Harley X350 and X500 End in Japan: What It Says About Harley’s Entry-Level Push

• End of production announced on June 10, 2026, only remaining stock is still being sold
• Prices in Japan: 699,800 yen for the X350, 839,800 yen for the X500
• Both models were developed with Chinese manufacturer QJ Motor and are closely related to Benelli

The announcement came on June 10, 2026. Since then, Harley-Davidson Japan has stopped taking regular orders, and no new deliveries are planned. Anyone who still wants to buy an X350 or X500 has to rely on the stock held by authorized dealers. Once that is sold, sales in Japan will end for good. In its statement, the company specifically addresses riders who are taking their first step toward the brand or are new to motorcycling. It describes the sell-off as the last chance to get one of the two models and recommends booking a test ride before visiting a dealer.

Why is Harley-Davidson discontinuing the X350 and X500 in Japan?

Harley-Davidson Japan has not given a reason. There are no signs of a technical defect or a recall, so this is a strategic decision.

What stands out is how much the two models differ from the rest of the lineup. Harley-Davidson traditionally sells its motorcycles on American heritage, the typical character of the V-twin engine and its own platforms. The X350 and X500, on the other hand, were largely shaped by the partnership with a Chinese manufacturer and use a parallel twin. Whether that played a role in the decision, Harley-Davidson does not say.

What were the Harley-Davidson X350 and X500?

The two models were primarily meant to bring younger riders and newcomers to Harley-Davidson. After their market launch in Asia in 2023, they also arrived at Japanese dealers on October 20, 2023.

They were designed in Milwaukee, the brand’s home. They were built in China by QJ Motor, which also owns Benelli. Technically, they are closely related to well-known Benelli models: the X350 is close to the Benelli 302 S, the X500 to the Benelli Leoncino 500.

Visually, the two go separate ways. The X350 is reminiscent of the XR750, which Harley-Davidson raced in flat track from the 1970s onward, meaning races on dirt and gravel ovals. The X500 is a roadster with a round tank, thick seat and short bobber-style rear fender, and borrows elements from the Sportster. Both were offered in Dramatic Black, Dynamic Orange, Supersonic Silver and Pearl White.

The X350 is one of the production models with the smallest displacement in the brand’s history. In Japan, this gave it a particular advantage: it can be ridden with the mid-class motorcycle license. That earned it the nickname “Chūmen-Harley” there, which roughly translates as “Harley for the mid-class license”.

What technology is in the X350 and X500?

Both models use a liquid-cooled parallel twin with double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Power is sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox, a cable-operated wet multi-plate clutch and a chain.

According to the manufacturer, the engines are tuned for strong torque in the mid-range. This is mainly intended to help in city traffic, which both models were designed for.

Harley-Davidson X350

The X350’s engine displaces 353 cc with a bore of 70.5 millimeters and a stroke of 45.2 millimeters, and the compression ratio is 11.9:1. It produces 37 hp (27 kW) at 9,500 rpm and delivers 31 Nm (23 lb-ft) at 7,000 rpm. Ready to ride, the X350 weighs 195 kg (430 lbs), and the tank holds 13.5 liters. Seat height is 777 millimeters, the wheelbase 1,410 millimeters. At the front is an upside-down fork with 41-millimeter tubes, in which the thicker tubes sit at the top. Top speed is around 140 km/h.

Harley-Davidson X500

The X500 displaces 500 cc with a bore of 69 millimeters and a stroke of 66.8 millimeters, with a compression ratio of 11.5:1. It produces 48 hp (35 kW) at 8,500 rpm, and its 46 Nm (34 lb-ft) peak at 6,000 rpm. This puts it exactly at the limit of the A2 license class, which is important in Europe and capped at 48 hp (35 kW). It weighs 208 kg (459 lbs), and the tank holds 13.1 liters. Seat height is 820 millimeters, the wheelbase 1,485 millimeters. The fork is considerably beefier with 50-millimeter tubes. Around 160 km/h is possible.

On both models, the fork is adjustable for rebound damping, meaning how quickly the fork extends again after compressing. The rear shock is adjustable for preload and rebound. The 17-inch cast wheels carry Maxxis Supermaxx ST radial tires in 120/70 ZR17 at the front and 160/60 ZR17 at the rear. There are two discs at the front and one at the rear. ABS is standard, and the lighting is full LED. Mid-mounted footpegs and a flat handlebar result in an upright riding position.

How much did the small Harleys cost in Japan?

In Japan, the X350 cost 699,800 yen (around 3,930 euros / 4,460 US dollars), the X500 839,800 yen (around 4,710 euros / 5,350 US dollars), both including tax.

At these prices, Harley-Davidson went head-to-head with the Japanese manufacturers on their home turf. Within the Harley lineup, the gap was large: the Nightster costs just under 1.5 million yen in Japan (around 8,400 euros / 9,550 US dollars), roughly twice as much as the X350.

How often has Harley-Davidson tried small entry-level models?

Over the past decades, Harley-Davidson has repeatedly tried to win new buyers with smaller motorcycles. None of these attempts brought lasting success.

Early on, there were small Harleys from the Italian manufacturer Aermacchi. Then came the Hummer, a two-stroke based on a DKW design. More recently, the 750 cc Street models followed, which also failed to catch on. The newer 975s were not as well received either, given how much the loss of the Sportster 883 was regretted.

The air-cooled Sportsters with 883 and 1,200 cc were a reliable seller for many years, with customers and dealers alike. The technically modern, liquid-cooled Sportsters have not reached those volumes, partly because of significantly higher prices. The X350 and X500 were the latest attempt so far to fill that gap.

What happens to the X350 in the USA?

In the USA, the X350 was never approved for road use. There, it served exclusively as a training motorcycle in the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy, the brand’s rider training program with more than one million participants so far.

Now participating dealers may sell these retired motorcycles, designated X350RA, used to private customers for the first time. The condition is that the warranty has expired and a conversion kit for road approval has been fitted. A circular to dealers states: “Dear Dealers, We’re pleased to announce that participating Harley-Davidson Riding Academy (HDRA) dealers can now sell de-fleeted H-D X350 RA vehicles.” The motorcycles are becoming available because the training fleet is being switched to the new Sprint model.

What’s next for Harley-Davidson’s entry-level models?

According to Harley-Davidson, the company intends to keep working on accessible models for the next generation of riders. What has ended in Japan is only the chapter of the Chinese-built X models, not the topic of the entry-level Harley.

This fits the realignment that CEO Artie Starrs presented on May 5, 2026 under the name “Back to the Bricks”. One goal of this strategy is to make the brand accessible to more people again. The Sprint plays a central role in this. It is expected to launch in 2027 as an A2-compliant model and will then also be offered in Europe.

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