine is likely quite small there. In markets where a genuine Harley-Davidson model is either financially out of reach or unavailable, the situation could be different. Earlier Chinese retro motorcycles such as the Changjiang boxer models based on the BMW R71 have demonstrated that demand does exist in certain niches.

Frequently Asked Questions

➜ This article is part of our comprehensive overview: New Motorcycles 2026: All Models, Releases, and Highlights at a Glance. Find all key information on this topic in one place.