Harley-Davidson Street Rod: An In-Depth Review of the Urban Roadster

The Harley-Davidson Street 750 initially faced criticism for not meeting the brand’s usual standards of fit and finish, appearing somewhat basic in its construction. Harley-Davidson listened to this feedback and responded with the Street Rod, a model that significantly elevates the “street rod” concept within their lineup. This new iteration addresses those concerns head-on, presenting a motorcycle that is not only well-built but also undeniably robust. In fact, its sturdy construction became strikingly apparent during an unexpected crash test.

UPDATE: Video Review of the Harley-Davidson Street Rod | RideApart

This experience, which earned me the moniker “Trashcan” among colleagues, will be detailed shortly. However, the primary recommendation is to personally experience the Street Rod through a test ride. This bike represents a pivotal shift for Harley-Davidson as they aim to broaden their appeal beyond their traditional audience. Facing the challenge of attracting new riders while maintaining their heritage, Harley-Davidson is actively encouraging potential customers to discover what the Street Rod offers.

READ MORE: What It’s Like To Crash A Harley | RideApart

While there are both praises and critiques to share about the Street Rod, the overall impression is overwhelmingly positive. Despite any skepticism, the best way to truly understand this motorcycle is to ride it. Harley-Davidson’s initiative to get more people on bikes includes making test rides readily available. Dealerships are eager for you to try the Street Rod, and it’s an opportunity worth taking.

First Impressions: Stepping Up the Street Game

Upon encountering the Street Rod at a dealership, the immediate improvement in aesthetics compared to the standard cruiser platform is evident. This “street rod” is visually appealing and presents a bike you’d be proud to ride. It moves away from the notion of requiring extensive customization, offering a high-quality, attractive motorcycle straight from the factory.

While most aspects are commendable, the exhaust design is a point of contention. This design choice likely stems from stringent European regulations, reflecting the Street Rod’s broader market appeal beyond North America. In today’s emissions-conscious world, larger exhaust systems are becoming the norm.

Despite regulatory compromises, the Street Rod maintains a distinctly muscular, American design ethos. Unlike the Street 750, which some likened to generic import bikes, the Street Rod clearly embodies Harley-Davidson’s heritage. While its price point of US $8,699 (£6,745) necessitates some compromises, they are, in my opinion, reasonable given the overall package.

Alt text: Harley-Davidson Street Rod showcasing its robust design and street rod styling during a test ride.

Engine and Performance: Revolution X Roars

The heart of any Harley-Davidson, the engine, truly shines in the Street Rod. The Revolution X V-twin engine platform feels perfectly suited to this roadster, almost as if its cruiser application was merely a stepping stone. The engine delivers peak torque at 4,000 rpm (47.9 ft lb, or 65 Nm as per Harley-Davidson), and estimated peak horsepower, around the 60 horsepower mark, arrives just below 9,000 rpm. Pushing past the horsepower peak leads to the rev limiter, which intriguingly acts almost like a quickshifter, facilitating clutchless upshifts. The higher rev ranges are where the engine’s sound truly comes alive, adding to the exhilarating riding experience of this “street rod”.

READ MORE: 2017 Harley-Davidson Street Glide – First Ride | RideApart

Comparisons are naturally drawn to engines like the Indian Scout Sixty’s 1000cc V-twin and the Triumph Street Cup’s 900cc parallel-twin. Among these, the Street Rod’s engine exudes a more raw and powerful character. Its visual presence in Captain America: Civil War as the Winter Soldier’s bike feels fitting – it’s the Harley-Davidson an unstoppable force would choose.

Equally adept for daily commutes, the Street Rod effortlessly handles both highway cruising and urban stop-and-go traffic. While its six-speed transmission might not be as refined as the Street Cup or Scout Sixty, the difference is negligible. Neutral was occasionally elusive, a minor inconvenience compounded by the delayed “N” indicator light on the minimalist instrument panel. However, the light clutch ensures that even extended stops in gear are manageable.

Ride and Handling: Taming the Urban Jungle

During your test ride, the initial point of concern might be the ergonomics. The riding posture is compact, almost crouched, with a baseball catcher-like stance – legs spread and knees high. As noted by Motorcycle.com’s John Burns, the rear view resembled “milking a cow.” Front jeans pockets become uncomfortably tight. This cramped position wasn’t exclusive to taller riders like myself (6’1″), as Burns, considerably shorter, also found it awkward.

However, the surprising aspect is adaptability. Initial discomfort quickly fades. While the first few minutes were filled with expletives (a British specialty), by the second day, after a 157-mile ride, the experience became genuinely enjoyable. The engine’s spirited performance undoubtedly contributes to overlooking minor discomforts. Furthermore, the suspension’s effectiveness in absorbing road imperfections plays a crucial role in rider comfort. The Street Rod’s street rod design is actually quite forgiving on varied road surfaces.

