[Davkane]

Hello from Chicago.

I am currently riding a c50t. I am looking for something smaller, but capable of doing a few 200+ miles days. Also looking for the occasional longer/multiple day journey (once a year). Most riding will be to and from work.

Currently the street 750 and the Honda ctx700 have my full attention.

Can the street 750 meet my needs or should I just stick with the c50t for now?

I went to a Harley dealer and got steered right to a sportster. Honestly, I think the street is more my style.

Brief history:
Have been riding since 1988
Past bikes are Suzuki gs450l, Yamaha 400 special, Honda vt700c. I have had the c50t since 2008.

I am looking for something a bit lighter.

Thanks

 

[StoneFree]

Hello from Chicago.

I am currently riding a c50t. I am looking for something smaller, but capable of doing a few 200+ miles days. Also looking for the occasional longer/multiple day journey (once a year). Most riding will be to and from work.

Currently the street 750 and the Honda ctx700 have my full attention.

Can the street 750 meet my needs or should I just stick with the c50t for now?

I went to a Harley dealer and got steered right to a sportster. Honestly, I think the street is more my style.

Brief history:
Have been riding since 1988
Past bikes are Suzuki gs450l, Yamaha 400 special, Honda vt700c. I have had the c50t since 2008.

I am looking for something a bit lighter.

Thanks

The Street 500/750's are a bit lighter (489 lbs v 644 lbs) than the Suziki Blvd.

The Suzuki is a cruiser while the Street is not but the Street will provide the 200 mile daily ride you're interested in.

I just returned from a day-trip to BC Canada and from my house it was basically a 200 mile round trip. It is not a motorcycle I'd use for road trips where the daily average needs to be over 300 miles or more (I've done 750 miles on my Sportster although that is extreme iron-ass riding IMO). For the 200 miles on the winding Hwy 9 here in WA to BC the ride was pure pleasure.

The Street is an excellent commuting and day-ride motorcycle IMHO.

The reason the Harley dealer probably pointed you at the Sportster is because they really can't get Street 500/750's currently. My dealer is limited to ordering just one Street 750 for September delivery by the factory and they have three more pre-sold. They'd rather sell something they have as opposed to something they can't get. That's my personal opinion of course.

The Honda CTX 700 appears to be an excellent motorcycle as well and it is comparably priced with the Street 750 (Street 750 base price = $7,500 v CTX 700 base price = $7,799). I didn't find the weight of the CTX 700 but it does have a smaller engine and gets better MPG but also has a smaller tank so range is probably comparable. The Harley is a 5-speed and the Honda is a 6-speed. The differences are mostly subjective so I can only add the following for you to consider.

The Street 750 is a Harley and with it comes the Harley Owners Group that is the only international motorcycle group sponsored by the factory and the dealers. I love all motorcycles regardless of brands but there is something special about owning a Harley.

I can also state that while there was resistance by the old Harley "pushrod" crowd when the V-Rod was introduced I've found zero resistance related to my Street 750. Every Harley owner I've been in contact with all seem to appreciate and welcome the new Street 500/750 into the Harley family probably because this new Harley motorcycle was long needed and we all knew it. That wasn't exactly the case when the V-Rod was introduced.

Hope this helps you decide what to do but ultimately it's your choice. There's nothing wrong with your Suzuki but if you want to change to a lighter motorcycle that more fits your needs then go for it.

 

[Livin On]

welcome to the site @Davkane, hopefully we can be of assistance, I see Stone has already covered most of the bases...

Just to add, one of the KEY differences is that the CTX700 is built off Honda new NC platform, its really much more "scooter" than anything else out there (aside from an actual scooter), and I don't mean that in a derogatory way either, they're easy to ride and ridiculously comfortable. DCT gearbox has been a huge hit with owners who are ready to give up the clutch!

 

[HDGuy]

welcome to the site @Davkane, hopefully we can be of assistance, I see Stone has already covered most of the bases...

Just to add, one of the KEY differences is that the CTX700 is built off Honda new NC platform, its really much more "scooter" than anything else out there (aside from an actual scooter), and I don't mean that in a derogatory way either, they're easy to ride and ridiculously comfortable. DCT gearbox has been a huge hit with owners who are ready to give up the clutch!

For some giving up that gear box might be tough
But at least it's DCT, still some fun to be had.

 

[Livin On]

you're not giving up a gear box, you're gicing up a clutch.... FOR TWO!

 

[Street500owner2]

Hello from Chicago.

I am currently riding a c50t. I am looking for something smaller, but capable of doing a few 200+ miles days. Also looking for the occasional longer/multiple day journey (once a year). Most riding will be to and from work.

Currently the street 750 and the Honda ctx700 have my full attention.

Can the street 750 meet my needs or should I just stick with the c50t for now?

I went to a Harley dealer and got steered right to a sportster. Honestly, I think the street is more my style.

Brief history:
Have been riding since 1988
Past bikes are Suzuki gs450l, Yamaha 400 special, Honda vt700c. I have had the c50t since 2008.

