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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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Monster Energy Kawasaki at Daytona International Speedway

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Monster Energy® Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson Secures Fifth Place Finish at Daytona International Speedway

March 4, 2023 | Daytona International Speedway | Daytona, Florida

Foothill Ranch, Calif. (March 5, 2023) – The iconic Daytona International Speedway played host to the world’s premier supercross racers for Round 8 of the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross Championship where Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Jason Anderson secured his third consecutive top-five finish. In the 250SX Class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Chris Blose displayed an impressive come-from-behind performance to secure a season-best seventh place.

When qualifying sessions began, a motivated Anderson was one of the first riders to hit the Daytona race course. The No.21 KX™450SR rider showed impressive pace while focusing his time on track to explore various lines and generate a sense of how track conditions will deteriorate throughout the day. In the final session, Anderson applied the knowledge gained from earlier in the day to secure the third fastest lap time (1:12.889) in 450SX qualifying.

In 450SX Heat 2, Anderson launched out the gate running in fifth and masterfully moved up to fourth through the first rhythm section. The New Mexico-born rider continued to race forward after taking control of fourth and within two laps was challenging at the front of the field. Anderson then displayed the superior cornering ability of his KX450SR by skillfully executing an inside line pass in Turn 1 to advance into third. The No.21 rode consistent laps until a last-lap pass moved him back to fourth. Despite his best efforts to regain the position, Anderson crossed the line fourth.

As light showers began to fall at the start of the 450SX Main Event, Anderson emerged from the first turn in seventh before quickly advancing to fifth as he reached the infamous Daytona sand. Once in fifth position, Anderson settled into a comfortable pace and steadily extended his advantage over sixth place. As racing progressed, the No.21 momentarily mounted a challenge for fourth but was unable to close in on the competition to attempt a pass and ultimately finished the race in fifth. Anderson’s top-five finish solidifies his hold over fourth place in the championship points standings.

“The track layout this year was nearly identical to the Daytona track we raced on last year, so our bike set up was very similar to last year’s settings. However, this track broke down differently and became a lot deeper, which made it difficult to get comfortable. The rain we had leading up to the Main Event also made the dirt very slick in some spots. I tried my best to adjust to the changing track conditions throughout the race but, to be honest, I just couldn’t get myself in a rhythm. Overall, we still had a solid weekend and earned valuable championship points.”
– Jason Anderson

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As 250SX qualifying began, Blose deployed a calculated plan of attack as he elected to give space between himself and the rest of the field. The open track allowed Blose to locate his preferred lines before attempting a fast lap. Blose’s strategy proved to be beneficial as he improved his lap times with each time on track to log the 10th fastest lap in 250SX qualifying despite the rapidly deteriorating track conditions.

When the gate dropped on 250SX Heat 1, Blose executed a well-timed jump to emerge from the first turn in seventh. Amidst all the chaos of the opening lap, the No.57 KX™250 rider managed to latch onto the rear wheel of the rider ahead and challenge for sixth. Blose’s relentless pressure intimidated the rider ahead, allowing him to gain control of sixth by the midway point. Looking for more, the Arizona native closed in on another competitor as he continued to link together consistent laps. With only a minute of racing left, Blose made the pass for fifth stick and maintained track position to the finish.

In the 250SX Main Event, Blose again launched out to a seventh-place start and with a combination of clever line selection and veteran experience, the No.57 swiftly moved into fifth by the third corner of the opening lap. Running in fifth, Blose looked ready to secure his first top-five finish of the season until a mistake near the mechanic’s area resulted in a tip-over. Despite a quick remount, Blose was shuffled back outside the top 10. As racing continued, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider proved his racecraft by climbing up the running order with each lap. Blose achieved his impressive come-from-behind performance through consistent riding and his ability to capitalize on the mistakes of others to finish seventh when the checkered flag flew.

