Cape Town - Harley-Davidson says its Street Rod is set to raise eyebrows, and reset expectations in 2017.
Harley says the new bike's engine has been tuned to produce more torque through the mid-range and power at the top-end. The bigger hitting motor is matched with an uprated chassis geometry, as well as upgrades to the suspension, brakes and wheels.
An all-rounder
The Street Rod will be offered in three colour options:
• Vivid Black
• Charcoal Denim
• Olive Gold
Mathew Weber, Harley-Davidson chief engineer said: “The Street Rod’s new High Output Revolution X 750 engine has got hot cams, gas-flowed heads, more compression and a higher redline. It gets your attention. And we wanted a chassis to match, sharp handling and aggressive, perfect for urban cut-and-thrust and canyon carving.
"Its attitude and the relationship between seat position, rearset footpegs and wide handlebars put the rider fully in control. The fact the Street Rod looks so good - and very close to our early sketches - gives us all a real charge too!”
READ: New ‘Big Twin’ engine for Harley-Davidson in SA
More powerful engine
The Street Rod’s liquid-cooled, 750cc engine produces 18% more power and 8% more torque than the Street 750; peak power arrives at 8750rpm, with peak torque delivered at 4000rpm. It features a larger volume air box and new dual 42mm throttle bodies, new four-valve cylinder heads and high-lift camshafts, plus a higher-volume exhaust muffler - all designed to increase airflow and efficiency.
The redline now goes from 8000 to 9000rpm.
READ: Harley-Davidson caught in $15m emission scandal
The Street Rod's front end features rigid 43mm USD forks gripped by lightweight aluminium yokes. New rear shock absorbers feature an external reservoir to increase fluid capacity and maintain damping consistency. A new seat shape is designed to hold the rider firmly in place and seat height is raised to 765mm to enhance the rider’s view forward, says Harley-Davidson.
Lean angle is increased from 28.5° left and right to 37.3° right and 40.2° degrees left.
The Street Rod wears exclusive 17" front and rear Open Spoke Black Cast aluminium wheels and new Michelin Scorcher 21 radial tyres, sized 120/70 R17V front and 160/60 R17V rear. Braking power is provided by dual two-piston calipers and 300mm front disc brakes with ABS.
At a glance:
• A muscular middleweight with upgraded performance, handling and more aggressive riding position.
• The Street Rod’s new High Output Revolution X 750 V-twin engine puts out more peak.
• power and torque with an extended rev range.
• New chassis geometry and 17" front and rear wheels deliver fast, responsive steering.
• 43mm USD forks are matched by remote reservoir rear shocks.
• Dual 300mm front discs plus ABS braking as standard.
• Three paint options show off the Street Rod’s Dark Custom style to the maximum.