Bike Files: Harley-Davidson Pan America

The Motor Company provides a left field alternative in the big capacity adventure bike sector…

A Harley-Davidson adventure bike, this sounds interesting…

The motorcycling world was certainly surprised when Harley-Davidson announced it would be breaking away from its traditional range of cruisers by adding some more mainstream offerings into its line-up with this, the Pan America, and a naked bike called the Bronx as part of its ‘More roads to Harley-Davidson’ business strategy in 2018.

In many ways the idea of a big adventure bike shouldn’t have been too surprising. It’s a hugely popular sector of the market, popularised by the BMW GS, and lucrative too – with bikes commanding premium prices and often being loaded up with big ticket accessories.

The Pan America was introduced to a mixed reception in 2020 and has been a part of the range ever since.

But is it any good?

It’s actually pretty good with some really innovative features.

The 1252cc, 60-degree, V-twin was new for the Pan America and delivers the right kind of numbers for a premium adventure bike, with 150bhp and plenty of torque. Significantly, it also has plenty of character – something which has been a Harley-Davidson trait since day dot.

On paper it continues to be right up there with the best in class, especially with the higher-spec ‘Special’ model. Brembo brakes, Showa suspension (semi-active electronic stuff on the Special) and a good electronics package all work well and on the road it is a spirited performer, especially when dialled into the more sporting settings.

Off road it is competent and the Special also has the option to lower itself at slow speeds and standstill, providing confidence for shorter riders. This isn’t completely unique these days, but back in 2020 the Harley-Davidson Pan America Special was the model which introduced the tech.

Dynamically this is the best Harley-Davidson ever made, while they’ve also played it smart with the Pan America’s pricing, seriously undercutting the GS and providing plenty of spec for the money.

We feel a ‘but’ coming on here…

There’s not really a ‘but’ as such. In isolation, the Pan America is a really good motorcycle and brings something a bit different to the adventure bike sector. The only real issue is that it is up against some real heavyweight players, who’ve been building ADVs for decades, and against the likes of the GS, Ducati Multistrada and Triumph Tiger it can feel a little bit rough around the edges. If you’re happy to put up with these, you’re left with a very good and distinctive motorcycle that’s value for money.

But the styling!

Ah, yes, you saw the pictures! We did mention that the Pan America is distinctive and nowhere is that more obvious than in the styling. It is, shall we say, Marmite and even in the Entire Cover office we can’t make up our mind. What we would say is that it really looks rugged and stands out from the crowd, while the graphics and headlight design do create a family resemblance with other H-D models.

This was always going to be a tough ask for Harley when going into new sectors and we think they’ve done well in creating a design which isn’t a generic cookie cutter adventure bike.

It still looks big and heavy though.

At 265kg, and with a 895mm seat height, there’s no denying the Pan America is a big motorcycle – though equally you could say the same about more or less any big adventure bike. The Special’s optional adaptive ride height makes it more accessible for a wider range of riders while, in 2025, we saw the addition of the ‘ST’ version.

This is a more street orientated version, which drops the off-road pretence in favour of better on-road manners. With a new seat, smaller (17” front and rear) wheels and different suspension it is lower and lighter, weighing in at 246kg and coming with an 825mm seat height as standard. The ST is now the base model. It’s a little cheaper than the Special, with the heavily modified CVO (Custom Vehicles Operations) version available for a serious price premium.

And what of the Bronx?

Sadly it looks like Harley’s attempt to go even more mainstream has gone on ice. As well as the Pan America, it had looked like the grand old man of American motorcycling was set to diversify in the middleweight roadster sector, with a new bike called the Bronx.

A bruiser set to go up against rivals like the Ducati Monster and Yamaha MT-09, it was announced alongside the Pan America in 2018 as part of Harley’s ‘More Roads to Harley-Davidson’ programme (or should that be ‘program’). While the Pan America made it to production, the Bronx was dropped. With Harley’s EV projects hived off into the Livewire sub brand, and no completely new models that we’re aware of, it seems that the Pan America will remain an outlier in the wiser H-D range for the foreseeable future.

Who is buying the Harley-Davidson Pan America?

To be honest, it’s not proved a sales smash – especially here in the UK – but it’s done well in its home market which, considering the size of the US, is probably enough to consider it a success.

Harley-Davidson have found out what almost every other manufacturer has discovered – which is that it’s one heck of a task to get adventure bike riders to chop in their BMWs for anything else, in the same way that those same manufacturers can’t seem to get riders to trade in a Harley for an R 18 or Diavel. What comes around goes around, it seems!

Why should I buy a Harley-Davidson Pan America?

There are lots of reasons to buy one. Maybe you’re diehard HOG enthusiast who has wanted to try something different put couldn’t bear to be disloyal to the Motor Company. Now is your time!

Or maybe you just want a good ADV that’s a bit different to the usual GS. If you’re happy to explain what it is every time you pull up and don’t mind the quirky styling, you’ll be enjoying a Harley-Davidson in a way you probably thought was never possible.