So? Waddya reckon...?

This bike really is a lot of fun to ride fast, but I wasn’t the only one to struggle to find neutral when the engine was running. One rider found that dialling the slack out of his clutch lever cured the problem, though it’s a shame that the clutch and brake levers aren’t span adjustable – when braking hard with two fingers, it can be too easy to trap the other two against the grip.

While it’s no tourer, the pillion seat would be comfortable enough for short journeys, with a reasonable amount of space. However, the standard, relatively low preload position would need to be increased for a couple on a day trip.

It’s easy to forget you’re riding a Harley when hustling the Street Rod through corners. None of us expected it to handle this well. That’s not a criticism of the brand, just that it’s part of the character of the average ‘traditional’ American muscle machine. And I guess it has to be said that some of that character is lost in the Rod. This is the most Japanese-feeling Harley ever built.

The exhaust note is adequate but here, sadly, Euro 4 regulations have strangled things, and it’s particularly noticeable when riding with a Forty Eight burbling beside you. At lower speeds, the pops and bangs that have been engineered into the overrun sound good, but as wind noise intrudes, all that can be heard is a high-pitched metallic clatter.

Harley-Davidson’s engineers should still be congratulated – those who want to be able to say: “I ride a Harley”, but also need city-riding practicalities, more-than competent handling in the twisties, and an incredibly accessible price, should certainly arrange a test-ride.