- Upcoming smallest Harley-Davidson could feature a 353cc engine
- Likely to be based on China's Qianjiang’s QJ350-13 (next-gen Benelli TNT 300)
- Leaked document reveals larger displacement and lesser performance
Harley-Davidson had released a design sketch of its future most affordable motorcycle in June 2019. At the same time, it had also announced its alliance with the China-based Qianjiang Motorcycle, the company which will be manufacturing the smallest Harley. The news had created quite a stir in the industry due to the 338cc displacement of the bike; smallest ever from the American bike maker. However, a new leaked Chinese document suggests that the entry-level Harley-Davidson might feature a larger 353cc engine.
The revelation of the baby Harley design sketch had confirmed that it shares its hardware and engine with the Benelli TNT 300 naked bike, which too is manufactured by Qianjiang. Besides the styling, the only difference was supposed to be the 338cc displacement of the Harley, as opposed to the 300cc engine of the Benelli. Fast forward now, a leaked document of the QJ350-13 (next-gen Benelli TNT 300) reveals that the bike will displace 353cc, which will certainly be the same engine powering the smallest Harley-Davidson.
The leaked document states that the next-gen Benelli TNT 300 churns out around 36hp from its revised 353cc parallel-twin motor. The increased displacement yet lesser performance hints towards an engine compliant with the latest emission norms. Besides these changes in the engine, rest of the hardware including chassis, swingarm, suspension and brakes remain unchanged, as apparent from the document. However, it has been bestowed with a sportier styling, similar to Qianjiang’s newly-launched SRK 600 (new TNT 600i). As for the styling of the Harley-Davidson 350, it will certainly boast of a muscular flat-tracker styling.
The most affordable Harley-Davidson will be a product majorly for the Asian markets and it will definitely come to the Indian market. Considering the disruptions caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, expect Harley to bring this bike to our shores by the second half of 2021.
