Preview: 2014 Harley-Davidson Street 500 and Street 750 introduce New Platform

Harley-Davidson reveals the new Street™ 750 motorcycle, one of two new Dark Custom™ motorcycles designed for young urban riders around the world.
Harley-Davidson reveals the new Street™ 750 motorcycle, one of two new Dark Custom™ motorcycles designed for young urban riders around the world.

Harley-Davidson recently unveiled the first all-new platform to be produced by the Motor Company in 13 years, at the 71st Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo e Motociclo e Accessori in Milan, Italy. More simply known as the EICMA Show, it is the world’s biggest motorcycle show, featuring the most new-bike unveilings set on the largest floor plan. More than 1,000 manufacturers of riding machines, gear and accessories from 35 different countries exhibited their wares at the legendary show.

Two new models were introduced for the 2014 model year, aimed at attracting and inspiring new, younger riders globally. The two models based on the all-new platform architecture are the Harley-Davidson Street 750 and Street 500, designed for urban environments will feature all-new liquid-cooled Revolution X™ powertrains in a Dark Custom™ theme.  Both bikes were designed to deliver agile handling with the look and familiar sound familiar to Harley fans around the world.

Matt Levatich, President and Chief Operating Officer, Harley-Davidson Motor Company stated that “These are the newest motorcycles to join our Dark Custom lineup, which helped make us the number-one selling brand to young adults in the U.S. for the past five years,”. Both the Street 750 and Street 500 were designed with thousands of hours of input from young adults in cities around the world. This input guided both the attitude and capabilities of these motorcycles. They are proof that being customer-led continues to be a core driver of our product development process.”

H-D Street 750 RSRR

Each of the all-new bikes features the new Revolution X engine, designed to match the demands of stop-and-go city traffic with nimble handling, while delivering instant throttle response to escape gridlock scenarios. The Revolution X engine will be housed in a new, narrow and lean chassis built for agility, with a super-low seat height, new suspension and broad handlebar sweep that is designed to provide confidence and maneuverability when managing tight turns and making fast moves. Both signature Dark Custom motorcycles are executed in a premium, minimalist style that is meant to serve as a blank canvas for personalization and customization.

Without forsaking Harley-Davidson’s DNA, the new Street bikes are leaner in stature and meaner in attitude in other words, the real deal, made of real steel. Both the Harley-Davidson Street 500 and Street 750 are scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. at dealerships in select markets in 2014. Pricing will begin at $6,700 – $7,500 U.S. MSRP respectively.

Harley Street Production Shoot

The Harley-Davidson Street 750 will be powered by a 749cc liquid-cooled 60-degree, 8-valve, V-Twin Revolution X™ motor with a 2 into 1 right side exhaust, linked to a 6-speed sequential manual transmission that gears motive energy to the rear wheel via a belt drive. The Street 500’spower comes from a 494cc liquid-cooled 60-degree, 8-valve, V-Twin Revolution X™ motor. Both bikes weigh in at 48 pounds wet and ready to ride.

Harley Street Production Shoot

Foot controls are mid-mounted, and the handlebars are designed to provide an easy lock to lock sweep. Stopping chores will be handled by single caliper disc brakes fore and aft, and the bike will roll on 17-inch alloy spoke wheels up front and a 15-inch unit in the rear, with a 59.5-inch wheelbase. Suspension is specially tuned, consisting of reverse forks forward and coil over shocks aft.

The Harley-Davidson Street 750 comes with a two-up seat with passenger footpegs, a metal tanks and fenders, bullet turn signals and LED taillamp, a locking gas cap, forks and ignition.

A rider takes to the street on the new Harley-Davidson Street™ 750
A rider takes to the street on the new Harley-Davidson Street™ 750

Preview by Arv Voss, Auto Impressions