Of course, here is a full article about the Harley-Davidson Pan America, written in the requested style and format.
The 2021–2024 Harley-Davidson Adventure Revolution Max 1250, commonly known as the Pan America 1250 (model designation RA1250), represents a significant and bold entry by the American motorcycle manufacturer into the competitive adventure touring market. Unveiled as a significant departure from the company’s traditional cruiser lineup, the Pan America was designed from the ground up to compete with established segment leaders from brands like BMW, KTM, and Ducati. It is built around a new liquid-cooled V-twin engine, the Revolution Max 1250, which serves as a stressed member of the chassis to reduce weight and centralize mass.
The development of the Pan America was a key component of Harley-Davidson’s “More Roads to Harley-Davidson” strategic plan, aimed at diversifying its product portfolio and attracting a new, younger demographic of riders. First shown to the public at the 2019 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy, the production model was launched for the 2021 model year. The motorcycle marked a pivotal moment for the brand, showcasing its engineering capabilities beyond the air-cooled, pushrod V-twins for which it is famous.
The Harley-Davidson Adventure Revolution Max 1250 Engine
At the heart of the Pan America is the Revolution Max 1250 engine. This liquid-cooled, 60-degree V-twin powerplant features a dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) design and four valves per cylinder. A key technological feature is its variable valve timing (VVT) on both the intake and exhaust camshafts, which broadens the powerband, providing a robust mix of low-end torque for off-road situations and high-RPM horsepower for on-road performance.
Unlike traditional Harley-Davidson engines, the Revolution Max 1250 utilizes hydraulic valve lash adjusters, which eliminate the need for periodic valve clearance inspections and adjustments, thereby reducing maintenance requirements. Furthermore, the engine is equipped with dual counter-balancers to quell unwanted vibrations, ensuring a smoother riding experience over long distances. Its role as a structural component of the motorcycle’s frame eliminates the need for a traditional perimeter frame, a design choice that significantly contributes to the bike’s reduced weight and chassis rigidity.
Chassis, Suspension, and Technology
The Pan America’s chassis is a modular design consisting of a front frame, a mid-frame, and a tail section bolted directly to the Revolution Max 1250 engine. This design philosophy is central to the bike’s handling characteristics, providing a stiff and responsive feel. The motorcycle is outfitted with fully adjustable front and rear suspension developed in collaboration with Showa.
A major point of distinction between models is the suspension technology. The base Pan America 1250 features manually adjustable passive suspension. The premium Pan America 1250 Special, however, comes equipped with a semi-active electronic suspension system. This system automatically adjusts damping settings based on real-time data from the bike’s Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), selected ride mode, and sensor inputs.
The most notable innovation on the Special model is the industry-first Adaptive Ride Height (ARH). This optional system automatically lowers the motorcycle’s seat height by one to two inches when it comes to a complete stop, making it easier for a wider range of riders to confidently place their feet on the ground. The suspension then raises back to its optimal ride height once the motorcycle is in motion.
The electronics suite is comprehensive, featuring a 6.8-inch color TFT touchscreen display with Bluetooth connectivity for navigation, calls, and music. The IMU-powered rider aids include cornering-enhanced ABS, cornering-enhanced traction control, and multiple pre-programmed and customizable ride modes (Sport, Road, Rain, Off-Road, and Off-Road Plus).
Model Differences and Variants
Since its introduction, the Pan America has been offered in two primary variants, with the main differences being in their standard equipment and technological features. As Harley-Davidson had no direct predecessor in the adventure touring category, these variants represent different tiers within the same model line rather than an evolution from a previous model.
Pan America 1250 (RA1250): The standard model serves as the entry point into the lineup. It includes the powerful Revolution Max 1250 engine, fully manually adjustable Showa suspension, Brembo brakes, and the core electronics package with selectable ride modes. It is aimed at riders who prefer a more traditional suspension setup or wish to customize their motorcycle from a simpler base.
* Pan America 1250 Special (RA1250S):** The Special is the premium, more technologically advanced version and has proven to be the more popular choice among consumers. It comes standard with several upgrades over the base model, including the semi-active electronic suspension, a center stand, an aluminum skid plate, brush guards, heated grips, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and an adaptive “Daymaker” headlight that illuminates corners. The groundbreaking Adaptive Ride Height (ARH) system is offered as a factory-installed option exclusively for the Special model.
Specifications Table (Pan America 1250 Special)
| General | |
| Brand | Harley-Davidson |
| Model | Pan America 1250 Special |
| Model Class | RA1250S |
| Model Year | 2021–2024 |
| Type | Adventure Touring |
| Maximum mass (GVWR) | 1,180 lbs. (535 kg) |
| Maximum passengers | 2 |
| Performance | |
| Max. power | 150 Hp (112 kW) / 9000 RPM |
| Max. torque | 94 ft-lb (127 N•m) / 6750 RPM |
| Lean Angle, Right / Left | 42° / 42° |
| Size | |
| Length | 89.4 in. (2270 mm) |
| Width | 38.6 in. (981 mm) |
| Height | 58.9 in. (1495 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 62.2 in. (1580 mm) |
| Seat height (Laden) | 31.1 in (789 mm) with ARH / 32 in (814 mm) without ARH |
| Ground clearance | 6.9 in. (175 mm) |
| Curb weight | 569 lbs. (258 kg) |
| Engine | |
| Type | Revolution® Max 1250, 60° V-Twin, Liquid Cooled, DOHC |
| Displacement | 1252 cc (76.4 cu in) |
| Bore × Stroke | 4.13 in. × 2.85 in. (105 mm × 72.3 mm) |
| Compression ratio | 13.0:1 |
| Starting system | Electric starter |
| Fuel supplying system | Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) |
| Ignition control system | ECU Ignition |
| Engine oil type | SAE 20W-50 HD 360 Motorcycle Oil |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission type | 6-speed, manual gear shift |
| Clutch type | Wet, multi-plate, assist & slipper clutch |
| Driving system | Chain drive |
| Primary reduction ratio | 49/89 |
| Final reduction ratio | 19/48 |
| Gear ratio | 1st: 13.11; 2nd: 9.687; 3rd: 7.509; 4th: 6.057; 5th: 5.08; 6th: 4.436 |
| Chassis | |
| Tire size | Front: 120/70R19 60V; Rear: 170/60R17 72V |
| Rim type | Cast Aluminum (Standard) / Laced Wheels (Optional) |
| Capacity of fuel tank | 5.6 gal (21.2 L) |
| Fuel consumption | Approx. 45 mpg (5.2 L / 100 km) |
| Electric | |
| Battery | 12V / 12Ah, Sealed Lead-Acid |
| Headlight | Daymaker® Signature LED Headlamp, cornering function |
| Tail light | Full LED |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | 47mm inverted fork with electronically adjustable semi-active damping control |
| Front travel | 7.5 in (191 mm) |
| Rear Suspension | Linkage-mounted monoshock with automatic electronic preload control and semi-active compression & rebound damping |
| Rear travel | 7.5 in (191 mm) |
