Over, Harley: Chinese Automaker Launches a Cruiser Worthy of Competing with the American Legend

In just a year, one of China’s biggest automotive players has rolled out two striking new motorcycles — and the latest one might be its most ambitious yet. The new model is a full-fledged cruiser built very much in the spirit of America’s iconic Harley-Davidson machines. What’s more, the Chinese newcomer impresses not only with its strong styling but also with a well-rounded technical package that puts it in the same conversation as the industry’s best. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this bike noteworthy — and whether it truly challenges the American legend.

The new motorcycle comes from Great Wall Motor, the Chinese company better known for its cars and SUVs. The new model, called the LH2000, has been described in Chinese media as a “worthy rival” to Harley-Davidson. Whether it can live up to that comparison remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — Great Wall is serious about entering the motorcycle market.

This isn’t the company’s first major move into two-wheel territory. Back in spring 2025, Great Wall launched another standout model, the Souo S2000, which had first been revealed in October 2024. The S2000 is being built as a limited edition of just 200 units, each priced at around 219,000 yuan (roughly $35,000). That model quickly drew comparisons to the Honda Gold Wing, one of Japan’s most famous touring bikes.

So while the Gold Wing and Souo S2000 target long-distance touring enthusiasts, the new LH2000 is a pure cruiser — complete with an upright riding position, a low seat, and forward-set footpegs. Like its American counterparts, the Chinese-built machine has a commanding, muscular presence, though it skips the heavy chrome accents you’d expect on a traditional cruiser. That minimalist approach is somewhat surprising, considering the Chinese market’s usual preference for flash and shine.

Can the LH2000 realistically compete with Harley-Davidson in the U.S.? Given current geopolitical and trade tensions, it’s unlikely — at least for now. But Great Wall clearly intends to offer a credible homegrown alternative for domestic riders and perhaps in other global markets. According to company representatives, the LH2000 will be produced primarily for China’s growing community of motorcycle enthusiasts. That, on its own, marks impressive progress: just five years ago, the phrase “Chinese cruiser” might have drawn laughter from most riders. Today, Great Wall already has two advanced, well-designed motorcycles — and it’s clear the company has no plans to stop there.

Alongside the official images, Great Wall also released detailed technical specs for the LH2000. The motorcycle rides on a 1,810 mm (71.3 in.) wheelbase and measures 2,690 x 925 x 1,159 mm overall. Production will include several variants, most of them two-seaters. However, the first version shown in press photos — the LH2000-3 — is a single-seater. The first two-seat configuration expected to enter production is the LH2000-6.

Power comes from a 2.0-liter horizontally opposed GW8P68MYL engine, producing 153 horsepower — the same engine used in the Souo S2000. Top speed is electronically limited to 200 km/h (124 mph).

Chinese motorcycles are evolving fast — and while it’s still uncertain whether models like the LH2000 will make their way to American shores, it’s clear that China’s motorcycle industry is rapidly closing the gap with the world’s most established brands.