Harley-Davidson executed a virtual launch of their 2021 collection of motorcycles that was open to media, dealers and consumers. For those who didn’t sign up or sign in, we’ll provide a brief synopsis. Opening with a long video montage about the joys of motorcycling, Jason Mamoa introduced Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz who hinted at a number of motorcycles and projects that he apparently wasn’t able to speak to yet. A selection of Motor Company employees from various departments then shared small bits and pieces of information about updates to Cruiser, Touring and CVO models, as well as new features and partnerships.
The short strokes include:
– There’s a new Street Bob 114
– The Fat Boy 114 has been restyled
– Street Glide Special, Road Glide Special and Road King Special get new styling options.
– New Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) Road Glide, Street Glide, Limited and Tri-Glide.
– New audio partnership with Rockford Fosgate for Touring models.
Cruiser Updates
Harley says that the Street Bob 114 is the lightest Softail model to be equipped with the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine. The legendary Fat Boy receives refreshed styling for 2021, getting brilliant chrome instead of satin chrome on the engine and exhaust, the front end, the rear fender struts and console.
If the 114 still doesn’t offer enough oomph for your liking, you’ve got options. Milwaukee-Eight Screamin’ Eagle Stage III kits are available through Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories to boost both displacement and compression over the stock mill. Or, you can step up to the CVO packing a 117 motor. More on them later.
Touring Models
The 2021 Touring lineup includes three baggers that feature the Milwaukee-Eight 114 motor: Road King Special, Road Glide Special and Street Glide Special. The Street Glide Special and Road Glide Special get 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 get a new brilliant Daymaker LED headlamp. All Harley-Davidson Touring models that are equipped with the colour touchscreen Boom! Box GTS infotainment system now get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay application compatibility. The feature requires a wired connection to a smartphone rather than going through Bluetooth.
CVO Models
Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) motorcycles epitomize the height of Harley-Davidson’s potential for styling and performance. The Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin engine is exclusive to CVO models as standard equipment. For 2021, the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models receive all-new Harley-Davidson Audio provided through an exclusive partnership with Rockford Fosgate. The audio systems, featuring speakers and amplifiers, were designed specifically for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. These components will also be made available through Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories for 2014 and newer Touring models equipped with a Boom! Box infotainment unit.
The 2021 CVO models (CVO Street Glide, CVO Road Glide, CVO Limited and CVO Tri Glide) all feature new paint options and styling features. All four CVO models are also equipped with RDRS safety equipment, including Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking, Cornering Enhanced ABS, Cornering Enhanced Traction Control, Drag-Torque Slip Control, Vehicle Hold Control, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
Pan America Model Global Reveal
The all-new Pan America 1250 adventure tourer was previewed in today’s H-D 21 virtual launch broadcast, but additional details will be provided at its official launch on February 22nd. Mark your calendar and register for the event at www.H-D.com/PanAmerica.
I say if Harley Davidson wanted to make some money . They would bring back the knucklehead and pain head with all up-to-date features . But leaving them looking like they should old .
Variations of paint and chrome finishes, and louder stereos. Good to see the new guy making Harley great again! Insert face palm emoji here!
Nothing new here. NO BRONX NO INTREST.! As always Harley is a dollar short and a day late to the party. Change the paint and add a pillion seat and call it a new bike REDICILOUS! Cant wait to see the big FAIL on the up comming PAN AM. Just like the electric krap that NOBODY WANTS! STILL POOR LEADERSHIP.!