Harley-Davidson pre-2016 Street 750 review, test ride

The cruiser typical teardrop shape tank sports a lockable and offset filler-lid, which flows smoothly backwards into a wide riding saddle and distinctive, stepped tail, making the Street 750 such an easily recognized motorcycle. Overall quality and fit-finish is inadequate on these early bikes, and not quite on par with other Harley bikes tested by us in India. There's still room for improvement all round in this regard that the company needs to work quickly to get in place.

 The Street 750 is powered by a new engine from Harley, four-stroke, 60 degree – wide, for a low centre-of-gravity that promotes better handling – V-twin engine that displaces 749cc, with fuel-injection. It's been christened 'Revolution X' and comes with four valves per cylinder that are chain driven by single overhead camshafts. The Street 750 goes one-up on several sibling Harley bikes, to offer liquid-cooling, as visible from a massive radiator, that rides up the front of the motorcycle from low under the motor. The new Revolution X engine outputs an ample torque spread, its 6.62kgm at 4000rpm figures translating into a nice, easy flowing power delivery on the road, with performance feeling rapid for a cruiser bike of these proportions. Harley doesn't disclose power figures as a rule, but the Street feels good for an estimated 55-60bhp, with power transferred to the rear tyre via a Harley typical toothed belt. Belt drive helps make the Street 750 a quiet motorcycle to ride and this is a reliable system better suited to Indian conditions and calling for lower maintenance as compared to a drive-chain. It's a pity more manufacturers haven't opted for belt drive systems on their bikes in India as yet.

Harley-Davidson has spent time ensuring this new-generation liquid-cooled 'Revolution X' engine makes no acoustic compromise, and we found the Street 750 two-into-one exhaust system drums out a nice, throaty and exciting sounding rumble, easily modified if you're looking for an even louder note. The Street comes with a well weighted, smooth functioning clutch, and six-speed gearbox that shifts smoothly, with precise and even light feel in a 1-down, 5-up pattern. Harley stylists could have done better with this motorcycle exhaust, the Street 750's dark, long unit looking a touch ordinary and out of place on a premium modern motorcycle.