Harley-Davidson's Revolution Max Lineup Set to Expand

New Offerings

With the recent change of CEO at Harley-Davidson, the intent to develop scores of new models has been scrapped. Despite the leadership shift, the Motor Company is still planning on releasing some new offerings. Announced in April of 2020, a flat tracker and a café racer will join the MoCo lineup, both powered by the all-new liquid-cooled DOHC Revolution Max.

Model Details

So far, the Revolution Max has been offered in the highly anticipated Bronx and Pan America. For some time, Harley-Davidson's website has also promised an ambiguously named 'High-Performance Custom Model,' which appears to use the new motor. Yet, there have been no details about this model, making some question if it is not just a placeholder.

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Production Version

According to a recent Cycle World article, the proposed café racer and flat tracker will join the Bronx as part of the 'streetfighter' family. Images of the new models were first released to Harley-Davidson investors in September 2019, and design patents filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office indicate what production-ready versions will actually look like.

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Max Centerpiece

Harley-Davidson's new operating direction is called 'Rewire.' It replaces the old plan of increasing diversified offerings. Rewire will trim down model lines and is pushing back the release date for the anticipated Pan America and Bronx. The new plan also casts some doubt on the intention of having the Revolution Max as the centerpiece for five new streetfighter bikes, five custom bikes, and two adventure models.

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Racing Legacy

Harley-Davidson's proposed flat tracker takes its styling cues from the XG750R Street Rod race bike. The seat and tank design, along with the two stacked exhaust pipes on the right-hand side, closely mimics the XG750R layout. It also pays homage to the XR750 flat track racer — a bike that dominated flat track racing and secured Harley-Davidson's racing legacy.

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On Par

The only picture of the flat tracker released to date was taken from the investor document. Although it is a low-resolution image, it is believed that it will house the 975cc version of the Revolution Max. It is reported that the pseudo-race machine will generate 115 horsepower and 70 pound-feet of torque — on par or better than today's Sportsters with their aging Evolution engine.

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Past Heritage

The Revolution Max-powered café racer version is a throwback to the 1977 XLCR. Designed by Wille G. Davidson as a personal ride, the ill-fated XLCR was poorly received and only produced for two years. While this distinctly European-influenced look is attractive, it does raise some doubt about the bike's acceptance, especially considering its past heritage.

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Strong Imperative

At the heart of the new machines is the Revolution Max. With the Sportster facing the end of its run in Europe due to increased emissions standards, the engine and the new models are the only logical road forward for Harley-Davidson. The neo-sport styling, mixed with the Motor Company's strong heritage is a smart play. Especially considering the imperative need to attract a younger riding crowd.

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