Menus
- ABS, Euro4 engine, alarm and improved finishing details: from € 7,450
- What is this small entry-level custom in a 47 hp flanged version worth? ?
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- In the city
- On motorways and main roads
- On departmental
- Part-cycle
- Brakes
- Comfort and duo
- Consumption & autonomy
- Conclusion
ABS, Euro4 engine, alarm and improved finishing details: from € 7,450
What is this small entry-level custom in a 47 hp flanged version worth? ?
Eleven horses: not a lot, but it is necessary to plan so that the small entry-level custom from Harley-Davidson, the Street 750, can pass under the cut of the A2 format. It’s not that we remember the Street 750, which appeared in 2014, as a hooligan motorcycle, but hey: dura lex, sed lex.
From 58 cannons in free version, obtained at 8000 rpm, the Street 750 clamped A2 thus only retains 476, at 4000 rpm. The torque, meanwhile, drops from 59 Nm at 4000 rpm to 58 Nm, still at 4000 rpm. There are therefore two things: the A2 version retains almost all the full power torque and it is available quite low. As for the "full" version, we see that it can already develop 47 hp at 4000 rpm and that the following 4000 rpm are used to output 11 horsepower. This engine therefore has potential for optimization, which Harley demonstrated with the Street Rod, which develops 69 horsepower (at 8750 rpm) and 65 Nm, still at 4000 rpm. So much for the mechanical chapter, but you will notice that even when restrained, it can burn !
That’s not all. It is no insult to Harley-Davidson to say that the sales figures are mixed. This Street 750 has sometimes been criticized for an average finish, not in line with the standards of the brand and short equipment. Harley-Davidson therefore took advantage of the euroquatrification of this bike to hear the criticisms and improve a few points..
Thus, in addition to the ABS become mandatory, the Street 750 has a slightly improved finish, including a wider range of colors (which cost 200 € more than black, which covers the base price) including liveries two-tone, like that of our test model (and the requested supplement is then € 500 more than black, which covers the base price). That’s not all: a transponder alarm is delivered as standard, while the dashboard has a speed indicator and engaged gear, in the small digital window. Finally, the rear light is LED and the indicators are new.
This first contact, in version A2, is an opportunity to review the strengths of this bike which, although completed by the recent Street Rod, remains the model of access to the Harley-Davidson universe. However, as the changes are contained, however, we will remain focused on the essentials. So, to know absolutely everything about this model, reading the test of the Street 750 2016 will be highly profitable..
Discovery
As we have known it for more than three years, no big surprise in the program. We therefore find this little custom with fairly soft lines and a compact size. Non-aggressive lines, therefore, which are in line with the generation of "soft custom", popularized in the 90s by the Honda VT 600 Shadow and Yamaha XV 535 Virago. Such a reference risks making tattooed bikers scream, but too bad: it is clear that the Street 750 must be as consensual as a government of openness, which is reflected in its plastic.
Of course, references to the Harley-Davidson universe are not absent either: the small fork crown is reminiscent of Harley’s first homologated cafe racer, the XCLR 1000 from 1977 (for having tried both, I can tell you that this however has nothing to do with it!).
In short, this Euro 4 version of the Street 750 changes little. You can just recognize it by its colors and finishing details already mentioned. No time to waste, therefore: in the saddle! That’s good, that’s the subject of the following paragraph.
In the saddle
710 mm, this is a very democratic saddle height. And this, especially since, unlike other machines of the custom genre, the Street 750 does not have forward controls. Everything is here in a central position, which does not require having oversized limbs (on the contrary, the large stakes may feel a little cramped).
New compared to what we knew until now: the "beep" of the alarm, which is heard each time the ignition is switched on or off. And also, the new functions in the digital window of the instrument panel, with in particular the gear engaged and the engine speed, which is very useful.
For the rest, it’s simple: switch under the meter, hyper basic commodos, pressure on the starter and the 749 cm3 V-twin starts with a muffled purr. A few blasts of empty gas recall, by straining an ear, the specific sound of the VRod fire. Yeah, it’s a bit cerebral and so ?
In the city
Logically, the ergonomics are unchanged. We appreciate the good turning radius, the low saddle, but a pity that the footrests come up against the calves when maneuvering between lines of cars. Certainly, they are foldable, but hey…
We still manage to squeeze between the cars. The advantage of the A2 bridle is that it has not affected the flexibility and roundness of this engine (on the contrary, it enhances them even more, given the power deficit higher in the revs). Suddenly, we drive smoothly, because the V2 picks up at less than 2000 rpm in third (great for streets at right angles, from where we leave with a small bite on the clutch) and it cruises at 2200 rpm / min in 5th gear, at 50 km / h, on the boulevards. Certainly, we will not tear the bitumen when the gas is resumed, but softness, flexibility and ease are on the program: isn’t that what we ask of a small custom A2 ?
On motorways and main roads
130 km / h in 6th gear is 5200 rpm. And, even curtailed, the Street seems to be able to hold this indefinitely. The small windshield around the lighthouse is there for the look, because it does not protect … anything. But whatever.
