Hot on the heels of the Nightster 975 and evidence pointing to a similarly-engined Pan America model, comes more clues pointing to yet another stirring of the Pan America pot.

Is Harley Planning Two New Mid-Sized Pan America Models?

Last week, we pointed out that Harley Davidson's website listed accessories for a new model which is widely believed to the a new Pan America model, powered by the 975cc Revolution Max engine that has just emerged in the new Nightster 975 Sportster model.

The name RA975 gave us that clue, as RA is the internal nomenclature for the Pan America.

However, what was also listed was the RA965S for the same locking fuel cap accessory. Now, there are two possibilities: either it's a typo and it should read 975S but, if that was the case, then surely the listing should have read RA975 and RA975S in that order, as it does for the RA1250 and RA1250S. But the RA965S comes first in the listing.

The other option, of course, is that there will be two mid-sized models but with slightly different rôles, while remaining identical mechanically. Think BMW with the F750 and F850 models, or Triumph with the Tiger 900 models - one a pure adventure bike, one more an adventure sports or touring bike.

It's quite possible that the 965S will be a sportier road-only model with more horsepower, while the 975 will be reserved for off-road duties, perhaps with more torque.

Of course, all this is only conjecture but perhaps we should take it - whatever its accuracy - as a welcome sign that Harley is not as tradition-bound as we thought and that they are looking to the future in a properly measured way. The mantra for all manufacturers these days is 'entice new riders' and, with the likes of the Pan America, Sportster S and Nightster 975, H-D is doing just that.