In an effort to fend off slumping sales, Harley-Davidson is overhauling its lineup and branching out into new territory. Striking out from their traditional cruiser roots, Harley-Davison plans to produce electric bike, street fighter and adventure bike models in the next few years.

Buell has dabbled with Adventure Bikes in the past with their Harley-powered XB12X Ulysses, and we’ve seen custom-built Harley Sporster Adventure Bikes before, but the Pan America will be the first adventure touring motorcycle produced by Harley.

The new Harley-Davidson Pan America will be powered by an all-new 60-degree 1250cc V-Twin and has a fully-upright ADV seating position. Harley says, “The commanding riding position allows the rider to see the world from another point of view. Travel coast-to-coast. On road or off.”

Currently the bike is just a prototype and there are few details released, but Harley plans to launch it as a new model in 2020. In a promo video released (see below), the prototype is shown being jumped while riding off-road. We’re happy to see that Harley is thinking about the off-road capability of the new machine, and it appears they are designing it to do more than just the occasional dirt road.

From what we can see in the photos, it’s got a rugged build with a beefy aluminum skid plate, protectors for the exhaust, engine crash bars, full wrap-around hand guards, and knobby tires on cross-spoke tubeless wheels. It also looks long-range touring capable with spacious ergos, a big adjustable windscreen and a large fuel tank. The bike also appears to be chain driven which would help with keeping the weight down.

Harley’s website also mentions this is based on a modular 500cc to 1250cc platform, and that additional models to broaden the range will follow through 2022. This could mean there will be middleweight ADV versions to come as well.

Harley entering the ADV segment is just another sign of the vibrant growth in the industry. We’re also happy to see the Pan America has its own unique styling that is distinctively Harley, instead of a clone of a BMW or KTM. We’ll share more details as they become available. Stay tuned!

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Mexico, North Africa, Europe, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.