Established powerhouse Harley-Davidson takes aim at new riders looking to cruise the urban jungle in style with their new Street 750. It’s got power and agility to spare, but can it compete with long-time rival Ducati’s revived Scrambler?
New territory for Harley
Harley Davidson has long had their finger on the pulse of what experienced riders want in their motorcycles, but new riders looking for an entry-level option have largely escaped them. The Street 750 is this iconic brand’s first new design in over a decade, and it’s poised to capture that unexplored territory with a base price of just $7,499 USD (7,900 €).
This is a motorcycle designed to hold its own on the urban landscape and make its rider look good doing it. The no-nonsense design is available in three colors: Vivid Black and Mysterious Red Sunglo are glossy and eye-catching, and the Black Denim is a very urban matte black. Black, 7-spoke cast aluminum wheels show off machined rim highlights that catch the light from every angle.
2015 Street XG750 – urban style
The Street 750 boasts a liquid-cooled 749cc V-twin engine with electronic fuel injection to give the rider consistent power. Six speeds with plenty of low-end torque, controls that are just slightly forward of the seat, and a progressive throttle give the bike the maneuverability to hold its own in city traffic.
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Harley-Davidson doesn’t disappoint on the details on this bike. With a seat height of just 28.2 inches (716 mm) to keep the center of gravity low, and a wet weight of 503 pounds (228 kg), tipping the Street 750 off the side stand is easy regardless of the size of the rider. Generous ground clearance and improved suspension with adjustable shocks let this bike handle road hazards with little to no jarring and vibration. Stopping power won’t be a concern with the Street 750: single disc brakes with dual-piston calipers on both the front and the back gives even the least experienced rider the confidence to stop quickly and smoothly.
Harley promises over-40 mpg fuel efficiency
As carefully designed as the Street 750 is, it is worth noting that the low seat and placement of the pegs could make taller riders feel cramped. The soft seat and small gas tank reflect the bike’s intended urban use, but also mean that longer pleasure cruises may become uncomfortable and the range of uninterrupted riding is limited.
The Street 750 is well positioned to take the lead in this important part of the market, but it is not completely alone on the road. Nipping at Harley-Davidson’s heels is Ducati’s Scrambler, a revival of the classic and extremely popular motorcycle that was taken out of production in 1975 and reintroduced for 2015 with an price tag of $8,495 in U.S. markets and 7,995 € in Europe.
Simple design, not overly complicated technology
Originally designed to tap into the American market in the 1960’s, the Scrambler was designed to go from street and highways to off-road adventures without missing a stroke. That versatility as well as a well-balanced design that made handling smooth and responsive made it an instant and lasting success. Ducati’s new design holds onto the classic design that appealed to so many while updating enough of the details to make it relevant to today’s new riders.
The Scrambler has some key differences that may give it the edge over the Street 750. Although the seat height of the Scrambler is nearly three inches (76mm) higher than the Street 750, Ducati has kept the weight of the machine down to an eyebrow-raising 423 pounds (192 kg). Even more surprising is that Ducati managed this while including their classic air-cooled, 803cc engine.
See this Harley-Davidson 2015 Daily Desk Calendar
Where the Street 750 and the Scrambler really part ways is horsepower and torque. The Ducati boasts 75 horsepower at 8,250rpm and 50 foot-pounds of torque at 5,750rpm, compared to the Harley-Davidson’s respectable 57.6 horsepower at 7,955rpm, and 43.2 foot-pounds of torque at 3,790rpm. Although the Ducati will perform better on the open road, the Street 750’s low-end torque gives it the edge in the city environment it was designed for.
Style vs. substance
The Scrambler may have the edge over the Street 750 with its ability to leave the city behind and take the less-traveled paths off-road, but whether that will appeal to the inexperienced riders an entry-level bike is aimed at remains to be seen. Both bikes are available in the US and Europe, although Harley-Davidson has yet to release the Street 750 in the UK.
The Street 750 lives up to its promise of an urban machine for all riders, and it does so with a style that will capture the attention of everyone else on the road and make more than a few consider buying one of their own.
