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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: