Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 and Harley-Davidson Street 750 in comparison test

Posted on by admin

Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 and Harley-Davidson Street 750

Entry-level Harleys in a comparison test

Light, agile, handy, different: the Harley-Davidson Street 750 is considered the most tender temptation since Harley was around. But is the new one that is produced in India really still a real Harley? A comparison with the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883.

One thing must be said in advance: MOTORRAD didn’t want to wait for the Harley-Davidson Street 750 will also be available in Germany at the end of September, and has got a copy from southern Europe for this test. The Street 750 models have been in the dealers’ shop windows since June. Something that doesn’t make everyone happy. Because behind closed doors you can hear isolated dealers growling.

Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 and Harley-Davidson Street 750

Entry-level Harleys in a comparison test

Harley-Davidson Street 750, it is said, is hardly any part installed that is compatible with the other series: the successful Sportster, Dyna, V-Rod, Touring or Softail models. It feels like these bikes have been on the market since shortly after the dinosaurs died out and are enjoying increasing popularity. Supply of spare parts secured. Now it’s about additional storage and investments. None of this would be a real problem if the new one had convinced not only the Indian but also the European at its world premiere. But it doesn’t.

Harley-Davidson Street 750 is completely built in India

Journalists complained about the rough workmanship, motley connectors and attested their lack of charm. Why? A Harley is generally timeless. First and foremost, it is not a motorcycle, but rather a means of transport for a lifestyle. And this is exactly what the newcomer was not expected to do from the start. If it weren’t for the US brand logo glued to the wide, flat tank – the Harley-Davidson Street 750 might as well be waiting for customers in the farthest corner of a Hyosung store, covered in dust.

Why the machine looks the way it does is easy to explain: Harley-Davidson wants to expand its fan base, the Harley-Davidson Street 750 is intended to inspire new European customers between the ages of 18 and 30. Above all, however, the company would like to benefit from the boom in the Asian growth markets. That is why Harley-Davidson has set up a plant in India in which the Street 500 (does not come to Europe) and Street 750 models are completely built.

www.jkuenstle.de

On the chassis side, the Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883 is a shade richer on the road and looks more homogeneous.

So there it is, in Germany. The price has not yet been fixed, but will be around 8,000 euros, the importer announced. And added: ABS will not be available for the Harley-Davidson Street 750 until 2016. Unfortunately it stands next to a Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883, the company’s quite successful entry-level model. At 9,495 euros including ABS, the Iron Harleys is the cheapest and at the same time an extremely cool model. No matter from which direction the sun shines on this wonderful summer day – the new one is in the shadow of the "little" Iron. It has less to do with size. More like charisma. But let’s leave that.

Up your leg, into the seat recess, thumb on the button for the electric starter. Even people with short legs can still stand securely with their feet at the seat height of 720 millimeters. However, you crouch rather inactive, folded up, you literally crouch – long-legged people feel out of place. In addition, it must unfortunately be said: Everything about the Harley-Davidson Street 750 looks cheap at first glance. The switches could have come from the chewing gum machine, and the round headlight cover looks like it has been cut out of a large black yogurt cup. And also the fastening of the fairing … boys, no! You can do better. One look at Sister Iron is enough. At least the water-cooled 60-degree Vau engine doesn’t sound impotent. However, it doesn’t sound as if it wanted to go out into the night. It is a new development that, at best, has the cylinder angle in common with the V-Rod engine, which is also water-cooled. Let’s go!

In a comparison of both engines, the 750 acts more lively

The 750 engine surprises from the first meter, because it achieves a praiseworthy balancing act: on the one hand, the short-stroke engine is very easy to turn, on the other it likes low-speed strolling. Cruising through the city at 2000 rpm in fifth gear is no problem at all. The air-cooled, 883 cubic meter sister likes that less, although its engine is long-stroke. In general: In a direct comparison of both engines, the 750 is much more lively, thirsty for action, runs more smoothly and vibrates much less. The vote, however, could still be improved. Especially when swimming in city traffic, the Harley-Davidson Street 750 surprises with a slight constant jerk. The almost anachronistic 45-degree V2 working in the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 with its four lower camshafts, push rods and rocker arms, on the other hand, runs mechanically louder and gets to work more phlegmatic, but it hangs perfectly on the gas.

