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ADV NewsHarley-Davidson Releases Pan America Teasers Ahead of Full Reveal

Harley-Davidson Releases Pan America Teasers Ahead of Full Reveal

Full specs to be released during February reveal of Harley's first ADV bike.

Published on 12.13.2020
One of Harley-Davidson’s new teasers released ahead of the upcoming full reveal in February. H-D has announced actor Jason Momoa will be the spokesperson for the model.

It’s been a long roll out for Harley-Davidson’s Pan America, a surprise adventure bike bid from the legendary cruiser-centric brand, which we first reported was in the works back in 2018. In its latest tease, Harley has promised the world will finally have access to the bike’s complete specs during a global digital unveiling on February 22. 

This Pan America-specific event will follow a global launch of the brand’s 2021 line-up on January 19, which is sure to include forecasted new models and redesigns of more typical Harleys such as the Low Rider S, Fat Bob, Iron 1200 and Road King. That event, open to anyone who signs up online in advance, is also promised to include a few morsels of info about the Pan America ahead of its own debut in February. 

A new clip posted on Harley-Davidson’s website further teases the off-road chops of the Pan America.

During the years-long slow burn, where we watched renderings becoming trade-show sightings and finally a fully-formed motorcycle seemingly eating some trails for breakfast in a skeptic-shushing video, we’ve learned quite a bit about Harley’s new adventure bike. 


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We know it will be powered by a brand-new liquid-cooled DOHC 60-degree 1250cc V-twin that does double duty as a stressed frame member, which should help keep weight down. Harley claims the new engine will generate an impressive 145 horsepower and promises “more than 90 ft-lbs” of torque, plenty of grunt for trials-speed trail gunning. Final drive will be chain-and-sprocket, while wheels are cross-spoked and the rear shock is attached to the double-sided swing arm via linkage. There is a sizable on-board LCD computer, likely to employ a host of electronics including the Motor Company’s new Reflex Defensive Rider System (RDRS) a.k.a. traction control.

Harley Davidson Pan America Full Reveal

It’s been rumored the bike will have a reasonable seat height too, staying true to the approachability factor Harley has always advocated for with its “anyone-can-ride-it” MO. What we don’t know is how much the bike will weigh or how much it will cost, though we expect, as a newcomer with a lot to prove, it will be competitively priced. 

The Pan America’s polarizing looks serve as a reminder that Harley wants to carve out its own space in the market, one where its own army of spendy loyalists might be enticed into the fresh, more sustainable world of adventure bike riding. 

Harley Davidson Pan America Global launch
At the heart of the Pan America is an all-new liquid-cooled 1,250cc ‘Revolution Max’ engine, pumping out a claimed 145 hp and 90 ft-lbs of torque.

This intention is also made clear in the Motor Company’s choice of Jason Momoa — you know, the guy that plays Aquaman in the DC Comics movie series — as the spokesperson for the model. As for Harley devotees, Momoa’s one of them —  a bar-and-shield fan and fervent collector of the brand, including sidecars and cutting-edge customs. He isn’t known as an adventure rider though – at least not yet – and that might be the magic in the Pan America’s marketing.

Harley Davidson Pan America Full Reveal

Certainly this bike isn’t the only fresh thing coming out of Milwaukee these days. While 2020 has shaken all of our trees, Harley took it a step further and reinvented its entire upper management, including the replacement of CEO Matthew Levatich with Jochen Zeitz, a totally newbie to the motorcycle game who’s spent the last 18 years heading the global PUMA sporting goods brand. 

A new business plan is in the works as well, which will involve throwing in the towel on various models that no longer have a future path. No doubt it’s going to be a tightrope for Harley to move away from the declining big cruiser market without losing their base, whose loyal enthusiasm has carried the brand for generations. 

So register for the reveal of the Pan America on February 22. I mean, why not? We’ve been waiting almost three years for this model to come to light, and how cool to see it live with the rest of the Harley ADV bike-curious around the world. 

