Your First Motorcycle: Why Harley-Davidson’s X350 and X500 Are Perfect for New Riders

Buying your first motorcycle is a thrilling experience. Like securing your passport to freedom, it’s filled with an electric sense of anticipation, particularly when it comes with the name Harley-Davidson attached. Enter the X350 and X500, a pair of outstanding motorcycles that are perfect for beginners, while simultaneously offering a fulfilling experience for those who’ve been riding for years, including yours truly. 

I genuinely wish bikes like these had been available when I first started riding, as they would have been a very tempting option. But before we dive into what makes them so compelling, here are a few key considerations for new riders when selecting the perfect motorcycle to begin their journey. 

Considerations for New Motorcycle Riders

Engine Size (CC) and Power Output

Beginner riders should start with a motorcycle that provides sufficient power for learning without being overwhelming. A lower power output reduces the risk of losing control and allows learners to focus on mastering basic riding skills.

Weight and Handling

A lighter motorcycle is easier to handle and manoeuvre, which is crucial for beginners who are still developing their riding skills. Lightweight bikes are less intimidating and more forgiving, making it easier for learners to build confidence and improve their skills.

Ergonomics

Good ergonomics provide a comfortable riding position, which is important for maintaining control and reducing fatigue during longer rides. There are different approaches to rider positioning, so it’s vital new riders find the one that best suits them. 

Braking System

Reliable and effective brakes are extremely important. Motorcycles with anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are highly recommended as ABS prevents wheel lock-up during sudden stops, reducing the risk of skidding.

First-Hand Experience: X350 and X500

This guide has been built around my own time testing of Harley-Davidson’s X350 and X500 models. Both of these motorcycles would make an excellent choice for new riders, each addressing the key areas of power, handling, ergonomics, and braking in their own way. These bikes offer an entirely different riding experience from one another, so the question of which one is better suited to you will depend upon your own particular tastes.

Harley-Davidson X350

As soon as I jumped on the X350 I was immediately struck by the comfort, mainly due to the ergonomic layout of the motorcycle. The seat features a narrow nose whilst still providing substantial support. Paired with the narrow rear of the fuel tank, it offers the perfect stance for gripping the bike. This is invaluable when you’re learning how to ride as it provides assurance and grip during braking as well as corner manoeuvres.

Riders who are just starting out are met with the challenge of managing their speed and finding levels of it that they feel comfortable with. The 353CC powertrain provides new riders with the perfect balance of enough speed to accurately manoeuvre around town, through traffic, and up hills whilst ensuring the pull of the motorcycle does not deliver a shock when the throttle opens up. 

One component of learning to ride that’s rather tricky is mastering the art of successful cornering and managing speed when heading downhill. Happily, the X350 offers incredible engine braking, which is the process of reducing speed by closing the throttle when your bike is in gear and allowing engine drag—internal friction and vacuum—to slow you down. This provides the opportunity to build confidence as it allows you to focus on the road and cars around you rather than trying to operate your brakes while constantly glancing at the speedo. 

Ensuring that you can comfortably brake quickly is a necessity when riding. While learning to maintain a safe distance between cars is a must, occasionally you will be required to activate the brakes hastily, slowing down quickly and safely. To this end, the X350 and X500 both feature dual disc brakes on the front that have impressive stopping power. 

Your riding stance will come down to personal preference. For my tastes, the X350 provides an excellent riding position, inspired by Harley-Davidson’s XR750’s American flat-tracker design. Compared to the upright position of the X500, the X350 has a slight forward lean, allowing for a strong leg grip on the tank and providing a strong sense of connection to its handling and sturdiness on the road. This slightly forward riding position is beneficial for cornering, as the rider can comfortably lean into each bend in the road. It feels like a natural way to enter a corner instead of having to force your body to lean left and right when sitting in a more upright position.

Continuing on with the key learner aspect of manoeuvrability is the X350’s lightweight and agile body. Whilst the 195 kg weight will have you feeling glued to the road, you also get the sense you can comfortably turn the bike on a dime and move it around when at low speeds (i.e. parking).

Riding at night can be a daunting hurdle for a new rider, but the HDX models relieve some of this burden with an all-LED lighting system that lights up the road more effectively than some cars I’ve driven. You can also rest assured you will be clearly visible to others on the road, with indicators and tail/stop lights with LEDs providing a sense of safety.

A rider’s relationship with their first bike is always a special thing, and you can trust me when I say that the X350 is the kind of bike that will see that develop in a profoundly strong way. You’ll always remember your first, and that’s doubly true here. 

