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Hindustan Times
09-08-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special – Harley Goes Adventuring, and How!
Harley-Davidson is a name that usually conjures images of chrome-laden cruiser s, rumbling V-twins, and endless highways. But in 20 21 , the Milwaukee brand threw a curveball at the motorcycle world—an adventure bike. Yes, an ADV from Harley. At first, the Pan America 1250 Special seemed like a moonshot: would Harley purists embrace it? Would ADV loyalists take it seriously? After a few days in the saddle, I can tell you—it's not just a gimmick. Harley has built a bike that can genuinely go head-to-head with the heavyweights of this segment. And Harley has done it with its own twist. The Pan America 1250 offers a balance of comfort, control, and power for long-distance adventures. First Impressions – Not Your Typcal Harley The Pan America is not shy about looking different. The face is a blocky LED headlamp assembly framed by a tall screen—more spacecraft than Street Glide. It's polarising, but in a segment crowded with 'beak" designs, it's refreshingly unique. The huge tank flows neatly into the seat, and the bike carries an upright, purposeful stance. One thing is for sure, the Harley Davidson Pan America demands attention anywhere it goes. At every traffic light, parking or even while cruising on highways, people were slowing down, looking at it, waving at it. They wanted to know what it was and from where it came. What also strikes you right away is the sheer attention to detail: the paint finish is flawless, the switchgear feels premium and tactile, and the fit-and-finish is up there with Europe's best. Our test bike, in 'Alpine Green," looked ready for a Dakar bivouac or a photo shoot—your pick. The instrument cluster is pretty bright, has widgets and it is also a touchscreen. The Heart – Revolution Max 1250 Fire it up, and the Revolution Max 1250 V-twin growls to life—not the potato-potato idle of a Harley cruiser, but a smoother, more mechanical thrum. This liquid-cooled, DOHC, 60-degree V-twin pumps out 150 hp and 128 Nm, delivered with a flexibility that's instantly addictive. Roll on the throttle in Sport mode, and the bike lunges forward with urgency, pulling hard all the way to its 9,000 rpm redline. Switch to Road or Rain, and it calms down, becoming a docile touring companion. Off-road modes, including a fully customisable 'Off-Road Plus," let you tailor power delivery, traction control, and ABS to the terrain. One thing that the rider will need to take care of is the heat; this engine heats up a lot. At some points, it becomes difficult to keep riding. Also, the 6-speed gearbox does not get a quickshifter and is also very clunky. The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 is powered by a 1,252cc Revolution Max V-twin engine that delivers strong low-end torque and smooth high-rev performance, making it ideal for both highway cruising and off-road exploration. Technology Done Right This isn't Harley dipping its toes into modern tech—it's a full plunge. A crisp 6.8-inch TFT touchscreen displays everything from ride mode settings to turn-by-turn navigation (via the app). It is ample bright and shows information neatly and there are also widgets that the rider can set. You get cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control, cruise control, hill-hold, tyre pressure monitoring, semi-active Showa suspension, and the party trick—Adaptive Ride Height. This clever system automatically lowers the bike when you stop, making its 850mm seat height far less intimidating, then raises it back up as you roll away. Shorter riders will love it; taller riders might not even notice, except for the extra confidence it gives in stop-and-go traffic. However, I would have liked it to react to slower speeds. Instead, it drops the seat height once the motorcycle comes to a halt. Also, the seat height is adjustable for two positions. The Harley-Davidson Pan America is an adventure-touring motorcycle designed for riders who want versatility without sacrificing character. It blends long-distance comfort with off-road capability, making it equally at home on highways, winding backroads, and challenging trails. On the Road – Big, But Never Clumsy Adventure bikes in this class are big, and at around 258kg, the Pan America isn't light. Yet, on the move, it hides its weight brilliantly. The frame feels rigid and composed, the steering light but precise. On a twisty backroad, it's surprisingly agile. Tip it into a corner, and it holds its line without drama. The semi-active suspension constantly adapts to the road surface—softening over rough patches, firming up for spirited riding. At highway speeds, stability is rock-solid, and the windscreen (adjustable by hand) does a decent job of keeping fatigue at bay. The upswept exhaust completes that ADV look, but there is a rev limiter. Comfort & Practicality Harley has ticked all the long-distance boxes: a roomy seat, heated grips, a sturdy centre stand, hand guards, engine guards, and a bash plate. The 21.2-litre fuel tank gives you solid touring range, and the cruise control plus plush ride mean you can cover big miles without feeling wrung out. The only real niggle? At sustained high speeds, there's a bit of wind buffeting, and the TFT could be more responsive to gloved touches. At the rear, there is a sleek tail light that is quite bright but looks a bit small for the size of the motorcycle. Verdict – Harley's Big Gamble Pays Off The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special is more than a novelty. It's fast, comfortable, packed with tech, and—crucially—fun. It doesn't try to copy the BMW R 1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada—it does things its own way, and that's refreshing. For around ₹25 lakh (ex-showroom, India), it's not cheap, but it is hard to ignore. If you're an ADV rider looking for something different, or a Harley fan ready to explore beyond the tarmac, the Pan America deserves a serious look. Harley didn't just join the adventure bike club—they've kicked down the door and made a grand entrance. First Published Date:
News18
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- News18
