Harley Davidson's Pan-America Against All Others
Harley-Davidson Media Photo, 2023
The adventure touring motorcycle market has been growing rapidly in recent years, with many major manufacturers entering the fray. Harley Davidson, the legendary American motorcycle manufacturer, recently introduced its first-ever adventure touring bike, the Pan America 1250 Special. In this article, we will take a detailed look at how the Pan-America compares to its competition in the adventure touring bike market.
Let's begin with a quick overview of the Pan-America 1250 Special. This bike is powered by a 1252cc V-twin engine that produces 150 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque. It has a six-speed transmission, a fully adjustable suspension, and a host of advanced features such as adaptive ride height, cornering ABS, and traction control. The bike also has a distinctive rugged styling that sets it apart from other adventure touring bikes.
Now let's look at how the Pan-America compares to some of its major competitors in the adventure touring bike market.
BMW R 1250 GS
BMW Motorrad, 2023
The BMW R 1250 GS is often considered the gold standard in the adventure touring bike market, and it's not hard to see why. This bike is powered by a 1254cc boxer twin engine that produces 136 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque. It features a six-speed transmission, a fully adjustable suspension, and a host of advanced features such as hill start control, dynamic ESA, and shift assist pro.
In terms of performance, the Pan-America 1250 Special is a worthy competitor to the BMW R 1250 GS. The Pan America has a more powerful engine, producing 150 horsepower compared to the GS's 136 horsepower. However, the GS has a slightly higher torque output of 105 lb-ft compared to the Pan-America's 94 lb-ft. Both bikes have similar top speeds, with the Pan America capable of reaching 135 mph and the GS capable of reaching 130 mph.
In terms of features, both bikes are well-equipped, with a similar range of advanced technologies such as adaptive ride height, cornering ABS, and traction control. However, the GS has a slight edge in terms of rider aids, with features such as hill start control and shift assist pro that are not available on the Pan America.
Overall, both bikes are excellent choices for adventure touring, with the Pan-America offering a more powerful engine and rugged styling, while the GS offers a wider range of advanced features.
KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
KTM Motorcycles, 2023
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure R is another popular adventure touring bike that is known for its off-road capabilities and performance. This bike is powered by a 1301cc V-twin engine that produces 160 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque. It features a six-speed transmission, a fully adjustable suspension, and a range of advanced features such as cornering ABS, traction control, and cruise control.
In terms of performance, the Pan America 1250 Special and the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R are closely matched. The KTM has a more powerful engine, producing 160 horsepower compared to the Pan-America's 150 horsepower. However, the Pan America has a higher torque output of 94 lb-ft compared to the KTM's 103 lb-ft. Both bikes have similar top speeds, with the Pan America capable of reaching 135 mph and the KTM capable of reaching 150 mph.
In terms of features, both bikes are well-equipped, with a range of advanced technologies such as cornering ABS and traction control. However, the KTM has a slight edge in terms of off-road performance, with features such as off-road mode and a more advanced suspension system that are not available on the Pan-America.
Overall, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R is a more off-road-focused bike compared to the Pan America, with a more powerful engine and advanced off-road features. However, the Pan-America offers a more versatile and comfortable riding experience, with a range of advanced touring features.
Ducati Multistrada V4
Ducati Motorcycles, 2023
The Ducati Multistrada V4 is a high-performance adventure touring bike that is known for its advanced features and technology. This bike is powered by a 1158cc V4 engine that produces 170 horsepower and 92 lb-ft of torque. It features a six-speed transmission, a fully adjustable suspension, and a range of advanced features such as cornering ABS, traction control, and adaptive cruise control.
In terms of performance, the Ducati Multistrada V4 is the most powerful bike in this comparison, with a 170 horsepower engine that outstrips both the Pan America and the KTM. However, the Pan America has a higher torque output of 94 lb-ft compared to the Multistrada's 92 lb-ft. Both bikes have similar top speeds, with the Pan America capable of reaching 135 mph and the Multistrada capable of reaching 155 mph.
In terms of features, the Multistrada V4 is the most advanced bike in this comparison, with a range of cutting-edge technologies such as adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection. However, the Pan America offers more rugged and distinctive styling, as well as a range of advanced touring features such as adaptive ride height and heated grips.
Overall, the Ducati Multistrada V4 is the most advanced and high-performance bike in this comparison, while the Pan America offers a more versatile and comfortable riding experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Harley Davidson Pan-America 1250 Special is a worthy competitor in the adventure touring bike market, offering a powerful engine, advanced features, and distinctive styling. While it may not have the off-road capabilities of some of its competitors, such as the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, it offers a more versatile and comfortable riding experience that will appeal to many riders. Ultimately, the choice between these bikes will come down to personal preference and riding style, but the Pan-America is definitely a bike worth considering for anyone in the market for an adventure touring motorcycle.
