[Yusef]

I've heard that the first Harley Streets will be going to riding schools, so students will be the first to get to ride it in the US.

If you are planning on having it be your first bike, it seems to make sense to just join the riding school and then buy the Street afterwards for a discount.

Has anyone signed up yet?

 

[harleyhoonigan]

I don't need courses any more but looking forward to reading responses here, good if you already have your mind set on the Street, ride it before you buy it.

 

[Snuffy]

I just took the class to get my endorsement and rode the 500. I am not too experienced when it comes to motorcycles so my opinion probably should be taken lightly.

The Street 500 seems to be low powered. I understand the bike has been flashed do not take off like it would normally. I felt more like I was on a moped than a Harley.

The bike did handle with ease. Everyone told me how much the figure 8 portion of the training is the most difficult but nobody in our class had one issue with it. This bike handles awesome and can see why somebody living an urban area would want one.

The bike is small. Im 5'8" and felt cramped in there. I know the seat and pedals are adjustable but to what extent? I dont know. All I do know is I had difficulty getting my foot under the level to shift up because I was so cramped.

I love the look of the 500 but I live on the outskirts of Orlando and have plenty of rural areas to cruise which is where I will be riding mostly. Im not sure if the 500 would be right for me because I want to go on long rides.

But if I was are looking for a bike just to take into town and go around Orlando, I would probably take another look at the 750 because I dont think you can beat that price. Why anyone would by a sportster over a Street would be beyond me.

 

[Sherri]

I just took the class to get my endorsement and rode the 500. I am not too experienced when it comes to motorcycles so my opinion probably should be taken lightly.

The Street 500 seems to be low powered. I understand the bike has been flashed do not take off like it would normally. I felt more like I was on a moped than a Harley.

The bike did handle with ease. Everyone told me how much the figure 8 portion of the training is the most difficult but nobody in our class had one issue with it. This bike handles awesome and can see why somebody living an urban area would want one.

The bike is small. Im 5'8" and felt cramped in there. I know the seat and pedals are adjustable but to what extent? I dont know. All I do know is I had difficulty getting my foot under the level to shift up because I was so cramped.

I love the look of the 500 but I live on the outskirts of Orlando and have plenty of rural areas to cruise which is where I will be riding mostly. Im not sure if the 500 would be right for me because I want to go on long rides.

But if I was are looking for a bike just to take into town and go around Orlando, I would probably take another look at the 750 because I dont think you can beat that price. Why anyone would by a sportster over a Street would be beyond me.

Thanks for your input Snuffy !

The 750 should be much more powerful than the 500, and should be a good cruiser on the highways and byways.

Since you are new to motorcycling, I will let you in on a secret. It is very rare to find a motorcycle that fits you perfectly.. Most people who do any serious riding have to make changes to their bike so that it fits them ergonomically. You find a bike you like, and you make it work for you.

 

[Yusef]

Wouldn't they teach you about how to adjust the bike top properly fit your body at a riding course though. I figured that would be one of the first things they tell you before you even start it up.

 

[stude]

Wouldn't they teach you about how to adjust the bike top properly fit your body at a riding course though. I figured that would be one of the first things they tell you before you even start it up.

I don't know about that. I mean, unlike a car that you can simply adjust the seat position, mirrors, and tilt steering column... there is not much you can adjust on a motorcycle, other than the mirrors. It is not like you can move the footpegs or handlebars without tools.
Besides, I never modified any of my motorcycles until I bought my first Harley, and there were several prior to that. I just rode the bikes the way they were. Of course back then, aftermarket parts were not as readily available as they are today.

 

[Desert Tortoise]

There are three different height seats for the Street. Though I don't know this for sure, I would bet the school bikes use the lowest of the three available seats. Just a guess to make sure all riders can flat foot the bike when it's stopped so everyone is comfortable they won't tip one over.

 

[HarleyVest]

Thanks for your input Snuffy !

The 750 should be much more powerful than the 500, and should be a good cruiser on the highways and byways.

Since you are new to motorcycling, I will let you in on a secret. It is very rare to find a motorcycle that fits you perfectly.. Most people who do any serious riding have to make changes to their bike so that it fits them ergonomically. You find a bike you like, and you make it work for you.

Sherri hit the nail on the head with that one. Often times we find ourselves looking for a bike that fits perfectly but yes we do have to make adjustments. I feel exactly the same way, just like find a woman

 

[Snuffy]

Wouldn't they teach you about how to adjust the bike top properly fit your body at a riding course though. I figured that would be one of the first things they tell you before you even start it up.

I wish they would of at my class, especially since you put your name on the 500 and keep that one throughout the weekend. It would have been nice to be able to learn on a motorcycle that you are at least half way comfortable with.

Luckily the 500 is a smooth ride and that is easier to handle than other Harley's.