I am looking for something a bit lighter.

Thanks

Hi Davkane, I live in Chicago suburbs welcome to the forum. You can’t go wrong with anyone of the Streets 500 or 750. If you live in Chicago, which is where I work, the Street will fit the bill.

Very easy to shift, the bike will let you know when it’s in first gear by changing its sound. Water-cooled for stop and go traffic and has plenty of on tap pep. Maneuverability is quit nibble, I would say better than a scooter. The 480 lbs is easy to move around, too. IMO.

I also looked at Sportsters but whet with the Street 500 instead.

 

[Davkane]

Thanks everyone!

I will call around different dealers to find a street 750 to test ride...

 

[Solo750owner]

Hello from Chicago.

I am currently riding a c50t. I am looking for something smaller, but capable of doing a few 200+ miles days. Also looking for the occasional longer/multiple day journey (once a year). Most riding will be to and from work.

Currently the street 750 and the Honda ctx700 have my full attention.

Can the street 750 meet my needs or should I just stick with the c50t for now?

I went to a Harley dealer and got steered right to a sportster. Honestly, I think the street is more my style.

Brief history:
Have been riding since 1988
Past bikes are Suzuki gs450l, Yamaha 400 special, Honda vt700c. I have had the c50t since 2008.

I am looking for something a bit lighter.

Thanks

I live just north of you (Wisconsin) and I own a Suzuki Savage now known as a S40. This bike only weighs 352 lbs. I have been using my single cylinder 650 for the last 3 years as commuter bike for work. Believe it or not, my Savage is longer than my Street 750. I plan on keeping both.

 

[StoneFree]

Thanks everyone!

I will call around different dealers to find a street 750 to test ride...

Based upon your application I wouldn't rule out the Street 500.

I've test ridden the Street 500 and it is an excellent motorcycle performance-wise. The weight is the same as the Street 750 but the MSRP is $800 less. It doesn't have the same power but I'd classify the additional power of the Street 750 as being in the "not really needed" category. For example accellerating off of a turn only requires "X" amount of power that both the Street 500 and Street 750 have equally.

A lot of people buy more motorcycle than they actually need. The Street 750 will actually outperform my 1200cc Sportster from what I understand and I've rarely been "full throttle" on my Sportster and even then I didn't need it (e.g. passing a long tractor-trailer rig on a highway).

From a performance standpoint you'd find the Street 500 to be virtually identical to the Street 750 about 99% of the time. That's the same thing I see with my 1200cc Sportster when I've compared it the the 883. 99% of the time it really doesn't make a difference.

If you actually have a reason for the larger displacement then of course go for it. My Sportster is a 1200 because that was the only size there was for the limited edition 50th Anniverary Sportster. Had it not been for that I would have purchased an 883.

I purchased the Street 750 is because I'm going to build a tribute chopper to my late brother that was the first person, at least in Los Angeles, to produce rigid frame choppers from the Honda CB750 in late 1969-1970. I'm merely matching the displacement of the choppers he built. My partner is going to build a rigid frame Street 500 based "bobber" to match my chopper and both will have more than enough power for our purposes.

In short I had a "reason" for both of my current motorcycles where a perfectly good smaller displacement version of the same motorcycle was available for my riding applications.

Always start with your "riding application" and then work from there is the advice I'd give to anyone when they consider a motorcycle purchase. There can certainly be reasons for upgrading and spending more money but you need to justify those upgrades.

 

[Street500owner2]

Based upon your application I wouldn't rule out the Street 500.

I've test ridden the Street 500 and it is an excellent motorcycle performance-wise. The weight is the same as the Street 750 but the MSRP is $800 less. It doesn't have the same power but I'd classify the additional power of the Street 750 as being in the "not really needed" category. For example accellerating off of a turn only requires "X" amount of power that both the Street 500 and Street 750 have equally.

A lot of people buy more motorcycle than they actually need. The Street 750 will actually outperform my 1200cc Sportster from what I understand and I've rarely been "full throttle" on my Sportster and even then I didn't need it (e.g. passing a long tractor-trailer rig on a highway).

From a performance standpoint you'd find the Street 500 to be virtually identical to the Street 750 about 99% of the time. That's the same thing I see with my 1200cc Sportster when I've compared it the the 883. 99% of the time it really doesn't make a difference.

If you actually have a reason for the larger displacement then of course go for it. My Sportster is a 1200 because that was the only size there was for the limited edition 50th Anniverary Sportster. Had it not been for that I would have purchased an 883.

I purchased the Street 750 is because I'm going to build a tribute chopper to my late brother that was the first person, at least in Los Angeles, to produce rigid frame choppers from the Honda CB750 in late 1969-1970. I'm merely matching the displacement of the choppers he built. My partner is going to build a rigid frame Street 500 based "bobber" to match my chopper and both will have more than enough power for our purposes.

In short I had a "reason" for both of my current motorcycles where a perfectly good smaller displacement version of the same motorcycle was available for my riding applications.

