The Milwaukee Brand’s entry into the hot streetfighter market.
2020 is the year the Bar & Shield brand will be aggressively trying on new markets, and the first leg is already underway with the launch of its first electric, no-clutch “twist and go” LiveWire.
As part of its “More Roads to Harley-Davidson” growth plan through 2022, this year’s EICMA witnessed Harley-Davidson unpacking their first-ever models, paving the company into the Streetfighter and the ADV category.
Appearing alongside the Pan America adventure bike, the Bronx will be the first machine to get the smaller 975cc version of the new Revolution Max engine—a liquid-cooled, DOHC 60-degree V-twin that’s a far cry from Harley’s usual pushrod fare. Even the smaller 975cc motor that will appear first in the Bronx is targeting a peak power of more than 115 hp and in excess of 70 pound-feet of torque. The bigger 1,250cc version, which will come first to the Pan America but is also eventually destined for the firm’s Streetfighter model, is aiming at more than 145 hp and over 90 pound-feet. The Revolution Max name is a nod to Harley-Davidson’s from the discontinued V-Rod, which used a liquid-cooled, 1,131cc, 60-degree V-twin introduced in 2001 and was later followed by the Revolution X that powered the Street 750 and 500.
Using a 60-degree V-angle that’s smack between the traditional 45-degree Harley layout and the 90-degree design from the likes of Ducati, the Revolution Max strikes a balance between compact size and enough room in the vee for high-flow intakes. In addition to the previous Revolution engines with this vee angle, Harley-Davidson’s own 1994 VR1000 superbike homologation special used a 60-degree V-twin, a solution later adopted by Aprilia’s classic RSV Mille V-twin, which was a huge success. An internal counterbalancer quells vibration inherent to the 60-degree angle, and the engine works as a stressed member to allow a light, minimal frame to be used.
You can expect to see the Bronx available in dealers in late 2020.
