Harley-Davidson XG 750 Street 2016 — Specifications

Who exactly were they trying to convince that this Harley-Davidson XG 750 Street was a simple entry-level machine? In 2015, when this model arrived, it shook more than one certainty within the purist circles. Here, no large 45° air-cooled V-Twin, but a 60° Revolution X engine, angled the same as the legendary V-Rod, and above all, liquid-cooled. Quite a splash for Milwaukee, who with this Street, signed a motorcycle resolutely geared towards urban environments and a new generation of riders. With its 57 horsepower and 59.8 Nm of torque, it positioned itself just below the Sportster 883 in terms of punch, but with a radically different behavior, more lively and less temperamental.

The gamble was daring. The Harley-Davidson XG 750 Street belonged to no existing family. Neither Sportster, nor Dyna. It was an ex nihilo creation, 37 kg lighter than an 883, with an announced weight of 222 kg fully fueled and a 71 cm seat height, making it a choice ally for the city. Its 13.6-liter tank and six-speed gearbox conferred a certain versatility, even if its raw appearance and steel trellis frame clearly proclaimed its affiliation. For around €8,000 at the time, it offered a less expensive and more manageable gateway to the Harley world, without denying certain codes, such as the belt drive or the headlight adorned with a cowl.

But this accessibility came at a price, and not just financially. Early feedback sometimes pointed to a somewhat basic finish, a single-disc braking system lacking bite, and fairly basic suspension. The Street, particularly in its more alluring 2019 Street Rod version, clearly targeted the novice or city dweller seeking a defined style without the constraints of a large displacement engine. It was the anti-dragster, a motorcycle for weaving through traffic, not for impressing on the straight. Photos of the Harley-Davidson XG 750 Street that circulated at the time showed a machine with a clean, almost minimalist design, ready to be customized.

However, one subject must be addressed that marked its career: the 2019 recall campaign. Harley-Davidson had to summon the owners of the Street 750 and Street Rod produced between 2015 and 2018 for a corrosion problem on the front brake caliper. This episode, well managed by the brand, recalled that this motorcycle, although partly manufactured in India for the global market, was not immune to teething problems. Ultimately, the XG 750 Street, whether you fell for the 2014 model or the 2020 version, remains a fascinating and somewhat unique chapter in the brand's history. A bold attempt to rejuvenate the customer base, which showed both the strengths of Harley and the challenges it had to face to seduce beyond its well-trodden paths.