Harley-Davidson Street Rod (XG750A) Buyer's Guide

The Machine's Character

The Street Rod takes Harley's small liquid-cooled platform and sharpens it for city work. The 749 cc, 60-degree Revolution X V-twin is tuned high here: 70 hp, 48 lb-ft, and a redline up at 9,000 rpm, which is not a number most riders associate with the bar and shield. Around it sits an upside-down fork, dual 300 mm front discs, 17-inch wheels at both ends, and a taller, more forward-leaning stance than the rest of the small-displacement range. Belt final drive and six speeds keep the delivery calm. ABS was an available option, not standard. Within Harley's entry-level lineup, this is the one built to carve.

Ride it and the split shows up fast. The chassis and gearing want quick back roads and dense city streets, and the bike rewards a rider who actually works the gearbox. The catch is fit. This cockpit was drawn around one narrow template, and anyone near or over six feet is going to feel boxed in well inside an hour. The fork is fixed and the rear shock only adjusts for preload, so beyond that you live with the setup as delivered. Ownership is otherwise simple, though exhaust heat shields, brackets, and fasteners rust early in wet climates and the front fairing paint fades. Sit on one before you buy. That single step decides it.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

Show full specs & equipment Hide specs & equipment

Key specifications
Power	70 hp (52 kW)
Torque	48 lb-ft (65 Nm)
Displacement	749 cc
Engine	60° V-twin
Cooling	Liquid-cooled
Gearbox	6-speed
Final drive	Belt
Fork	Upside-down (USD)
Front brake	300 mm
Front tire	120/70-17
Rear tire	160/60-17
Wheelbase	59.3 in (1507 mm)
Seat height	30.1 in (765 mm)
Wet weight	525 lb (238 kg)
Fuel capacity	3.5 gal (13.2 L)

Equipment check

Chassis

Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension Standard

Safety

ABS Optional

Known issues

Cramped ergonomics for taller riders

bodywork common

Riders over 6 feet report that the high pegs, low seat, and wide tank combine to create a cramped, knee-hugging position that becomes painful on rides longer than an hour.
Starter relay moisture ingress

electrics occasional

After heavy rain or washing, the starter relay can become soaked, causing check engine lights and intermittent starting issues. Resolved by covering the relay with a waterproof shield.
Rust and corrosion on exhaust components

exhaust common

Exhaust heat shields, mounting brackets, and fasteners are susceptible to premature rust, especially in wet climates. Some owners also report fading paint on the front fairing.

The Expert Benchmark

Where this Harley-Davidson Street Rod pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.

What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class

Metal-and-Muscle Presence

Rumble & Character

Low-Speed Confidence Despite Mass

Relaxed Boulevard Ergonomics

Living-Machine Feel

Relaxed Torque Authority

This bike Class average

The shape of the Harley-Davidson Street Rod — numbers and character vs. the average Cruiser

Head-to-head: Harley-Davidson Street Rod vs. its rivals

Power

70 hp This bike 72 hp Yamaha XVS 1300 Custom 73 hp Indian Chief 79 hp Suzuki Intruder C1500T 61 hp Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe

Torque

48 lb-ft This bike 76 lb-ft Yamaha XVS 1300 Custom 119 lb-ft Indian Chief 97 lb-ft Suzuki Intruder C1500T 46 lb-ft Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe

Displacement

749 cc This bike 1304 cc Yamaha XVS 1300 Custom 1811 cc Indian Chief 1462 cc Suzuki Intruder C1500T 649 cc Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe

Wet weight

525 lb This bike 646 lb Yamaha XVS 1300 Custom 831 lb Indian Chief 800 lb Suzuki Intruder C1500T 503 lb Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe

Seat height

30.1 in This bike 26.4 in Yamaha XVS 1300 Custom 26.0 in Indian Chief 28.3 in Suzuki Intruder C1500T 27.8 in Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe

The 'Should I Buy It?' Score

Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Street Rod is actually built for.

Aerial view of a winding asphalt road cutting through volcanic terrain on La Gomera, Canary Islands. The road curves through sparse green vegetation with rocky volcanic peaks visible in the background and a settled valley to the left. Clear lane markings, dry climate, partly cloudy sky.

Best cruiser for Sturgis?

You want sound, presence, and a bike that holds its own on rally week. This one is lighter and revvier than that script asks for. Fine for the ride into town, wrong as the machine you park at Sturgis.

Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week

Best retro motorcycle for road trips?

Small towns and two-lane roads suit its handling and quiet belt drive well. Just know that the tight cockpit and the 3.5 gal tank decide how long your day runs, not your enthusiasm.

Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway

Best touring motorcycle for long distance?

Not your bike. No cruise control, no luggage, 3.5 gal between stops, and a riding position that goes sour inside an hour. Trail Ridge deserves something you can sit on all day.

Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road

Alternatives to the Harley-Davidson Street Rod

If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.

Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Harley-Davidson Street Rod. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.