Harley-Davidson unveils Street at Moto Expo
Harley-Davidson has officially lifted the curtain on its all-new Street 500 at Melbourne’s Moto Expo. Attended by media, as well as local show goers, the much anticipated unveiling finally gave Australia and New Zealand its first full look at the model in production form.
Bringing an end to months of speculation, the historic US brand took the opportunity to announce that the motorcycle will be available in Australia and New Zealand by early 2015. An AU$9,995 / NZ$10,995 rideaway price has also been confirmed.
Lining up as part of Harley-Davidson’s Dark Custom range, the XG500 Harley-Davidson Street 500 features a new liquid-cooled Revolution X 500cc engine, housed in a specially designed chassis.
The 2,225mm-long model, which boasts an 13.1L fuel tank and comes with Michelin® Scorcher™ “11” front and rear tyres, also features a super-low seat height (709mm), innovative suspension and broad handlebar sweep.
“We’re hugely excited that we can finally unveil the Street in Australia,” commented Adam Wright, Director of Marketing for Harley-Davidson Australia and New Zealand. “This is a cutting-edge motorcycle which blends our distinctive styling pedigree with innovative technology whilst keeping our rich heritage at the core of it all. Boasting a premium but minimalist style that serves as a blank customisation canvas, the Street is the real steel deal.
“Anyone who jumps on this bike will understand as soon as they open the throttle: the Street was designed to bring fun, thrills and freedom to the road – whether for new riders or those returning to two wheels after a bit of time out,” continued Wright.
The unveiling comes 12 months after Harley-Davidson announced initial plans to bring Street 500 – its first Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme model – to Australia and New Zealand. It also follows a first public appearance for the Street after a disguised, one-off custom build was uncovered earlier this month at two-wheeled festival, Oil Stained Brain.
The highly-anticipated model was one of the Moto Expo’s headline drawcards over the weekend (28-30th November) – with the thousands in attendance having an opportunity to be amongst the first in the country to get up-close to the motorcycle. However, motorcycling communities across Australia and New Zealand will also have the opportunity to try the Street 500 for themselves when authorised Harley-Davidson dealers host a series of ‘Street Parties’ in early 2015.
To mark its first all-new motorcycle platform in 14 years and celebrate the occasion in suitable style, Harley-Davidson renamed a Melbourne laneway – now temporarily known as ‘500 Street’.
To find out more about the Harley-Davidson Street, please visit www.h-d.com.au/street.
