Harley-Davidson Pan America Special vs. BMW R 1250 GS

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Can the new Harley enduro outperform the BMW legend R 1250 GS?
Harley-Davidson is attacking with the Pan America travel enduro, trying to lure drivers of the legendary BMW GS. AUTO BILD MOTORRAD highlights strengths and weaknesses. Which machine is suitable for whom?
1. How well can you travel with a Harley and BMW?
It’s easier to slide back and forth on the seat of the Harley-Davidson Pan America Special.
© Olaf Itrich / AUTO BILD
A cheaper one consumption, a slightly bigger Tank and the slightly higher one Windbreak the Harley promise longer endurance on very long stages. Some more quickly is the Harley too. In addition, the Bench the Pan America is a bit more casual – so it’s easier to slide back and forth in the saddle than in the strictly fixed posture of the GS. On the other hand, at higher speeds, i.e. from around 150 km / h, the BMW better ones Tracking stability with mounted cases. One thing is clear: the GS offers that passengers – thanks to the pillion package – a more comfortable seat and a better view to the front.
In terms of multimedia, there is a tie between the two machines
2. How big is the fun factor in Pan America and GS?
The BMW is immersed in gear changes
The BMW sometimes dips in when changing gears quickly and then rebounds far. Pity!
© Olaf Itrich / AUTO BILD
Nevertheless: also that BMW conceals her pounds excellently, which is 1250s Fed up and binding, also shy away from fast ones Alternating curves including courageous Killing it not. Too bad: When fast Switching The GS dips strongly with every gear change and rebounded widely. This annoying nod brings nervousness in driving behavior. That’s what it works for Support the fork excellent when braking hard. Kudos to BMW for this technology (Telelever). Rather Getting used to the arrangement of the Main stand. If the ball of the left foot is on the notch, the boom of the stand restricts freedom of movement. In direct comparison sounds the BMW much grumpier than the Pan America with theirs Whisper exhaust.
3. How do the competitors fare in off-road driving?
Both machines can be handled very well at walking pace and are not only capable of off-roading in theory.
© Olaf Itrich / AUTO BILD
Move forward – decide about it in the terrain primarily the tires. Both models can be used accordingly Cleat profile equip. But we don’t want to go into that here. However, on other equipment content. This is how it can be done off-road with the Harley Pan America Rear at the push of a button by around five centimeters lower. This electric Suspension strut adjustment helps enormously when supporting on very uneven ground. Both motorcycles can be comfortably and easily in the Walking pace move. Driving aids like Traction control and ABS system can be adapted to the surface and driving style, Driving modes (with a correspondingly responsive throttle response) and damper stiffness, the driver can set a corresponding number of different settings on both motorcycles.
That applies if the machines overturn
The BMW tips over more elegantly than the Harley. That means that it has scratches on fewer parts of it.
© Olaf Itrich / AUTO BILD
And what if the load overturns? the BMW is with 77 kilograms of pulling force Picked up at the handlebars a little easier than a wrecked Pan America, which requires 85 kilograms to pull it back to the vertical. the BMW tilts in addition more elegant (So with smaller consequences for the material), basically only relies on the Valve cover and the Driver footrest on. The Harley lands on “contact points” such as the exhaust muffler, handlebar end, footrest and the side radiator guard, which is standard on the Special.
4. What are Harley and BMW good for loading?
The BMW GS shows a little more talent when it comes to transport. It also offers a lot to the passenger.
© Olaf Itrich / AUTO BILD
suitcase, Tank bag, Top case – add the largest possible Storage options, is the BMW 147 liters of luggage away, the Harley 130. In addition, the latter only has one Tank bag version to offer. The manufacturers offer the for both motorcycles Luggage container as softbags, hard cases or aluminum cases. The GS is at its maximum 216 kilograms Payload gone, Harley allows a total of 197 kilograms of additional ballast. In contrast to BMW, Harley does not limit the maximum speed when the carrier system is installed (GS 1250: max 180 km / h).