Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special 2021 vs. BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021

The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special 2021 and the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021 are both powerful and capable enduro motorcycles. The Pan America 1250 Special is equipped with a V-twin engine, while the R 1250 GS Adventure features a boxer engine. The Pan America has a larger bore and stroke, resulting in a slightly higher engine power of 150 HP compared to the R 1250 GS Adventure's 136 HP. However, the R 1250 GS Adventure has a higher torque of 143 Nm compared to the Pan America's 127 Nm.

In terms of suspension, the Pan America 1250 Special is equipped with an upside-down telescopic fork in the front and a swing arm with a monoshock in the rear. The R 1250 GS Adventure features a Telelever front suspension and a single swing arm with a monoshock in the rear. Both motorcycles offer adjustable suspension settings for compression, preload, and rebound.

The chassis of the Pan America 1250 Special is made of aluminum and has a double cradle frame, while the R 1250 GS Adventure has a steel frame with a load-bearing engine design. Both motorcycles have a rake of 65 degrees, but the Pan America has a longer trail of 157 mm compared to the R 1250 GS Adventure's 95.4 mm.

Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special 2021

In terms of braking, both motorcycles are equipped with double disk brakes in the front. The Pan America 1250 Special comes with advanced rider assistance systems such as ABS, electronically adjustable suspension, riding modes, cornering ABS, ride by wire, cruise control, and traction control. The R 1250 GS Adventure also offers ABS, anti-slipping control, hill start assist, electronically adjustable suspension, riding modes, and cornering ABS.

Both motorcycles have a front tire diameter of 19 inches and a rear tire width of 170 mm with a rear tire diameter of 17 inches. The Pan America has a slightly longer wheelbase of 1585 mm compared to the R 1250 GS Adventure's 1504 mm. The seat height of the Pan America is 850 mm, while the R 1250 GS Adventure has a higher seat height of 890 mm. The Pan America weighs 258 kg, while the R 1250 GS Adventure weighs 268 kg.

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021

In terms of equipment, both motorcycles offer cornering lights, LED daytime running lights, LED headlights, and an adjustable windscreen. The Pan America also offers Bluetooth connectivity, heated grips, and a TFT display. The R 1250 GS Adventure adds a heated seat and a connectivity app to its list of features.

In terms of strengths, the Pan America 1250 Special offers a sporty powerplant, comfortable seating position, good pillion suitability, extensive electronics, an original HD pannier system, wind protection, cornering ABS, cornering TC, optional seat lowering when stationary, and good off-road characteristics. The R 1250 GS Adventure excels in practical details for frequent riders, a gigantic range, low fuel consumption, good wind and weather protection, great ride comfort, a powerful engine, a great connectivity app, an easy-to-read display, a confident feeling in the saddle, a pleasant seating position for the pillion passenger, practical riding aids, great headlights, great ergonomics for tall people, and ease of riding.

However, the Pan America 1250 Special has a couple of weaknesses, including engine heat in city mode and the absence of a quickshifter. On the other hand, the R 1250 GS Adventure's weaknesses include its high weight, somewhat stiff gearshifts at low revs, and a jagged appearance with little elegance.