The 2021 Harley-Davidson virtual bike launch opened with actor and riding enthusiast Jason Momoa introducing Harley’s CEO Jachen Zeitz. The Moto companies top rider (politically) elaborated on his love of riding and a never-ending quest for adventure. But only teased a brief mention of the Pan America, a bike he claims will “reinvent adventure touring,” now that’s a mighty bold claim.
Harley’s CEO bullet-pointed 2021 motorcycle features, such as a new CVO paint option from “The Enthusiast Collection,” sound system upgrades provided by Rockford Fosgate, and a power boost for the CVO’s, Fat Bob and Fat Boy.
Motorcycle rider safety also improved with upgraded RDRS Safety Enhancements, “technologies developed by Harley-Davidson and designed to make motorcycling more intuitive,” said VP Marketing Theo Keetell. “Our intent is to assist riders of every skill level in an unanticipated moment when electronic intervention may react more quickly, and with more precision, than our own reflexes can react. A situation that activates an RDRS Safety Enhancement may be rare, but if it occurs, this technology may be invaluable.”
Harley’s bagger line offers a black or chrome option for powertrain covers, mufflers, and exhaust shields, headlamp nacelle, front forks, bars, the list goes on. Plus, new 2021 color options with nifty names like Vivid Black, Black Jack Metallic, Deadwood Green, and a custom Color: Snake Venom.
As I mentioned before, the Street Bob gets a little more kick in the pants with a Milwaukee-Eight 114. Harley claims this light and nimble ride has a “9 percent quicker 0-to-60 mph and 13 percent quicker 60-to-80 mph in fifth gear than the previous Street Bob model with Milwaukee-Eight 107 power.” They didn’t mention what the 0-to-60 or 60-to-80 time was, but it’s quicker now, so we’ll go with it.
We’re looking forward to the February 22nd reveal of Harley’s new Pan America adventure bike. It’s a serious step outside their comfort zone, and with claims of “reinventing adventure touring,” curiosity is piqued.
Hers’s a quick rundown of the 2021 Harley-Davidson lineup.
Street Bob 114 Highlights Cruiser Models
Eight Harley-Davidson Softail® models offer a pure riding experience, combining modern power and technology with authentic American styling. The new Street Bob 114 model adds stripped-down bobber styling and no-nonsense performance to the cruiser line. The lightest-weight Softail model equipped with a powerful Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine, the Street Bob 114 is a quick-and-nimble ride with power to spare. It’s loaded with authentic attitude, from its mini-ape handlebar to the chopped rear fender.
With its steamroller stance the Fat Boy® model remains one of the most physically imposing motorcycles in the Harley-Davidson® portfolio. Refreshed styling for 2021 brightens its look as brilliant chrome replaces the satin chrome finish on the powertrain and exhaust, the front end, the rear fender struts and the console.
For cruiser riders seeking more performance, Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories offers Milwaukee-Eight® Screamin’ Eagle Stage® III kits for Softail models that boost displacement and compression for a significant increase in torque and power over the stock engine.
Hot Rod Baggers Highlight Touring Models
The 2021 Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle line includes a trio of hot rod baggers with fresh swagger and new features. With a slammed stance and muscular Milwaukee-Eight 114 power, the Road King Special, Road Glide Special and Street Glide Special models combine a commanding street presence with the long-haul capabilities of the Harley-Davidson Touring chassis. The Street Glid Special and Road Glide Special models have new two-tone paint options, and a choice of a blacked-out or bright chrome styling treatment – a choice between dark and sinister, or brilliant and more traditional. Road King Special and Street Glide Special models are equipped with a new brilliant Daymaker® LED headlamp, and all three Special models feature a new low-profile engine guard that emphasizes their slammed profiles.
All Harley-Davidson Touring models equipped with the color touch-screen Boom!™ Box GTS infotainment system now feature Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® application compatibility. With a wired connection to a compatible smartphone, the rider may use either app to access media, streaming services, communication and navigation on the road while minimizing distractions.
CVO Models: Next-Level Audio
Harley-Davidson® Custom Vehicle Operations™ motorcycles represent the pinnacle of Harley-Davidson style and design, with show-stopping finishes, advanced technology, exclusive components and obsessive attention to detail.
For 2021, the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models debut all-new Harley-Davidson Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate, an advanced audio system, featuring speakers and amplifiers designed specifically for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Harley-Davidson® Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate components will also be available through Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories for 2014-later H-D Touring motorcycles equipped with a Boom!™ Box infotainment unit.
Each of the four 2021 CVO models – CVO Street Glide, CVO Road Glide, CVO Limited and CVO Tri Glide® – feature new paint options and styling features. The Milwaukee-Eight® 117 V-Twin engine is exclusive to CVO models and is the most-powerful engine offered as original equipment from the Harley-Davidson factory.
Continuously engineering new technology to make motorcycling even more intuitive, all CVO models are equipped with RDRS Safety Enhancements (formerly known as RDRS). This suite of technologies is designed to enhance rider confidence during unexpected situations or poor road conditions. Elements of RDRS Safety Enhancements include Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking, Cornering Enhanced Antilock Braking System, Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System, Drag-Torque Slip Control System, Vehicle Hold Control, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
Harley-Davidson® Pan America™ Model Global Reveal Feb. 22, 2021
Harley-Davidson’s all-new Pan America 1250 adventure touring motorcycle was previewed in the Jan. 19 H-D 21 virtual launch experience. Harley-Davidson will be bringing the world back together on Feb. 22, 2021, to reveal the motorcycle’s full details in a separate digital event with the spotlight on the new Pan America motorcycle. Register for the debut event now at www.H-D.com/PanAmerica.
