Revolution Max Harley Sportster Debuts Mid-July in Production Form
July 13 will be a day to remember, when Harley virtually reveals new sport segment bike based on the Revolution Max platform.
Not too long ago, Harley-Davidson dropped a bombshell upon the riding world. No, not the LiveWire, but the Pan America. Harley’s first touring bike came with a revolutionary new engine: the Revolution Max 1250. The liquid-cooled engine took the place of the previous Evolution air-cooled twin, bringing 150 horses and 94 ft-lb of torque to the party.
Now, another Harley’s about to revolutionize the sport segment. According to Jalopnik, the new bike arrives in production form July 13.
“Following the successful launch of our first adventure touring motorcycle, the Pan America,” said Harley CEO Jochen Zeitz, “we are excited to reveal another all-new motorcycle, built on the Revolution Max platform in the sport segment, showcasing unmatched Harley-Davidson technology, performance and style.”
The Revolution Max-based Sportster is set to take the place of the Evolution-based machine no longer sold in Europe, one of Harley’s biggest markets. Per Jalopnik, the Sportster’s disappearance is due to Euro V emissions regulations; the air-cooled Evolution twin can’t play in the continent anymore. Thus, the Revolution Max arrives to fill those shoes in Sportster form.
As for what this new Harley will be called, that remains unknown at this time. According to Motorcycle News, the name is one of many details expected to be revealed in mid-July. Horsepower is projected to be lower than the Pan America, though more than the sub-100 ponies the old Evolution-powered Sportsters made. Torque, however, is likely to climb, to give that Sportster-like oomph.
The biggest unknown, though, is pricing. Harley’s current Sportster lineup ranges from $9,499 for the Iron 883, to $11,299 for the Forty-Eight. With other machines swinging at The MoCo’s fence, the company will want to price the Revolution Max Sportster competitively, especially if they want to quickly fill the void in Europe.
As Jalopnik wrote last year, the Custom 1250 was originally thought to be among the many planned products Zeitz killed upon taking over as Harley’s CEO. However, it looks like it will return as the yet-unnamed Revolution Max Sportster.
Photos: Harley-Davidson
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