To join Harley-Davidson’s Pan America virtual reveal click here.

Author: Jamie Elvidge

Jamie has been a motorcycle journalist for more than 30 years, testing the entire range of bikes for the major print magazines and specializing in adventure-travel related stories. To date she’s written and supplied photography for articles describing what it’s like to ride in all 50 states and 43 foreign countries, receiving two Lowell Thomas Society of American Travel Writer’s Awards along the way. Her most-challenging adventure yet has been riding in the 2018 GS Trophy in Mongolia as Team AusAmerica’s embedded journalist.

Author: Jamie Elvidge
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Harley-Davidson Releases Pan America Teasers Ahead of Full Reveal - ADVENTURE & OVERLAND MOTORCYCLE TRAVEL
December 13, 2020 12:04 pm

[…] post Harley-Davidson Releases Pan America Teasers Ahead of Full Reveal appeared first on ADV […]

MIke Biller
MIke Biller
December 13, 2020 7:41 pm

Wonder if HD dealers will have demo rides.

Chris
Chris
December 21, 2020 1:10 pm
Reply to  MIke Biller

Harley is really good about doing demos. They incentivize their salesman to offer test rides.

Bob Hammaker
Bob Hammaker
January 5, 2021 12:44 pm
Reply to  MIke Biller

Yes

Mark
Mark
December 14, 2020 7:49 am

Why are the looks polarizing? My KTM ADV 1190R is different than any other bike. Different is good!

Ken Springh
Ken Springh
December 14, 2020 10:57 am

Cant wait to ride one

ygpayments
ygpayments
December 15, 2020 6:11 am

Can’t wait to try to jump a 500 lb harley… Right

Tony
Tony
December 15, 2020 8:03 am

Aquaman is DC not Marvel

2Meerkats
2Meerkats
December 15, 2020 1:51 pm

party time ! – HD engineers must be pretty excited to show what they can do with a fresh sheet or paper, without the usual HD constraints of ‘HD legacy expectation’ – so here comes the baby the frustrated engineers always wanted to make with a passion. as for Hiding it’s weight, probably means it’s very heavy, in KG and in price too. Regardless i expect they will sell bucket loads to their ageing demographic, and hopefully, then go on make a lighter 750cc Adv version for the next generation

Patriot159
Patriot159
December 18, 2020 9:21 pm

Plenty of motor for sure but like everyone am waiting to see how it stacks up in a multi bike ADV comparo. At least that ‘face’ is not as ugly in black.

Jim Saylor
Jim Saylor
December 28, 2020 4:52 pm

yes on the demo rides

Steve Hill
Steve Hill
January 1, 2021 11:27 am

Got to see one up close (in a glass case) last January at a show in Denver. Not a fan of the aesthetics, and it truly looks like it will ride like a bathtub with a water heater in it, but I’m willing to hold judgement until I actually get to ride one.

Robert
Robert
January 5, 2021 5:06 am

It will be at least a year after it is released before we will find out anything about the bike … from the owners … the media no longer does critical reviews. They just take it for a few rides and tell us we’ll love it.

Spencer G
Spencer G
January 5, 2021 2:26 pm

good on harley for getting into the adv bike market, but damn if that isnt one of the ugliest bikes I’ve ever seen.

James Bagley
James Bagley
February 15, 2021 6:32 am

I sure hope that the Pan America performs better than it looks. An ADV bike that resembles an old Hoover vacuum seems destined for Ford Edsel status…

ric pike
ric pike
February 15, 2021 5:35 pm

You have to wonder about the credibility of people who find the look of the headlight what is important in a dual sport motorcycle. And no cup holder for your starbucks latte’ crazy huh?

trackback
Episode 102: Erin Sills isn’t just fast, she wants all y’all riding! – Chasing the Horizon: a podcast by, for and about motorcyclists
March 13, 2021 5:20 pm

[…] what’s going on with the Pan America. So is Jason Momoa, apparently, as he’s been seen in recent videos of the bike and is going to be helping out with the launch […]

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