Harley-Davidson has just introduced its new Enthusiast Collection, an ongoing series of the manufacturer’s motorcycles featuring special-edition livery created to celebrate the unique stories and special interests of riders within the H-D community. Each design will be launched annually, available in limited quantities across a curated selection of motorcycle models.

As part of the program’s launch, Harley is releasing the Pan America 1250 Special G.I., which honors the legacy of riders who have served or currently serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. To commemorate the collection’s debut, two U.S. veterans, Gary Wetzel, and Brian “Amarok” Critton, will be awarded G.I. Enthusiast Collection models (H-D’s Tri Glide Ultra will also be available in a G.I version). Wetzel is a Medal of Honor recipient for his heroic actions in the Vietnam War after his U.S. Army helicopter was shot down and came under heavy enemy fire. Severely wounded, he continued to fight back and help other injured soldiers. He is an avid Harley-Davidson rider and veteran issues activist. 

Critton served for a decade in the U.S. Army, including a tour of duty in Iraq, and now is active with veterans service organizations. In March, he was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to a Muay Thai meeting in Jacksonville designed to help combat veterans deal with PTSD when he saw smoke billowing from a vehicle involved in a three-vehicle accident that happened moments earlier. His instincts turned into action while others watched as he pulled a woman from the burning car. “These two Harley-Davidson riders exemplify the spirit of Harley-Davidson Enthusiast,” says the manufacturer.

The G.I. Enthusiast Collection is draped in Mineral Green Denim Deluxe paint, an all-new color created specifically for this launch, and completed with service-inspired graphics. The Pan America G.I. is available only as factory-installed for the Special variant, in limited quantities primarily for the U.S. market.

“The new Mineral Green Denim Deluxe paint pays homage to the Olive Drab paint used on Harley-Davidson WLA models,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Design. “This color features a metallic effect resulting in a subtle gold highlight, allowing the color travel to be more dramatic and show off the shape of the surfacing.” 

The tank graphic celebrates the iconic white five-point star, which was used during WWII on military vehicles. The tank also features a stenciled ‘H-D’ and a location of Milwaukee, Wisconsin abbreviated, inspired from the spec tags found on government-issued military equipment. “The stenciled approach is a treatment often found on military vehicles as lettering was frequently done in the field. Here we’re calling out the birthplace of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the original WLA model,” adds Richards.

The Pan America 1250 Special G.I. model will have an MSRP of $20,799, that’s $800 more than the non-G.I version. For more information go to harley-davidson.com.