Harley Davidson unveils new Street 500 and Street 750

New Delhi: Designed to appeal to young and urban riders, Harley-Davidson has unveiled its Street series of motorcycles, which are smaller and more maneuverable than other Harley model. The bikes, called the Street 750 and Street 500, are the first models to be built on an entire new chassis in 13 years. The models will be introduced across the globe in 2014.Developed under Project Rushmore, the Street 500 and Street 750 motorcycles are built by taking inputs from their fans and customers.The new models signify a dramatic shift in strategy from Harley-Davidson, which for years is known for their big, bold and heavy motorcycles.The two new bikes are part of the company's broad Dark Custom lineup, a series of motorcycles with matte black paint and edgy looks with very little chrome. The company says the Dark bike segment has already started attracting young buyers. The Street 500 will be powered by a 500 cc engine, while the Street 750 will be powered by a 750 cc engine. The automaker did not reveal power and torque figures, but it said both these two new engines will feature fuel injected liquid cooled engine with the traditional Harley exhaust note.In part, that means they have a distinctive look and sound, and have metal tanks, fenders and other parts that many manufacturers make with plastic. While unveiling the Street series, Matthew S. Levatich, Harley's president and chief operating officer, said the bikes "fill a need for people who want to identify with a brand but have a motorcycle that is less intimidating, and more inviting. This bike is easier to ride and easier to learn how to ride."The Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson is already a dominant player in the American market which some estimates suggesting that Harley is responsible for more than 50% of motorcycle sales in the U.S.The Harley-Davidson Street 500 and 750 are expected to make their Indian debut at the 2014 Auto Expo in Delhi. The Street 500 is expected to start under Rs. 4 lakh while the Street 750 will be priced around Rs. 5 lakh.