Originally appeared Motorcycle.com
Author: Dennis Cheung



Harley-Davidson has released a U.S. owner’s manual for the X500, indicating the roadster manufactured by China’s Qianjiang Motorcycle might be exported to America for the 2024 model year. The X500 was announced for the Chinese market back in April, and later for Australia and New Zealand, however the newly published owner’s manual may suggest a possible USA launch.

The manual for the 2024 X500 was released on Harley-Davidson’s Service Info site, with some distinct changes compared to the 2023 owner’s manual, adding information specific to the American market such as a U.S. vehicle identification number (VIN). The manual’s VIN breakdown explicitly outlines the codes for models manufactured by Qianjiang in China for export to the United States.

Harley-Davidson however maintains that the X500 remains designed for the Australasian market and there are no plans for the X500 to be sold in America. The official owner's manual still suggests otherwise, but it's possible it was published in error. Stranger things have happened. We'll just have to take Harley-Davidson's word that the X500 will not be offered in the American market, despite its official owner's manual.

The 2023 manual included warranty information that was specific to the Chinese market, with a section titled “Other Limitations” that included six items. The 2024 manual adds a seventh item specifically for United States customers about modifications that are not approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air Resources Board.

Elsewhere, there is language for “USA Owners 49 State Limited Emissions Warranty” as well as a section about emissions control warranty for California, as well as a definition of tampering with noise control or exhaust emissions control systems in contravention with EPA regulations. None of this was present in the 2023 manual, and they would only be necessary for models to be sold in America.



The X500 is the second model to be produced under the partnership between Harley-Davidson and Qianjiang, following the X350. In its Q1 2023 report, Harley-Davidson reiterated that they were intended mainly for the Chinese market, with a X350RA variant to be used by Harley-Davidson’s Riding Academy. At the moment, there is no indication about a consumer version of the X350 for the U.S., though that was true of the X500 up until today.

It's possible there might be a strong reaction in some corners about Harley-Davidson selling a Chinese-produced motorcycle in the U.S. with the impending arrival of the X500.




The 2024 owner’s manual showed no changes to the specifications for the X 500. That means we can expect the same liquid-cooled 500cc Parallel-Twin engine, claiming 47hp at 8,500 rpm and 33 lb-ft. at 5,000 rpm. The claimed wet weight remains 206 kg/456 lbs, and the fuel economy is unchanged, still claiming 28l/km / 49 mpg. Valve inspections are scheduled for every 25000 km / 15500 miles.