BMW S 1000 XR versus Harley-Davidson Pan America Special

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW S 1000 XR

Crossover
Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Pan America Special

Adventure

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2015 bis 2024~
Built von 2021 bis 2024~
RRP 19.690 €
RRP 20.895 €
waveform
waveform
Pros:
  • Seating position fits small and big people
  • High-revving motor
  • Strong brakes
  • Very good standard equipment
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:
  • You just always want to step on the gas
Cons:
  • Payload could be higher
  • Short service intervals
  • no quick shifter available
  • no gimbal
  • Operation requires training

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.541 mm
Length :
2.156 mm Height : 1.460 mm
Seat :
850 mm
Weight :
227 (max: 450 ) 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: Number 4 Cylinder
Displacement: 999 ccm
Hub: 50 mm
Hole: 80 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
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: 250 km/h
Performance: 170 HP at 11.000 U/Min
Torque: 114 NM bei 9.250 U/Min
Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption:
6 l
Reach:
323 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:
Aluminium composite bridge frame, motor supporting (aluminium)
Front suspension:
Upside-down 45 mm (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 190/55 ZR 17
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, 4-piston fixed caliper ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, 2-piston floating caliper ( 265 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)

Conclusion - what gets stuck

Man, we had fun with the XR! The standard electronically adjustable ESA suspension really irons everything smoothly and yet this bike still gives you the necessary feedback about the road condition for sporty driving. That's the biggest difference between XR and GS: The XR is always sporty on the road, even if the 4-cylinder can purr at least theoretically like a kitten, that's not what you want as a driver! Better to throttle and loseprint like a cheetah. GS on the other hand: Rather quiet as a lion.
 
Whether the sportiness of the XR has a lasting effect or rather annoys, every driver has to decide for himself. What is clear, however, is that it travels more pleasantly on a GS, because you drive rather relaxed and there is no constant driving jerking or chain care.

The test motorcycle was provided to us by Bergmann & Söhne Pinneberg. There she stands as a guide and is happy about every test driver.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • Price: 17.000€
  • Used (1 year old): 15,000€
  • Availability: since 2020
  • Colours: red, silver, colorful

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.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of construction

  • Price: from 17.995 €
  • Availability: from 06/2021
  • Colours: black, grey, green, orange