Pit stop. A curious passer-by, smoking, walks around both bikes. As it turns out, a passionate Harley rider. He nods appreciatively at the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883, and about the new Harley-Davidson Street 750 he says: “If you get stuck in no man’s land with an empty tank and broke and a scrap dealer is nearby, just sell the swingarm and axle nuts Rear wheel. With the dimensions, you get the equivalent of a full tank. ”They are 36, rough version. What he says about the steel girders that you cobbled together as footrest brackets in India should be spared you, dear readers, at this point. But that much should be said: There is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of finish, choice of materials and gaps. The manufacturer should make improvements here. With the equally affordable Iron, Harley shows that he can do it and that there is another way.

Modern Classic

Silencer for Harley-Davidson Sportster

More sound thanks to accessory exhausts

read more

Chopper / cruiser

Harley-Davidson Street 750 put to the test

Baby Harley for the young generation

read more

Chopper / cruiser

Editorial motorcycles

Harley Street Bob vs door frame

read more

www.jkuenstle.de

Harley-Davidson wants to expand its fan base, the Street 750 is intended to inspire new European customers between the ages of 18 and 30.

Certainly the eye goes with it, but these things are subjective. Viewed objectively, the Harley-Davidson Street 750 is much easier and more playful to steer than its sister and is more manageable. What is noticeable, however, is a slight stirring around the steering head, just a very delicate irritation that could be caused by a steering head bearing that is too tight. Or through the geometry in connection with the delicate 15-inch front wheel. It’s not threatening, never dangerous. Noticeable goal. Here, too, the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 is more sluggish and unwieldy in direct comparison, although it is only 27 kilograms heavier.

On the chassis side, the Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883 is a shade richer on the road and looks more homogeneous. However, it would be wrong to use the term comfort. The 92 millimeters of spring travel at the front and 41 millimeters at the rear just ensure that the bit doesn’t fly out when you cross a level crossing. In contrast, the Harley-Davidson Street 750, with its comparatively generous suspension travel of 140 millimeters at the front and 90 millimeters at the rear, almost looks like a litter and offers a bit more comfort, although both the shock absorber and the fork could use more damping.

A new ABS has been used in Harley models since 2014

A new ABS has been used in Harley models since 2014, which the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 was also equipped with (surcharge: 500 euros). But the brake systems differ not only in the lack of ABS, but also in the hardware. And above all the effect. When it comes to braking performance, the Harley-Davidson Street 750 still has plenty of room for improvement: its front brake is dull, requires a lot of manual effort and has no clear pressure point. The effect of the rear brake is okay. But nothing more.

The opposite is the case with the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883. Everything is right here. The deceleration is very good with both brakes and the pressure point is clearly defined. The only weak point when decelerating are the tires: The mounted Michelin Scorcher 31 are not only a disaster in the wet when it comes to transferring the braking force, but also when the vehicle is leaning slightly, because they slide away quickly. In this regard, the Michelin Scorcher 11 mounted on the Harley-Davidson Street 750 behaves a little better in the wet. However, he runs after every groove.

The Harley feeling is missing

Back to the subjective: will the legendary Harley feeling set in on the 750 Harley-Davidson Street? That mix of the whole world can-me and being relaxed? It will be difficult at the factory. With footpegs moved forward, a pleasing license plate holder, cool handlebars and a more robust exhaust, the new one could well turn into something that the neighbors turn around when you drive to work. And the archaic? Moment! It also took the V-Rod models years to be recognized as "real" by the well-worn Harley scene. Harley-Davidson had to invest in the future. And did this very well with the Street.

We come to the last question: The Harley-Davidson Street 750 doesn’t look particularly classy, ​​but it drives well – what is the target group of the Street 750 in Germany like? The answer is very simple: Anyone who has been flirting with a Harley for a long time, but for whom the chunks from Milwaukee were too heavy and too big, could theoretically reach for the Street 750, the handiest Harley in the range. There are sure to be interested parties. Those who do not believe this can fondly remember the overwhelming success of the Yamaha XV 535. The 750 should be just as interesting for young audiences without the much-vaunted Harley glasses on their noses.

Because anyone who has previously entered the Harley store has generally had a certain image in mind that the Harley-Davidson Street 750 does not necessarily correspond to. Ultimately, however, pricing policy could stand in the way of success in this country. Because if both machines are next to each other in the showroom, the price difference must be greater than just around 1000 euros. Which is not to say that the price of the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 should be raised.

