Harley Releases Details on Liquid-Cooled Revolution Max Engine Powering Pan America and Bronx Models

Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250

Harley-Davidson made some waves at EICMA this week, showing off two models it teased in 2018, the Pan America adventure tourer and the Bronx streetfighter. Both are powered by a new liquid-cooled 60-degree V-twin engine platform called the Revolution Max — 1,250cc in the Pan America and 975cc in the Bronx. Harley also confirmed that both models will launch in late 2020.

The Revolution Max is a bold new step for a company invested so heavily in (air-cooled) tradition — although perhaps not as bold as its LiveWire electric motorcycle unveiled earlier this year and now on sale at H-D dealerships nationwide. (Read our First Ride Review here.) Harley says the Revolution Max is designed to minimize weight and maximize performance, with a narrow profile that integrates into the bike as a stressed member of the frame. It also features a counter-balancer for smooth and comfortable operation.

Harley claims performance targets of more than 145 horsepower and 90 lb-ft of torque from the Revolution Max 1250, and more than 115 horsepower and 70 lb-ft of torque from the Revolution Max 975.

A few other details about the new Pan America and Bronx were released as well, including a collaboration with Brembo to create a new radial monoblock caliper that complements Harley’s unique design, and a continuing partnership with Michelin to develop co-branded tires specifically for each model.

Thanks to a smattering of new images (scroll down to see them all), we can also glean a bit more info about the new bikes.

Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
Pan America looks to have a large, full-color TFT display, electronic suspension, cruise control and a one hand-adjustable windscreen.
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
The Pan America also sports a chain final drive and tubeless spoked rims.
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
Brembo brakes have ABS.
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
Pan America’s luggage looks adventure-ready.
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
This dark rendering of the Revolution Max 1250 gives us a few more hints, like a skid plate and side radiator guards.
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
Is the world ready for a Harley ADV tourer? There’s only one way to find out….
Harley-Davidson Bronx
Harley-Davidson Bronx.
Harley-Davidson Bronx
It’s hard to tell if this is a backlit LCD or a TFT. The Bronx looks to have cruise control and an adjustable fork, though.
Harley-Davidson Bronx
Smaller version of the Revolution Max powers the Bronx. Notice the footpegs, a sporty rearset design that’s positioned right underneath the rider.

22 COMMENTS

    • MJ, while I (currently) agree, everyone thought that the 1995 BMW R1100GS was hideous too, as did so many of us with the dorky looking KTM 990 Adventure. So, it might grow on you. 😀
      BG

    • I agree. Adventure bikes are all ugly to people who don’t like adventure bikes. Never mind riding around with huge tool boxes attached. However, if this model helps keep Harley alive so that they can still make cool cruisers, so be it!

      • Large adventure bikes are not for newbies… And experienced Harley riders will be looking for long haul cruisers.

        They can change what the brand represents, or they can apply current tech to stay competitive in their best selling bike classes.

        Unfortunately, Indian came out with the FTR 1200 to show Harley how a street rod / Bronx should be done, and the Indian Challenger to show them how the Road Glide should be done.

  1. I have been waiting over fifty years for an American motorcycle. Maybe they are coming. If the Bronx price is reasonable I am in. Hell if Harley had of put a 883 engine in the Live Wire I would have bought one.
    Buz

  2. The ADV fairing and tank just look odd to me. Maybe reality will prove different though. Hard market to crack, if it is still being made in 2025 I’ll be amazed.

  3. I think the Pan America looks great. It’s a modernized take on the adventure bike, at least in the looks department. We’ll find out if the performance of this bike and the Bronx is modern. It needs to be for Harley’s sake. They aren’t fighting for Harley loyalists that can afford and justify their ridiculous price premiums. They are fighting for a portion of the dwindling market of newer and younger riders.

    I think it’s very odd for Harley to start this new attempt of branching out with the super competitive ADV and streefighter sectors. ADV guys can be as fickle and brand loyalist as it gets. They can even be brand snobs that gag at the site of any bike that doesn’t match their brand of choice. ADV bikes, while big, also need to be relatively light weight and we know Harley isn’t good at doing that.

