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Harley-Davidson first announced its partnership with China-based Qianjiang Group back in 2019 as part of a plan to expand its range to smaller-capacity motorcycles.

  • Harley-Davidson to roll out the Chinese-made X350 and X500 in Asia soon. 
  • The smaller capacity Harley-Davidson will be built by Zhejiang Jisheng Motor Vehicle Co. Ltd. 

Back then, the small Harley was referred to as the 338R, further confirmed by a leaked photo that revealed the side profile of the motorcycle. 

However, the latest type-approval filed in China has revealed that not just one but two bikes have been approved for sale in the country with the name X350 and X500. 

Accompanying the type-approval document is two photos that showcase the X350 and X500. 

Firstly the X350 looks identical to the early sketches Harley showed back in 2019, mainly the flat-track-inspired bodywork.

According to reports, the upcoming X350 shared most of its components from QJMotor’s SRK350 and Benelli’s 302S, including the same 353cc parallel-twin engine. 

That said, the document revealed that the X350 makes a good 36hp but tips the scale at 195kg, making it a pretty heavy bike.

In addition, the X350 is also fitted with the same rubber as the 302S, 120/70-17 at the front and 160/60-17 at the rear. 

Meanwhile, the X500 features the same frame and engine as Benelli’s Leoncino 500. The X500 makes 47hp and weighs in at 206kg.

Despite being fitted with the same front and rear wheels as the X350, the larger bike features radial-mount callipers and a bigger brake disc similar to the Leoncino 500.

For your information, both of these bikes will be made by Zhejiang Jisheng Motor Vehicle Co. Ltd, a joint venture company set up by Harley-Davidson and Qianjiang in China. 

Yamaha released an all-new scooter specific to the Taiwanese market called the Augur. 

  • Yamaha Augur is the latest compact scooter to be made available in Taiwan. 
  • Features the tried-and-test Yamaha’s 155cc single-cylinder engine with VVA. 

At a glance, the 155cc scooter is the most futuristic-looking model manufactured by the Japanese manufacturer in recent years. 

Interestingly, the Augur 155 also packs some tasty features, including a 4.3-inch TFT instrument display with smartphone connectivity, traction control and ABS. 

However, the centrepiece has to be its radical design, highlighted by its angular section, creating a never-before-seen aesthetic.

At the front, the Augur gets an arrow shape headlamp that also features the nifty Y-LLA (Yamaha Lean Light Assist) or cornering lights. 

What’s more extraordinary is that the user can change the LED headlight colour from bright white to warm white depending on weather conditions.

Despite the modern touch, Yamaha still retains the typical scooter functionality, including a wide saddle for comfortable riding, a flat floorboard and ample under-seat storage.

Powering the Augur is the same 155cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, and fuel-injected engine found in the NMax 155 and NVX 155.

Ducati ended the 2022 season of two-wheel racing on a high, taking home the MotoGP world title with Francesco Bagnaia and WorldSBK championship with Alvaro Bautista.

  • Ducati introduced two special series of the Ducati Panigale V4 to celebrate Bagnaia and Bautista world championship title at MotoGP and WorldSBK.
  • Only 260 unit (each bikes) will be available. 

To celebrate the double victory, the Borgo Panigale outfit has created two special series of Panigale V4 bikes that was inspired by the Desmosedici GP and Panigale V4 R. 

The special built motorcycle was showcased at the ‘Campioni in Piazaa’, an event that celebrates Ducati historic double win. 

*Panigale V4 2022 Bagnaia World Champion Replica

According to Ducati, the two special series is made based on the Panigale V4 S and features the liveries of Bagnaia’s MotoGP bike and Bautista’s WorldSBK machine.  The two bikes will also features Bagnaia and Bautista signatures.

Also, each of the motorcycle is only available for a limited run of 260 units, in honour of 1926, the year Ducati was founded.

*Panigale V4 2022 Bautista World Champion Replica

Similar to the race bike, the Panigale V4 2022 World Champion Replica comes in an only single-seat configuration and is equipped with a billet aluminium upper clamp with laser engraving that showcased the model name and progressive number.

In addition, both motorcycle is fitted with a range of goodies including nine-disc STM-EVO SBK dry clutch, Akrapovic silencer, Brembo Stylema brake callipers with Brembo MCS, Rizome billet aluminium adjustable footpegs and racing plexiglass.