Technical data Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883

www.jkuenstle.de

The two-cylinder four-stroke 45-degree V-engine of the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883.

engine

type design
 Two-cylinder four-stroke-
45 degree V engine
coupling
 Multi-panes-
Oil bath clutch
Boron x stroke  76.2 x 96.8 mm
Displacement 883 cc
compression 9.0: 1
power
 39.0 kW (53 PS)
at 5750 rpm
Torque 70 Nm at 3750 rpm

landing gear

frame
 Double loop frame
from steel
fork Telescopic fork, Ø 39 mm
Brakes front / rear  Ø 300/260 mm
Systems assistance SECTION
bikes 2.50 x 19; 3.00 x 16
tires 100/90 B 19; 150/80 B 16
Tires Michelin Scorcher "31"

mass and weight

wheelbase 1510 mm
Steering head angle 59.0 degrees
trailing 117 mm
Front / rear suspension travel  92/41 mm
Seat height * 750 mm
Weight with full tank * 258 kg
Payload * 196 kg
Tank capacity / reserve 12.5 liters
Service intervals 8000 km
price 8,995 euros
Price test motorcycle 9.495 euros²
Additional costs 380 euros
* MOTORCYCLE measurements; ²ABS (500 euros)

MOTORCYCLE readings

Top speed * 160 km / h
acceleration
0-100 km / h
0-140km / h		 7.1 sec
14.5 sec
Draft
60-100 km / h
100-140 km / h		 7.5 sec
9.9 sec
Consumption country road / 100 km 4.4 liters
Reach country road 284 km
* Manufacturer information

Technical data Harley-Davidson Street 750

www.jkuenstle.de

The 750 engine surprises from the first meter, because it achieves a praiseworthy balancing act: on the one hand, the short-stroke engine is very easy to turn, on the other it likes low-speed strolling.

engine

type design

 Two-cylinder four-stroke-
60 degree V engine
coupling

 Multi-panes-
Oil bath clutch
Boron x stroke 
85.0 x 66.0 mm
Displacement
 749 cc
compression
 10.5: 1
power

 42.0 kW (57 hp)
at 8000 rpm
Torque
 60 Nm at 4000 rpm

landing gear

frame

 Double loop frame
from steel
fork
 Telescopic fork, Ø 37 mm
Brakes front / rear 
Ø 300/292 mm
Systems assistance
 –
bikes
 2.50 x 17; 3.50 x 15
tires
 100/80 R 17; 140/75 R 15
Tires
 Michelin Scorcher "11"

mass and weight

wheelbase
 1535 mm
Steering head angle
 58.0 degrees
trailing
 115 mm
Front / rear suspension travel 
140/90 mm
Seat height *
 720 mm
Weight with full tank *
 231 kg
Payload *
 169 kg
Tank capacity / reserve
 13.1 liters
Service intervals
 8000 km
price
 around 8,000 euros
Price test motorcycle
 around 8,000 euros
Additional costs
 380 euros
* MOTORCYCLE measurements; ²ABS (500 euros)

MOTORCYCLE readings

Top speed * 170 km / h
acceleration
0-100 km / h
0-140km / h		 5.7 sec
11.6 sec
Draft
60-100 km / h
100-140 km / h		 6.1 sec
11.5 sec
Consumption country road / 100 km
 4.2 liters
Reach country road
 312 km
* Manufacturer information

Performance measurement

TRILLION

The performance measurement of the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 and Street 750.

Harley’s short-stroke, water-cooled 750 engine is significantly more revving than its larger, long-stroke, air-cooled brother. This joy of turning can be converted into fun on the road. In comparison, the drive of the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 looks antiquated, always stressed and acts phlegmatic.

While the new 750 always hangs agile on the gas and wants to move forward. Nevertheless, the engine of the Harley-Davidson Street 750 also conveys calm. The torque dip at 2700 rpm is just as unnoticeable when driving as the torque hump at 3800 rpm. Quite the opposite: the 750, which appears weak-chested in the diagram, is the bigger model in every situation.

Conclusion

www.jkuenstle.de

The Harley-Davidson Street 750 will never achieve the archaic and timelessness of the air-cooled V2 models, but a target group like the Yamaha XV 535 at the time could possibly develop.

Motorcycling. Ride a Harley. Two things that don’t necessarily mean the same thing. What the company is proud of. While the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 shakes itself iconically and enters the stage with a strong character, fulfills the image of the brand and the associated expectations 100 percent, there is still a lot of room for improvement on the Harley-Davidson Street 750. This is especially true for rough details, gaps, screw quality and finish. It will never achieve the archaic and timelessness of the air-cooled V2 models, but a target group like the one with the Yamaha XV 535 could possibly develop.

Related articles

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *