[Livin On]

you know, the old VT500

Harley/Japan flame war in 3, 2, 1.....

 

[FromTheStreetz]

you know, the old VT500

I can see dat.

Harley/Japan flame war in 3, 2, 1.....

In be4 the lock...

 

[harleyhoonigan]

LOL. This is not going to be a thread that just dies and never comes back. Time to get some popcorn.

 

[momule]

I had a VT500 back in the 80's and it was a great bike...especially since I was a city dweller back then. If these new HD mini's turn out to be as reliable and fun as that bike was, HD has several sure winners. I think it's about time for the hp wars to end anyway...I mean who really needs 2000+ CC's on a half ton bike?

The 750 will be getting a sharp look from me, and who knows, maybe one day HD will get real brave and put a tranny on this similar to that on Suzuki's Burgman line of mega scooters.

 

[FromTheStreetz]

LOL. This is not going to be a thread that just dies and never comes back. Time to get some popcorn.

 

[StreetTracker]

Yes it is similar to the Honda, but remember, that Honda was inspired by the flattrack bikes of its day; namely the Harley-Davidson XR-750! So it doesn't trouble me with its resemblance.

 

[Livin On]

good, we have some open minded harley guys here! I'm curious if you guys feel that the Harley Streets have the potential to pull from the Japanese faithful? I mean typically the tastes of Japanese riders and Harley riders have been diametric, but the Streets seem to be making a real effort to bridge that gap...

 

[Yusef]

Since Harley hasn't put something out like this in a while, I think it could pull from the Japanese sales. Plenty of people would be happy to buy an American bike instead, but right now there aren't too many options for them.

 

[harleyhoonigan]

Yes it is similar to the Honda, but remember, that Honda was inspired by the flattrack bikes of its day; namely the Harley-Davidson XR-750! So it doesn't trouble me with its resemblance.

At least at the end of the day we can say HD were the pioneers of bikes like this. Although honda builds some amazing bikes, when it comes to bikes like this, HD deserves a lot of respect.

 

[fkystreet]

Looks way cooler than your Honda

 

[DerBestrafen]

No.

 

[Ernie82]

Had the VT700 because I could not afford a Sportster then. The Honda at $2,000 was 50 cents on the HD dollar, 883s were almost $4,000. So 30 years later priced at $7,500, the bikes are pretty much even money with JAP imports, with better numbers then a Sportster, I say let the small bike cruiser wars begin in earnest.

If someone wants a JAP Sportbike, they are not even going to give this bike a second look.

 

[HarleyVest]

No.

Thank you!

Had the VT700 because I could not afford a Sportster then. The Honda at $2,000 was 50 cents on the HD dollar, 883s were almost $4,000. So 30 years later priced at $7,500, the bikes are pretty much even money with JAP imports, with better numbers then a Sportster, I say let the small bike cruiser wars begin in earnest.

If someone wants a JAP Sportbike, they are not even going to give this bike a second look.

times were different my friend and now seeing how HD is going there will be a lot more on the streets. By the sexy lines of the HD Street it might turn some heads and some decisions. Small crusiers will be making an impact on the market for sure

 

[VS Admin]

I had a VT500 back in the 80's and it was a great bike...especially since I was a city dweller back then. If these new HD mini's turn out to be as reliable and fun as that bike was, HD has several sure winners. I think it's about time for the hp wars to end anyway...I mean who really needs 2000+ CC's on a half ton bike?

The 750 will be getting a sharp look from me, and who knows, maybe one day HD will get real brave and put a tranny on this similar to that on Suzuki's Burgman line of mega scooters.

Hey @momule what year was your VT500?

 

[momule]

If I remember correctly my Honda was an 84....won't swear to that because I used to buy and sell a lot back then. I do remember the bike fondly though because the one immediately before it was a CB360T and the 500 was a huge increase in power. The CB360T was a great bike too.

 

[HarleyVest]

If I remember correctly my Honda was an 84....won't swear to that because I used to buy and sell a lot back then. I do remember the bike fondly though because the one immediately before it was a CB360T and the 500 was a huge increase in power. The CB360T was a great bike too.

@momule

Kind of wish I went that route with buy and selling bikes. It would be a great way to try out different bikes and get a feel for them.

What brings you to the HD street?

 

[prof_stack]

There is some similarity with the Ascot. But, as others have said, Japan copied Harley styling early on. My gosh, look at the Yamaha Bolt! I want to see the Street 500/750 in person.

 

[harleyhoonigan]

There is some similarity with the Ascot. But, as others have said, Japan copied Harley styling early on. My gosh, look at the Yamaha Bolt! I want to see the Street 500/750 in person.

I think it was a mix of them copying HD's style of bike and trying to fit within that segment of bikes. I find that it's typical that bikes from different bike makers, even with car makers too, tend to share similar proportions and design cues, but when you look at the close enough you see how different they really are.

 

[HarleyVest]

There is some similarity with the Ascot. But, as others have said, Japan copied Harley styling early on. My gosh, look at the Yamaha Bolt! I want to see the Street 500/750 in person.

Yeah cycle world did a big comparison with the Yamaha bolt and the 883 iron. the similar styling and design is definitely suspect.

 

[HarleyVest]

Yeah cycle world did a big comparison with the Yamaha bolt and the 883 iron. the similar styling and design is definitely suspect.

Here is a good read if you have time

2013 Yamaha Star Bolt vs. Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Comparison Test