“Even though I’ve only been with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team for a short amount of time, I feel like I’m starting to find my stride and confidence. From the start of the first practice to the Main Event, I felt extremely comfortable on the KX250 and that showed in my riding tonight. Even with a tip-over in the sand section during the main I was still able to move up the field and finish in seventh, my best result of the season so far. I’m looking forward to another week of practice with the team and feel like we can be in the hunt for a top-five finish soon.”
– Chris Blose

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Sturgis Rally History: Bullock Hotel Basement

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by Bandit and Mike Rungy

This is wild. It brings up memories of wild times and early issues of Easyriders Magazines.

I have a neighbor in Deadwood who works for the Deadwood Historic Society. He called the other day about an article published in Easyriders around the Deadwood Whorehouses. Just before the article was published the feds raided and put an end to prostitution in the Black Hills forever, sorta…

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Riding Free since 1996

Harley Financials and Growth Prospects for 2023

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by Bandit

I’m not a financial advisor. I’d rather build another motorcycle than chase the stock market. But take a look at my portfolio. I have maybe 20 motorcycles, one triumph, one Indian (I had two but traded my ’46 for a ’50 bobbed Panhead). What does that tell you? I’m a Harley guy. All bikers have a special relationship with Harley-Davidson. The question always is: Does the factory respect and embrace that relationship?

So, the final quarter, yearend financials surfaced, but they weren’t posted like they were in the past, you had to ask for them. However, the factory slipped into the mainstream media spotlight leading into 2023, in some troubling ways, and others indicate positive growth.

Click here to read this Special Report only on Bikernet.com

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The Chrome Rebels Bikernet Weekly News for February 23, 2023

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Click here to read this week’s news only on Bikernet.com

I guess I am asking where do the Chrome Rebels fit into the history of Harley-Davidson and the current motorcycle culture. The choppers that folks said died a couple of times is back. In reality, Choppers never died.

They just ducked underground for a spell. So, what does the chopper represent to you. Is it sex, drugs and rock and roll?

My question in the intro about the outlaw plight of the biker is an interesting challenge. In a sense this is all about riding free into the future. Hang on!

–Bandit

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Chapter 4: Chance in Bonneville Run

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by Bandit

Chance rode back to his pad wondering what the hell just happened. He was naturally suspicious and sensitive to the actions of others, and what about the redhead. She hit him like a bolt flying off a speeding semi. He felt for a bruise next to his heart.

He unlocked his gate and rolled his chopper off the street. The homeless were still gone from his short industrial block in old Wilmington. Streets were asphalt, but the gutters contained historic reminders, with mortared bricks and cobblestones still reaching the surface.

Read this latest chapter in Bonneville Run saga at Bikernet.com – click here.

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Southern Rider Goes the Distance

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Amazing Bessie spent 60 years in the saddle, aboard 28 different motorcycles
by Ann Ferrar

Click here to read this photo feature article on Bikernet.com

Ann Ferrar, author of “Hear Me Roar: Women, Motorcycles and the Rapture of the Road,” considers Bessie Stringfield one of her life’s greatest inspirations. Ferrar spent time with Ms. Stringfield during Bessie’s golden years, and thus a friendship blossomed between two women riders of different generations and very different life experiences. Ms. Stringfield was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2002.

In the 1930s and 1940s, my friend Bessie Stringfield took eight long-distance, solo rides around the country in the style of the old gypsy tours. Bessie dismissed the scolding of relatives who said that “nice girls didn’t go around riding motorcycles” and she became estranged from them.

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Rockford-Fosgate Amplifier for Harley-Davidson

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by Rogue with photos by Nick Sherman

My 2022 Harley Ultra came with a reasonable sound system, but my problem is hearing loss from when I was in the military. That prompted me to order an amplifier and new speakers. Life got in the way and I got behind schedule and needed some help getting it installed.

The system I chose was Harleys Rockford-Fosgate 400W – 4 Channel

I decided to get some help on this install for a couple of reasons.

The factory suggests installation is done by a technician at a Haley dealership.

Even if you do the install yourself the newly installed audio system and speakers will not play audio unless it is configured using the Harley-Davidson audio app or by an authorized Harley dealership, sneaky.

