Harley Davidson Street 500 (XG500)

The 7th most popular motorcycle in Australia for 2017 is the previously covered Harley Davidson XG500.  I’ve updated the review (originally posted in 12 November 2017) to fit it in with this series on the ‘Most popular motorcycles in Australia’. After all I’ve said all I wanted in the original post.

The Harley Davidson Street 500 (XG500) is a cruiser style motorcycle built for those on a budget. Incidentally the Street 500’s engine falls under the LAMS formula so it also becomes a learner cruiser motorcycle. There aren’t many cruiser motorcycles in the entry level class and this is a first Harley Davidson so worth a look if you this style or motorcycle and a learner. The Street 500 is built in India hence the lower price tag but to me it’s not a real Harley Davidson as they need to be made in the US purely due to their marketing and branding.

Technically the Street 500 uses a new engine design called the Revolution X for HD that is focused on low revs and power but high torque. In fact the only performance figure they boast is the 40Nm of torque at a low 3750 RPM and that would be impressive in 1997 not 2017. Apart from the new engine everything as is pretty much extremely normal and a little cheap, witness the solo speedo and switches. The most disappointing and unfortunate omission is the trademarked Harley Davidson sound is missing sounding noticeably Japanese.

In terms of design the Street 500 has blacked out engine and ancillary parts to look completely modern, no retro design touches, it is best described as a step backwards of the now production axed HD V-Rod. I think it will appeal to the younger riders although the same riders will be buying the badge as it doesn’t look like or sound like any Harley Davidson model. Maybe they are hoping to sell the growing range of custom and performance parts? The marketing of the Street 500 claims it is a cafe racer but that is a stretch. In the end though the Street 500 looks incomplete and a little awkward and unfortunately looks like a learner motorcycle.

The Harley Davidson Street 500 has an 0n road price of just under $10,000 so if you need a Harley Davidson then this the cheapest model to buy. However before you buy you must know that it is slow, rather basic if purchased without any options which is very traditional Harley Davidson. It’s not made in the US to make the price competitive which is fair enough of rmost.