Harley-Davidson's 2021 Bronx bites the bullet

The Harley-Davidson Bronx streetfighter, which was unveiled as a prototype last year and scheduled to go on sale in 2021, has been canned.

The 975cc super-naked was unveiled at the Milan show (EICMA) last November alongside the new 1250cc Pan America adventure bike, both based around a new, liquid-cooled 60° V-twin intended to spearhead the US company’s ‘More Roads Lead To Harley’ initiative to diversify the range.

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However, a catastrophic first quarter 2020 profits crash of 46% led to the resignation of CEO Matt Levatich even before the full effects of Covid-19 were felt. His replacement, Jochen Zeitz, announced in April a new ‘Rewire’ strategy to refocus the company and cut costs.

While in July, a similarly catastrophic $92m second quarter loss, the first in over a decade and prompting a 27% drop in share price, led Zeitz to announce an even tougher ‘Hardwire’ strategy would be announced at the end of the year.

It was suspected then that radical new models such as the Bronx, Pan America and even the electric LiveWire might become victims of this change. Then, in early August, the Bronx quietly disappeared from the ‘Future vehicles’ section of Harley’s website.

The company has said in a statement: “Harley-Davidson’s immediate new product focus in 2021 will be on the launch of Pan America, our first Adventure Touring motorcycle. We will not be launching the Bronx next year.”

Whether one of H-D’s most exciting new bikes in years will re-surface remains to be seen…

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Harley-Davidson reveal Bronx V-twin naked

First published on November 5, 2019 by MCN news

First seen in 2018 as the ‘Streetfighter 975’ concept, This is the Harley-Davidson Bronx – a new naked that uses a 975cc version of their new Revolution Max motor, It’s a bike with plenty of promise.

The Milwaukee firm are making quite a fuss about it having attitude and performance, and with over 115bhp and 70ftlb of torque, the Bronx promises the power of a Yamaha MT-09 but with 10% more torque.

Harley have used the V-twin as a stressed member, with the frame attaching the steering head to the engine, and the swingarm pivots in the crankcases.

Suspension is also fully-adjustable, with the four-piston monoblock brakes also supplied exclusively by Brembo. Also unique are the tyres, with Harley collaborating with Michelin to create bespoke rubber for each of their new models. For added control, it’s also got all the electronics you would expect to find on a modern machine.

As with the Pan America adventure-tourer, also revealed earlier today, the Bronx will go on sale towards the end of 2020. There’s no word on pricing, although £10,000 would great, however around £15,000 is much more likely.

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