Rear piggyback shocks offer preload adjustability with a standard wrench, eliminating the need for specialized tools. Despite Florida’s lack of twisty roads, the Street Rod proved agile and willing in corners. Peg scraping is unlikely under normal riding conditions. In more aggressive riding, the exhaust would likely make contact before the pegs, serving as a subtle limit.

Reflecting its price point, the brakes are somewhat binary – either on or off. Nuance, particularly with the rear brake, was challenging, making slow-speed maneuvers like the “feet up challenge” trickier. Nevertheless, overall braking performance is satisfactory. The dual front discs are both visually appealing and functionally effective. ABS is standard in Europe and a recommended option in the US.

READ MORE: [2017 Harley-Davidson Road Glide – First Ride | RideApart](https://www.rideapart.com/reviews/246609/2017-harley-davidson-road glide-first-ride/)

The brakes’ emergency stopping capability was emphatically proven during the aforementioned crash. On a 157-mile press ride through Florida’s Ocala National Forest, a sudden gust of wind propelled a 32-gallon trash can into my path at 60 mph. While the Street Rod boasts higher ground clearance than other Harley-Davidsons, it wasn’t sufficient to clear a full-sized trash can at that speed. The ensuing lowside, 150-foot slide and roll into a ditch, while the Street Rod continued sliding further, demonstrated the bike’s resilience and the brakes’ effectiveness in an extreme situation. ATGATT gear ensured only minor bruising. John Burns, witnessing the event from behind, quipped, “I had been looking for an opportunity to test the brakes. Thanks.”

Built to Last: Durability and Features

The post-crash condition of the Street Rod is a testament to its robust build. Despite hitting a trash can at 60 mph and sliding approximately 300 feet, the damage was surprisingly minimal. Scratched mirrors and a shredded peg were the main visible impacts. Remarkably, the bike started on the first attempt and was rideable onto the recovery truck. This incident underscores the “built like a tank” impression from the outset. Even without such a dramatic test, the Street Rod’s construction suggests long-term durability. Addressing previous criticisms of the Street 750, the Street Rod exhibits significant improvements in build quality. Mirrors, brakes, welds, wiring, and even plastic details are all noticeably upgraded, enhancing the overall street rod experience.

Alt text: Post-crash Harley-Davidson Street Rod demonstrating its remarkable durability and robust construction after a high-speed incident.

Feature-wise, the Street Rod keeps it straightforward. ABS is the main electronic aid, aligning with its roadster character. While technological gadgets are appreciated, the Street Rod’s raw nature makes their absence hardly noticeable. The single instrument cluster provides essential information via an analog speedometer with a small digital display for odometer, trip meters, gear indicator, rev counter, and time, controlled by a button on the clock itself. A recurring Harley-Davidson complaint is the speedometer’s small numerals, potentially challenging for older riders.

A welcome change is the single switch for turn signals on the left grip, a more conventional and user-friendly approach compared to Harley-Davidson’s typical dual-button system.

Minor Quirks and Considerations

A fuel gauge would be a practical addition to the Street Rod, given its 3.5 US gallon (13.2 liter) tank. A narrower fuel tank could also improve ergonomics, potentially alleviating the knee-spread riding position discomfort.

Relocating the foot pegs further back could enhance ergonomics and resolve the issue of pegs interfering with leg placement at stops. If the current peg position is maintained, adding a spring mechanism to prevent accidental folding would be beneficial, as experienced during multiple stops.

The exhaust’s outward protrusion also impacts ergonomics. Despite a 30.4-inch (772 mm) seat height, the exhaust necessitates a wider stance, requiring taller riders to comfortably flat-foot. While repositioning the exhaust presents design challenges, it’s a point for consideration in future iterations of this “street rod”.

Alt text: Close-up view of the Harley-Davidson Street Rod’s exhaust system and foot peg, highlighting design considerations for ergonomics.

Verdict: A Street Rod Worth Riding

Minor issues like ergonomics, exhaust design, and weight (524 lbs wet, or 238 kg) might be seized upon by Harley-Davidson detractors. However, these are overshadowed by the Street Rod’s strengths. A test ride is crucial to forming an unbiased opinion. The Street Rod stands as a commendable motorcycle in its own right, without needing qualifiers like “for a Harley-Davidson”.

Stripping away brand preconceptions, the Street Rod competes effectively on price and performance against rivals from America, Europe, and Japan. It surpasses the Yamaha XSR700 in fit and finish, the Triumph Street Cup in engine character, and the Indian Scout Sixty in handling.

Beyond its objective merits, it is undeniably a Harley-Davidson, embodying the brand’s essence. Its success is anticipated, and its presence should concern Indian Motorcycle, signaling Harley-Davidson’s revitalized approach with models like this as part of their 50-new-models-in-five-years plan. The Street Rod is arguably the bike many have been waiting for, and it hints at exciting future offerings from Milwaukee.