BMW R 1300 GS versus Harley-Davidson Pan America Special

BMW R 1300 GS

Adventure

Harley-Davidson Pan America Special

Adventure

Is BMW's new all-rounder really that good?

After five years, BMW is launching a successor to the successful R 1250 GS model. According to the spec sheet, the new R 1300 GS doesn't do that much differently, but in reality it is an almost completely redesigned... weiter

BMW R 1300 GS im Test

Gallery

Harley's first adventure bike in the test - what can the "Pan Am" do?

The first adventure bike from Harley Davidson is aimed at GS & Co. With about 18,000 €, the "Pan America Special" is very interesting in terms of price, because it is technically fully equipped. Even an electronic, ... weiter

Harley Davidson Pan America Special im Test

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2023 bis 2024~

Built von 2021 bis 2024~

RRP 19.100 €

RRP 20.895 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

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Competitors

Pros:

Insane engine with steam in all speed ranges
good-natured and precise handling
Manoeuvrable and easy-to-handle machine
Very high level of comfort for driver and front passenger
Top-of-the-line full-integral brake
Very good standard equipment
very good wind protection

Pros:

Engine with lard and character
Extremely well equipped incl. semi-active chassis
Large TFT touch cockpit with mobile phone connection (incl. navigation system)
Plenty of space for driver & passenger
Suitable for smaller pilots thanks to "Adaptive Ride Height"

Cons:

QuickShifter and gearbox a bit hard
neither Apple CarPlay, nor Android Auto, nor full-map navigation
Operation requires training time

Cons:

Payload could be higher
Short service intervals
no quick shifter available
no gimbal
Operation requires training

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.518 mm
Length : 2.212 mm Height : 1.406 mm
Seat : 850 mm
Weight : 237 (max: 465 ) kg

Wheelbase: 1.585 mm
Length : 2.270 mm Height : 1.510 mm
Seat : 850 mm until : 875 mm
Weight : 258 kg

Engine

Motor design: Boxer 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.300 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 107 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6

Motor design: V2 Revolution™ Max 1250 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.252 ccm
Hub: 72 mm
Hole: 105 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 220 km/h
Performance: 145 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 149 NM bei 6.500 U/Min

Tank contents: 19 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 400 km

Performance: 152 HP at 8.750 U/Min
Torque: 128 NM bei 6.750 U/Min

Tank contents: 21 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 385 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Two-part frame concept (steel)

Front suspension:
BMW Motorrad EVO-Telelever, handlebar tilt decoupling via flex element, central shock absorber (travel 190 mm)

Rear suspension:
central WAD shock absorber, spring preload infinitely adjustable (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum cast single-arm swingarm

Tyres at the front: 120/70 R19
Rear tyres: 170/60 R17

Frame type:
Three-piece alloy frame with tube, cast and moulded parts, motor supporting (aluminium)

Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, 47 mm, with electronically adjustable semi-active damping system (travel 191 mm)

Rear suspension:
Central spring strut with automatic electronic adjustment of spring preload and semi-active control of compression stage and rebound of damping (travel 191 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum two-arm swingarm

Tyres at the front: 120/70R19 60 V
Rear tyres: 170/60R17 72 V

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc brake, semi-floating discs, diameter 310 mm, 4-piston radial caliper (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, diameter 285 mm, 2-piston floating caliper (∅ 285 mm)

Front brake
Double disc, radially mounted four-piston monobloc fixed caliper brakes (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, single-piston floating caliper brake (∅ 280 mm)

Bottom line - check your account balance.

The new GS really is a successful adventure bike. It can do almost everything - and really well. You have to look for points of criticism with a magnifying glass and even die-hard BMW critics have to admit after a test drive: Unfortunately awesome! The price, which seems high at first glance, is thus put into perspective very quickly. And it is put into perspective even further when you compare the new R1300 GS with the competition , which are not necessarily cheaper either.

The test machine was kindly made available to us by Bergmann & Söhne in Neumünster . There you will find several 1300cc GS in the exhibition and of course you are also cordially invited to a test drive. ATTENTION, WARNING: This could be an expensive afternoon...

Conclusion - what sticks

I really like the new Pan America. Above all, the optics have done it to me. The machine looks like a V8 MuscleCar or like a locomotive, which then became a motorcycle. Of course, this bike polarizes and especially the front will not appeal to everyone. But rather so than uniform porridge. The Harley has character and is immediately recognizable on 10 km.

With the Pan Am, Harley has not only shown courage, but also put together an amazingly good adventure bike in the 1st throw. It will certainly not overtake the GS, but we are sure: This bike will already find its buyers. Maybe even the travel enduro faction, which would like to ride something different, something special. Well done, Harley!

The test bike was provided to us by MTK, the Harley-Davidson dealer in Kiel.