New H-D Street Rod

[Navy Boy]

Hi All

Thought I'd start this one off for a change. The new Street Rod has generated a lot of interest on the web and in the motorcycling press. What do people think? Priced at $14k this seems like a rather good attempt by H-D at broadening their appeal.

[AllanB]

Hi All

Thought I'd start this one off for a change. The new Street Rod has generated a lot of interest on the web and in the motorcycling press. What do people think? Priced at $14k this seems like a rather good attempt by H-D at broadening their appeal.

They need to do something to get away from their ageing clients .....


At $14 if I wanted a cruiser I'd be considering this as well https://www.yamaha-motor.co.nz/products/motorcycle/road/cruiser/14-bolt-0

or

https://www.yamaha-motor.co.nz/products/motorcycle/road/cruiser/13-v-star-xvs650a-classic-0


or $12500

https://www.yamaha-motor.co.nz/products/motorcycle/road/cruiser/13-v-star-xvs650-custom-0

[YellowDog]

Hi All

Thought I'd start this one off for a change. The new Street Rod has generated a lot of interest on the web and in the motorcycling press. What do people think? Priced at $14k this seems like a rather good attempt by H-D at broadening their appeal.

No photos then ?

I understand you get a free set of fish-nets with each purchase :yes:

329797

[mossy1200]

"The ergonomics are extremely crunched, and simply didn’t work for my nearly six-foot frame. My knees were well above the gas tank, providing a psychological comfort challenge during the first few miles."

Bike for Hardley Wives who are just moving up from the LAMS 500 maybe.

[GrayWolf]

they wont catch on..

Hardley owners expect to hear the 'potato, potato, potato' exhaust sound

NOT

chapati, chapati, chapati :shutup::shutup:

[Navy Boy]

Yep - It's interesting how H-D seem to have repeated attempts at making something with broader appeal than their core models. I owned an XR1200x a few years back - A cracking bike that was fun to ride and a real conversation starter when people realised that it was made by H-D. You could almost see them not wanting to admit that they rather liked it. :cool:

Then H-D simply stopped making it. Plus they didn't do that much in the way of accessories for the thing. I ended up selling it to help fund another bike - A real shame as I'd have kept it had I been able to afford to.

Oh and that's H-D branded Fish-nets... :laugh:

[GrayWolf]

Yep - It's interesting how H-D seem to have repeated attempts at making something with broader appeal than their core models. I owned an XR1200x a few years back - A cracking bike that was fun to ride and a real conversation starter when people realised that it was made by H-D. You could almost see them not wanting to admit that they rather liked it. :cool:

Then H-D simply stopped making it. Plus they didn't do that much in the way of accessories for the thing. I ended up selling it to help fund another bike - A real shame as I'd have kept it had I been able to afford to.

Oh and that's H-D branded Fish-nets... :laugh:

The XR1200X was the one HD I'd seriously have and did consider. I bought an MT-01 instead. I was a touch surprised they dropped them as well, I gather they sold reasonably well in Europe. Sometimes manufacturers do some very strange things.

[pritch]

I gather they sold reasonably well in Europe. Sometimes manufacturers do some very strange things.

IIRC it was originally intended for the European market, but when it appeared there was a chorus of "we want it too" in the USA. The only guy I know who owned one had major problems and got rid of it.

[AllanB]

IIRC it was originally intended for the European market, but when it appeared there was a chorus of "we want it too" in the USA. The only guy I know who owned one had major problems and got rid of it.

America did not buy it ...... typical yanks - the magazines fly to Europe and test a bike the USA does not have then bleat on about how the USA need it. When it does arrive a year or two later history shows it sits like a dead duck .....

The Sporty HD X did the same. Rest of the world thinks it is the best bike they ever made - but Bubba back home can't carry Mary-Jane on the back and his 12 pack of Bud home after work on a Friday night. And bugger me it does a weird dipping into bends thing (as in it handles ...).

Bubba went out and purchased a big block and spent a grand on mufflers that don't muffler and a new air filter. The dealer threw in a free Motor Company head rag, Bubba was very happy.

[Subike]

[QUOTE=AllanB;1131038829]They need to do something to get away from their ageing clients .....


At $14 if I wanted a cruiser I'd be considering this as well ]


Strange, didn't read anywhere in the description about it being a cruiser,
But then this is Kiwi Biker, who reads the facts before making a post...
Heaps of half truths in most of these posts,
I guess its just the way it is.

