Harley-Davidson’s Most Approachable and Affordable Moto Can Finally Be Purchased in the US

The refreshing, business-savvy move seemingly heralds a more beginner-friendly era for the legendary brand.

Close-up of a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine with visible bolts and exhaust pipes.

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There’s an inescapable irony to the fact that while Harley’s excellent Riding Academy helps new riders learn on approachable 350cc motorcycles, the smallest, most affordable Harley you can buy with your fresh new license is a 975cc, $9,999 Nightster.

I’m not the only one to have lamented this incongruity, and I’m not the only one stoked to see that’s finally changing.

Orange and black Harley-Davidson X350 motorcycle with a round headlight and black alloy wheels. — Previously confined to Harley RIding Academy courses, the X350 will finally be hitting America’s open roads.

According to multiple sources, as the brand begins rolling its upcoming, super-approachable Sprint into the Academy, it’s giving dealers the go-ahead to put the current training fleet bike up for sale.

That would be the X350, made in conjunction with China’s QJMotor, presenting a unique opportunity to score the most affordable, approachable Harley in years right here in the States.

Small-bore banger

Credit to PowerSports Business (and later RideApart) for sniffing out this news, gleaned from a service bulletin and dealer communication letter authorizing dealers to sell their old X350s to the public.

Silver Harley-Davidson X350 motorcycle with black seat and orange accents in a dimly lit garage. — The bike’s stripped-down street style makes it one of the better-looking sub-500cc options out there.

As these bikes were only ever used for training and never homologated for road use, they bulletin notes that they do require an X350RA Retail Conversion Kit to become street legal.

Once that happens, they stand to be a pretty compelling option for newer riders, who may balk at starting out on a borderline liter bike with a running weight of nearly 500 pounds.

If you can get over the fact it is not a V-Twin, you can have loads of fun on this bike without breaking the bank.

Harley-Davidson

By comparison, the X350 is decidedly more welcoming. The liquid-cooled parallel twin 353cc makes a safe and reasonable 36 horsepower at 9,500 rpm, plus 23 ft-lbs of torque.

Nothing that will knock your socks off, but plenty lively enough to zip around the city and find some joy on winding two-lane roads.

Silver and black Harley-Davidson X350 motorcycle parked on a concrete surface. — The bike’s relatively low weight and seat height should reduce anxiety for riders of all shapes and sizes.

More meaningful specs for the new rider are the seat height of 30.6 inches and running weight of 430 pounds, numbers that are more like a warm hug than a firm handshake.

Throw in the prospect of buying the very same bike you just learned and got licensed on, at a price likely well under $9,000, and you’re looking at the smartest move a Harley-loving beginner can make.

Two people wearing black helmets riding a red Harley-Davidson motorcycle on a city street at night. — Bonus: the relaxed, upright posture and gently stepped seat are comfortable for both rider and passenger.

At least until the new Sprint rolls out later this year, anyway. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Availability and pricing

The Harley-Davidson X350’s availability and price will vary from dealer to dealer, but we should see more of them popping up in the days and weeks to come. Considering a new X350 costs less than $9,000, the refurbed bikes should be quite attractively priced.

Harley-Davidson X350

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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