Harley-Davidson Street Rod Test Ride Review

Harley-Davidson Street Rod Review

Bike Tested: Harley-Davidson Street Rod; Road Test No. 1010; Test Location: Mumbai

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 8,01,600/-

With oodles of torque, the Street Rod does not need much input to get going fast

Last time we rode a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, it was the Softail Heritage, a very comfortable cruiser motorcycle. But to get a few things interesting, Harley launched a new motorcycle last year, the Street Rod. Based on the Street 750 with the aesthetics of a flat-track racer. We rode a similar motorcycle a few years back, the Motomiu Katanga Uno. A cafe-race which was basically a modified Street 750 by Seven Island Harley-Davidson. We spent one whole weekend with this Street Rod and came back with mixed feeling.

Motor Quest: Harley-Davidson launched the Street series of motorcycles with the Street 750 in 2014. Adding to the line-up, the Street Rod was introduced in 2017. It comes with the same engine and underpinnings as the Street 750. However, few changes like the suspension and riding posture classified it to be a new motorcycle.

Styling – At a quick glance one would say the Street Rod resembles a lot to the Street 750. While it is derived from the Street 750, there are a lot of elements that give the Street Rod its own character. Like the overall length is shorter by 85 mm. It gets USD forks at the front with a different visor over the classic round headlight. Twin discs at the front with thicker tyres both at the front and the rear. Changes to the rear section with which the Street Rod gets a backrest for the pillion. New bar-end mirrors and the rear suspension gets red coloured springs. If you notice with detail, the Street Rod is very much new and yet similar to the Street 750.

Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – The instrument cluster on the Street Rod is carried over from the Street 750 too. It’s a round-shaped single-pod analogue-digital console. The speedometer is analogue while the rest of the details are put inside the rectangular digital section which includes an odometer, twin trip meters, clock and a gear position indicator with a numerical tachometer. Just like the case with the Street 750, this one misses out on a fuel gauge as well. A set of tell-tale lights tell you when the fuel is low and ABS is in working condition. Unlike other Harley-Davidson bikes, the Street 750 and the Street Rod get regular switchgear. With a kill-switch and a starter button on the right and indicator, horn and high-low switch on the left. The quality isn’t the best but it gets the job done.

Ergonomics – The Harley-Davidson Street Rod has had by far the most mixed reaction for its seating posture. For shorter riders, the handlebar is too far away but the footpegs and seat are just right. But for taller riders, the footpegs are too close and raised while the handlebar feels perfect. At 765 mm seat height, the Street Rod is quite accessible but the footpegs and the overall width is quite a lot making the rider keep their legs widespread. The handlebar is a single piece straight rod and it is by far the widest of all the bikes I have ridden. The seats are very well cushioned but it feels slightly stiffer for the pillion. However, the pillion gets a backrest and that trumps all.

Performance – The Harley-Davidson Street Rod gets the same powerplant as the Street 750. But the motor runs on a slightly higher compression ratio making slightly more power and torque. Harley-Davidson has had a habit of keeping the power figures discreet while displaying only the torque figures. However, we know the sources and the motor produces 68.4 BHP of power at 8750 RPM and 62 Nm at an early 4000 RPM. This is almost 10 BHP and 3 Nm more than the Street 750. The higher output Revolution-X V-Twin motor revs very quickly and redlines at 9200 RPM. The 42 mm Mikuni Twin-Port fuel injection system ensures a great throttle response too. The power delivery is very raw and there are no electronics like traction control to keep things calm.

The stock exhaust note is quite engaging for the rider, however for others, it’s rather quiet for a 750cc V-twin

There are no gizmos like a slipper clutch on the Street Rod. The 6-speed gearbox feels quite hard to use at first but it has a sweet shift spot between 4000-5000 RPM. The clutch is very heavy but at the sweet spot, the Street Rod can handle clutchless up-shifts. First gear tops out at 75 km/hr while in second gear, it takes the bike to 110 km/hr. However, the engine runs smoothly even in sixth gear at 70 km/hr. There is no harshness but vibrations can be felt as soon as you get going. The noise isn’t too much as the stock exhaust isn’t very loud. One will have to source an aftermarket exhaust to enjoy the V-twin rumble.

Riding Dynamics – The Harley-Davidson Street Rod has vivid ergonomics making it less desirable to all. But once the rider gets used to the dynamics, it will come as a surprise. The Street Rod has the best cornering clearance of the complete Harley-Davidson line-up. The rake angle is reduced by 5 mm making it very happy to tip into corners and it holds the line really well. The harder suspension setup also aids for superior feedback but it’s way too hard to deal with on Indian roads. The 43 mm USD forks at the front absorb big bumps nicely but translate those small undulations to the handlebar. It’s the same case with the rear suspension too. However, with a pillion, things get mellowed down at the rear.

Rides like a street-fighter while having all the aesthetics of a street oriented cruiser

The Street Rod weighs 238 kgs which is 5 kgs more than the Street 750. However, you don’t feel the weight at all once you get going. But you can feel the weight while manoeuvring through traffic at slow speeds and under heavy braking too. The twin discs at the front have a very sharp bite but the feedback on the levers isn’t great. The rear brakes too don’t have much of a feedback, however, the ABS works brilliantly and the bike stops when needed. The 120 section front tyre along with 160 section rear tyre on the Street Rod come from MRF. They grip well in dry but aren’t the best if you encounter wet or gravel patches.

Verdict – The Harley-Davidson Street Rod is a more mature version of the Street 750. However, it’s not a cruiser motorcycle one would expect from Harley-Davidson. The Street Rod is a motorcycle that plays a role of a weekend fun-to-go ride. It can do city duties while it likes playing around the canyons. It is a motorcycle that will suit very specific people once they understand its character. The Street Rod is very raw and comes at a premium over the Street 750. With a few additional things like better tyres and brakes over the Street 750, the Street Rod is surely appealing. However, one needs to make up their mind to own one as it’s a motorcycle that will take time to get used to!

What’s Cool

* Retro-street design looks very cool
* Tips into corners like a small naked motorcycle
* Low seat height makes it accessible to all kind of riders

What’s Not So Cool

* Suspension setup is hard for Indian roads
* V-Twin rumble isn’t as loud as one would expect
* Different ergonomics, will not suit each and every rider

Harley-Davidson Street Rod Specifications

* Engine: 749cc, Revolution-X V-Twin, Liquid-Cooled, 4-Valve
* Power: 68.4 BHP @ 8400 RPM
* Torque: 62 Nm @ 4000 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Steel Double Cradle
* Suspension: 43 mm USD Forks (Front), Twin Reservoir Shocks (Rear)
* Tyres: 120/70/17 (Front), 160/60/17 (Rear) (MRF)
* Brakes: Twin Discs (Front), Single Disc (Rear), ABS

Harley-Davidson Street Rod Dimensions

* Length x Width x Height: 2130 mm x NA x NA
* Wheelbase: 1510 mm
* Seat Height: 765 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.1-litres
* Kerb weight: 238 kgs

Testers’ Note:

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