EICMA 2013: Harley-Davidson Revolution X 750 & 500

The Street 750 and Street 500 from Harley-Davidson represent the first all-new platform from Harley-Davidson in 13 years. Built for urban environments, the Street series machines fall under the Dark Custom design and are intended for young, urban riders.

The two motorcycles feature the new liquid-cooled Revolution X engine, a narrow, agile chassis with a low seat height (26.3 inches), new suspension, a wide handlebar and minimalist styling. Not all markets will get both engine sizes, but the U.S. will. The 500 costs $6700 and the 750 is $7500.

A 60-degree V angle allows the engine to be lifted higher, so there’s more ground clearance. H-D says it is 100 pounds lighter than a Sportster and thus has a better power-to-weight ratio than a Sportster. Wheels are similar to XLCR.

“Both the Street 750 and Street 500 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,” says Matt Levatich, President and Chief Operating Officer, Harley-Davidson.

Both the Street 750 and Street 500 will be rolling into dealerships in select markets starting in 2014.

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

By Tom Roderick