Harley announce ‘Street Rod’

When Harley-Davidson launched their entry-level Street range back in 2013, it was available in both 500cc and 750cc versions. Australia only received the smaller capacity model, but that’s set to change this May, when the ‘Street Rod’ 750cc version arrives here.

Defined by a larger capacity engine, the Street Rod also features a more sports-oriented chassis geometry and riding position, Dark Custom styling, unique 17-inch wheels at both ends, upgraded suspension and ABS braking.

Bigger Brother

While based heavily on the chassis and Revolution X v-twin powerplant of the Street 500 (the two models were developed in tandem), the Street Rod features a number of notable changes over its sibling, as Harley-Davidson Chief Engineer Mathew Weber explained: “The Street Rod’s new High Output Revolution X 750 has got hot cams, gas-flowed heads, more compression and a higher redline – it gets your attention.

“We wanted a chassis to match, sharp handling and aggressive, perfect for urban cut-and-thrust and canyon carving. Its attitude and the relationship between seat position, rearset footpegs and wide handlebars put the rider firmly in control,” Weber added.

Bigger Donk

The High Output Revolution X 750 shares a similar bottom end to the Street 500, with the same stroke at 66mm, but runs a larger bore at 85mm, as well as higher 12.0:1 compression ratio and twin port fuel injection with 42mm throttle bodies compared to the 500’s 35mm.

Listed maximum torque of 65Nm is reached at 4,000rpm, while the higher compression ratio sees the redline raised from 8,000rpm to 9,000rpm. Harley says the engine is tuned to do its best work in the mid-range (4,000 – 5,000rpm), aided by the new four-valve heads, a larger volume airbox and higher volume muffler.

Gear ratios for the 6-speed transmission are unchanged from the Street 500, as is the 36/68 primary drive ratio.

Sharper Chassis

Being more of a sports-oriented ride, the Street Rod features chassis changes to suit, most notably the change in rake from 32 degrees to 27 degrees (and reduction in trail to 99mm) for sharper steering response.

A 60mm increase in ground clearance to 205mm has improved lean angle, from 28.5 degrees on the Street 500 to 37.3/40.2 degrees left/right.

Allied to this is reconfigured suspension, with 43mm USD front forks and remote reservoir rear shocks that are more efficient and also improve travel to 117mm; an increase of almost a third over the Street 500.

A sportier riding position is delivered by the rearset footpegs and a seat (765mm height) that’s designed to hold the rider in place, while wide, flat handlebars promise maximum control.

Despite its slightly longer swingarm, the Street Rod’s wheelbase is 10mm less than the 500’s, at 1520mm, while dry weight is 229kg, compared to the 500’s 223kg.

Unlike the Street 500’s 17/15 front/rear wheel combo, the Street Rod runs 17s at each end, in an open spoke black cast aluminium style that’s exclusive to this model. New Michelin Scorcher 21 tyres are standard, in 120/70 R17V on the front and 160/60 R17V at the rear.

ABS is standard, too, with the Street Rod featuring twin 300m front discs compared to the Street 500’s single disc.

Dark Style

Part of the Dark Custom range, styling touches on the Street Rod include a sharper and more aggressive look to the headlight fairing (Harley calls it a “speed screen”), matched by a similar treatment on the tail section.

Bar-end mirrors, which can be positioned above or below the grips, the aforementioned wheels and a scoop-style air cleaner cover are other notable styling touches.

“The fact the Street Rod looks so good - and very close to our early sketches – gives us all a real charge!” Weber said.

From launch, the Street 750 will be available in Vivid Black, Charcoal Denim and Olive Gold colour options.

Sensible Addition

Given the runaway success of the Street 500, which was Australia’s top-selling road bike in 2016 (excluding the fleet Honda NBC110), Harley’s decision to bring the Street Rod here comes as little surprise.

Obviously, the Street’s 750cc v-twin puts it outside the LAMS category, but with the growth of middleweight performance nakeds, like Yamaha’s MT-07 and the Kawasaki Z800, Harley has a ready-made competitor in the Street Rod, so it makes sense for it to come here.

In addition to filling a capacity gap in Harley’s range, the new model also fills the price gap between the Street 500 and Harley’s lowest-priced Sportster. When it arrives in May, the Street Rod will carry a rideaway price of $12,995 ($13,995 in NZ), which is a $1,500 premium over the Street 500, but comes in under the Iron 883 and SuperLow Sportsters, which are $15,495 each.

Watch this space on the Street 500, though, as pricing on that model is likely to change.