[AllanB]

[QUOTE=AllanB;1131038829]They need to do something to get away from their ageing clients .....


At $14 if I wanted a cruiser I'd be considering this as well ]


Strange, didn't read anywhere in the description about it being a cruiser,
But then this is Kiwi Biker, who reads the facts before making a post...
Heaps of half truths in most of these posts,
I guess its just the way it is.

Google and you get this thing. It's a fucking cruiser. Unless there is a ahem 'sport' version I've missed? If so enlighten the KB masses.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/street-rod.html

[RDJ]

I have an '02 Dyna bought in '03 that's had a hard life riding in tropical rains for some years and more recently in the Manawatu.

It's pretty much rattle-can flat black and has quite a few longer-range mods for rides from Singapore to KL / Bangkok etc. - hard bags, comfy seat, xtra lights, so forth. And of course a Tailgunner exhaust. Because.

Only unexpected mechanical issue over 64,000 km was a failed coil at 76 km:-) Otherwise just routine maintenance and replacing brake linings, tires, 1 battery (after 8 years), and foot pegs due to wear and grinding.

It has no obvious HD branding anymore as I had my Bride's picture airbrushed on the tank and removed the badging. People variously think it's a Harley, Suzuki, Yamaha (but never a Kawasaki) - occasionally a Victory (but never an Indian).

So - if there is a good reliable HD bike in a forest with no HD badging, will h8rs still h8 on it :-)

(That was rhetorical BTW. We all know the answer! "Forget it Jake, it's KB").

[Navy Boy]

[QUOTE=AllanB;1131038829]They need to do something to get away from their ageing clients .....


At $14 if I wanted a cruiser I'd be considering this as well ]


Strange, didn't read anywhere in the description about it being a cruiser,
But then this is Kiwi Biker, who reads the facts before making a post...
Heaps of half truths in most of these posts,
I guess its just the way it is.

I guess it all depends on one's definition of 'Cruiser' versus "Naked' or 'Standard' as I believe they are referred to in the US. The Street range of bikes aren't 'Typical' Harleys but then neither are they the same as that many other bkes around. I guess the Kwaka Vulcan comes close as do the new Honda Rebel models.

All I know is that it looks like being a fun machine to ride and I'm looking forward to swinging a leg over one next month when they arrive. :niceone:

[ellipsis]

[QUOTE All I know is that it looks like being a fun machine to ride and I'm looking forward to swinging a leg over one next month when they arrive. :niceone:[/QUOTE]


...and that is all that matters...:sunny:

[Navy Boy]

[QUOTE All I know is that it looks like being a fun machine to ride and I'm looking forward to swinging a leg over one next month when they arrive. :niceone:


...and that is all that matters...:sunny:[/QUOTE]

Quite! :msn-wink:

[AllanB]

[QUOTE=Subike;1131040338]

I guess it all depends on one's definition of 'Cruiser' versus "Naked' or 'Standard' as I believe they are referred to in the US. The Street range of bikes aren't 'Typical' Harleys but then neither are they the same as that many other bkes around. I guess the Kwaka Vulcan comes close as do the new Honda Rebel models.

All I know is that it looks like being a fun machine to ride and I'm looking forward to swinging a leg over one next month when they arrive. :niceone:

So I got the right bike.

Cruiser.

Nothing wrong with that.

It offers nothing special over any of the similar existing Jap bikes in the range other than a HD badge.

It is HD trying to introduce new riders to The Motor Company. Get hooked on one of these then buy a big block when you want to upgrade.

Good plan.

And considering there are actually universities that use HD as a study in most excellent brand marketing one would expect nothing less from The Motor Company.


You like - you buy. As it should be.

[skippa1]

[QUOTE=Subike;1131040338]

Google and you get this thing. It's a fucking cruiser. Unless there is a ahem 'sport' version I've missed? If so enlighten the KB masses.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/street-rod.html
Looks like a road bike. What makes it a cruiser? Has mid pegs etc

[nzspokes]

At least they didnt make it have too1. :laugh:

The Street Rod’s High Output Revolution X 750 engine produces 18-percent more power, and 8-percent more torque than the base Revolution X 750 engine. This equates to around 70 horsepower, and 47.2 ft/lbs of torque. much power.

