AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 43HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET 500
a Harley. Close inspection reveals
good build quality for a $10,000 bike.
They’ve used metal fenders, a lot of
Allen bolts and a simple but stylish
single instrument pod that features an
analogue speedo with an LCD screen
for two trips, odo and warning lights. A
fuel gauge and clock would have been
welcome additions, but just remember
that price tag.
However, it does come with a locked
fuel cap that you don’t even get on
any other Harleys except the Touring
class. That’s because it is made in Asia,
specifi cally for an Asian market where
they demand fuel security. I also like
the discreet position for the ignition key,
although you’ll need a so fob or you will
scratch the gorgeous triple clamp.
The neat tail end with its LED taillight ►QUICKSPECS
Model: Harley-Davidson
Street XG500
Price: $9995 ($10,995 in NZ) rideaway
Colours: Gloss Black and burgundy
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited km,
roadside assist
Service: 8000km
Engine: Liquid-cooled, fuel-injected,
4-valve, 494cc Revolution X V-Twin
Power: About 40kW
To rq u e : 50Nm @ 3500rpm
Bore x stroke: 69 x 66mm
Compression: 11:1
Transmission: 6-speed, wet
multi-plate clutch, belt drive
Length: 2225mm
Width: 820mm
Height: 1058mm
Seat: 709mm
Clearance: 145mm
Rake/trail: 32°/115mm
Wheelbase: 1534mm
Tyres: Michelin Scorcher 100/80 R17;
140/75 R15
Fuel: 13.1L
Weight: 218kg
Chassis: Tubular steel
Suspension: 37mm telescopic
forks, twin tubular shocks
adjustable for pre-load
Brakes: 292mm/260mm discs,
2-piston calipers
Lean angles: 28.5°
Fuel consumption: 3.74L/100km
Theoretical range: 350+km range
Verdict: Great fi rst or second bike
with Harley’s famed street credthrow a leg over the bike on its fi rst test
on Australian soil so we could get some
answers to these burning questions.
Unfortunately, it was a wet and windy
day in Sydney and the planned route
south through the Royal National Park
was abandoned due to fl ash fl ooding.
Instead, we met at the ultra-trendy
The Grounds of Alexandria for a la e
and a sedate ride on the Street 500 via
a drenched Princes Highway to a wind-
blown Scarborough Hotel and back. Still,
it was enough to confi rm my belief that
the Street 500 is actually a $12,000 bike.
Engine, transmission, riding comfort,
brakes, build quality, handling, ride and
brand credibility are all of a standard you
would expect from a bike worth at least
a couple of thousand dollars more.Harley must surely be losing money on
every sale.
Harley-Davidson Australia and New
Zealand marketing director Adam
Wright cleverly skirted that question by
confi rming that dealers will still make a
profi t from every bike. He conveniently
didn’t mention whether Harley was
making or losing any money on them.
If Harley is buying market share and
a racting new and younger customers
to the brand earlier, then it is money very
well spent.
A er a hot la e on a grey and wet
Thursday morning, we slipped on our
borrowed Harley wet gear and went out
into the sloshy carpark to meet our rides
for the day.
The Street 500 certainly looks like■ Black: what other colour
is there for a Harley?!■ Every detail on the
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