How The Harley-Davidson Pan America Makes Cross-Country Easy

Harley-Davidson has long been in the touring-bike game, usually with some sort of Electra Glide and trike-based model up for grabs at almost any point in the last three decades or so, but the Pan America 1250 Special is a different kettle of fish entirely. It’s built for a different sort of rider; one who is just as likely to strike out on a trailblazing adventure as they are to make a long road trip on more civilized surfaces. This is a move toward this new, nascent genre that makes H-D competitive with a wide range of bikes from around the globe.

Revolution Max: Power With A Purpose

H-D’s 1250 V-twin blends high-rev power with built-in control

Harley-Davidson

H-D shoehorned in the powerful Revolution Max 1250 engine that, like the rest of the bike, marks another decided departure from the norm for The MoCo. It’s liquid-cooled, featuring dual overhead cams with a Variable Valve Timing system derived from the Big Twins, and prioritizes horsepower over torque. The short-stroke layout is largely to credit for this, as Harley-Davidson abandoned the quest for torque-at-all-costs and came more in line with general convention.

It’s precisely this performance that makes it so capable on both brown and blacktop alike. Make no mistake, it has plenty of grunt, but really shines at the top end for decisive passes at interstate speeds, and if you need extra power to evade a situation, you’ve got it at your fingertips. Cornering-Enhanced Traction Control, Wheel Lift Mitigation, and Drag-torque Slip Control all come standard equipped to help you enjoy all that power safely and responsibly.

Pan America 1250 Special Engine And Performance Specifications

Comfort And Control For The Long Haul

Electronic suspension and smart brakes take the strain out of touring

Harley-Davidson

Free from the constraints of conventional design, the Pan America 1250 Special comes built around a purpose-built frame structure that can take the torsion and shocks associated with rough-terrain riding. Laced wheels round out the rolling chassis with a 19-inch hoop leading the way for more terrain-busting capability. The suspension is truly special.

It’s an electronically controlled system that delivers automatic damping and preload adjustments, which are event-driven and completely free up the rider to focus on other things. Needless to say, it can be quite comfortable over the long haul with stems like that. Dual front brakes provide decent stopping power, and with the stock Cornering-Enhanced ABS and Linked Braking features, you can rely on safely maximizing your braking performance on a variety of surfaces.

Pan America 1250 Special Chassis And Suspension Specifications

Ready For Adventure By Design

Protection, comfort, and luggage options built for the miles ahead

Harley-Davidson

Form follows function here, as well it should, so the overall design has more in common with Honda’s Africa Twin and the Ténéré from Yamaha than anything H-D has put together in the past. A chunky front fairing leads the way, featuring its own built-in brush guard; protection that wraps around the sides to shield the radiator and engine from terrain strikes, with a bash plate to protect the underside.

A well-vented, rally-style windscreen joins with handguards to complete the pilot’s protection, making it great for riding in inclement weather or on chilly nights while out and about. The saddle is designed for long-distance comfort, and there’s room to bungee some cargo to the p-pad. However, if you really want to gear up for touring, the factory offers saddle boxes and a top case for serious baggage capacity.

Pan America 1250 Special Design Specifications And Dimensions

The ‘ST’ Brings A Different Take On Harley’s Adventure-Touring Lineup

Trades trail chops for sharper street manners

Harley-Davidson

The Pan America 1250 Special isn’t alone in the Adventure stable; it shares the stage with the Pan America 1250 ST, which is more street-centric in its approach to Adventure Touring. It drops some of the off-road features, such as the side-mount engine guards and handguards, which makes for a cleaner overall look. Additionally, it has more blackout coverage than the “Special,” and black is said to be very slimming, at least that’s what I’m told.

The engine and engine-control electronics are constant across the board, with nothing to choose between the two. However, the 17-inch hoops fore and aft on the “ST” make for better road manners and handling than its counterpart. Infotainment goodies also come standard equipped on both models, with all the weather and traffic support you could need for your road trips.

The Honda Africa Twin Is An Established Alternative

Long-travel suspension and DCT make Honda’s globetrotter easy to ride, but tech is minimal

Honda

Honda is well established in the ADV-bike world with its own entry: the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES. Honda has had time to refine its globetrotter, and this is the top-tier model. The electronically adjusted suspension does its thing at both ends, with long strokes for handling rough terrain. Power comes from a parallel-twin engine, but with significantly lower output than the Harley mill.

Still, it’s strong enough to get the job done, and can be had with a choice between a manual six-speed transmission and the six-speed automatic DCT gearbox, which provides twist-and-go operation for the ultimate in long-distance ease of use. Honda rolls with minimal onboard tech; it only offers ABS protection, with no other systems, and lacks the infotainment features of the above Harley products.

Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special Vs. Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES Engine And Performance Specifications