In a move both long anticipated and utterly surprising, Harley-Davidson revealed a modern version of their beloved 1977 XLRC Cafe Racer. The new concept bike was unleashed on an unsuspecting public at the recent Mama Tried custom show in H-D’s hometown of Milwaukee, and the sleek, blacked-out missile set jaws agape and the Internet ablaze. And why not? The Moto Company has steadfastly refused to explore the performance side of its brilliant revolution Max 60-degree V-twin engine platform, even though its current use in the Nightster, Sportster AS and Pan America adventure bike proves the water-cooled engine has some serious grunt.
We’ve written previously about the disappointment of H-D not releasing the Bronx naked performance bike, even though the original concept machine was greeted with universal acclaim.
If you follow Motoamerica’s Super Hooligan race series, you’ll know that the Rev Max powerplant is a fast, capable engine, propelling a custom Pan America-based racebike designed and engineered by aftermarket motorcycle parts manufacturer Saddlemen to titles and regular podium finishes.
The new bike is labeled the RMCR or Revolution Max Cafe Racer and is based on the adventure bike’s lightweight tubular steel chassis and, like that bike, the new concept machine utilizes the engine as a stressed member. The bodywork is a mix of lightweight composite material and carbon fiber, culminating in a look that clearly pays tribute to the Ironhead XLCR, but forges ahead with plenty of modern retro design cues. The one-off motorcycle was brought to life by H-D’s in-house chief designer Bjorn Shuster, who borrowed elements from existing models, including the Sportster S gas tank and 43mm inverted forks and a boattail seat surround inspired by the XLCR.
When these images were shared with some of CRM’s crew, they instantly set off a fierce debate over whether Harley-Davidson would actually follow through and release the RMCR as a production model. The firm hasn’t had the best of luck with launching all-new machinery in recent years, you might recall, with the technologically adept and reasonably priced Street 750 and Street 500 models failing to attract a domestic audience before being dropped completely from showrooms just a couple of years after their release.
Even with the writing on the wall heralding the end of air-cooled big twins (chalk that up to increasingly strict emissions regulations worldwide) Harley’s customer base seems determined to avoid embracing new ideas and technology. A hopeful trend that may bring the RMCR to market is the steadily building popularity of the 1250cc Sportster S. Considered too much of stylistic and engineering departure from the now-discontinued air-cooled XL Sportsters, the speedy, fat-tire equipped S was a slow seller before a younger generation of riders discovered the deep thrill level of what’s actually a very modern, sporty power cruiser.
Let’s hope this bike represents a sea change for Harley and I’d bet the RMCR would create new customers for the brand while proving American-made machine can still go fast and look good doing so.
