Harley-Davidson Files For Cafe Racer
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Harley-Davidson has filed two new designs with the European Union Intellectual Property Office, using the same liquid-cooled Revolution Max engine powering the upcoming Harley-Davidson Pan America and Harley-Davidson Bronx models. The two new designs will be built on the same Revolution Max platform, and one of them will be a cafe racer styled model, and the other a flat track-inspired model. While the design drawings clearly indicate that the engine to be used on both models will be the Revolution Max v-twin, there’s still no indication of what the engine displacement will be.
Harley-Davidson’s first adventure tourer, the Pan America uses a 1,250 cc version of the Revolution Max v-twin, while the Bronx streetfighter uses a 975 cc version. The Revolution Max v-twin is expected to get four different engine displacements, ranging from 500 cc to 1,250 cc. Prototype photos of both these new designs also surfaced, apparently from a Harley-Davidson dealer conference from September 2019.
The photos of the prototypes look quite similar to the design drawings, but final production models may be slightly different. From earlier experience, Harley-Davidson design drawings, like the one of the Pan America and Bronx streetfighter, have gone on to be finalized for production. So, we won’t be surprised if the latest drawings also make it to the future model line-up, as Harley-Davidson looks to shake off the “heavyweight cruiser” tag and explore different segments of motorcycles.
“The H-D Pan America, and the Bronx are yet to go into production, followed by the Custom 1250 cruiser, possibly sometime in 2021.”
Designs of the flat track-inspired model show a design similar to something that could rival the Indian FTR 1200, with a similar tubular swingarm, as well as flat-track inspired high-mounted twin exhausts. The bike has a similar headlight like the Harley-Davidson Fat Bob, and like the FTR 1200, has a similar-looking rear tire-hugging number plate bracket attached to the swingarm. The bike looks like a single-seater, but Harley-Davidson could offer an aftermarket pillion-friendly seat as well once the bike gets closer to production.
The second design is a cafe racer styled model, with a short windscreen and cafe racer-styled headlight. The exhaust is a two-into-one design, with the end can coming out on the right side of the bike, The design of the cafe racer shares the dual disc brakes and inverted fork with the flat track design, but the rear has a more traditional swingarm, and twin shock suspension set-up. The H-D Pan America, and the Bronx are yet to go into production, followed by the Custom 1250 cruiser, possibly sometime in 2021. But from these latest designs, it’s apparent that Harley-Davidson, despite the problems the brand is facing, is looking ahead to the future with several new models in the pipeline.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which engine powers the new cafe racer and flat track designs?
Which engine powers the new cafe racer and flat track designs?
Both new designs will use the liquid-cooled Revolution Max engine. This engine also powers the upcoming Pan America and Bronx models, and is expected to have four different displacement options.
Q.What is known about the engine displacement for these new models?
What is known about the engine displacement for these new models?
The article states there is no indication of the exact engine displacement for these new models. The Revolution Max v-twin is expected to range from 500 cc to 1,250 cc in total.
Q.When were prototype photos of these new designs first seen?
When were prototype photos of these new designs first seen?
Prototype photos of both the new cafe racer and flat track designs surfaced from a Harley-Davidson dealer conference. These photos apparently came from September 2019.
Q.What is Harley-Davidson trying to achieve with these new motorcycle segments?
What is Harley-Davidson trying to achieve with these new motorcycle segments?
Harley-Davidson is looking to explore different segments of motorcycles with these new designs. This strategy aims to help the brand move away from its traditional “heavyweight cruiser” tag.
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