    The Bronx also needs to be light weight. Arguably more important than that, it needs be inexpensive in order to grab a piece of the proverbial pie. Streetfighters, as a stereotype, are relatively low weight, high on performance and low on price. They are among the best bang for your buck motorcycles and usually at a price almost anybody can afford. This isn’t in Harley’s wheelhouse unless they have changed, for real this time.

    It’s also puzzling that Harley is going after the large displacement market when it’s the small bikes that are the best sellers. Even with the release of these two bikes, Harley still does not have an entry level sporty motorycle. You have to be on top of your game and offer great products of all sizes if you want to grab the attention of new riders and keep their attention in the form of sales dollars. When a new rider buys a motorcycle, there often is a lifelong bond between them and the brand of their new toy. It’s not the easiest feat to steal riders from the brand on which they started. Harley needs a non cruiser beginner bike.

  4. Have to agree with pretty much everything Tim says above. Harley are always tailing way behind and I’ll be mightily suprised if these bikes are great sellers. They should be at least concentrating on a small displacement bike like a 350 – 400 cc and also like the other competitors 650cc models. Harley have had their days in the sun, however saying that there will always be the patriotic American’s / loyalists that will buy into them..

  5. I understand Alan’s frustration, and H-D long has had the ability to frustrate riders who see themselves as “in the know.” Yet, the Milwaukee brand finally *is* doing what it should have been doing all along: developing new engines and modern frames in which to place them. This started happening with the Street 750 and 500 machines, and now these bikes (H-D never seemed committed to the V-Rod). Who knows, but some day we might see small-displacement machines coming from H-D. Maybe even bikes with three- or four-cylinder engines (remember the NOVA? Hell, H-D even had a transverse inline four design it was looking at back in the late Sixties). This is a long way of saying that, for once, I finally have hope for Harley-Davidson. (Perhaps the Motor Company hears the noises created by the revived Indian Motorcycle?)

  6. I’m a long time Harley rider that sold his Ultra for a Honda Goldwing and his Softail Deluxe for a Honda Africa Twin. I grew up in a Harley family and was expected to ride Harley. I’m not sure I would want any Harley in production right now but I’ll throw a leg over the new ADV bike. However, it better be completely mind blowing to beat out the new 2020 Africa Twin.

  7. I’d ride both of them and I am a heavy cruiser dude…..I could surely make use of the Pan American, and maybe the Bronx will good for hooning….at my age that might look weird, but at my age I also beyond caring!

  8. An analysis of the power specs of the proposed Revolution Max 1250 is interesting: in order to produce the claimed 145 horsepower from 90 lb-ft of torque, the engine must spin to at least 8,500 RPM, doing that 90 lb-ft at that point in order to accomplish that HP rating. So either that 145HP is at redline or very close to it; a 1250cc narrow-angle V-twin isn’t going to go a tremendous amount higher. That’s certainly not old-fashioned Harley.

  9. The PA has chain final drive, but I can’t tell about the Bronx. One of my BMWs has chain drive, and with a Scottoiler the chain is essentially maintenance free, but I’d rather see belt drive on the Bronx.

  10. I own an MT-10 and the Bronx looks a lot like it., which I like. I also own a BMW R1200RT, BTW. Albeit my Yamaha cost 13K and has about 45 hp on the Bronx, I would consider a trade if the Bronx comes in at the right price point. I teach for Harley’s Learn to Ride program and would love to show up to class on a Harley, but I have to be able to afford one first. It’s not always about power numbers and speed, but about how the ride makes you feel. If they can bring this bike to market at a price point that riders can afford and is fun to ride, I see that a good thing.

  11. Well, Erik Buell must be rather upset with HD seeing as how his idea to create the Ulysses and the older/newer X1s were met with stale representation and marketing only to have HD try to recapture that market a decade later with the big innovation of liquid cooling a 975, as opposed to EB’s fuel in frame and oil in swingarm and center mounted exhaust, etc. Friggin HD, always 20 years behind the curve and ignoring innovation they already owned.

    I love the Bronx and am seriously considering it since the range on the Livewire is subpar. The compact and streetfighter designs of both are my absolute favorites. But the fact I cant get the 1250 in it that is going into the Pan America is my primary turnoff.

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