Always start with your "riding application" and then work from there is the advice I'd give to anyone when they consider a motorcycle purchase. There can certainly be reasons for upgrading and spending more money but you need to justify those upgrades.

Very good write-up and a lot of good information, it's about time someone says it like it is. Thanks.
I must say I concur with your findings.

 

[Davkane]

StoneFree, thank you for that info. The main reason I was leaving out the 500 was because of the chatter I have heard that they will not be available due to their priority use in the Harley safety classes. I would most certainly consider it if it is available at the time I am able to buy a new bike.

 

[HarleyVest]

Welcome to the forum @Davkane[/MENTION! :);

 

[StoneFree]

Very good write-up and a lot of good information, it's about time someone says it like it is. Thanks.
I must say I concur with your findings.

From your userID I assume you selected the Street 500 because it met your needs and that's the way it should be. I'm sure you're not disappointed in any way with the performance because it's one heck of a good motorcycle.

Perhaps it's because I grew up in the 1960's that I'm not overly impressed with larger displacement motorcycles. For us 250cc to 650cc motorcycles were the norm basically because they were "freeway" legal. I must also admit that I'd been riding for about five years before I broke the 250cc barrier having started out on a Yamaha 70 and eventually working up to a Honda 175cc before moving up to "freeway" riding.

In 1969 when Honda introduced the CB750 it was considered to be a "large" motorcycle of it's time and today a 750cc motorcycle is considered to be a medium size motorcycle in most cases. Even a 500cc was considered to be "large" in the 1960's by most standards. Remember that the largest displacement motorcycles in AMA racing were only 650cc at the time.

 

[OldDawg]

I rode both of the Street models before I finally purchased the 750. I had been riding a 500cc Royal Enfield (which I still have). The 500 Street didn't have any more power than my Enfield although it was quicker. When I sat on the 750 I was sold in the first 500 feet of my test ride. Acceleration is awesome and will get you around Tractor-trailers in a flash. Speed was not a factor although quickness was, and the 750 is much more agile in maneuvering in traffic. There is no response time in the acceleration of the 750. When you punch it, it's just flat gone.
I never liked Harleys simply due to the noise which is Not music to my ears. The Street is simply a HUGE hole that Harley has filled in their line-up. I was showing my machine to a guy the other day and he said "let me hear it". I started the engine and goosed it a little and then shut it off. The guy laughed and told me it sounded like a Tinker Toy. He cranked his Harley and revved the engine to a headache level of noise and then told me "That is what a Harley should sound like".
Yep, and THAT is exactly why I wouldn't buy one till now.
I love my Street. It may not catch on and sell a lot and I don't think it will ever be accepted by the hard core Harley people but it is exactly what I was looking for and I rode many machines before I purchased anything. It is among the smoothest and quickest bikes I have ever ridden. Had it not been for the surfboard looking seat I would have bought a Triumph Bonneville. I'm glad I kept looking.
I think it's Harleys crotch rocket.

 

[Street500owner2]

From your userID I assume you selected the Street 500 because it met your needs and that's the way it should be. I'm sure you're not disappointed in any way with the performance because it's one heck of a good motorcycle.

Perhaps it's because I grew up in the 1960's that I'm not overly impressed with larger displacement motorcycles. For us 250cc to 650cc motorcycles were the norm basically because they were "freeway" legal..

For me the 500 just fit the bill perfectly. At my age I don't need to prove any more points. Very smooth, easy to shift, plenty of power on tap, that's all I need. There's one thing I have to admit, if you give me more power, I will only get myself into trouble.

 

[StoneFree]

For me the 500 just fit the bill perfectly. At my age I don't need to prove any more points. Very smooth, easy to shift, plenty of power on tap, that's all I need. There's one thing I have to admit, if you give me more power, I will only get myself into trouble.

LOL

I seriously doubt you'd actually get into trouble with more power because you appear to be too level-headed for that to happen.

 

[Street500owner2]

I was just reading somebody's blog that just bought a Honda CTX 700 motorcycle. After looking at pictures of this bike and the Harley Street they almost look very similar to each other. Of course in the end if somebody asked me I'd by the Harley in a heartbeat.

 

[StoneFree]

StoneFree, thank you for that info. The main reason I was leaving out the 500 was because of the chatter I have heard that they will not be available due to their priority use in the Harley safety classes. I would most certainly consider it if it is available at the time I am able to buy a new bike.

Harley Davidson actually prioritized manufacturing Street 500's for the Motorcycle Safety Course needs and then addressed Street 500's and Street 750's about equally for the dealers after that. I believe that more buyers are focused on the Street 750 as opposed to the Street 500 leaving more 500's unsold at the dealers currently. For example my local dealer received one each and I needed the 750 for my chopper project. The 500 was still unsold as of last week when I was at the dealer.


As I also found out my dealer could only order one each of the 500 and 750 for September delivery and I'm sure they ordered as many as Harley allowed. There might be dealers that can get more than one because they sell a lot of Harleys (the basis for how many they get) but then they'll sell more even if they can get more.