Like any successful and enduring business, Harley-Davidson constantly faces the challenge of changing demographics and the task of expanding their customer base. And in the case of The Motor Company, this can be a particularly tricky process, recruiting the latest generation of consumers by offering a new product without simultaneously alienating those already fiercely loyal to the Bar & Shield. The latest strategy in that undertaking brings to market the Street XG750. Designed as an entry-level Harley, the Street is aimed at the young urban rider and was a customer-led effort, developed with input obtained from thousands of young adults from around the world guiding the styling and final execution of the model. The result is a blacked-out Dark Custom with hints of café racer inspiration. So if you don’t like it, blame it on the kids.

2015 Harley-Davidson Street XG750
2015 Harley-Davidson Street XG750

The Street XG750 (there is also a 500cc version due out later this year) is the first all-new platform from Harley-Davidson in 12 years, the last one being the V-Rod. And it bears more than just a casual resemblance to its older sibling. Like the V-Rod, the Street’s all-new V-Twin powerplant, the Revolution X, is a water-cooled 60-degree motor, with a single overhead cam unit (chain-driven) and four valves per cylinder. The engine is fed by a single 38mm Mikuni fuel-injected throttle body and has an 11:1 compression ratio, with combined city/highway gas mileage of 41 mpg. The transmission is a six-speed constant-mesh spur gear component that uses a reinforced belt for final drive. The motor, primary and transmission are unit-construction, with a common oil circulating among all three. A radiator is tucked in between the frame’s front downtubes with an electric fan that engages as required for additional cooling.

That all-new engine is cradled in a proprietary frame that provides a whopping 5.7″ of curb-jumping ground clearance (dang reckless kids!). The bike rolls on seven-spoke cast wheels mounted with a 17″ Scorcher 11F by Michelin spinning between the forks, while a 15″ Scorcher performs the duty in the back. Tire dimensions are modest, but substantial enough for a bike of this size and weight with the front measuring 100/80 and the rear 140/75. The forks are a 37mm non-adjustable telescopic unit with 5.5″ of travel, while the rear shocks are coil-over (preload adjustment only) and supply 3.5″ of bounce. Single two-piston floating calipers handle the braking chores, working in tandem with uniform expansion rotors (ABS is not offered at this time).

Developed for the urban rider, the Street is nimble and quick-handling
Developed for the urban rider, the Street is nimble and quick-handling

The ride

Although the XG750’s torque rating is only 44.5 ft/lbs at 4000 rpm, when combined with the bike’s light weight (489 pounds with fluids) it furnished plenty of punch and copious temptation for wheel stands. Performance in a city street environment is excellent — nimble with generous amounts of low-end torque for tight maneuvering through congested traffic and around obstacles. Shifting is smooth and quick, and for highway speeds the Street 750 is most comfortable in sixth gear and can live there all day. But the bike’s design as an urban prowler is evident with longer distances at high speed not its forte. Vibration through the handlebars and footpegs begins in earnest above 65 and becomes annoying by the time you hit 80 mph.

Plus there is the crunch factor, as in a 6-foot tall rider feeling crunched. Though the cramped riding position is not that noticeable while tackling city streets, a change in the seat would be needed soon after purchase by most taller riders—a matter addressed by Harley, who already offers an entire catalog of aftermarket accessories specifically designed for the Street including a Tallboy Seat, a Café Solo Seat, and, for riders of a shorter stature, a Reduced Reach Seat. The Tallboy Seat is designed to relocate a rider 1.25″ higher in the saddle and 2.5″ further back. Hopefully this change would be enough to alleviate footpegs positioning that could stand to be shoved forward a few inches for us tallboys, something not offered in the Street wishbook as of yet.

While the braking system performed admirably (probably due in part to the bike’s light weight), the rear pedal is positioned too low. It works well enough, but there is simply too much pedal travel before engagement. A superior chassis and suspension combination was more than ample to handle a rider almost half the bike’s weight over some quite rough patches of tarmac. The Revolution X engine performed without excess noise while offering a decent exhaust note through its 2-into-1 headers. And about the only way you will even know the cooling fan is engaged is while sitting still in traffic and a wave of heat flows over the front of the gas tank and into your face—not perfect, but bearable.

