Harley Davidson unveils Street 500 & Street 750 motorcycles

The unveils ahead of the 2014 EICMA Motorcycle Show are on and American motorcycle giant Harley Davidson has just unveiled two new motorcycles: The Street 500 and the Street 750 cruisers. Both motorcycles represent the first crop of a new generation of Harley Davidsons, ones that have taken to downsized engine capacities and liquid cooled engines. The Harley Davidson Street 500 and 750 models will be built in India, at the bikemaker's Bawal mother plant in Haryana. 

Although built-in-India, the Harley Davidson Street 500 and 750 cruisers will be exported to countries around the world, as the American motorcycle giant's new, entry-level range of motorcycles, aimed at a younger motorcycle buying populace. In India, the motorcycles will be available from Q2 2014. The same timeline will hold good for many international markets including Harley Davidson's home market of the United States. 

International prices will begin from about $ 6,700, which is just around the 4 lakh rupee mark. In India, expect a lower price tag for the Street 500 due to the extensive local sourcing and low cost of production. In comparison, the Sportster 883 Super Low costs $ 8,249/about 5 lakh rupees in the United States. Manufacturing the Street range of motorcycles in India will also give Harley Davidson fatter margins, in turn improving profitability.    

The motorcycles do retain the traditional cruiser styling that has given Harley Davidson motorcycles their identity and the company also claims that liquid cooling the Street range's V-Twin engines hasn't taken away the potato-potato-potato exhaust note that Harley Davidsons are famous for. The styling of the Street 500 and 750 is inspired by the Dark Custom theme, which includes plenty of blacked out parts such as the engine covers, exhaust and wheels. 

The Street 500 and 750 feature the Revolution X range of (494 cc and 749 cc) V-Twin engines that Harley Davidson has developed to power its new range of motorcycles. The Revolution X range of engines, while retaining the traditional V-Twin layout of Harley, pack in fuel injection, a 4 valve head and most importantly, liquid cooling. The liquid cooling will allow greater longevity for the engine and more consistent performance. 

The motorcycles get a 6 speed manual gearbox that transmits torque to the rear wheel by means of a belt drive. To endow the Street 500 and 750 solidity, the motorcycles come with all-metal construction. Using a boat load of metal on the new Harleys has resulted in these motorcycles weighing a portly 480 pounds/218 kilograms on the kerb. The Street 500 and 750 will also come with a host of customization options.