Posted on Sep 26, 2021 at 11:00 AM
Like these stars locked in one and the same role, Harley-Davidson struggles to escape its destiny as an eternal producer of monsters cut to file the asphalt of the highways. After LifeWire, a recent and noticeable foray into electric propulsion, here is the eagerly awaited Pan America. This ambitious is attacking the demanding market of maxi-trails, these motorcycles to do everything: city, travel, and, if necessary, a getaway off the tarmac. Starting late in this race, and therefore with a blank sheet of paper, Harley has retained, against the grain of its image, only radically new solutions. High efficiency engine, chain transmission, minimalist frame and massive use of electronics which, among other things, regulate the suspensions and the character of the engine, depending on the setting chosen on the handlebars: road, sport, rain, off-road. The Hells Angels and others nostalgic for “Easy Rider”, hard or young, will be surprised. And the other motorcyclists won over by this machine with a distinctive, pleasant, efficient and comfortable look, apart from a few details.
The Pan America has a 1,252 cc engine. © DR
Engine
The all-new Harley-Davidson engine has nothing more in common with its ancestors than the principle of its architecture. Cooled by water, equipped with a contemporary distribution, wise at low speed, it expresses itself with ardor beyond 4,000 revolutions / minute. Supported by an excellent gearbox, smooth and precise, it allows you to move smoothly in town, to exploit the handling qualities of the machine, and to take the horizon by storm on the road.
The detail
The presentation suffers from unusual trifles for a motorcycle at this price: cheap mounts on the nose screen, rust spots on the steering damper, rustic exhaust collar …
The good surprise
The modernity of the design results in an authentic and pleasing versatility. Alert in town, precise on the road, the bike is certainly comfortable, safe and biting under braking, but also vitaminized under acceleration. In Bluetooth connection with your smartphone, the large touch screen on the dashboard will display your GPS route.
Regret
Contrary to the earthiness of sound that has done so much for the legend of the Harley-Davidson brand, the exhaust, at low revs, has a slightly metallic thread of voice. The rear cylinder tube also tends to warm your right thigh. Jingle All the Way !
The alternatives
BMW 1250 GS
Ducati Multistrada
Honda Africa Twin
Characteristics :
HARLEY DAVIDSON
PAN AMERICA 1250 SPECIAL
Engine: V-twin, 1,252 cm3
Power: 150 hp at 8,750 rpm.
Maximum torque: 128 Nm at 6750 rpm.
Weight: 258 kg (in running order).
Transmission: 6 speeds, chain.
Consumption: 5.1 l / 100 km (21.2 l tank).
Price: 18,290 euros.
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