Harley-Davidson XG 750 Street 2020 — Specifications

Can we still talk about Harley-Davidson when the engine is liquid-cooled and assembled on the other side of the world? That was the question many purists asked with the arrival of the XG 750 Street, a motorcycle that disrupted Milwaukee’s codes to appeal to a new audience. Launched in 2015, this machine has always been divisive. With its 60° liquid-cooled V-twin, its 58 horsepower, and its perimeter frame, it didn't have the traditional DNA. Even in 2020, when it has hardly evolved since the arrival of standard ABS in 2017, it remains the outsider in the family. Yet, at €7,690, it was the most affordable sesame to display the famous badge. A bold gamble, but one that did not entirely convince.

Its heart, the 749 cm3 Revolution X engine, is an oddity in the catalog. It delivers its 59.8 Nm of torque from 4000 rpm, a useful range for the city, but it lacks the muscular low-end and characteristic rumble of the Sportster. With 233 kg fully fueled, it is indeed lighter than an 883, but this weight remains considerable compared to more agile European or Japanese competitors. A seat height of 720 mm made it accessible, but its 13.1-liter tank and top speed around 150 km/h made it a resolutely urban and short-range machine. It’s far from a transatlantic road trip.

Justly, who was its audience? Certainly not the rugged, faded-jeans and weathered leather jacket rider. The Harley-Davidson XG 750 Street targeted the novice or city dweller seeking a custom style without archaic mechanical constraints. It wanted to be modern, with its LED rear light and uncluttered dashboard. But perhaps that was where the problem lay. Too Harley for lightweight enthusiasts, not enough Harley for traditionalists. Faced with a Yamaha Bolt or even a Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor, which were more authentic in their retro approach, the Street struggled to find its place, stuck in a no man's land of identity.

Its finish displayed a raw side, with its lateral shock absorbers and single front brake disc, but some details like the fork gaiters tried to make up for a poorly assumed heritage. The possibility of customization was there, as with any Harley, but the base model lacked attitude. Photos of the Harley-Davidson XG 750 Street, whether it's the standard version or the more aggressive Street Rod released in 2019, show a compact motorcycle that has never fully managed to embody the American dream. Produced in India for markets outside the USA, it symbolized a globalization that hurt the soul of the brand.

Ultimately, the XG 750 Street was an interesting but unfinished experiment. It proved that Harley could innovate outside its well-trodden paths, but it paid for its lack of character and its blurred positioning. Now disappeared from the catalog, it remains a curious chapter in the history of the manufacturer, an attempt to seduce the new generation that, evidently, did not bite enough on the hook. For the rider looking for a first custom motorcycle with a prestigious badge, it had arguments. For the enthusiast seeking authenticity, the journey ended there.