Harley to release 500cc & 750cc liquid cooled motorcycles for 2104

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

So Harley appears to be going after the Entry Level and Nimble Ride market with these new rides.
.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company is continuing its monumental ride, which began with the introduction of Project RUSHMORE in August, by revealing two, new Dark Custom™ motorcycles designed for young urban riders around the world.

The Harley-Davidson Street™ 750 and Street™ 500 motorcycles – the first all-new platform from Harley-Davidson in 14 years – are built for urban environments with all-new liquid-cooled Revolution® X powertrains, nimble agility, and the sound and look that lets everyone know they are genuine Harley-Davidson.

“These are the newest motorcycles to join our Dark Custom lineup, which helped make us the number-one selling Brand to young adults in the U.S. for the past five years,” said Matt Levatich, President and Chief Operating Officer, Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “Both the Street 750 and Street 500 models were designed with thousands of hours of input from young adults in cities around the world. This input guided both the attitude and capabilities of these motorcycles. They are proof that being Customer-led continues to be a core driver of our product development process.”

Urban, Authentic Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
The Street™ 750 and Street™ 500 motorcycles from Harley-Davidson are built for an urban environment. Each motorcycle features the new, Revolution® X engine, designed to match the demands of stop-and-go traffic with nimble agility, while delivering instant throttle response to escape city gridlock.

The Revolution® X engine will be housed in a new, narrow and lean chassis built for agility, with a super-low seat height, new suspension and broad handlebar sweep that provides confidence and manoeuvrability when managing tight turns and fast moves. Both signature Dark Custom™ motorcycles feature a premium, minimalist style that serves as a blank canvas for riders to customize.
More information is available at Street 750 & 500 Motorcycles | Harley-Davidson USA.

“These new bikes are leaner, yet still have a mean streak – they’re the real deal, made of real steel.” said Mark-Hans Richer, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “They’re designed to handle the abuses of urban environments and provide authentic opportunities to customize.”

The Harley-Davidson Street™ 750 and Street™ 500 motorcycles will be rolling into dealerships in select markets starting in 2014. In Canada, both of these new bikes will be available at Retail Stores in 2015.

Video of the Harley-Davidson Street™ platform reveal in Milan, including an in-depth walk-through of the motorcycles, details on their design, and a Q&A with Richer is available at Harley-Davidson - YouTube.

 

[GYMBRAT]

GHEY, leave it to the manufacturers who know that end of it.....

 

[Trukker]

I agree ...................why would they want to try and compete with a saturated market . How many Sporty's do they sell compared to other models

 

[heavy d]

One word.........why?

 

[Wilk INStheWEST]

Seems about right, it would take Harley until 2104 to create a good handling bike.

Have to agree, they are entering into a world that is already dominated by so many other bikes. Could make sense in grabbing new bike riders that want the more nimble urban style bike, but know the Harley name, so that is the first place they look. Good luck going up against the Bonneville though...

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

The way I see it is:
1. Missing a huge entry level market.
2. The sportster just isn't cool for some.
3. Need liquid cooled for the "around town market"
4. May be priced lower.
5. Bringing in future big bike buyers.
6. "Indian" is going to take away market share if they don't do something.

My question isn't why but why now as compared to 10 years ago when they would have been grabbing market share.

 

[Wilk INStheWEST]

The way I see it is:
1. Missing a huge entry level market.
2. The sportster just isn't cool for some.
3. Need liquid cooled for the "around town market"
4. May be priced lower.
5. Bringing in future big bike buyers.
6. "Indian" is going to take away market share if they don't do something.

My question isn't why but why now as compared to 10 years ago when they would have been grabbing market share.

Bang on in every point there Bunny. For me the only 'cool' bike in the HD line up is the V-Rod, but I think these new guys have a certain appeal to them. I do hope that HD has done something with the power plant to reduce the idle vibrations. If this is designed for the urban environment, with all it's traffic lights, there is nothing more annoying than sitting there with an engine trying to vibrate your arms off underneath you.

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

Bang on in every point there Bunny. For me the only 'cool' bike in the HD line up is the V-Rod, but I think these new guys have a certain appeal to them. I do hope that HD has done something with the power plant to reduce the idle vibrations. If this is designed for the urban environment, with all it's traffic lights, there is nothing more annoying than sitting there with an engine trying to vibrate your arms off underneath you.

Based on what I've seen on the Internet they haven't addressed that specific issue. Guess we will have to wait to find out. They release them in the warmer USA states first so I'm sure the internet will be a buzz soon.

 

[Ancient Sledder]

Makes me shake my head. They kill off my XR1200, which is a very capable bike and bring out smaller ones? I just don't get it.

 

[fidorama]

Just a new girls bike is all I am seeing there.... have my doubts these will be much cheaper

 

[whiteface]

Heard and read this news from other site, I believe the reason for HD in doing this is to target Asian countries.

 

[mb1]

It's all about the Benjamin's. Shareholders want to see more profits.


'12 T4

 

[Zien19]

Graduated licences coming to bc soon with cc restrictions to new drivers.

 

[Syclone74]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it's already in place. Was going for my bike licence last year (never happened) and in the book they give you to get your licence shows all the restrictions. Like once you have your learners no passengers or going over80kph or riding after dark then once you get your licence your speed increases to the sled limit but still no passengers or night riding...I think. Long story short is the way I understood it was it takes just about two years to get your full bike licence.

 

[gordhunt]

Smaller than the sporty why it already has no power a 750 won't even be able to do the speed limit

Sent from my S4

 

[meatbag]

I believe those bikes are made in Asia? They'll make smaller bikes that are still really heavy, super slow and outdated compared to other manufacturers, and more $$ to buy. If any of you have been to any parts of Asia, they like their scooters and small light bikes, not some lumbering vibrating pigs like these. Too little too late.
So there.

 

[the_real_wild1]

What's wrong with them? Are you not cool if you are riding a liquid cool bIke under 800 cc's?? What about all the guys that ride Harley's that force their wives on a pos sportster because they think the only good bike is a Harley? I think this is a good move for them.

 

[Zien19]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it's already in place. Was going for my bike licence last year (never happened) and in the book they give you to get your licence shows all the restrictions. Like once you have your learners no passengers or going over80kph or riding after dark then once you get your licence your speed increases to the sled limit but still no passengers or night riding...I think. Long story short is the way I understood it was it takes just about two years to get your full bike licence.

Yep but soon there going to add too it. First two years you can't be on a bike bigger than 200cc. Get your licence now if you are thinking about it. I believed it's designed to keep new drivers off the hi-ways. Also take it on a 500 cc or bigger so they don't put any restrictions on it.

 

[Wilk INStheWEST]

Yep but soon there going to add too it. First two years you can't be on a bike bigger than 200cc. Get your licence now if you are thinking about it. I believed it's designed to keep new drivers off the hi-ways. Also take it on a 500 cc or bigger so they don't put any restrictions on it.

200cc seems wrong, there aren't even that many bikes out there designed for the street with that displacement. I could see a 250cc restriction, that would at least get you into most manufacturers starter bike.

 

[moto5151]

I think there is a huge market for these bikes. Harley has progressing the bike market for a few years now. Its definitely targeting women riders. They have started the "garage meetings" at most dealership to help tap into this market. My dealer is getting a few of these bikes, some are presold units. But really who is actively selling in this market? And about the comments about having your hands vibrate like crazy at stop lights, whens the last time you were on a newer harley? Maybe back in the day, with solid mounted Shovel heads. But the old vibration is no longer on new bikes.