2017 Street Rod: Stylish & Perfect for Urban Commuting
New bike prioritizes looks over comfort in effort to reach younger riders.
Let’s face the facts: The demographics of motorcycle riders is changing. Companies like Harley-Davidson can’t just sit by the wayside and ignore the needs and wants of young riders. To do so would be both foolish and dangerous, as it would be in any industry. That’s why H-D is rolling out an incredible 50 new models over the next five years. And the first of that group is this one: the 2017 Street Rod.
The third member of the Street family is about as far from a traditional Harley as it could possibly be. Its intention is to serve as an urban commuter – one that prioritizes style over function. Which may sound crazy at first, but that’s exactly what young city dwellers want. They don’t care about chrome, giant bags, or flashy paint jobs.
They simply want a bike that stands out and looks great while they take a short ride to work every morning. Harley knows this, because they spoke with over 3,000 riders before designing the bike. And that’s exactly what the 2017 Street Rod delivers. But what, exactly, is it like to live with? Ultimate Motorcycling spent some quality time with H-D’s latest ride and came away with a mixed impression.
UM points out that the overall quality of the new Street Rod is significantly better than the Street 500 and 750, for one. There’s plenty of power for around town cruising, but exhaust noise is very much subdued. And the ride is somewhat harsh as it takes a backseat to handling.
Ergonomics prove to be a big issue for taller riders like UM’s 6-foot-plus test rider. The mid-position pegs are mounted a little high, and the high/wide handlebars and seat position make riding any sort of distance a chore for taller folks. But then again, this was not a bike designed with long term commuting in mind. Rather, it was designed to zip around city streets, covering short distances in absolute style. And it does just that — in spades.
