2019 Harley-Davidson XG750 Street
What inspired this?
With plans to retire in 2020, I started preparing for what I would need or want before leaving my job, and while I could still afford to obtain the major things. In 2017 I purchased a van and the next thing was going to be a street motorcycle.
For a few years, I had my sights set on a Triumph Street Twin 900. I liked the Bonneville retro look and the bike fit fairly well. I was dragging my feet on buying it since I didn’t want another chain-drive bike. I was hoping to have a shaft or belt drive to eliminate chain maintenance.
Summer of 2019 my friend, Barry, was in town for a while and while we were out running around we spotted a Harley-Davidson semi parked in front of the dealership with a “Demo Rides” banner on it. Barry was thinking about adding a fully dressed Harley to his stable and stopping for a test ride was perfect.
While Barry was talking with a salesperson and test-sitting motorcycles I spotted a Harley that looked like a mini bike parked alongside all the other Harleys. Barry determined the dressers were too big and too heavy but I decided I needed to test-sit that small one. At that time I had no idea Harley made a 750 and I didn’t think I would ever buy another Harley.
When I sat on the bike it fit perfectly. Oh no… this was going to be bad. Not only did it fit, but it was also a belt drive. Heck I could touch pretty much flat-footed and I have never owned a motorcycle I could flat foot and this felt luxurious. With it being a Harley I figured the price would be too expensive so I didn’t get too excited about it until the salesman came and talked with me.
The salesman suggested I take it for a test ride. I decided if the price was under $10,000.00 I would try it. I knew if I rode it I would want to take it home. The price was only $7500,00 and I was sold.
About the bike
Launched in 2014, the XG750 Street was Harley-Davidson’s entry-level motorcycle and was the first Harley “lightweight” since 1974. The engine is a 749cc 60° SOHC V-Twin, water-cooled revolution engine dubbed the Revolution X. This is the same engine they use in their flat track race bike, with some race modifications.
The XG750s for the United States and Canada are produced at Harley’s Kansas City, MO facility. Production for the rest of the world and the engines are produced in Harley’s India subsidiary in Bawai with indigenous components.
I like the upright seating position, mid-mount foot controls and of course the 25 inch seat height.
For the last 10 years or more I hadn’t paid much attention to Harley’s models but I was still surprised I was unaware they made a 750cc. In my opinion they didn’t do a good job of promoting it. What promoting they did was promoting it as an entry level bike.
Harley’s description of the XG750: “Agile and ready to blast through City Streets.”
This is the right bike for: “Urban riders looking to express their independence, Commuting and maneuvering through city traffic, Exciting performance and power delivery”
750cc Liquid-Cooled Revolution X Engine. “The blacked-out, liquid-cooled V-Twin engine is built to conquer the hot and heavy traffic of urban streets. You can count on a smooth response to the progressive throttle when you want to get through and hole that opens up in front of you.”
After riding the bike for a while and in the city I don’t really agree with it being a good bike for urban/city riding. It does have the power and maneuverability to deal with the traffic but the twin engine really kicks up the heat in stop and go traffic even though it is liquid cooled. It gets very uncomfortable.
I didn’t buy the bike as a town bike, I bought it as a touring bike. The little bullet fairing was removed and replaced with a windshield. Engine guards, side guards, side bags, and a luggage rack were also added. Later heated grips were added because my motorcycles must have them.
It’s too bad that this motorcycle doesn’t show up in their 2022 lineup but without promoting it better, the sales wouldn’t be all that stellar.