![]() ![]() Harley’s new, 1,252 cc Revolution Max engine feels like a big deal, even if it’s not Milwaukee’s first 60-degree, fully liquid-cooled powerplant that revs to about 10,000 rpm. Through all of the measurements, questions e-mailed back and forth with the companies, calculating fuel mileage, and generally arguing about how the bikes stacked up, here’s what we learned. To get to the bottom of it all we equipped each bike with a set of Michelin Anakee Wild tires and then explored dirt roads, commuted through Los Angeles traffic, galloped along miles of highway, and smashed through shrubs on overgrown single-track trails. Note the cornering-light bar just below the windshield, and the extremely sturdy bars protecting the radiator. We appreciate that it isn’t trying to look like any other ADV. Maybe you don’t think the Pan America looks good. Being able to ride down a dirt road without feeling like a rudderless container ship, that’s where the magic lies. Anti-lock brakes and cruise control aren’t new to Harley. But, what’s most significant about the Pan America isn’t all of the whiz-bangs and do-dads that it can boast on a spec sheet, it’s the intent behind the machine. There are heated grips, cruise control, electronically adjustable and dynamic suspension, tubeless wire-spoke wheels, a big TFT display, variable valve timing, two seat heights, and an adjustable windshield. The last unique piece is BMW’s Telelever front suspension, bracing the fork with an A-arm which, among other things, eliminates dive under braking and puts a single shock in place of typical fork springs and damping circuits.ĭespite being new to the game, Harley-Davidson’s new Pan America 1250 goes toe to toe with the R 1250 GS when it comes to specs. The boxer twin remains, now a 1,254 cc mill with a variable-valve system, water cooling, a wet, multi-plate clutch, and LED lighting. Plus, imitation and flattery and all that. Heated everything, dynamic/electronic everything, and adjustable everything.īMW’s GS rarely makes it onto lists of "most beautiful bikes" but it has a unique and purposeful look. ![]() With decades of success in its wake, this R 1250 version has nearly all of the technology and luxuries available in motorcycling. Once upon a time, the G/S was a spindly and tall prototype with mixed up street and off-road DNA that people struggled to understand. The Germans haven’t just been making adventure-touring bikes longer than anybody, the folks at BMW essentially invented the idea. Passes are on sale at The contendersīMW’s flagship GS model stepped into this ring as a pretty obvious favorite. Since Harley was nice enough to loan us a spankin’ new Pan America 1250 Special to test head-to-head with BMW’s latest R 1250 GS for an episode of CTXP, we here in the West Coast RevZilla office figured a breakdown of what we learned for the good readers of Common Tread was in order.Įditor's note: Both BMW and Harley-Davidson will have demo rides available at the Get On! Adventure Festival, which could be your best chance to compare these two motorcycles for yourself. Spurgeon came back from the first-ride event for the new Pan America fairly glowing - impressed with the technology, balance, and comfort. So it goes with Harley-Davidson’s first ADV, the Pan America 1250. But, not long after the confetti has fallen and the first-ride reviews have been written, everyone inevitably wants to know how it compares to the BMW GS. It’s always exciting when a new adventure-touring motorcycle makes its debut on the world stage. ![]()
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