Harley-Davidson Street 750 & 500 Review Video

VIDEO & BLOG-New for Harley-Davison's 2015 line up is a new category of bikes called “Harley-Davidson Street”. To fill that category are two new bikes, the 750 and the 500, both liquid cooled. The 750 has a 46 cubic inch motor while the 500 has a 30 cubic inch V-Twin Revolution X motor. Further, these motors are a 60-degree V-Twin with chain-driven single overhead cams and four-valves per cylinder. All is finished off with a 2-into-1 upswept exhaust.

A blacked-out engine and covers, pullback handlebars, fork gators and lowers, and jet black exhaust give it a tougher look. The bike has the seemingly trendy Sons of Anarchy headlight fairing.

These motors are rather small, but both models are very light with both weighing in at around 489 lbs. Both have a 3.5 gallon fuel tank and get around 41 miles per gallon. Both front and back wheels have a single disc braking system.

At a price point of $7,499 for the 750 and $6,799 for the 500, any who may have never been able to get into a Harley Davidson can now do so. I spent part of a day with the new models and rode the 750 on city streets, county roads, and the freeway. These bikes are stripped down and have nothing but the absolute bottom line of Harley equipment, which helps keep the price point down.

After my ride I will tell you that you really shouldn't expect much from this bike, but again consider the price you are paying. I mean bare minimums on this thing. The small motor, basic rubber mid pegs/controls, basic rubber handgrips, cable throttle, cable clutch, non self-canceling signals, small fuel tank etc. I can see this bike being of great use to someone who only rides around the city, a college student, or someone who is brand new and wants to learn how to ride an actual american made motorcycle. This thing feels like you are riding a scooter, but with some extra power. As light as it is it would be super easy for a beginning rider to handle and definitely not have too much power.

The narrow frame, low seat height, 17-inch front tire and mid controls equate to a quick handling motorcycle that’s super easy to ride. The bike handles fine for what it is and certainly turns in a very small area. The braking is nothing special and is what you would expect with no anti-locking. The bike is light and it is very easy to lock the rear tire up during my emergency braking tests, so riders beware.

The 750 has some get up and go when I entered the freeway and I got up to speed just fine, but I was in the throttle all the way. I gave her everything she had and got up to 70 mph and into 6th gear. The bike was surprisingly steady at 70 mph with no real wobble or uneasy feeling. However, you will definitely feel that you are doing every bit of 70 mph. It's certainly not something that you would want to be doing for any real distance. You will feel that engine working for sure. As for the 500, well just stay off the freeway completely. This bike is sluggish and lacks the get up and go.

Of course neither of these bikes were designed for any long distance riding whatsoever. If you want to go on long trips I would stay away from this model. These are great little city commute bikes or errand runners.

The Harley-Davidson Street 750 seems best suited for around town or lower speed country roads. Think of it as a scooter on a few steroids. It is a bike that will get you in the door as a Harley-Davidson owner at a low price point and you will not have to be that guy on a scooter. Don't expect anything great or to be wowed and take it as it is. It will be a great little solid running entry level motorcycle for some.