BMW R 1300 GS Adventure versus Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special
BMW R 1300 GS Adventure
Adventure
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special
Adventure
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Built von 2025 bis 2025~
Built von 2021 bis 2025~
RRP 22.335 €
RRP 20.900 €
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Competitors
Pros:
- Endless comfort
- Space without end
- Endless performance
- Good standard equipment
- Fluffy handling
- good brakes and good tires
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:
- Turn signals hardly visible when braking
- heavy bike, only partially suitable for off-road use
- Quickshifter a bit plucky
- nothing for beginners!
Cons:
- Payload could be higher
- Short service intervals
- no quick shifter available
- no gimbal
- Operation requires training
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 1.518 mm
Length : 2.280 mm Height : 1.588 mm
Seat : 870 mm until : 890 mm
Weight : 269 (max: 485 ) kg
Length : 2.280 mm Height : 1.588 mm
Seat : 870 mm until : 890 mm
Weight : 269 (max: 485 ) 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: Boxer 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.300 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 107 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
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
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: 30 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 612 km
Performance: 145 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 149 NM bei 6.500 U/Min Tank contents: 30 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 612 km
Performance: 152 HP at 8.750 U/Min
Torque: 125 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 spring strut (suspension travel 210 mm) Rear suspension:
central WAD shock absorber, spring preload infinitely adjustable (suspension travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum cast single-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 R19
Rear tyres: 170/60 R17
Two-part frame concept (steel) Front suspension:
BMW Motorrad EVO-Telelever, handlebar tilt decoupling via flex element, central spring strut (suspension travel 210 mm) Rear suspension:
central WAD shock absorber, spring preload infinitely adjustable (suspension travel 220 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
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)
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)
Double disc, radially mounted four-piston monobloc fixed caliper brakes (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, single-piston floating caliper brake (∅ 280 mm)
Result
The new GSA is certainly not a bike for everyone. It polarizes in terms of appearance, performance, price and weight. That's a good thing, we think, because there are already enough monotonous motorcycles. Beginners will certainly lie on their side after a few meters with this motorcycle, but seasoned bikers will find the ultimate ship for the really long tour here. In the afternoon a short trip to the North Cape and back is no problem with the Adventure. And you don't have to refuel on the way either.The test bike was provided to us by Bergmann & Söhne in Neumünster. The GSA will be there as a demonstrator and is looking forward to test drivers. Those who want to try out the ASA will also get their money's worth in Neumünster : B&S also has a standard GS with the new automated shift assistant. So register two test drives, then order the GSA with ASA and look forward to Christmas!
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.