[Navy Boy]

So, I finally collected my Olive Gold Street Rod a week ago from the folks at North Auckland H-D. I've managed some 250Kms thus far and am enjoying what's a rather different bike from anything I've owned before. Thoughts thus far are as follows:

1. The footpegs take some getting used to. This certainly isn't a cruiser in any sense of the word with wide and flat bars which make you lean forward and pegs slightly ahead of you and quite wide apart. It's odd but it does work - It just takes you a while to get your head around it. The bike has something of a 'Bulldog' feel to it which is oddly appealing.

2. The engine's a cracker - Their demo bike has a Vance and Hines silencer fitted (It appear to replace the catalyst too) but is too loud for my tastes. I'll probably leave the standard one in place for the foreseeable future.

3. All comments I've received thus far centre around the fact that it looks unlike and other Harley. This is a good thing as far as I'm concerned.

4. Harley's security/Key fobs remain a pain in the bum!

Overall I'm really liking it and I'll be curious to see how it handles some more interesting/twisty roads as and when I manage to get to them. :yes:

[old slider]

So, I finally collected my Olive Gold Street Rod a week ago from the folks at North Auckland H-D. I've managed some 250Kms thus far and am enjoying what's a rather different bike from anything I've owned before. Thoughts thus far are as follows:

1. The footpegs take some getting used to. This certainly isn't a cruiser in any sense of the word with wide and flat bars which make you lean forward and pegs slightly ahead of you and quite wide apart. It's odd but it does work - It just takes you a while to get your head around it. The bike has something of a 'Bulldog' feel to it which is oddly appealing.

2. The engine's a cracker - Their demo bike has a Vance and Hines silencer fitted (It appear to replace the catalyst too) but is too loud for my tastes. I'll probably leave the standard one in place for the foreseeable future.

3. All comments I've received thus far centre around the fact that it looks unlike and other Harley. This is a good thing as far as I'm concerned.

4. Harley's security/Key fobs remain a pain in the bum!

Overall I'm really liking it and I'll be curious to see how it handles some more interesting/twisty roads as and when I manage to get to them. :yes:


Some big statements from this reviewer back in 2013. Enjoy your ride, it looks cool.

http://www.mcnews.com.au/harley-davidson-street-rod/

[Navy Boy]

Thanks Old Slider - Though I suspect this is talking about the previous Street Rod which was based on the V-Rod of the time.

This model is based purely on the Street range of models - A very different proposition. I looked at the V-Rod based model some years ago and was sorely tempted at the time. The price was the main factor which put me off if I remember correctly.

[Navy Boy]

Ok then - So I'm over 600Kms in and a few more thoughts on the Street Rod now that I've had some time to become more used to it:

1. The rear brake pedal is really annoying - It's too high and angled inwards and is at the end of its adjustment. I need to do something about it as it's driving me nuts.

2. The motor's getting better and is probably the best aspect to the bike. It's very non-Harley, in fact it reminds me more of my VStrom 650, but in a good way. It sounds quite nice too even with the standard pipe still fitted.

3. The ride's pretty firm and jiggly over rougher roads. The upshot is that it feels stable and well planted in faster turns and is going to be good fun when I manage to get it onto twistier roads in the better weather.

4. It generates a fair bit of interest when parked up. People don't really believe that it's an H-D.

If you're curious then my advice would be to take one for a decent length test ride. Footpeg/brake pedal position apart it's a fun machine and I hope that H-D sell enough of them to sustain the model for a while.

Incidentally North Shore H-D have been really good thus far too. I'll be going there again. :niceone:

[old slider]

Ok then - So I'm over 600Kms in and a few more thoughts on the Street Rod now that I've had some time to become more used to it:

1. The rear brake pedal is really annoying - It's too high and angled inwards and is at the end of its adjustment. I need to do something about it as it's driving me nuts.

2. The motor's getting better and is probably the best aspect to the bike. It's very non-Harley, in fact it reminds me more of my VStrom 650, but in a good way. It sounds quite nice too even with the standard pipe still fitted.

3. The ride's pretty firm and jiggly over rougher roads. The upshot is that it feels stable and well planted in faster turns and is going to be good fun when I manage to get it onto twistier roads in the better weather.

4. It generates a fair bit of interest when parked up. People don't really believe that it's an H-D.

If you're curious then my advice would be to take one for a decent length test ride. Footpeg/brake pedal position apart it's a fun machine and I hope that H-D sell enough of them to sustain the model for a while.

Incidentally North Shore H-D have been really good thus far too. I'll be going there again. :niceone:

Cheers for the write up and feedback, I have just added even more smiles by upgrading the suspension on my HD, the face ache from grinning takes along time to go.