Compared to the "full power" version, there is indeed a difference in liveliness in the towers. Admittedly, the Street 750 A2 manages to exceed the 7000 r / min (but to get the bar of 8 takes a lead) and above 5000 r / min, the rise in mode is much more laborious. In fact, the maximum speed turns to around 160 km / h meter, which is in any case sufficient given the vocation of the motorcycle and the target customers (and illegal on French roads).
And given the relative modesty of the speeds reached, stability is not problematic.
On departmental
Narrow tires, a low saddle, small dimensions: these are all the ingredients combined to be appreciated while out for a ride on the secondary network. And it is true that the Street 750 testifies in all circumstances of a beautiful ease of driving. But that we already knew.
What about the engine? It is pleasant by its roundness and its torque and the range of use in which it gives the best of itself goes from, roughly, 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. The torque is sensitive from 3000 rpm. On the other hand, opening the throttle wide on an intermediate report above 5000 rpm does not add much. Better to wind up smoothly, stay in the most useful speed range.
In addition, that’s good: because we will admit that we rarely buy a small custom to drive all the time around the switch? Otherwise, there is a serious casting error. And in fact, the bridle fits perfectly with the philosophy of the bike and if you ride in a fairly relaxed, responsible manner and while generally respecting the speed limits, you can even go so far as to say that then the bridle is rather odorless and painless…
Part-cycle
It is the same as before. And so we find with a certain pleasure this chassis rather compact (although dense: who can imagine that such a thin motorcycle can weigh 222 kilos – which fortunately, we do not really feel when driving) and rather well balanced. We also find, without much pleasure this time, these Michelin Scorcher with narrow dimensions (100/80 x 17 in front, 140/75 x 15 behind), with a curious profile (the front is rounded and makes the direction fall a little. at low speed, while the rear is very "square" in its profile!) and neither of the two stands out with a reassuring grip in the wet or on the white stripes. In the dry, on the other hand, given the low ground clearance, nothing to say about their grip: we will rub the footrests, the pots and the loop of the frame before unhooking….
Brakes
A2 or not, the Street Euro 4 gets ABS braking and that’s new too. We also note that the arrival of ABS has curiously not impacted the weight, always displayed by Harley-Davidson at 206 kilos dry and 222 kilos with full. Even stronger than organic yogurt, Harley invented "zero kilo" ABS !
Well, braking was not one of the outstanding qualities of the previous Street 750. Obviously, it slowed down, but without grace or particular feeling. There I found a better one. One of two things: either components have been improved (hoses, pads, master cylinder seals, cosmic dust …) but Harley communication is silent, or, with less horsepower, well, we get less quickly and we have the impression that it brakes better (subjective sensations, while objectively, we can brake even later!).
In short: compared to a test of the previous version, I had the feeling that there was better. The ABS is however quickly sensitive when you crush the rear brake, but is rather well calibrated at the front. It does the job, so.
Comfort and duo
On a small motorcycle made for small sizes, it can quickly be the housing crisis. Harley-Davidson has more suitable gear in the catalog for duo and long-haul trips. In addition to the passenger seat, short and narrow, it will also be necessary to deal with rear shock absorbers a little dry in relaxation. There are also some vibrations coming from the engine: it’s a Harley, we’re not going to complain about having a little character, either. !
Consumption & autonomy
A 13.1-liter tank and a noted consumption of 5.1 l / 100, or a good 250 km of autonomy before pushing it to the side of the road. Advice: refuel before, but it’s not bad in the genre.
Conclusion
Since the time that the Street 750 is in the catalog, we will therefore take some distance with the famous debate "is this a real Harley".
What matters today is that the customer looking for a small custom look and flanged A2 does not have a disproportionate choice. There is the small Honda CMX 500 Rebel, with an even more compact size and a slightly less "round" engine character (the vertical twin of 472 cm3 does not have the smoothness of the V2 Harley) as well as the Kawasaki Vulcan 650 S. Presenting a little better than in the past, a little better equipped too, the Harley-Davidson Street 750 corrects a few weaknesses, without however achieving perfection due to the lack of a finish that can still be improved in places and far from the standards of the American brand. However, the contributions of the 2017 version are significant: the digital tachometer, the alarm, the LED taillight, the ABS generally effective, all of this is welcome..
And above all, the A2 bridle is very successful and gives this little custom a driving character that does not break with its vocation. This is the essential.
Strong points
- Perfect for small builds
- Smooth and pleasant motor, even in A2
- Great ease of driving in all circumstances
- Torque available at all speeds: the clamping is in fact not very sensitive on a daily basis
- More comprehensive dashboard !
- It’s a harley !
Weak points
- Not made for tall people
- The finish is still not that much…
- Some heat rises on the right side in town
- Michelin Scorcher grip in the rain and rear tire profile
- Sensitive ABS at the rear
- Slightly dry rear shocks
The technical sheet of the Harley-Davidson Street 750
Test conditions
- Itinerary: 300 kilometers of daily use and a short walk to the borders of the Île de France
- Motorcycle mileage: 2.400 km
- Problem encountered: none
Competition: Honda CMX 500 Rebel, Kawasaki 650 Vulcan S
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