First new Harley model in nearly fifteen years, and it's a 500cc/750cc cruiser too!

Recently I was wondering how much longer Harley was going to wait before doing something new in the middleweight cruiser line.  The Sportster has been around as an 883/1200cc engined bike for almost thirty years, with the biggest change coming in 2004 with the introduction of the rubber-mount engine.



Press Release photo that is on most every website I visited researching this post.

 

Imagine my surprise when I found out tonight that Harley-Davidson showed off a completely new cruiser at a show this week.  It's call the Street and will come in two displacements: 500 and 750cc.  Everything seems to be identical on the Sport except for the bore to the engine, which is the same way the Sportster has an 883 and 1200 model.  But this isn't a smaller engine in a Sportster frame-this is very much a different bike.  Most obviously is the fact that the Street uses a new engine Harley calls the Revolution X.  This engine is based on the V-Rod engine, has a 60 degree/wider "V" than earlier H-D engines, and can be mounted higher in the frame.  A large radiator and cowling covers the entire front of the frame as well.  From the few pictures I've seen, it looks like this bike has more rake angle than a Sportster, but that may not be true as I haven't actually seen what the rake is.

Fans of Harley-Davidsons will probably like this bike unless they are passionate about a true Harley being a Big Twin only or only being air-cooled.  It hits the Harley styling cues, and has steel bodywork instead of lighter aluminum or plastic.  It has a low aggressive stance, and the 2-into-1 pipes look a great deal like the Thunderheaders I have on my Sportster.  However, Harley detractors will also have a field day.  First this is a heavy motorcycle for 500cc displacement-nearly 500 pounds.  This is a mixed blessing-substantial feel is a benefit (you know what I'm talking about if you've ever ridden a Honda Rebel or 125cc Vulcan!).  On the other hand, "not being able to get out of it's own way" is a harsh but true statement about some cruisers that just don't make enough HP.  Claimed HP in the 750cc engine is around 54, which is similar to what my 80 pound heavier Sportster makes.  This kind of power and the six-speed gear box will be sufficient for most riding and the occasional run into realistic highway speeds.  Harley-Davidson doesn't seem to be marketing this bike for the highway distance rider anyway.

Price may be an issue as the 500 is reported to be priced at $6700 and the 750 at $7500.  This is slightly higher per cc than the current crop and the 750 will be competing with the Yamaha Bolt (as does the Sportster) at that price point and the Bolt is a 950cc bike.  And the "buying the Harley name" premium is likely only of marginal benefit for the young, urban rider/commuter Harley has aimed this bike toward.  Of course, if 5 or 10 years down the road that buyer has some discretionary cash and wants a Dyna, V-Rod, or other larger Harley, I'm sure the dealers will be happy! 

I'm pretty sure our large dealerships here in San Diego will get Street 500/750s pretty early in production, and maybe the bike will be at the International Motorcycle Show (IMS) in Long Beach CA in a few weeks.  I'll update this post or put up another one when I see one.

Update:  No Street models at the International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, and the largest dealership here in San Diego mentioned they likely won't get any until March 2014.  Why the long delay I don't know.