H-D Street 750 to make flat-track debut

The 2014 X Games Austin will host the debut of Harley-Davidsons Street 750 in flat-track racing series this weekend and will be aired on ESPN. This will be the second race outing for the Street, after reigning AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Champion Brad Baker rode a Street 750 fitted with studded tyres around an ice lake as part of a promotional video that was previewed during the X Games opening ceremony.

Harley-Davidson isn’t new to the sport and has been using the XR 750 for Flat Track racing. The Street 750 looks like a potential replacement thanks to its potent liquid-cooled Revolution X engine and a narrow lightweight chassis that makes the bike exceptionally agile for a Harley. The suspension and broad handlebars would also aid maneuverability — a requisite for the rigours of the sport.

Flat track racing involves specially modified bikes racing around an oval dirt track. Modifications to the bike include a stripped down frame to reduce weight. The bikes use knobby tyres for enhanced grip in the dirt. Called flat trackers, the bikes sport a slimmer profile with foot pegs relocated higher allowing the riders achieve increased lean angles.

Quite similar to Ice Racing, flat track racing is a pretty demanding sport that has the rider on the edge of traction as he slides the rear tyre out on corners, with his leg out for balance, in a perfectly controlled slide. X Games have always been an-action packed event with a great deal of interaction with fans. This year, fans will get to decide via Twitter (#XGamesFlatTrack) if flat track racing should become a certified medal sport at X Games Austin.

This sounds like a good way to promote the bike as the Street 750 and Street 500 will hit dealerships across USA in the next few weeks.