Other notable features available on both of these bikes include:

  • carbon fiber exhaust manifold heat sheild
  • carbon fiber alternator cover
  • carbon fiber front and rear fenders
  • carbon fiber front brake ducts

According to Ducati, each bike will be handed to its respective customers in a packing case with dedicated graphics and a certificate of authenticity. 

After successfully penetrating the European market with a beginner-friendly naked and neo retro motorcycle, Voge, a premium sub-brand of Chinese motorcycle manufactuer, Loncin, now breached out to middleweight capacity adventure bike, with the all-new Valico 525 DSX. 

  • Voge Valico 525 DSX is an A2-compliant adventure motorcycle.
  • The Valico 525 DSX will go up against Honda’ CB500X and Benelli’s TRK 502 X. 

The Valico 525 DSX features a 494cc parallel-twin with liquid-coole and fuel-injected engine that makes 47hp on tap, similar to the Honda CB500X.

That said, the Valico 525 DSX is designed as a A2-compliant motorcycle making it a suitable option for younger riders. 

Similar to modern day ADV machine, the Voge Valico 525 DSX is fitted with inverted front forks with long-travel suspension at the front and adjustable monoshock at the rear. 

However, while the rest of its competitors features alloy wheels, the Valico 525 DSX gets tubeless wire-spoke wheels measuring 19-inch front and 17-inch at the back.

In addition, the motorcycle also equipped with traction control and ABS – which can be switched off for off-road riding – selectable Eco and Sport mode and a full colour 7-inch TFT display with built-in navigation system.

This inadvertently puts the Voge Valico 525 DSX as a strong contender in the 500cc category, going up against the CB500X and Benelli TKR 502 X. 

Triumph Motorcycles officially get things rolling with its motocross and supercross programme after announcing the team personnel involved in the factory team.

  • Triumph announced lineup for US factory racing programme.
  • Booby Hewitt and Steve Westfall to lead the Triumph motocross and supercross programme. 

The British manufacturer announced their MXGP World Championship plans back in October, where they will compete in the 2024 season.

In a latest development, Triumph has lineup established names from MXGP history, including Bobby Hewitt as team principal. 

Hewitt previously managed the Rockstar Husqvarna team that won the regional and national championship indoor and out including 250MX, 450MX and 450SX. 

Also in the lineup is Steve Westfall, who is named as the factory team manager alongside Dave Arnold – former HRC team manager back in the 80s – who will take charge the chassis development. 

Triumph also recruited Dudley Cramond who has worked on GP projects including with Honda and Aprilia to lead the powertrain development. 

“I have no doubt, knowing the experience and capability shared between our dedicated in-house design and engineering teams, and Bobby’s hand selected team of racing experts, that this partnership will make an indelible mark on the history of this incredible sport and Triumph’s illustrious brand,” said Nick Bloor, CEO of Triumph Motorcycles. 

That being said, Triumph is yet to reveal the race bike to take on the 250SX, 250MX and MX2 World Championship classes, but since the competition is one year away there’s still time for development. 

One way or another, a competition ready machine will make its debut soon thanks to a fully committed and experienced recruitment. 

Motori Minarelli made headlines at EICMA in Milan last month as the Italian motorcycle company unveiled an all-new two-stroke engine that meets the Euro5 homologation.

  • Motori Minarelli developed an all-new 300cc two-stroke engine that meets the latest emission standard.
  • The engine is build based on Yamaha’s 250cc two-stroke engine. 

The engine is a single-cylinder 300cc unit designed and developed in-house based on the Yamaha YZ250 enduro engine and will soon make its way to the upcoming Fantic XE300 enduro machine. 

The XE300 is expected to hit the European market sometime in the summer of 2023. 

However, while the XE300 is still an off-road focused motorcycle, the engine could find its way to the street bike thanks to meeting the strict Euro5 emission standard. 

That begs the question, how did Minarelli achieve this?

First and foremost, the engine features electronic fuel injection, an electric start, and an exhaust valve to optimise low and mid-range performance. 

The engine also features a decompression system that helps to reduce mechanical momentum at start-up, allowing the bike to restart easily after a stall. 

However, the fact that Minarelli managed to acquire Euro5 homologation means that there is a complex technology underneath the engine case. 

As such, the engine might pump out less than 50hp than the rest of its two-stroke buddies in the same segment, but we can expect a smoother power delivery up the rev range. 

One thing for sure, this could mark the return of street-legal two-stroke motorcycle in the future.

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