Lousiana Biker Magazine Louisiana Biker Magazine May2016 | Page 19

Although they look identical , the 750 felt like a completely different bike to me . I have not seen an official horsepower spec for the 500 , but have seen online claims in the mid-30s , so the 750 has about 20 more . This is a large increase , but the way the power is delivered also feels different . On the 750 , you can feel the V-Rod heritage coming through . Revs build quick , but I was also able to do a full roll-on from low RPM without downshifting , and there was only a slight delay before the bike went . With the snappier throttle response , everything felt different . You could hit the throttle hard enough to stand the bike up coming out of the corners , and the larger displacement helped with engine braking going in . I would love to do some brake and suspension upgrades and take one of these out to NOLA Motorsports for a track day .
I enjoyed riding them both . I would consider buying a 750 for city riding especially , but I also know people who have done some long hauls on them . The 500 is a much better starter bike than the Buell Blast had been , with a lower seat height and better riding position . It ’ s a good bike for a new rider .
These bikes are aimed at a younger market that is less driven by nostalgia for the old bikes , and the world market , and that is reflected in the design . I think Harley would sell a lot more of them here if they went with more traditional styling , like a peanut or small fatbob shaped tank . Maybe this was done to preserve the identity of the larger bikes , and I ’ m sure it will work in other markets , but in the USA a more “ Harley ” look would probably go over a lot better . The current tank kind of looks like it wasn ’ t mounted properly to me , the way it is raised in the rear . The seat was comfortable enough , but it was pushing me forward . I would want to cut back the foam to move my seating position back a couple inches . I also found the bars oddly flat . These are easy fixes , though , and fitting a new bike to yourself is always necessary .
I thought the fork boots looked out of place , they seem to go with an older style that these bikes have little of . I would also prefer to have the little fairing colormatched on the bikes that were not gloss black . These are all minor quibbles , personal opinions , and easy fixes .
Overall , I think these bikes are long overdue . Harley hasn ’ t had a lightweight bike in over 40 years , and I think missing out on that new rider market has cost them market share over the years . Traditional Harley guys may complain they don ’ t look Harley , are too “ Foreign ” or too small , but for the markets these are intended for , I think the Motor Company has come up with a pair of winners . by Frosty and Barry
SPECIFICATIONS Engine : Liquid-Cooled Revolution X 60 ° V-Twin
Model Street 500 Engine Displacement 494cc Bore Stroke 69 mm x 66 mm Compression Ratio 11:1 Fuel System Mikuni Single Port Fuel Injection , 35 mm bore Transmission Six-speed MSRP $ 6,849
Model Street 750 Engine Displacement 749cc Bore Stroke 85 mm x 66 mm Cooling Liquid-Cooled Compression Ratio 11:1 Fuel System Mikuni Single Port Fuel Injection , 38 mm bore Transmission Six Speed MSRP $ 7,549
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