Harley-Davidson showcased its upcoming middleweight naked roadster, the Streetfighter
975, at a recent event. The Harley-Davidson Streetfighter 975 that was displayed at the event
was tagged as "Styling Prototype", and the final product may witness
a few tweaks. However, it gives us a glimpse at what to expect from the
American two-wheeler brand. In terms of styling, the Streetfighter 975 gets a
hint of retro looks in the form of a spherical headlight, a single-pod
instrument console with a round dial and bar-end mounted rearview mirrors. The
typical roadster styling means that the bike misses out on any wind protection.
The fuel tank, saddle and the exposed sub-frame, on
the other hand, draws inspiration from modern-day roadster motorcycles. The
dual-tone finish to the tank adds a neat contrast to the styling of the
Streetfighter 975. The minimal amount of body panels let the bike show off its V-Twin
engine. This 975 cc liquid-cooled motor uses a belt drive to send the power to
the rear wheel. The production-ready model may have the same setup. The
performance specifications are yet to be revealed, and we expect to hear more
details at the 2019 EICMA motorcycle show.
Hardware specifications include inverted forks at
the front and a monoshock suspension at the back to perform the shock
absorption tasks. Anchoring power comes from disc brakes on both wheels, while
the safety net includes ABS. We may also see a multi-level traction control
system on the Streetfighter 975.
The motorcycle is listed under "Future
Vehicles" along with the tag "Planned for 2020" on
Harley-Davidson’s India website. When launched, the Streetfighter 975 will
compete with the Ducati Monster range, Triumph Street Triple series, KTM 890
Duke and the Kawasaki Z900.
The accessories showcased along with the
Streetfighter 975 include mirrors, different handlebar grips, optional brake
lever and a slip-on exhaust. Other Harley-Davidson models lined-up for the Indian market in 2020
are the Pan America 1250 and the LiveWire electric motorcycle. The American
two-wheeler brand will enter the sub-500 cc market in 2021 with a new 338 cc
bike. The new product will debut in China by the end of next year followed by
other Asian markets later.