Soul, Steel, Wilderness and Adventure: The Tale of Harley Davidson Pan America 1250
Written By : Last Updated: In this article, we tried to pile up our experience, giving an overview about the Harley Davidson Pan America 1250, and making it easy for those who are planning to purchase an imported adventure tourer under Rs 20 lakh to 22 lakh. Back in 2021, it was a dark period for the automobile industry as COVID-19 brought every single manufacturer to its knees. When everyone was playing it safe, taking a step back to introduce the latest offerings due to the global pandemic, Harley-Davidson took a different path and introduced a rebel in the market named Pan America 1250. Ever since the model was introduced, not just in India but globally, we've seen enthusiasts react with surprise and excitement. It has been almost half a decade since the bike reached Indian shores as a CBU unit, and has comfortably made its mark in the segment. Introduction The company launched the model at the sticker price of Rs 20.9 lakh (ex-showroom). It was released in one variant with four decent colour options. Recently, we got the opportunity to unlock our adrenaline on the bike and test it to the core just to know what the hype is all about. We covered almost 500km in four days, and tried to know all the positive and negative aspects of the vehicle. In this article, we tried to pile up our experience, giving an overview to those who are planning to purchase an imported adventure sport touring, and looking for decent options under Rs 20 lakh to 22 lakh. So take a few extra minutes to read till the end, you might end up having a wise option on your priority list. The model uses a responsive 1252cc, liquid-cooled, V-twin engine that generates impressive power, 150.19 bhp at 8750 rpm and a peak torque of 128 Nm at 6750 rpm. The unit is mated to a smooth, complemented by clutch assist and slipper clutch for better output. The whole setup feels smooth, responsive and proudly flaunts Harley's DNA from each corner. Design Language and Comfort Aesthetically, the Pan America truly feels like a moving bomb on the road. It gets everything one can ask for from any adventure bike. From a bold stance to a head-turning eye-pleasing style statement to a boss look, the bike feels a complete blend of futuristic and timeless piece of steel. The model does not try to mimic the rugged charm of BMW GS or the rally-inspired sharp cuts of KTM 1290 Super Adventure. Instead, it has its own identity as it has been born with the company's signature DNA with a brutish visual language. The big fat tourer has been treated with a long list of advanced elements. The list includes a rectangular-shaped, fully LED headlight setup, paired with integrated DRLS. The fog light has been placed right above the headlight unit. On the sides, it gets sleek looking, circular indicators at both ends, while the engine setup has been slightly exposed to make it look more dominating in its segment. For the riders' safety, the company has added knuckle guards on the handlebars, while very rough and rugged-looking side mirrors are there that enhance its overall charm. The motorcycle offers an impressive upright seating position, well-placed pegs, and wide handlebars that make long days in the saddle comfortable. It is also complemented by plenty of wind protection from the adjustable screen, and gets a practical optional luggage system for long-distance touring. Harley didn't just build a bike that can cover the mile, it truly wants to leave some marks on untouched terrains. Innovation and Features The area where Pan America 1250 sets itself apart from the crowd is its cutting-edge technology and advanced features. It comes with the segment's leading Adaptive Ride Height (ARH) feature. It starts showing the magic as soon as the rider switches on the bike. The semi-active suspension works seamlessly, forcing the bike to get lower automatically, allowing the short-height plant to put their feet without feeling the stress of holding a big gun. Notable Features The other highlighted features include cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control, multiple riding modes to run on any surface, Brembo brakes, Michelin Scorcher Adventure tires that are co-developed specifically for the Pan America, and a crisp 6.8-inch TFT touchscreen display with Bluetooth connectivity, which allows the customers to have all the important details right in front of their eyes. Stability and Mileage Despite having an insane kerb weight between 245 to 258 kg, the bike feels super easy to handle. In every turn, it inspires confidence to lean the vehicle to a certain degree, while opening up the throttle as much as possible. The gripping of tyres can be felt on every mile. The only thing that might force you to pull your hair is its mileage as it drinks petrol like a thirsty camel. The company claims the model is capable of offering a fuel efficiency between 18.18 to 18.3 km/l. However, we end up having slightly less even though we were gentle and riding it in a less aggressive mode. But, we feel 'Kitna Deti Hai" question would not matter to the target audience if they know what they are investing in. Here's What We Think The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 isn't just 'good for a Harley." It's good for a true petrol head who is looking for both joy in riding and comfort, period. It checks all the expectations and proudly proves that even the most iconic brands can evolve and set new benchmarks, without losing their soul. It is safe to say that the model is s wild card in a deck full of predictable kings and queens. And sometimes, the wild card is considered the most exciting one to play with. So, if you have the budget mentioned above and want to have a true companion on your next serious adventure, the Pan America 1250 could be a wise choice without a doubt. top videos View all Get latest Updates on cars and bikes launches in India, reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay updated with breaking auto industry news, EV policies, and more on News18. tags : Harley Davidson Harley-Davidson India Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 14:49 IST News auto Soul, Steel, Wilderness and Adventure: The Tale of Harley Davidson Pan America 1250
