The new 2017 Harley-Davidson Street Rod is a new model aimed at urban city riding. So you need to forget the memories of the 2006-2007 model derived from the V-Rod (The Harley-Davidson VRSCR Street Rod only lasted for a year, and was roadster-inspired with inverted Showa forks, Brembo brakes, a higher seat and a bigger lean angle).
Instead, the new bike is part of the Street range introduced in 2014. Not only did this create a new lighter and cheaper Harley series, but it also marked the start of bike production at the Harley-Davidson India subsidiary for any motorcycles being sold outside of the U.S.
So following on from the Street 500 and Street 750 comes the Street Rod. It’s based on the Street, but gets the High Output Revolution X 750 engine. Which means 68.4hp and 47.2 lbft of torque. In addition to more power and torque through the mid-range and top-end, it also revs higher than Street up to 9,000rpm.
There’s also a larger air box, new dual 42 mm throttle bodies, new four-valve cylinder heads and high light camshafts. Plus, the exhaust is louder, to increase airflow and efficiency. Not because every Harley owner I know wants nearby houses to vibrate when they arrive.
Improvements to the handling come from the rigid 43mm USD forks with lightweight aluminium yokes, and fork rate tightened from 32 degrees to 27 for quicker steering. At the rear, the shock absorbers have an external reservoir and travel is up to 117mm, plus there’s a slightly longer swingarm to fit it all in. As a result, the lean angle is increased to 37.3 degrees on the right and 40.2 degrees on the left. Then it’s goodbye hero blobs…
At either end are 17-inch Open Spoke Black Cast aluminium wheels with Michelin Scorcher 21 tyres. Stopping comes from dual two-piston calipers and 300mm front disc brakes, plus ABS.
Riders of the 2017 Harley-Davidson Street Rod get a new seat, with the height raised to 765mm, new forged brake and gear levers and aluminium rearsets.
So it’s a reasonably entry-level Harley aimed at the city rider who occasionally ventures out to the countryside. As a result, looks are important to the 2017 Harley-Davidson Street Rod.
To attract the urban crowd, Harley has gone for the Dark Custom look. Which means blacked-out forks and triple clamps, a new colour-matched screen, and a new tail section. The perforated rear mudguard saves a bit of weight, and the LED brake light and indicators should get you seen.
The 2017 Harley-Davidson Street Rod is available in a choice of 3 colours. You can pick from Vivid Black, Charcoal Denim and Olive Gold, and the prices start at £6,745. Obviously in addition to the more expensive paint options (the Denim and Gold), you also get to play around with as many custom parts as Harley can throw at you.
2017 Harley-Davidson Street Rod Videos:
2017 Harley-Davidson Street Rod Specs:
DIMENSIONS
- Length 2130 mm
- Seat Height 765 mm
- Fuel Capacity 13.2 l
- Dry weight 229 kg
POWERTRAIN
- Engine High Output Revolution X™ V-Twin
- Displacement 749 cc
- Engine Torque 65 Nm
- Transmission 6-speed
WHEELS / TYRES
- Wheels Black, 7-Split Open Spoke Cast Aluminum
- Tyres Front 120/70 R17 V
- Tyres Rear 160/60 R17 V
COLOUR OPTIONS
- Colour Options: Vivid Black, Charcoal Denim, and Olive Gold
- Price: From £6,745 Vivid Black
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