You also want your bike to reflect your own personal style. For me, the X350 is a resounding success. It’s a great-looking piece of work, with the flat-tracker body and aggressive shape’s modern and sleek design having maximum impact.  When taking it for a ride around town and zipping through local streets, I received one double take after another.

Finally, arguably the best thing about this model is that it’s highly customisable, proving its value as a long-term investment that will last long after you’ve discarded your L plates. To demonstrate this, Harley-Davidson has created an incredible mod of the X350 that shows just how far you can customise the bike, ranging from body adjustments to wheel customisation, a tail tidy, various types of dash mounts, mufflers and headlight customisations. All of this showcases its capabilities as the perfect base for your motorcycling journey.

For those who are completely new to riding, the X350 is a perfect learner motorcycle, featuring ample power, comfortable ergonomics, and excellent handling. Just don’t be surprised if its impressive offering means it remains your faithful partner on road trips long after most first bikes would have been traded in.

Harley-Davidson X500

For those looking for more power and a bike that echoes the cruiser style, the X500 will easily meet these needs and then some. Featuring a 500cc powertrain and a larger body frame, the X500 feels like a step up from the X350 and could be a perfect match for bigger and taller riders. The larger engine provides smooth yet punchy acceleration that can easily help you keep up with the flow of traffic and manage highway riding. For those who become more comfortable on a bike as they progress through their L plates, this bike provides a lot of fun when opening up the throttle, providing a satisfying kick that will nonetheless refrain from overwhelming a new rider.

Another major difference for this model comes in the form of its ergonomics and seating position. Compared to the aggressive stance of the X350, the X500 provides an upright position with mid-mounted footpegs and mid-rise handlebars. This results in a rider sitting upright with a comfortable reach towards the handlebars. This riding position is favourable for longer rides due to the low strain on your back and a natural body position, similar to that of sitting at a dining table chair. While I tend to prefer the more aggressive position offered by the X350, this bike is extremely comfortable, featuring a wider and thicker seat and a ridge at the rear that you can push back against, making you feel locked into the bike. As a result, you’ll enjoy a sense of safety and assurance throughout your ride, particularly when experiencing the punchy acceleration the X500 offers.

Whilst the X500 is certainly a bigger and heavier bike—weighing at 208kg—there is no sacrifice when it comes to handling and agility. This weight band is still considerably light, which is noticeable when riding and moving the bike at slow speeds. Leaning into corners and moving through the congestion of my slow, local streets at speeds of 5 km/h demonstrated to me the feeling of security that comes with this bike’s build and frame. Not once did I feel uneasy with the balance, ticking yet another box for new riders.

Of course, safety is key when riding, which is why both models are fitted with the aforementioned dual front disc brakes, ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System that stops you from sliding out when applying sudden pressure to the brakes or riding in the wet) and the signature LED headlamp and surround indicators. 

Finally, there are a number of other subtle differences, mainly due to the larger size of the X500. These include a slightly larger front fork suspension, larger brake discs, and a design that uses the widely popular Harley-Davidson Sportster as its base.

Harley-Davidson X350 and X500 Pricing

For a long time, Harley-Davidson has been seen as a brand that you progress to after having ridden for years, mainly due to the powertrain sizes and prices. Back in 2014, Harley launched its first LAM (Learner Approved Motorcycle): the Street 500. This was an extremely popular bike, allowing early riders to begin their journey with a highly regarded brand for a very reasonable price. Unfortunately, the Street 500 was discontinued in 2021.

Now, with the introduction of the X350 and X500, Harley is placing itself back into the LAM category at prices that I believe will see a new generation of Harley riders choose to begin their journey here.

Out the door, the X350 will set you back an extremely reasonable AUD$8,495 and the slightly larger X500 comes in at AUD$11,495. Whilst some may have issues with the build location of these bikes and the increased use of plastic and sticker decals, all of this is put in place to ensure that these bikes are as affordable as possible while still holding onto that iconic Harley charm. Not to mention that the use of plastic parts benefits new riders by significantly reducing repair costs, which is an element that must be considered when learning to ride. After a few weeks of trialling these bikes, I can happily testify to their build quality, riding experience, and the overall sense of joy that comes with being on a Harley.

Harley-Davidson’s Learner Promotion

In exciting news for new riders, Harley-Davidson is also offering a rebate of AUD$500 for those who purchase the H-DX model of their choice and obtain their licence before 31 August 2024. This rebate can be put towards the RRP price, MotorClothes or Parts & Accessories. Get your passport to freedom, now!