Harley-Davidson Custom 1250cc sportster on its way for 2021
The Harley-Davidson 'Future Custom Model' joins the Pan America on the 'spared' list as the company appears to confirm a 'planned 2021' arrival
It’s fitting that on the day the White House celebrates Thanksgiving by having the President pardon a turkey previously condemned for slaughter (though Donald Trump may not be feeling quite so benevolent this year…), that great American brand Harley-Davidson has (sort of) confirmed the striking Harley-Davidson Custom sportster revealed in 2018 has also survived the chop.
One of three models revealed so far that will come equipped with Harley-’s all-new (and vital) Revolution Max engine, the Custom’s future has been uncertain in recent months as the the company warned it would be swinging the axe and making some tough decisions as part of a major ‘Hardwire’ re-strategy to reverse flagging fortunes.
Harley-Davidson Pan America and Bronx revealed
Previously only the Harley-Davidson Pan America was confirmed to be destined for production - albeit more than two years after it was first revealed - but the Bronx streetfighter, which would have used a downsized 975cc version of the original 1250cc ‘Max’ engine, has been put on hold, which many take to mean as shelved altogether.
However, the ‘Custom’ model has popped back up on H-D’s ‘future vehicles’ landing page and now says it is ‘planned for 2021’ (so expect 2022…). Information is scant except for a small blurb that says ‘the all-new custom motorcycle with a muscular stance, aggressive, stripped down styling and 1250cc of pure performance’.
It marks good news for those partial to a Harley-Davidson sportster after it was revealed in October that the current range would to be axed from European line-ups in lieu of going to the expense of updating them to meet Euro5 standards.
At the heart of the as-yet-unnamed model will be the full fat Revolution Max engine which, if nothing else, is certainly one of the more visually arresting engines that looks pure torque even before you fire it up.
The meaty 1250cc engine certainly promises some low down grunt but proof will be in the pudding next year at some stage when the first model to use it - the Pan America - finally makes its way into our hands.