The very torque-heavy Revolution X 750 provides tons o' fun on city streets
The very torque-heavy Revolution X 750 provides tons o’ fun on city streets

The style

A wiring nightmare only a blind rider could appreciate
A wiring nightmare only a blind rider could appreciate

Touted as being a “blank canvas” to which an owner can apply their personal touch, the Street comes with minimalist styling and little bling. In places the wiring is atrocious; a mix of friction tape, exposed harnesses and electrical connections that are not even remotely hidden or disguised. The only Harley to use a single left-hand turn indicator switch, the Street’s turn signals are not self cancelling, leaving those riders accustomed to other models riding around with an errant blinker flashing and looking like a novice. (Wait; that is the potential consumer.) The injection-molded plastic nacelle that surrounds the headlight lends a sporty touch, but supplies little in the way of protection. The fenders and gas tank blend well with the overall cafe theme as do the rubber fork gaiters although they did have a tendency to slide down the tubes. The mirror stems were too short for this rider and left me staring at my own shoulders instead of the traffic behind me. Going for a minimalist essence is one thing, but to leave so many unfinished bits and pieces unattended runs counter to The Motor Company’s normal policy of quality fit and form. Even the location of the horn seems an afterthought, like someone handed a shop worker a hacksaw and piece of flat bar and told him to stick it anywhere he could. But maybe this level of gritty unadornment is what those kids want.

The direction Harley is pursuing with the Street 750 became obvious during the X Games Austin the first weekend of June at the Circuit of the Americas. Harley-Davidson had a display of bikes at the venue including several high-end Street models that had received the full customization treatment in various styles. They also took the XG750 onto the flat track for an exhibition race in front of thousands of potential customers. (They had earlier presented ice racing during ESPN’s X Games Aspen.). During this time H-D was actively petitioning the X Games committee to introduce flat track racing into the program by allowing fans to vote using #XGamesFlatTrack. And before the weekend was over, it was officially decided to allow flat track racing to become a future medal sport at X Games Austin due to the fans’ response. And the Bar & Shield team will all be aboard the XG750 Street—an excellent promotion strategy by Harley-Davidson.

A hopped-up version of the XG750 on display at ESPN's X Games Austin
A hopped-up version of the XG750 on display at ESPN’s X Games Austin

The Street XG750 comes in Vivid Black that sells for $7,499 and Black Denim or Mysterious Red Sunglo for $7,794. Warranty is 24 months with unlimited mileage. A refreshing change, the Street and the Revolution X engine have great potential and one that may truly fill the niche for entry-level Harley owners. It was designed by them for them—now let’s see if the kids like what they built.

8 COMMENTS

    • David…..I’m thinking that based on the already “uncomfortable” ride this new bike offers maybe stopping frequently for fuel might not be such a bad idea!

  1. I bought a brand new 2015 XG750 ( it had only one mile on the ODO ) . It handles great, and has the looks I like. Wish that besides the LED brake light assembly, the turn signals were LED and the horn was pizeoelectric and louder. The only thing I reeeeeeeally DON’T like is the kickstand. The day I brought my STREET home, it almost fell over on me.. Then two days later someone in a parking lot brushed against my bike and knocked it over before getting in his car and leaving! RECOMMENDATION —> park the bike in gear is a small thing to minimize tip-over. Since HARLEY is going after this BLACK-ON-BLACK look, sure wish that ALL the screws, shock tubes and springs and other pieces of metal were BLACKED-OUT. Lastly, the stock mirrors did a great job of showing me what my shoulders looked like. HARLEY OEM mirror extensions got me past my shoulders so I could see behind me better.

  2. I’ve been riding motorcycles off/on since 1977 and I haven’t ridden since 2008 so I’m far from a new or young rider. The XG750 Street is the 1st Harley-Davidson that I really liked and considered owning it’s been 3 months since I sat on one I felt comfortable on it.I purchased my Street 750 on 27 December 2016 I can’t wait for winter to be over. Of course there are there things that I plan on changing and making my Harley mine such as a Mustang brand Touring seat mirror extensions, windscreen and down the road a Screaming Eagle Stage 1kit.

  3. Am I to understand that the forks can’t be stretched? I’m just 5′ tall so I’d probably need to drop it- I don’t plan on curb jumping…..

  4. @carmen, I just bought one and I’m five foot nothing. I’m pretty much flat footing it. It handles well and I can definitely maneuver it comfortably for my size and height. The rear suspension can be lowered. I enjoy the XG, plenty of power for me and definitely is helping me get used to being back on the road.

  5. Have the street 750. love the bike been riding for 42 years and this bike is one of my favorites. The stock muffler was the first to change out to the screaming eagle and filter. the snow globe in the front as I call it I changed out to a windshield, added some chrome to covers, added the bullet exhaust shields. Like how bike handles, I find it a very comfortable ride. always liked bikes that fit like a glove and this one does. I feel like a part of the Machine. There are a few dislikes HD could of covered a few wires better. And used better brake rotors and pads. the way the rear brake is positioned is lower then what I would like. other then that bike gets 4 stars. my 5th star vote would be my little complaints

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