The Comeback Kid: Is the Harley-Davidson Street 500 Returning?

Two years after the plug was pulled on Street 500 and Street 750, it looks like the entry-level Harley-Davidson motorcycle might be staging a return.

Back in 2020, the Harley-Davidson Street 500 and Street 750 were discontinued, their production having been halted along with that of the Street Rod line of motorcycles. This decision occurred as the manufacturer opted instead to update the other, much larger motorcycles that were sold in their lineup, as well as begin the promotion and release of their highly-anticipated Pan America adventure bikes. This change meant wiping out what could be argued as being the only entry-level line of motorcycles that Harley-Davidson had been producing, both in terms of their size as well as their price tag. Depending on which part of the world you live in, this meant that riders that were in the market for a smaller-displacement Harley-Davidson were stuck paying thousands more for a much larger motorcycle.

The decision for Harley-Davidson to discontinue the Street 500 and Street 750 was partially caused by the engines needing to be updated to meet the Euro5 emission standards, and it meant that the larger and more expensive Iron 883 would end up taking the torch as being Harley-Davidson’s entry-level flagship bike in North America; in parts of the world where Euro5 emissions applied, that meant the much heavier, larger, and more expensive Softail Standard became the entry-level option to become a Harley-Davidson owner. Since the discontinuation and over the past two years, the only place that any new Street 500’s could be spotted happened out on the ranges at Harley-Davidson Riding Academy locations. That is, until recently – and the return of the 500’s shouldn’t come as being completely unexpected.

Partnership with Qianjiang Motorcycle Company

Back in 2019, it was announced that Harley-Davidson and Qianjiang Motorcycle Company had entered a partnership together, with a goal of creating a new motorcycle built with a smaller displacement engine to be tailored to the Asian motorcycling market. Qianjiang Motorcycle Company, a multinational company which was founded back in 1985, is no stranger to smaller displacement motorcycles; their website lists them as providing engines and parts for all kinds of motorcycles and scooters, ranging all the way up to race cars, with their exports going to 130 countries. The company also owns Benelli, producer of the widely-popular TNT 125 and TNT 300 motorcycles that are heavily established within European motorcycle markets. With this kind of previous experience, and the resources in place to help develop a smaller displacement motorcycle, it’s a confident partnership for Harley-Davidson to undertake with the development of an improved Street 500 in the forefront of their mind.

Recently, screen captures and video has emerged showing a potential Harley-Davidson 500 model being developed, although this isn’t the first time that Qianjiang Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson have worked together on a smaller motorcycle. There was a previous attempt at making a smaller-displacement motorcycle back in 2020, with a “338R” roadster motorcycle making its way to pre-production before disappearing abruptly. The recent images show the familiar HD logo on what appears to be a derivative of the Benelli Leoncino 500, with a very similar frame and suspension design paired with a twin-cylinder engine. There are some trademark styling clues evident in the video, which shows the motorcycle being dyno tested; the back end reveals the familiar Harley bobber styling, which flows up to a different gas tank than what comes standard on the Leoncino 500’s.

So, what does this mean in terms of sales?

With Harley-Davidson’s focus in North American markets having been shifted away from smaller displacement motorcycles, inserting a contender back into the 500cc market would be an unexpected turn of strategy. While bringing a smaller bike offering back to North America isn’t an idea that Harley-Davidson seems to have completely scrapped (the company’s branding was rumored to be spotted on documents that were filed with the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration in the US, pertaining to the 338R), there are still untapped markets globally that Harley-Davidson doesn’t have nearly the same amount of muscle with, compared to their annual sales and presence seen in North America.

