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2022 G.I. Enthusiast Collection - BGH-D® Honors Those Who Served

Harley-Davidson® has never been a one-size-fits-all brand. For most long-term fans, the point is self-expression. You find a bike that fits who you are, how you ride and how you live, then you customize it to make it even more so. If it doesn't hit you in the gut, it's not worth it. 

Recently the motor company began designing and releasing limited-edition motorcycles for unique community subsets. The 2022 G.I. Enthusiast Collection "honors Harley-Davidson's longstanding community of riders who have and continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces."

Inspiration From Service

The inspiration for the G.I. Enthusiast Collection comes from the World War II era WLA motorcycles Harley® produced starting in 1940. The G.I Enthusiast Collection includes the 2022 Pan America 1250 Special G.I. and the 2022 Tri Glide Ultra G.I.  

The original WLA models were first produced in small numbers, then when the United States entered WWII, the manufacturer cranked out more than 90,000 of them. H-D® also made the very similar WLC for the Canadian Army, the UK, South Africa, additional U.S. Allies and other branches of the United States military. During WWII the Army used WLAs for scouting, transporting equipment, courier work, police duties and escort duties. Soldiers on Harley-Davidson® motorcycles were so often associated with freedom the WLA became nicknamed the "Liberator." Here are some of the features that made it a military model:

  • Olive drab on most painted surfaces
  • Blackout head and tail lights to provide covert nighttime travel
  • Modified fenders to prevent clogging
  • Heavy-duty luggage racks, submachine gun scabbards and ammo boxes, with optional windshields and leg protectors
  • Crankcase modifications to reduce water intake when fording

When the war ended and soldiers came home, so did many of the bikes. Motorcycles that were no longer needed for the war effort sold for cheap, and the soldiers who relied on them snatched them up, as did other motorcycle enthusiasts. 

However, military motorcycle use didn't stop after WWII. They're still employed by regiments and special operations forces for scouting, screening, orders transfers, reconnaissance and to transport small units quickly.

2022 G.I. Enthusiast Collection - Olive Drab Isn't All That's Changed

Both the 2022 Pan America 1250 Special G.I. and the 2022 Tri Glide Ultra G.I. come with a military-issued look and a new layer of modern sophistication. Harley® created the Mineral Green Denim Deluxe solely for this collection, and you'll only find it on the limited quantities released in the United States. It evokes the same no-nonsense, official business feel of the original Olive Drab, but in our Texas vernacular, there ain't nothing drab about it. 

Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Design put it this way. “This color features a metallic effect resulting in a subtle gold highlight, allowing the color travel to be more dramatic and show off the shape of the surfacing."

He went on to add, "“The tank graphic celebrates the iconic white five-point star, which was used during WWII on military vehicles. The tank graphic also features a stenciled ‘H-D’ and a location of Milwaukee, Wisconsin abbreviated, inspired from the spec tags found on government-issued military equipment. The stenciled approach is a treatment often found on military vehicles as lettering was frequently done in the field. Here we’re calling out the birthplace of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the original WLA model."

2022 Pan America 1250 Special G.I.

Pan America is an adventure motorcycle unlike the world has ever seen. It's rugged, with more than 90 pound-feet of torque that lets you power through, leap over or swerve around anything that gets in your way, whether you're on pavement, dirt, gravel or anything else. It's heavy-duty, stylish and extremely versatile. 

The limited-edition Pan America 1250 Special G.I. is created to honor the brave men and women who have served or are currently serving in the military, many of whom have left behind the comforts of home and crossed continents in the name of freedom. Here are a few details:

  • Upright riding position
  • Mid-mount foot controls
  • Passenger seat
  • Tall seat height
  • Frame mounted fairing
  • Mineral Green Denim Deluxe paint
  • Enthusiast Collection logo on front fairing
  • Unique, military-inspired graphics
  • All other specs identical to Pan America 1250 Special

Tri Glide Ultra G.I.

If storage, stability and comfort are as important to you as style, the Tri Glide Ultra G.I. delivers over the long haul. It comes with the following:

  • Mineral Green Denim Delux paint
  • Upright riding position
  • Military-inspired graphics
  • Floorboards
  • Passenger seat with backrest
  • Tour Pak luggage carrier with Enthusiast Collection logo
  • Fork mounted fairing
  • Infotainment system
  • All other technical features same as Tri Glide Ultra

Buy G.I. Enthusiast Collection Near Dallas

Get the 2022 Pan America 1250 Special G.I. or the Tri Glide Ultra G.I. you're looking for ordered today. Find out more about what's at your local Harley® shop, apply for financing or request details when you click here.