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Harley-Davidson Unveils The X 350 In China

By General Posts

from inputs by Enrico Punsalang from https://www.rideapart.com

The first QJ Motor-built Harley-Davidson machine is ready to hit the road.

Harley-Davidson has confirmed rumors and revealed 2023 X 350 in China. It goes without saying that the X 350 is a bike that marks a new milestone for Harley’s history. It’s their first foray into the sub-500cc segment in the modern era and the first two-wheeler to be crafted by their Chinese partner, QJ Motor.

Retro flair is prominent by the round instrument console, mirrors, and headlight shape, while the aerodynamic and brawny radiator shrouds, as well as the flat-track-inspired tail section, exude a distinctive charm. Interestingly, unlike Harley’s traditional cruisers, the X 350 is entirely devoid of chrome, further adding to its unconventional, surprisingly sporty appeal.

It has mid-controls, a low handlebar, and a tall 32-inch seat height that puts the rider in a more neutral position instead of the usual foot-forward, laid-back posture. A basic digital-analog instrument cluster reflects the fact that this bike was designed with a budget in mind.

H-D X350 is powered by a 353cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine borrowed from previous models in QJ Motor’s lineup. Producing 36 horsepower and 22.8 pound-feet of torque, the chain drive is matched with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Its recognizable fuel tank stores 13.5 liters.

Keep in mind that this motorcycle is exclusive to China and costs approximately $4,793. This is less than comparable motorcycles in the 300 to 400 cc category.

However, the X500 may be aimed at beginner market in USA and would be based on Benelli Leoncino. (Benelli being owned by QJ). It is expected that the Harley-Davidson will launch the X500 first in China and other Asian markets before bringing it home to USA and probably to Europe as well.

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Vance & Hines Contingency Program Valued at Over $170,000

By General Posts

Vance & Hines Announces 2023 Contingency Program Valued at Over $170,000

Santa Fe Springs CA – March 10, 2023 – Vance & Hines today announced its 2023 season contingency support programs for motorcycle racers. The contingency sponsorships, offered in partnership with five, race-sanctioning bodies, has the potential to put over $170,000 in the hands of motorcycle racers in 2023.

The program offers contingency payout funds to riders in NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle, MotoAmerica King of the Baggers and Twins Cup, American Flat Track, XDA drag racing as well as the Bagger Racing League. Contingency funds are offered to riders who are top finishers in races or series championships, and who qualify by using Vance & Hines products and services. The total value of the contingency sponsorship program for 2023 is $173,250.

“Racing is the ethos of the Vance & Hines brand,” said Vance & Hines President Mike Kennedy. “These contingency programs are just one of the ways we support racers who compete using our performance products.”

In NHRA Drag Racing, racers who finish first or runner-up using a Vance & Hines four-valve Suzuki motor in each Pro Stock Motorcycle (PSM) race earn payouts, and a shot at a $10,000 bonus for winning the championship. Riders using a Vance & Hines exhaust for their Suzuki motorcycle in PSM also earn a payout for a first or runner-up finish at each event. Total potential payout for NHRA is $34,000. Vance & Hines factory race team riders are not eligible for these contingency payments.

MotoAmerica, the country’s premier motorcycle road racing series, has expanded its slate of King of the Baggers (KOTB) races to seven, double-header events and also includes Twins Cup double-header rounds at seven of their events. Vance & Hines will offer payouts to the top five finishers in each KOTB and Twins Cup race and offers a $5,000 series Championship Bonus in each class as well. Total available payout in MotoAmerica racing is $60,400.

In American Flat Track, Vance & Hines offers funds to the top ten finishers in every SuperTwins and Singles class race. In addition, a $5,000 Championship Bonus is offered in each of these classes. With 18 races on the 2023 schedule, the total potential payout in AFT is $63,100.

The Xtreme Drag Racing Association (XDA) series offers ten classes of racing at five events which run from April through September 2023. Contingency payouts are offered to the top two finishers in each class of each race for using a Vance & Hines exhaust or for head work done by the Vance & Hines Racing Development Center. Potential payout at XDA races is $7,500.

The Bagger Racing League (BRL) has six classes for a variety of production v-twin motorcycles and will host five races at three venues in 2023. Contingency payouts are offered to the top three finishers in each of the six classes for using a Vance & Hines exhaust, air intake or FP4 tuner. Potential payout at BRL races is $8,250.

Specific requirements for earning contingency payouts are managed by each sanctioning body.

Learn more about the company’s history and products at www.vanceandhines.com.

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Progressive Suspension: Save at Daytona Bike Week

By General Posts

FROM MARCH 3 to 12 , 2023

The first official rally of the year marks the start of the riding season and everyone is getting back on their bikes after a long winter. Start the year off right with suspension that will make you want to ride longer and more often.

Progressive Suspension will be set up at the Harley-Davidson dealer in Ormond Beach, FL to provide factory installation of our premium shocks and Fork Monotube Kits at our special rally event pricing to make sure your riding experience is a great one. Stop on by and feel what you have been missing!

Location:

Teddy Morse’s Daytona Harley-Davidson
1637 US-1
Ormond Beach, FL 32174

TELL ‘EM BIKERNET SENT YA !!!

Roland Sands Design and Indian Motorcycles rev up for dominance

By General Posts

Roland Sands Design and Indian Motorcycles rev up for dominance and good times in 2023 Mission Foods King of the Baggers and Super Hooligan Road Racing Championships

Long Beach, CA – The Roland Sands Design Indian Motorcycles King of the Baggers (KOTB) and Mission Super Hooligan (Mission SHNC) race team is excited to announce their participation in the upcoming Moto America season, kicking off at Daytona Motor Speedway on March 9-11, 2023.

