EICMA 2013: Harley-Davidson Street 500

Harley-Davidson’s well publicised move
into the learner motorcycle market has been made public following
simultaneous – or close enough to – launches around the globe on
November 4-5, with Milan's unveiling stealing most of the limelight.

There
are actually two new additions to the Dark Custom family in the form of
the Street 500 and Street 750 60-degree V-twins, but it’s the former
which will be going on sale in Australia in January, 2015 as a LAMS
machine. That’s not a misprint – the Street 500 is still 14 months away
from dealer showrooms, although media launches are planned from mid-way
through 2014 about the same time it goes on sale in America, Italy,
Spain, Portugal and India. Price will be in the range of $10-12K, with a
final figure still some time away. The bike will be manufactured in
both America and India.

The Street 500 – the first all-new
platform for Harley-Davidson in 14 years -- has a six-speed
transmission, belt drive, a two-into-one exhaust, mid-mount controls,
tear drop fuel tank, single discs at both ends, metal tank and fenders,
an LED taillight, a low 645mm seat height, 17 and 15-inch wheels, and
has a wet weight of 217kg. Fuel capacity is 12.5 litres, which is the same as the 883 Iron.

The liquid-cooled, SOHC, eight-valve V-twin is
called the Revolution X engine, and Harley-Davidson hasn’t quoted
performance figures at this stage.

Emerging markets around the
globe are firmly in Harley-Davidson’s sights with the Street 500, while
locally women and “young adults” will be targeted in marketing
campaigns, as well as “sleepers” – those people with motorcycle licences
who don’t currently own a machine. According to Harley-Davidson
Australia, there are about 750,000 people in Australia who fit into that
description.

“The Street 500 was designed with thousands of hours
of input from young adults in cities around the world,” said Matt
Levatich, President and Chief Operating Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor
Company – and the man who initially spilt the beans that a learner
Harley was on the way. “This input guided both the attitude and
capabilities of these motorcycles. They are proof that being
customer-led continues to be the core driver of our product development
process.”