This big new adventure bike breaks the mould Harley unleashes 975cc and 1250cc water-cooled V-twin globe-trotter
Pan America adventure bike to come in 975 and 1250cc form All-new water-cooled V-twin motor Top-spec equipment and 200-mile range
Harley-Davidson have announced an enormous fleet of new bikes, powered by a brand new engine and spearheaded by this visually arresting Pan America adventure bike.
A proper Harley
The heart of Harley’s new middleweight range (see more on pages 6-7), is a brand new watercooled engine. It’s modular in design, so can be configured in a range of capacities but it will debut in the Pan America in 975cc and 1250cc form. It’s still a traditional powerplant, so it’s a big V-twin with that potato-potato sound, but it will have a top end like we’ve never experienced before. Harley won’t be drawn on specifics yet, however we’re expecting to see three figures. To go with this new engine will be a full electronics suite with all mod cons, including ride-by-wire and traction control. To go with this step up in power, the rest of the kit has had an upgrade, too.
No compromise
Cradling the engine is a brand new frame that is paired with a new swingarm, Brembo monobloc calipers and new long-travel Showa suspension. It also has all the usual adventure bike additions including crash bars, serrated footpegs, bash plate, handguards and tubeless spoked wheels plus the standard touring bike fare of good lights, large adjustable screen, big comfortable seats and removable luggage. There will also be a new full-colour TFT screen that we expect to debut on some new models released later this year. Harley haven’t released any specs about the bike yet but given the apparent size of the tank, we’d expect it to have a range in excess of 200 miles. It should handle well off-road, if the video of a test rider launching it into the air is anything to go by.
Let’s talk money
Given the engine size and the quality of the parts fitted (plus Harley’s no expense spared reputation), we expect the new Pan America to be priced anywhere between £10,000-£16,000 depending on the engine size and the final spec.
The obvious competition would be the big adventure bikes from BMW, KTM and Ducati who all make large-capacity twin-cylinder adventure bikes. An R1200GS starts at £12,500. Harley-Davidson have said the Pan America will be released in 2020, as one of the first from their new middleweight range and it marks a bold new era for Harley.