 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Street 750 and 500: Cheapest Harley Davidson bikes in India?
Indians have got a reason to rejoice as these cruisers will be the cheapest Harley Davidson bikes since they began selling their bikes in India.
We all know how coveted Harley Davidson motorcycles are. The power and muscle of the motorcycles the company makes is legendary. Harley has tasted success since India launch with its heavyweight motorcycles that displace over 800cc of volume. The only grouse with this US-based manufacturer is their lack of presence in entry-level motorcycles.
Taking a strong note of this gap Harley has introduced two new models to attract buyers towards their dealer networks in India.
Say hello to the new stars from the Harley Davidson stable -- Street 500 and Street 750.
Unveiled at EICMA, Milan, in November these two motorcycles are very special to the Indian riders as well as to the men at Harley Davidson, for two reasons.
Firstly, this is an all-new Harley Davidson platform after 13 years. Secondly, India is one of the only two markets to manufacture these mean machines.
Courtesy: 
Street 750 and 500: Cheapest Harley Davidson bikes in India?
Looks and design
Harley Davidson Street 500 and Street 750 are what Harley claims to be one of their cheapest offerings from their stable. But that doesn't mean the company has compromised on industrial standards and high end quality which has helped Harley motorcycles attain cult status.
These two motorcycles boast of all the bells and whistles one has come to associate with Harley Davidson bikes. The two bikes look like twins.
Starting with the glorious stance of the bikes, the matte black finishing coupled with the retro appearance gives them that unmistakable appearance of being Harley. Both Street 500 and Street 750 are decorated with a round headlamp, old-age styled round indicators, fat front forks, a masculine fuel tank finished in glossy paint and metal fenders giving them that '80s charm, with a modern touch.
The 2-in-1 muffler and pullback handlebars in black colour give them a much handsome look, while well cushioned pillion and rider seat increase the comfort level. Its rear gets a very neat finish and distinctive look with mini bullet turn signals and LED tail lights.
The digital-analog single pod instrument cluster of the bike has got analog speedometer with an LCD display for other details.
Street 750 and 500: Cheapest Harley Davidson bikes in India?
Engine and performance
Harley Davidson Street 750 will sport a 749cc, 4-stroke, liquid cooled, SOHC, 60-degrees V-twin with 4-valves per head, whereas Street 500 boast 500cc V-twin of same configuration. Both engines intend to boost sufficient amount of power transmitted to the rear wheel through a belt driver.
Harley Davidson has chosen to give these motorcycles an all new Revolution X engine, which is a pure Harley-Davidson V-Twin engine muscle specifically designed for urban riding, with adequate punch for long touring as well.
Both the motorcycles are liquid cooled to maintain peak performance. The engines come mated with a 6-speed gear-box having 1-down/5-up shift pattern. Harley Davidson hasn't disclosed the power and torque figures to the public, but the performance numbers of both these brutal machines are surely going to be class-rivalling given the past history and standards maintained by Harley Davidson.
Street 750 and 500: Cheapest Harley Davidson bikes in India?
Ride and handling
The youthful Harley Davidson Street 500 and Street 750's suspension set up is similar in both built and performance characteristics. Both these motorcycles boast perfectly-tuned suspension system which includes conventional telescopic forks with smart reflectors and rubber padding at the front, while rear gets advanced dual shock absorbers with steel swing-arms of rectangular cross-section.
The chassis is strong but light-weight, which aids in lean and narrow dynamics for easy handling. The seating position is upright like conventional cruisers, with low seat, forward stance and high-set handlebars.
Talking about the tyres, both these motorcycles come armed with 17-inch front and 15-inch rear black alloy wheels, covered by Michelin tires, which helps in providing both superior grip and oomph factor to the overall profile. Both the wheels come equipped with disc brakes to provide better braking action.
Overall, these two cruisers are expected to be blessed with mile-munching traits on rough-patched roads of our country, and can tackle the hustle of our traffic conditions, owing to their superior dynamic probabilities.
Street 750 and 500: Cheapest Harley Davidson bikes in India?
Verdict
When we see a Harley Davidson motorcycle taking a proud position in a parking lot under bright sunlight or neon lights, what makes them feel special is their premium attention to the last detail.
The Harley Davidson Street 500 and Street 750 motorcycles are no exception to that rule.
What's interesting to see though is Harley's strategy to price this bike competitively to suite the cost-sensitive Indian market. With the Indian assembly of these beasts with higher content of localisation, it's safe to expect a sub-4 lakh rupee price tag for the Street 500 and sub-5 lakh for Street 750.
Available in black and red colour, the Street 500 and Street 750 will be aimed at younger customers from emerging markets like ours and a hard-to-believe price tag can make these bikes a huge success if they provide the same feeling, performance and thrill, which Harley Davidson bikes usually provide.
It's a 'Thumbs up' for another winners from the 110 year old cruiser legacy, then.