 

[Snuffy]

Thanks for your input Snuffy !

The 750 should be much more powerful than the 500, and should be a good cruiser on the highways and byways.

Since you are new to motorcycling, I will let you in on a secret. It is very rare to find a motorcycle that fits you perfectly.. Most people who do any serious riding have to make changes to their bike so that it fits them ergonomically. You find a bike you like, and you make it work for you.

Thank you for the heads up. I heard Harleys are the most customizable out of the other brands. I just cant see my self cruising down the highway and taking long trips even with add on's and forward controls. To me it just wouldn't look and the feel "the part", even though I agree the 500 and 750 would have plenty of power for highway driving. But after riding the 500, I think the optimal use for the motorcycles would be for local bar hopping and daily commutes which seems is what Harley is marketing it as.

I'm currently looking at a used Fatboy Lo and have no problem taking the money i saved and buying a new 750, lol.

 

[HarleyVest]

Thank you for the heads up. I heard Harleys are the most customizable out of the other brands. I just cant see my self cruising down the highway and taking long trips even with add on's and forward controls. To me it just wouldn't look and the feel "the part", even though I agree the 500 and 750 would have plenty of power for highway driving. But after riding the 500, I think the optimal use for the motorcycles would be for local bar hopping and daily commutes which seems is what Harley is marketing it as.

I'm currently looking at a used Fatboy Lo and have no problem taking the money i saved and buying a new 750, lol.

Keep us posted on what you end up with whether fat boy or Street 750.

 

[bhall238]

I've signed up, my class is this Thursday. I thought I wanted a Street 750 when they were first announced, as I saw myself using it mainly for going to and from work, with some short to medium rides on the weekend. I'm uncertain now after hearing opinions from family and friends, "it's too small for you" and the like. The two days of the riding portion on the 500 will give me a very good trial period though as size-wise, the two are about the same. I'll let you know what I decide.

 

[Yusef]

What do they mean too small? Do you mean not powerful enough or that you are a really tall guy?

Riding the 500 at riding school should give you the info you need to make a decision.

 

[StoneFree]

I've signed up, my class is this Thursday. I thought I wanted a Street 750 when they were first announced, as I saw myself using it mainly for going to and from work, with some short to medium rides on the weekend. I'm uncertain now after hearing opinions from family and friends, "it's too small for you" and the like. The two days of the riding portion on the 500 will give me a very good trial period though as size-wise, the two are about the same. I'll let you know what I decide.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the Street. Many seem to want to compare it to a Sportster or large Harley cruiser as far as size but that's really an invalid comparison. First of all "cruisers" of all brands are really huge motorcycles. As a Sportster and Street 750 owner I can personally state that I find absolutely no difference between the two when it comes to "fit" of the rider on the motorcycle. The Sportster is slightly larger and much heavier but that doesn't really effect how well the motorcycle "fits" me.


For local riding and some extended riding on the backroads the Street was every bit as comfortable as my Sportster although you ride them completely differently. The Sportster does have an advantage when I address long road trips but that's a small percentage of my riding even though I love doing long road trips on a motorcycle.


Of note neither the Street or Sporster are really designed for extended "2-Up" riding as that falls into the "cruiser" class of RV motorcycles. They are both predominately for solo riding but will allow 2-up riding but neither is all that comfortable for the passenger for extended rides like you'd do on a road trip. Day trip yes, road trip no.

 

[bhall238]

What do they mean too small? Do you mean not powerful enough or that you are a really tall guy?

Riding the 500 at riding school should give you the info you need to make a decision.

The power is definitely not an issue. I'm 6'1" and about 270 pounds. I've sat on the 750 in the showroom and really didn't feel uncomfortable, but that was only for a few minutes and obviously not moving, shifting, etc. That's another reason I am really looking forward to this class.

 

[Beauty and the Beast]

Ask for the Tall Boy seat

The power is definitely not an issue. I'm 6'1" and about 270 pounds. I've sat on the 750 in the showroom and really didn't feel uncomfortable, but that was only for a few minutes and obviously not moving, shifting, etc. That's another reason I am really looking forward to this class.

make sure you ask them for the tall guy seat, tell them that you are interesting in purchasing the 750 and that you want your two days on the bike to be as close to owning one, in my experience they put the standard seats on and only change up when people ask, being a shorty, I had to ask for the one that put me up closer and my feet flat, the other, I was on tippy toes.

 

[bhall238]

make sure you ask them for the tall guy seat, tell them that you are interesting in purchasing the 750 and that you want your two days on the bike to be as close to owning one, in my experience they put the standard seats on and only change up when people ask, being a shorty, I had to ask for the one that put me up closer and my feet flat, the other, I was on tippy toes.

They would do that for someone even for the class? Since the class is tomorrow afternoon, I was going to stop by there on my way home today and ask a few last minute questions, like where to park...