Auto Tech

Harley-Davidson 500cc motorcycle set for Asia? Images emerge

Harley-Davidson has been rumoured to be building a 500 cc motorcycle with an Asian market focus

Behold this mean machine. If the rumours doing the rounds on the web are right, we would soon be able to have our eyes on the new Harley-Davidson motorcycle which is said to have been built based on the much loved Benelli Leoncino 500.

There had been bits and pieces of information on a new Harley mobike for long, but now spy pictures have emerged on the internet. Rumors were that Harley-Davidson was in the works on a smaller-capacity 500 cc motorcycle intended to be sold in the Asian marketplace. It was also reported at the manufacture of the new motorcycle by Harley was in collaboration with its Chinese partner company, Qianjiang Motor. The two companies have been partners and it was expected that the tie up was limited to the upcoming 338R roadster.

Spy pictures reveal smaller Harley motorcycle

The 338R roadster, incidentally, is gearing up to get into production mode. However, the latest spy pictures reveal a lot about the smaller Harley bike aimed at the Asian market. The images show a Harley-Davidson badging on the new vehicle, and going by the looks, could be inferred that it takes off from the Benelli Leoncino 500. In case you aren’t aware, QJ Motor of China is the parent firm of Benelli. The Leoncino 500 is currently on sale in India too.

The looks of the new Harley-Davidson motorcycle hint at Leoncino 500-inspired engine cases and seems like matching with match the size, shape, and design of those on the Leoncino 500. Besides, there are many other similarities, such as the make of the frame and suspension. The small size Harley has also got a trellis frame, USD fork, and monoshock, akin to what the Leoncino 500 boasts of.

Design elements inspired by Leoncino 500

Pictures also reveal a round headlamp embellished with a muted silver bezel, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank complete with the new Harley logo, and a single-pod instrument cluster, said an AutoCar report. Oval-shaped mirrors, a long single-piece seat, and a bobber-style rear fender are the other features.

With the Asian marketplace as focus, it needs to be expected that India would also get a taste of the vehicle.

Show More

Sanjeev Ramachandran

A journalist with 23 years of experience, Sanjeev has worked with reputed media houses such as Business Standard, The Ne More »
Advertisment
Back to top button