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

The BMW GS is that Standard meter in this comparison. All-rounder, climbing tower with a boxer’s heart, a kind standard under the trip–Enduros. The GS is that best-selling Bike this league in Germany and it has been proven that for around 40 years Universal talent. Anyone who lifts GS once will never let go. There was no competition in sight. Until now …

Of all things Harley–Davidson saws on the original meter. the Pan America with V2 machine and Active chassis is built exactly according to the successful recipe of a BMW GS. Lawn, travel – if need be over Long stretch and with plenty of luggage. The original can do that. BMW has been fine-tuning for more than 40 years and six generations Offroad–flagship. Harley has only been digging into the dealers’ showrooms for a few weeks.

Of the Showdown at AUTO BILD motorcycle should clarify: How much different is a Harley? Which type of driver is better advised with which brand? Where can which model stand out? In four chapters we compare where strengths and weaknesses lie and sort them according to detailed properties. Here are the findings from the first practical comparison:

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.

Like the BMW, the Harley can do yours at the push of a button speed keep. In addition, the cockpit displays can be used in Navigation devices walk that Smartphone link, a Intercom dial in. In terms of multimedia, there is in principle a tie. Clear BMW advantage when relaxed Slide: The one with more Torque The GS boxer engine runs more powerfully in the lower speed regions, and that adaptive landing gear puts away bumps in the road more confidently. Besides, the Height adjustment the windshield on the R 1250 is foolproof to use and very sturdy. The windshield of the Harley Pan America, on the other hand, looks extremely rickety.

the Harley can be achieved despite a tie in the curb weight more agile to lead, your Revolution-Max engine grabs more courageously at high revs. The Harley clearly offers curve artists more Lean angle potential. aside from that sprints them faster. Harley does not have a modern gearshift assistant like in the GS for the Pan America. In the case of a quick sprint from a standstill, it falls square indenting coupling the BMW on – that also makes the Pan America smoother. Drivers with a tendency to wring out the engine and fun at the Scratching the limit should have more fun with the Harley.

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.

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.

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.

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).