Harley-Davidson Street 500, 750 break cover

You first read about Harley-Davidson's to be Indian manufactured motorcycles in our September issue, after which there’s been much anticipation surrounding the subject, and several spy pictures creeping onto the internet.

We are finally at the EICMA motor show, Milan, where the well known US based bike maker has revealed its first all-new motorcycle platform in 13 years, a pair of cruisers, the Street 500 and Street 750, to be put together at Harley-Davidson plants in Kansas City, Missouri and Bawal, Haryana state, India.

Indian enthusiasts will first see only the larger, Street 750 in India, with the 500 perhaps to sell here in future. Big bike market leaders in India by a hefty margin, Harley-Davidson is confident the new bikes will add momentum to the Indian, as well as select global markets, where the new Streets shall retail, as the company leverages the benefits of high quality motorcycle production in India, at competitive costs.

The new Harley-Davidson Street 750 rides into India with a cruiser typical front end, complete with rounded bikini fairing and simple, classic lines, including a petite round headlamp. The bike can easily be customised to sport a classic look, without the front fairing. These are muscular, low and lengthy motorcycles, with powerful presence and chrome accents. The India bike's elongated tank flows backwards into a distinct, edgy and stepped tail.

The new Harley-Davidson Streets rely on power from four-stroke, approximately 60 degree (wider for improved handling, as a result of a lower centre of gravity) V-twin engines, displacing in the region of 500cc and 750cc, with fuel-injection offered as standard. A single overhead camshaft configuration and liquid-cooling are offered. Expect excellent low-end grunt, ample torque and adequate performance for this class of easy riding motorcycle. The motorcycle’s manual transmission systems shift in the one-down, rest-up pattern, and rear-wheel drive is via a Harley typical toothed-belt, a quiet system that’s reliable and better suited to Indian conditions than a drive-chain.

You can look forward to a potent sounding exhaust growl when the Street 750 finally enter Indian showrooms, in 2014. The bike will first be shown to the Indian public at the India Bike Week, IBW, in Goa, Jan 2014. Harley-Davidson knows Indian riders and riding conditions well, which is why the Street 750 is certain to output pulse quickening acceleration to 110kph. Top speed shall be in the region of over 150kph.

Both heavy cruisers have a lengthy wheelbase, and seat riders in armchair comfort, with a back-upright riding position supported by feet-set-forward rider footrests. A steel fabricated frame holds these motorcycles together, with ample, plush riding saddles to support riders and their pillions. Alloy rims, telescopic fork front suspension with smart reflectors and dual rear shock absorbers with rectangular section steel swingarms are standard on the new Harley-Davidson Streets. The Street 750 offers 2 inches more ground clearance and 2 inches of extra suspension travel, over any other Harley models presently sold in India.

Tyres are 100/80 x 17 inch size in front, and 140/75 x 15 inches at rear on the India bound Street 750, made by Michelin on the bikes at EICMA. And braking is via single, ventilated disc brake units, front and rear.

Harley-Davidson already offers Indian bikers a wide range of motorcycles, having found firm footing here by assembling several popular models as CKD packages, which helps keep pricing alluring. It’s a proven formula that’s allowed a new generation of Indian riders access to the famous motorcycles, its riding gear and lifestyle statement.

The made-in-India Harley Davidson Street 750 is certain to accelerate this dream run.

While Harley-Davidson is yet to reveal India pricing, it is known the Street 500 is priced at around $6,700 in the US market, where the 750 will sell for about $7,500. We estimate the Street 750 to be priced at close to Rs 4,50,000 when it slips into Indian showrooms in 2014.

Detailed Specifications

Engine:

Fuel                              Petrol
Type                          494cc, V-ywin, liquid-cooled, four-stroke
Transmission:
Type                            6-speed

Chassis & Body:
Wheels                         7-spoke alloy

Suspension:
Front                            Telescopic forks
Rear                             Gas charged shocks,
                                    Rectangular swingarm
Weight                          181kg

Street 750 Detailed Specifications

Engine:
Fuel                              Petrol

Type                          749cc, V-twin, liquid-cooled, four-stroke

Transmission:
Type                            6-speed

Chassis & Body:
Wheels                         7-spoke alloy

Suspension:
Front                            Telescopic forks
Rear                             Gas charged shocks,
                                    Rectangular swingarm
Weight                          218kg