BMW F 850 GS versus Harley-Davidson Pan America Special
BMW F 850 GS
Adventure
Harley-Davidson Pan America Special
Adventure
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Built von 2018 bis 2023
Built von 2021 bis 2024~
RRP 13.000 €
RRP 20.895 €
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Competitors
Pros:
- raised seating position
- good handling on and off-road
- Wide range of extras and accessories
- successful appearance
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:
- Windscreen could be slightly larger
- Price skyrockets with extras
- not quite as manoeuvrable
Cons:
- Payload could be higher
- Short service intervals
- no quick shifter available
- no gimbal
- Operation requires training
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 1.593 mm
Length : 2.305 mm Height : 1.356 mm
Seat : 860 mm until : 880 mm
Weight : 229 (max: 445 ) kg
Length : 2.305 mm Height : 1.356 mm
Seat : 860 mm until : 880 mm
Weight : 229 (max: 445 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.585 mm
Length : 2.270 mm Height : 1.510 mm
Seat : 850 mm until : 875 mm
Weight : 258 kg
Length : 2.270 mm Height : 1.510 mm
Seat : 850 mm until : 875 mm
Weight : 258 kg
Engine
Motor design: Number 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 853 ccm
Hub: 77 mm
Hole: 84 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 853 ccm
Hub: 77 mm
Hole: 84 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
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
Displacement: 1.252 ccm
Hub: 72 mm
Hole: 105 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Maximum speed: 204 km/h
Performance: 95 HP at 8.250 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.250 U/Min Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 341 km
Performance: 95 HP at 8.250 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.250 U/Min Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 341 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:
Steel bridge frame in shell construction (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 204 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 219 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 90/90 21
Rear tyres: 150/70 R17
Steel bridge frame in shell construction (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 204 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 219 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 90/90 21
Rear tyres: 150/70 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
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 (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 265 mm)
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 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)
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 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.
