Times change, and sometimes they do not forgive. With a history dating back to 1903, Harley-Davidson is struggling and in a way being forced to rethink its defining paradigms. First came the Harley-Davidson LiveWire, and now it's the Pan America 1250, which just so happens to be a big hit.
The idea of an adventurous Harley-Davidson first emerged in 2018, when the Milwaukee firm unveiled its ‘More Roads to Harley’ strategy. It was an attempt to make the brand more attractive to a broader and younger audience.
So, now the first modern trail motorcycle from Harley-Davidson has absolutely nothing to do with the catalog we're familiar with, and now they fully immerse themselves in the Adventure Touring class, one of the most competitive segments, with a different bet.
The 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America trail bike is so different that it’s even shocking, but it made us recognize that it’s a motorcycle with a lot of merits.
The Pan America Is The First Modern Adventure-Ready Motorcycle from Harley-Davidson
Having a catalog focused on the custom world ensures success, as long as you have a stable clientele. Focusing so much on one segment is like putting all your eggs in one basket, and that was bringing Harley-Davidson problems that manifested themselves as five years losing market share.
Staying true to your principles is indeed romantic, but financially you’re shooting yourself in the foot. Harley-Davidson may have reacted a little late, but at least it’s doing it now. In 2019, the Harley-Davidson LiveWire appeared, the brand’s first electric motorcycle and the first large electric motorcycle from a major brand.
With it, Harley-Davidson tried to break that brand image anchored in the past with an avant-garde coup and they surely got one of the best Harleys in history. Today the same thing is happening again with the 2021 Pan America 1250. A foray into an unknown segment for Americans, and an initiative led by the CEO of the brand, Jochen Zeitz, to change course.
Same But Different
The Pan America 1250 is something completely different, a ‘bomb’ in the brand’s catalog and a daring product in the dual-sport motorcycle market dominated with an iron fist by the BMW R 1250 GS. It’s not the first to come to stay, just look at other manufacturers who ventured into this segment such as Ducati with their Multistrada, which has become one of the main references in the market.
Harley-Davidson wants their share of the cake in a booming segment, but by making a motorcycle completely different from what they were doing until now, they would not leave aside their hallmarks. So, at first glance, the Pan America 1250 is a gargantuan motorcycle. It has a massive presence and a size that is apparently enormous.
The Pan America 1250 Has A Massive Presence, Just What You'd Expect From A Harley
The design of the Pan America is quite peculiar, especially its front end with a semi-fairing that includes a fully LED headlight in a horizontal position, which is followed by a fuel tank, with just over 5 gallons of capacity, and the double-height seat.
The windshield screen has large dimensions, which guarantees optimal aerodynamic protection. The rear is clear enough to reveal the rear subframe.
The front end is possibly the most controversial part of the bike, and they have used very personal language, which at least seems like a success to us. Getting into the Adventure Touring class with another more conventional-looking, duck-billed trail bike would be like settling for the crumbs of the cake.
Targeting New Audiences
Harley-Davidson wants to gain some street cred and win over an audience that likes Harleys but doesn’t have to like custom. Yes, you may like or may not like the aesthetics of the Pan America but at least it’s different and different sells, especially in the U.S. because this bike was mostly designed for the American taste as we are going to reel off.
Getting To Know The Pan America
The Pan America 1250 has an IMU that manages all these electronics, starting with the combined braking and anti-lock ABS with cornering functionality - disconnectable for field use - or the traction control, also sensitive to leaning. The traction control is also disconnectable and links to an anti-wheelie system. Another available aid is the torque control system and the Hill Hold Control (HHC) which its primary function is to prevent the motorcycle from rolling when it’s stopped.
The Pan America 1250 Features Adjustable Semi-active Front And Rear Suspension
This system reacts to the suspension position, vehicle speed, vertical acceleration, lean angle, brake activations, and the selected driving mode to maintain the desired comfort.
The brakes are Brembo, with a pair of 320mm front discs with four-piston radial calipers. The wheels, shod with Michelin tires, are 19 “and 17” front and rear, respectively. Both the fork -BFF- and the shock -BFRC- are Showa with 190 mm of travel.
To view all these parameters, there is a 6.8 “full-color TFT touch screen equipped with anti-reflective glass. It collects all the information in a clear and visually friendly layout with connectivity. Another particularity is the possibility of varying its presentation thanks to the available widgets. By the way, connectivity is another one of its highlights even allowing navigation through a free app.
The bottom line though is that the Pan America is highly capable and features loads of impressive tech. Reviews have been positive from everyone, and that is why it is currently selling in good numbers.