I have handled numerous upgrades over the years, and this one can be done if you have the time, knowledge and tools. I did not have the time.

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The Normal or Crazy Bikernet Weekly News for February 9th, 2023

By General Posts

Riding Free since 1996

Hey,

I’ve been in touch with guys and girls all over the industry. It’s 20 degrees here in Sturgis and light snow flurries block the sun but motorcycle action is everywhere. Shows, auctions and action is happening even in the coldest areas. Hell, in my small shop I’m building two bikes and preparing for road testing of the Salt Torpedo.

— Bandit

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Triumph Thunderbird Custom by Von Dutch

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1958 Triumph Thunderbird Custom by Von Dutch

PLAN A VISIT to NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM

https://nationalmcmuseum.org

WINTER HOURS: Thru March
OPEN: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm
CLOSED: Sunday and Monday
Closing permanently Sept. 5, 2023

A young man in Los Angeles named Ken Howard began tinkering with his Indian Scout around 1946. Removing the shapely Indian fuel and oil tanks, he installed a smaller gas tank, a simple oil tank. He added upswept exhausts and taller handlebars atop risers. Employing one of his best skills, he painted and pin-striped the fuel tank. The story goes that he street raced it, crashed it, reworked it over and over, making it his own.

Liking what they saw, Von Dutch did similar types of custom modifications to his friends’ bikes as well. There may have been others detailing what came to be known as bob-jobs that way in 1946. Some car builders were likely an influence, but evidence points to Howard, aka Von Dutch, as a spark for a revolution in motorcycle style. And we are still living with the impact and inspiration of his work. Luckily, many machines he painted decades ago retain his paint work and fabrications.

This 1958 Triumph Thunderbird is typical of Von Dutch’s work for customers in the 1950’s and 1960’s. It was created when he worked with the famed Bud Ekins to build modified motorcycles in the Los Angeles area. The leather Bates saddle with pillion pad is typical as are the small tank and narrow rear fender with sculpted custom tail light. The fork is stripped of most lugs, chrome plated and a perch style headlight bracket is used letting the headlight float. Where some would go to a spool hub, Von Dutch ran with racers who knew the value of a front brake so the stock unit, polished, remains. Upswept pipes make the bike light, sleek in appearance as do the low bars. The polished engine cases with a few custom bits is on full display beneath the small tank. A few parts are drilled for lightness.

Some refer to this paint job as “scalloped,” others call it a “seaweed” design. The paint is likely nitro cellulose lacquer and has therefore dulled a bit over the decades. Either way it’s quite understated and nothing like many typical red, orange and yellow flame jobs on black that soon followed. The reversing green/blue metallic scheme is timeless.

While Von Dutch focused more on customs and bobbers than choppers, his style influenced generations of customizers of all types, still does today. And you could say he’s one who opened the door to the style that evolved into the less functional, more outrageous chopper in the 1960s.

This Von Dutch Triumph is largely original, never restored and is part of the Jill & John Parham Collection. You can enjoy the Von Dutch Triumph, other Von Dutch creations and many other custom bikes from all eras when you visit the National Motorcycle Museum before it closes its doors in early September.

Specifications:

  • Engine: OHV Parallel Twin, Non-Unit
  • Bore & Stroke: 71mm x 82mm
  • Displacement: 649cc / 30.5 Cubic Inches
  • Induction: Amal Monobloc Carburetor
  • Compression Ratio: 8.5:1
  • Clutch: Multi-Plate
  • Starting: Kick Only
  • Horsepower: 34HP, Stock
  • Transmission: 4-Speed, Foot Shift
  • Primary: Roller Chain
  • Final Drive: Roller Chain
  • Frame: Lugged Steel, Single Down Tube
  • Suspension: Hydraulic Fork / Twin Shocks, Swingarm
  • Wheels: 19” Front, 19” Rear
  • Brakes: Drum, Front & Rear
  • Wheelbase: 56 Inches
  • Top Speed: Approximately 95
  • Weight: 310 Pounds

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