By leveraging sales of smaller motorcycles in markets where Harley-Davidson had been previously outclassed, it could help them strengthen their global presence, and having the backing of a China-based motor company could help them accomplish this. Adding to this strategy is the fact that Euro5 regulations had wiped out another Harley-Davidson offering that’s available internationally; the Sportster engines didn’t receive an upgrade to meet Euro5 standards, and while the Iron 883 was still available in North America, the Euro5 restrictions led to the Softail Standard being the entry-level bike in many parts of Europe. With a price tag of over $13,000 USD, this meant that international buyers were saddled with a hefty price tag to experience the Harley brand when compared to the $6,900 USD for a Street 500, and this doesn’t even dive into the practicality of riding a larger Softail or touring motorcycle in densely-populated cities and countries.

What would the return of the Street 500 mean?

Lower-priced option for Harley-Davidson ownership

For starters, the price tag of motorcycles can be a barrier to entry; the original Street 500 and Street 750 were aggressively priced to reach a market of first-time motorcyclists while offering an approachable and predictable riding experience. Their absence has meant that new riders hoping to begin their experience with a new Harley-Davidson would be forking out over $9,000 USD if they were in North America, and over $13,000 USD if they lived in areas governed by Euro5 emissions. The return of the Street 500 under the partnership with Qianjiang Motorcycle Company could present a cost-effective option for new riders to realize their hopes of owning a new HD motorcycle instead of being priced out.

An excellent option for Euro A2 license holders

There is also the discussion point of motorcycle size and class: European motorcycle license laws limit those riders that carry an A2 license (which is essentially their intermediate-level motorcycle license) from operating motorcycles that exceed 47hp. The engine from the Benelli-based Leoncino motorcycle sits at an even 47hp, which renders it eligible for A2 license holders, and presents Harley-Davidson with an excellent marketing strategy to insert themselves into the smaller displacement motorcycle market that exists within Europe due to these licensing laws.

Strong Resale Value

Harley-Davidsons have typically held their resale value very well relative to their competitors, regardless of the bike’s age or how many miles have accrued, as long as the motorcycle is still functionally operational and safe to ride. For those riders that graduate from A2 to an unrestricted “A” license in Europe, or who otherwise choose to let go of their Street 500 once they’ve had a chance to hone their skills, they would still be able to get their money worth once it came time to sell their Street 500 and upgrade to another motorcycle.

Excellent Option for City Riding

As mentioned earlier, the omission of the Street 500 and Street 750 from Harley-Davidson’s lineup meant that the Softail Standard wound up as the entry-level bike in many parts of Europe. The curb weight of the Softail Standard comes in at 655 lbs. (297.7 kg), making it a heavyweight compared to the 455-lb (207 kg) Street 500. The lighter weight of the Street 500 (and its Benelli counterpart, the Leoncino 500) makes it an excellent candidate for city riding, with the reduced weight lending to improved maneuverability and ease of riding for newer riders that aren’t accustomed to handling a larger cruiser.

Combination of Established Motorcycles

Using the Leoncino 500 as a platform means that Harley-Davidson has a foundation for building out a new Street 500 that’s previously received fairly positive feedback, and it’s giving them the opportunity to improve upon it while keeping an eye on the legacy that they’ve already established with their Street 500’s in the past. Prior reviews of the Benelli Leoncino 500 have been mostly favorable, and it has placed itself as a competitively-priced motorcycle that is an excellent choice for both beginner riders and city riders. By combining resources, Harley-Davidson could use this as an opportunity to make a stellar entry option for new riders that are aiming for HD ownership and present it in a package that would be sought after in different markets and regions due to its size and price point.

What’s next?

Time will tell if Harley-Davidson capitalizes on the opportunity to launch (or in this case, re-launch) a new Street 500 option. The market for smaller motorcycles is strong, and a partnership with Qianjiang Motorcycle Company would mean that Harley-Davidson has the resources to develop a line of smaller-displacement motorcycles that could contend globally, placing them as a competitor in markets where they have not sold nearly as well when compared to their sales and footprint within North America. If they remain competitively priced, it would also help them become a cost-effective option for new motorcyclists that are shopping for their first motorcycle.