2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America and Bronx With Revolution Max Engine First Look
Harley-Davidson announced the Pan America adventure bike and Bronx streetfighter are nearing production, both powered by the company’s new Revolution Max engine. The Pan America 1250 and Bronx 975 will be arriving in late 2020 as 2021 models.
Details on both models remains sparse but Harley-Davidson did provide some vital details, especially for the new Revolution Max engine architecture. he Revolution Max engine was designed for flexible performance with a broad powerband. According to Harley-Davidson, the 60-degree V angle was chosen to provide space for dual down draft throttle bodies to maximize air flow and increase performance.
The Pan America will be powered by a 1250cc version of the liquid-cooled 60-degree V-Twin. Harley-Davidson claims it will produce more than 145 hp and 90 lb-ft. of peak torque. Meanwhile, the Bronx will use the 975cc version which Harley claims makes more than 115 hp and 70 lb-ft. Harley-Davidson has previously said the engine will be offered in four different displacements from 500cc to 1250cc.
The engine serves as a stressed member of the frame to optimize the bikes’ centers of gravity. Primary engine vibrations are countered by an internal counter balancer.
Harley-Davidson also confirmed the Pan America and Bronx will use Brembo radial-mount monoblock four-piston calipers and Michelin tires. No details were released about the suspension, unfortunately.
We’ll likely have to wait until we get closer to the late 2020 launch date to get more official details.
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Maybe HD's Bronx engineering will learn and profit from the Buell XB bikes that handle exceptionally well for both street and track, no mods needed.
Owning both, although air cooled, the 1200cc Buell Ulysses and the 986cc Lightning had the same base engine but with different stroke lengths. When comparing the two engines neither bike is faster at top end and at the q-mile only a few tenths difference in the ET, the 1200 longer stroke being slightly quicker.
By the way, the Buell belt drives made handling even better because of the direct connection one had with the tire/ground feeling as if on a gear rack. No chain slop and real engine/drive feedback through the throttle. A shame if you have never had that feel at a track day. I fully expect that belt drive on the Bronx 975.
Why then the 2 displacements? Simple, gutsy torque which was essential for the adventure bike 1200 Uly and higher revs for the 986 trackday bike Lightning. Many folks bought the 1200cc Lightning but the track handling and manners of the smaller 986cc was superb. And still is to this day (72 degrees F today and I enjoyed the NC sunshine).
The looks of the HD Bronx is a bit heavy handed as is the bike's heft but it may be worthy of a purchase along with the max obtainable warrantee. Just for giggles there are a fair number of XB9S and Rs still around (986cc Linghtnings and Firebolts).
The local HD, Carolina Coast H-D, has my name on the demo ride slip for the new 975cc Streetfighter. I will be most anxious to oblige.
The Uly & Lightning. I can only hope the heavier H-D Bronx is an even better bike.
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And people say that Buells were ugly? I thought the whole point of paying the Harley premium is the bikes are nice to look at. Unfortunately I do not see either of these bikes aging well, plus if Harley prices the Pan-America above 15k they are going run into some major competition, bikes that can actually go off road (KTM, Yamaha, BMW, etc) and bikes that actually look good (Moto Guzzi).