Harley-Davidson has turned 120 years old in 2023, and a feat like this deserves a celebration. Doing exactly that, the American giant is all set to introduce its 2023 lineup on Jan. 18, which will comprise new motorcycles and a few special anniversary editions. Understandably, the MoCo is tight-lipped about everything, but its VIN filings, sourced by Motorcycle.com, have now revealed three new motorcycles, including the much-anticipated Harley-Davidson X350 roadster.
The Harley-Davidson X350 Will Hit American Shores, But There’s A Catch
The most notable entrant for 2023 is the Harley-Davidson X350 - Harley’s first sub-500cc motorcycle in the modern age. The X350 is a product of Harley’s tie-up with China’s QJ Motors and boasts a neo-retro roadster design that sets it apart in the brand's otherwise cruiser-loaded lineup. It is powered by a 353cc, twin-cylinder mill (identical to the Benelli 353S) that pumps out 23 horsepower, as revealed by the VIN.
The catch, however, is that the X350’s VIN has ‘RA’ at the end, which is HD’s moniker for its 'Road Academy' motorcycles. So there’s a high chance the X350 will solely serve purpose as an academy motorcycle, just like the Street 500. Though a bummer, this gives hope that Harley-Davidson will likely bring the bigger X500 (with a 499cc, twin-cylinder heart, and 46 horsepower) as a public offering. Nevertheless, both motorcycles will be built solely in China.
New Harley-Davidson Nightster S And Harley-Davidson Breakout Are Also Coming
Recently, the Harley-Davidson Nightster S was leaked, and we now know that ‘S’ means ‘Special’, thanks to the VIN. The special edition of the Nightster isn’t much different, though, with just a few minor tweaks. These include a standard pillion seat, an old-school HD livery, different wheels, and even a TFT instrument cluster. Everything else - the 975cc engine, suspension, brakes - is expected to be unchanged.
The third (and surprise) addition to Harley’s 2023 lineup will be the Breakout FXBR. Though gone from the USA for a couple of years, the Breakout will make a comeback this year, that too with a bigger Milwaukee Eight 117 (1,923cc) mill. It’ll produce 101 horsepower, seven more than the previous-gen Milwaukee Eight 114-powered Breakout.
Finally, these models will be topped by a few anniversary editions, which will probably be limited production models. You can expect the new lineup to reach dealerships soon after the January 18 unveil. Which of these excites you the most? Let us know in the comments.