The team is comprised of two talented riders, Bobby Fong and Kyle Ohnsorg, who will both be taking on double duty racing Indian Challenger Baggers in King of the Baggers and racing Indian FTR 1200’s in the Mission Foods Super Hooligan AMA National Championship.

Bobby Fong, 32 years old from Stockton, CA will be piloting the Sacramento Mile/SDI Racing, LLC/Roland Sands Design/Indian Motorcycle Challenger and was the only non-factory KOTB rider to win a Mission Foods Challenge, as well as a main event in 2022. Fong will also be racing the Roland Sands Design Indian FTR 1200 in the Mission Foods Super Hooligan, marking his first time racing the Indian FTR. With great pre-season testing times, Fong is confident he can compete for race wins at Daytona and a series championship.

Kyle Ohnsorg, 28 years old from Oak Grove, MN, will be piloting both the Roland Sands Design Indian Challenger in KOTB as well as the Roland Sands Design Indian FTR 1200 in the Mission Foods Super Hooligan races. Ohnsorg is an Electro-mechanical Engineer at Indian Motorcycle and has been the Chief test rider for the Indian factory team, helping develop the current FTR 1200 platform. He is ready to show the paddock he is capable of winning a championship.

“We are thrilled to be back racing with Moto America this season and have Bobby and Kyle representing our team on the track,” said Roland Sands, owner of Roland Sands Design. “Both riders have a proven track record of success and we believe they have what it takes to compete at the highest level in both the King of the Baggers and Super Hooligan classes.”

Fans can catch all the action from the Roland Sands Design Indian Motorcycles King of the Baggers and Mission Super Hooligans Race Team on Moto America’s live streaming platform, Moto America Live + www.motoamericaliveplus.com.

For more information on the Roland Sands Design Indian Motorcycles King of the Baggers and Mission Super Hooligans Race Team, visit https://rolandsands.com/2023-roland-sands-racing

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Screamin’ Eagle 135ci Stage IV Crate Engine

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by Dustin Wheelen from https://www.rideapart.com

The Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin produces 143 lb-ft of torque and 130 horsepower.

Tens of millions of dollars and countless man-hours go into Harley-Davidson’s King of the Baggers operation. None of those resources go to waste, either, with the Motor Company snatching the KotB crown in 2021 and nearly repeating in 2022. The fruits of the race team’s labor go beyond the circuit as well, with H-D engineers and designers fashioning race-developed parts for brand faithful.

Now, Harley brings even more KotB-proven performance to the market with its Screamin’ Eagle 135ci Stage IV crate engine. The new top-dog Milwaukee-Eight V-twin features the same 68mm throttle body and CNC-machined intake manifold originally designed for Kyle and Travis Wyman’s championship-contending Road Glide Special. Screamin’ Eagle Extreme CNC-ported cylinder heads, high-performance valve spring, and an SE8-517 high-lift camshaft take full advantage of the V-twin’s larger 2,212cc volume.

Forged pistons shoot through 4.31-inch steel-sleeve cylinders with 4.625 inches of stroke. The 4 5/8-inch flywheel steadies the big-bore M8, while the Screamin’ Eagle Pro Billet Cam Plate and Oil Pump maintain optimal oil pressure. With a 10.7:1 compression ratio and high-flow fuel injectors (6.8 grams/second), the 135 crate engine lays down 143 lb-ft of torque (at 3,500 rpm) and 130 horsepower (at 5500 rpm)—all at the rear wheel.

That output eclipses the Bar and Shield’s largest production engine, the Milwaukee-Eight 117, by 28 percent in the torque department and 41 percent in pony power. Harley-Davidson recommends pairing the Stage IV Milwaukee-Eight with Screamin’ Eagle Ventilator Extreme Air Cleaner and Screamin’ Eagle Street Cannon mufflers to achieve those reported power figures.

Retailing for $7,999.95, the Screamin’ Eagle 135ci Stage IV Performance Crate Engine comes in a Black or Chrome finish and is compatible with 2021 and later Touring models (sans Trikes). The brand also offers the crate engine in Air/Oil-Cooled and Twin-Cooled configurations.

To retain emissions and warranty compliance, the installation also requires ECM recalibration with the Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner. Of course, 135 Stage IV badging on the cylinder heads and timer cover lets everyone know that your Hog benefits from KotB-derived performance.

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NCOM Biker Newsbytes for February 2023

By General Posts


Industry & Legislative Motorcycle News from USA and the world
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish

Click Here to read the February 2023 NCOM News on Bikernet.com

  • YAMAHA PLEDGES 10 MILLION YEN TO TURKEY-SYRIA EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
  • HONDA SHOOTS FOR THE MOON
  • EUROPEAN UNION PROPOSES DIGITAL DRIVING LICENSES
  • SKILLS CRISIS OVER LACK OF YOUNG PEOPLE WORKING IN MOTORCYCLING
  • MOTORCYCLE HELMET MARKET EXPECTED TO GROW SUBSTANTIALLY
  • CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION COULD INVOKE DONOR-CYCLISTS
  • RIDER SAVED BY SMARTWATCH AFTER FALL FROM CLIFF ON HIS MOTORCYCLE
  • JAY LENO SUFFERS SERIOUS MOTORCYCLE CRASH
  • SAFETY INSTITUTE BACKS CAT-ASTROPHIC ROAD RULES
  • NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE
  • SAVE THE DATE – 38TH ANNUAL NCOM CONVENTION IN ARIZONA

National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) News provides updates on motorcycle industry, market, legislation, rights of bikers, motorcyclists in USA, and motorcycle news from around the world.

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