[Riley920]

Hey everybody, newly licensed rider here, just took the MSF course and have had my eye on the Street for a while now. Going this Saturday to test ride and hopefully buy. Extremely excited!

I'm leading toward the 500 instead of the 750. Figure it will be enough power for my first bike and I can move up once I'm more comfortable. Tempted to go with the 750 though, I hear I'll wish I had.

Thoughts on this? Much difference between the 500 and 750?

 

[bbally]

If you had no trouble in your class..... purchase the 750 right from the start.

If you found the course tough to drive or had difficulty performing the maneuvers then go with the 500 and move up a little later.

Personally if you start with the 750 you will be money ahead in the long run.

 

[Yusef]

You'll likely be happy with either. Save money and go for the 500, or go with the 750 if you were comfortable with the power of the 500 during your lessons. More power doesn't necessarily mean better though. Don't feel pressured just because its more powerful. The 500 is fun to ride too.

 

[Riley920]

Thanks for the input... I took the MSF course at a local community college and they used Yamaha V-Stars (250cc), I havent ridden anything more powerful than 250cc and have had fun on them. I'm definitely leaning toward the 500 most folks I've talked to say its plenty of power and even fun for an experienced rider. We'll see how I'm feeling on Saturday

 

[bbally]

Based on your reply I would say 500. I think you will get along with it real well.

 

[Street500owner2]

Thanks for the input... I took the MSF course at a local community college and they used Yamaha V-Stars (250cc), I havent ridden anything more powerful than 250cc and have had fun on them. I'm definitely leaning toward the 500 most folks I've talked to say its plenty of power and even fun for an experienced rider. We'll see how I'm feeling on Saturday

Hi Riley920, The 500 Street will blow that 250cc out of the water. If you're going 50 miles an hour and you hit the throttle you better make sure you're holding onto that bike because it will throw you off that seat if you're not.

Just remember it doesn't matter whether you buy a Street 500 or 750, 70-miles an hour is still 70 miles an hour on both bikes and that's awful fast for a two wheel vehicle to be going. I have 700 miles already on my street 500 and 40 years of riding, and I have no desire to buy or even think about a more powerful bike in anyway, shape,size or form.

If I want a more powerful bike, then I'll go out and buy an Indian scout or A Harley Davidson sportster with ABS but not a Street 750. I know a lot of people may disagree with me but for the extra two or $3000 I think you're getting a better motorcycle than what the Street has to offer.

 

[Kevin Penrose]

I had ridden Buells Blasts on again off again and even an R1 for weekend. If you are planning on using this bike as a stepping stone or for something new in a year or so? Or do you plan to keep it long term.

My use case for the bike is around town and maybe a quick blast to Ocean City but that would be a rare case. When it comes to power they both have ample supply. I went with the 500 as I plan on using it to teach my wife to ride and will eventually hand the bike over to her as I get something (newer or bigger or even the same).

 

[Kevin Penrose]

On a side note the final price difference at HD in Annapolis was 800 bucks between the two...

 

[Riley920]

I had ridden Buells Blasts on again off again and even an R1 for weekend. If you are planning on using this bike as a stepping stone or for something new in a year or so? Or do you plan to keep it long term.

My use case for the bike is around town and maybe a quick blast to Ocean City but that would be a rare case. When it comes to power they both have ample supply. I went with the 500 as I plan on using it to teach my wife to ride and will eventually hand the bike over to her as I get something (newer or bigger or even the same).

I plan on keeping it for a while, at least a few years before I reassess. I think the 500 will be the right move for me, I appreciate all the perspectives. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

[Street500owner2]

On a side note the final price difference at HD in Annapolis was 800 bucks between the two...

Hi Kevin, I can see by this forum that the 750 is outselling the 500 looks like to be 10 to 1 and I think the 500 eventually will only be used for the beginner riders classes and the 750 will be the only one sold to the public eventually. The 500 will not be a very profitable machine to manufacture eventually.

As you said with that $800 difference which is not enough to make or break the bank: Why even have the 500 at all? Even as a steppingstone the 500 will be harder to get rid of and resell than a 750 will.

 

[Kevin Penrose]

Hi Kevin, I can see by this forum that the 750 is outselling the 500 looks like to be 10 to 1 and I think the 500 eventually will only be used for the beginner riders classes and the 750 will be the only one sold to the public eventually. The 500 will not be a very profitable machine to manufacture eventually.

As you said with that $800 difference which is not enough to make or break the bank: Why even have the 500 at all? Even as a steppingstone the 500 will be harder to get rid of and resell than a 750 will.

Confidence.. both these bikes are pretty powerful and I would not discorage one form getting a 500 because of resale value. Drive em both and find what your comfortable with. we are not talking a huge jump in power.

Vehicles are not investments. You very very very rarl;ey get a return on them. They are tools imo. Now granted that Sl600 or the Volvo S70 is a pretty **** good tool but in the end its just a tool to get to point A and B.

If he plan to keep for a few years and runs out of tail room he can go big. This is only my opinioon and opinions are like arm pits the all stink..

 

[Beauty and the Beast]

Hey everybody, newly licensed rider here, just took the MSF course and have had my eye on the Street for a while now. Going this Saturday to test ride and hopefully buy. Extremely excited!

I'm leading toward the 500 instead of the 750. Figure it will be enough power for my first bike and I can move up once I'm more comfortable. Tempted to go with the 750 though, I hear I'll wish I had.

Thoughts on this? Much difference between the 500 and 750?

test ride both and then go from there.

 

[Riley920]

Went with the 500! Went to the dealer, test rode it, bought it, rode it home. Haven't stopped smiling since!

 

[AYEDEE]

Went with the 500! Went to the dealer, test rode it, bought it, rode it home. Haven't stopped smiling since!

Best of luck and happy and safe riding Buddy!

 

[Street500owner2]

Went with the 500! Went to the dealer, test rode it, bought it, rode it home. Haven't stopped smiling since!

The Street 500 has more power than you think, what's your thoughts on it as of now?

 

[Riley920]

The Street 500 has more power than you think, what's your thoughts on it as of now?

Well, it has more power than what I was used to since I'd only been on a 250cc in parking lots. Tons of fun. I took back roads primarily on the way home from the dealer, got up to about 55 at one point but haven't yet really seen what she can do. I'm going to wait until my skill catches up to my desire to go fast .

My sales guy took me on some quiet roads near the dealership, some nice twisties and very little traffic. Handling was terrific. I felt very comfortable on it, very agile. No issues keeping up with traffic on a couple of brief business highway stints. Brakes seemed to do better than a lot of what I had read, but again I don't have a lot to compare with.

 

[birdmove]

Good for you! And don't let any other riders get on you about getting a bigger motorcycle. I just turned 61 and have ridden since I was 8. Back when I started riding a 500 was a pretty good sized motorcycle. Now, the manufacturers want you to go for ever bigger and bigger motorcycles, and may try to talk you into it. If you are planning on riding two up a lot, even taking overnight trips, then maybe. But, every time you "move up", you lose your butt in money. I love to ride to this day, and can have a blast on a 250 dual sport (off road trail riding is another aspect of riding fun that many miss out on), or whatever.

Since I brought up dual sport riding, try some off road riding some time if you get the chance. That's how I started riding. You may find you will want to keep that nice Street 500, and pick up a small dual sport. A dual sport is street legal too.

At any rate, enjoy that new Harley!!