Harley-Davidson is about to dominate the cruiser market with the announcement that the new Street 500 will be just $9995 rideaway.
Harley-Davidson Street with custom accessoriesThat stunning price announced this morning at the Melbourne Moto Expo is about $500 less than the list price for the segment-leading Yamaha XVS650, so it should guarantee the bike will be the new cruiser king.
Obviously Harley is subsidising the price to get newcomers into the brand and hopefully retain them throughout their riding life.
The Street 500 is made in India and Kansas. Australia will receive the Street 500 from India in January.
It is powered by a new water-cooled Revolution X engine with 25kW of power and 50Nm of torque. While the power and torque figures appear modest, the bike weighs only 222kg which is 33kg less than a Sportster 883 Iron.
The Street 500 has a 709mm seat height, mid-mount controls, single front brake disc with dual piston calliper, 17-inch front wheel, 15-inch rear wheel, LED tail lights, locking fuel cap and dual shocks.
It has a12.5-litre teardrop fuel tank which is the same capacity as the 883 Iron and much larger than the H-D Forty Eight fuel capacity at a meagre 7.9 litres.
Harley-Davidson Australia marketing manager Adam Wright says the Street 500 has all the hallmarks of a Harley with “metal tank and fenders, not plastic”.
“Anyone who jumps on this bike will understand as soon as they open the throttle: the Street was designed to bring fun, thrills and freedom to the road – whether for new riders or those returning to two wheels after a bit of time out,” he says.
It comes in black or red with a host of accessories.
Harley-Davidson Street XG500
- Price: $9995 ($10,995 in New Zealand) rideaway
- Engine: Liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, 4-valve, 494cc Revolution X V-Twin
- Power: about 25kW
- Torque: 40Nm @ 3500rpm
- Bore x Stroke: 69 x 66mm
- Compression: 11:1
- Transmission: 6-speed, wet multi-plate clutch, belt drive
- Length: 2225mm
- Width: 820mm
- Height: 1058mm
- Seat: 709mm
- Clearance: 145mm
- Rake/trail: 32°/115mm
- Wheelbase: 1534mm
- Tyres: Michelin Scorcher 100/80 R17; 140/75 R15
- Fuel: 13.1L
- Weight: 222 kg)
- Chassis: tubular steel
- Suspension: 37mm telescopic forks, twin tubular shocks adjustable for pre-load
- Brakes: 292mm/260mm discs, 2-piston callipers
- Lean Angles: 28.5°
- Economy: 5.74L/100km
- Warranty: 24 months, unlimited km
- Service: 1600km/8000km