Harley-Davidson Pan America Special versus KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
Harley-Davidson Pan America Special
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- 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"
- plenty of power
- lavish furnishings
- good usability
- good travel comfort for driver and pillion passenger
- successful deitails
- plenty of accessories available
- Payload could be higher
- Short service intervals
- no quick shifter available
- no gimbal
- Operation requires training
- high, but not unusual price in this class
- somewhat idiosyncratic front mask (a matter of taste)
- for some maybe a bit overloaded with technology
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.270 mm Height : 1.510 mm
Seat : 850 mm until : 875 mm
Weight : 258 kg
Length : 2.250 mm Height : 1.520 mm
Seat : 849 mm until : 869 mm
Weight : 243 (max: 460 ) kg
Engine
Displacement: 1.252 ccm
Hub: 72 mm
Hole: 105 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 1.301 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 108 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
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
Performance: 160 HP at 9.000 U/Min
Torque: 138 NM bei 6.750 U/Min Tank contents: 23 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 404 km
Chassis
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
Lattice tube (chromium-molybdenum) Front suspension:
Semi-active WP-USD fork Ø 48 mm (travel 200 mm) Rear suspension:
Semi-active WP Monoshock strut (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Die-cast two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR19
Rear tyres: 170/60 ZR17
Brakes
Double disc, radially mounted four-piston monobloc fixed caliper brakes (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, single-piston floating caliper brake (∅ 280 mm)
Double disc Brembo four-piston radial fixed caliper (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Brembo two-piston fixed caliper (∅ 267 mm)
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.
Conclusion - what gets stuck
Well, bad motorcycles aren't actually built in this class any more. So what remains to be said? You have to look for the mistakes with a magnifying glass. But of course we have done this too and therefore mention the following criticisms: The compartment for the mobile phone is unfortunately too small for many models. From the point of view of a travel machine, a gimbal would also be nice – but clearly it's just KTM.
The optics of the front mask in particular are not for everyone – but this really falls under the category of taste question. The purchase price is quite lavish, but even with that the KTM is not alone. So let's return to the entry question of whether the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is the new benchmark. The new benchmark is perhaps very ambitious. But the KTM can keep up with the big competing machines from this segment. And you almost get the impression that the differences are getting smaller and smaller.
The test machine was provided to us by Motorrad Ruser.
