Explore Endless Horizons: New Harley-Davidson® Pan America™ 1250 and Pan America™ 1250 Special Motorcycles Debut

Apr. 16 2021 News By Harley-Davidson of Fargo

On Monday, February 22nd, Harley-Davidson released the all-new Pan America, Harley-Davidson's Adventure Touring Motorcycle! This is the model many of us have been waiting for. Introducing the 2021 Pan America 1250 and 1250 Special Motorcycles. The design contains references to classic Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles, while nodding to historic American off-road vehicles, like the Willys Jeep and the Ford bronco. This is unmistakably an American adventure bike. Meanwhile, the engine is the all-new Revolution Max that delivers previously unheard-of power and efficiency.

The Pan America motorcycle is Harley-Davidson's explore-it-all machine for riders who see touring as detouring - on road and off. This rugged, powerful, technologically advanced multi-purpose vehicle is designed from the ground up to inspire rider confidence and fuel the spirit of adventure, wherever the road may take you! Did you miss the virtual reveal? Check it out in this video:


"From its inception more than a century ago, when many roads were little more than dirt trails, Harley-Davidson has stood for adventure. So, I'm very proud to proud to present Pan America as the first adventure-touring bike designed and built in America," said Chairman and CEO Jochen Zeitz. "The Pan America models exude that go-anywhere spirit, shared today by riders in the U.S. and around the globe who want to experience the world on a motorcycle." That same adventurous spirit is deeply shared by actor and brand ambassador, Jason Momoa, who is joining creative forces with the Company to bring Pan America's passion for adventure to the world.


Don't want to read our entire blog post about the Pan America? Here are the Top 10 Facts About The Pan America:

  1. 150 Horsepower! The heart of the Pan America is Harley's new 1,250-cc, liquid-cooled, 60-degree V-Twin Revolution Max Engine.
  2. Two Flavors - 1250 & 1250 Special
  3. The Engine is a stressed member. The Pan America's engine is unique compared to other Harley's because it is a stressed member. By that, we mean the engine is used as part of the cassis.
  4. The Pan America has a similar weight to other within the large-displacement adventure motorcycle market. 534 pounds wet for the base model and 559 pounds wet for the special.
  5. Industry First - Adaptive Ride Height makes it debut on the Pan America 1250 Special. This factory-installed option unlocks confidence you can feel by lowering seat height when stopped, and maintaining a constant, optimum suspension sag at speed by adjusting preload while continuously sensing weight inputs.
  6. Electronics are plentiful on both models and include:
    • Four rider modes: Road, Sport, Rain, Off-Road, and Off-Road Plus (badass mode). The base features one customizable mode and the Special offers two customized modes.
    • Cornering ABS
    • Cornering Traction Control
    • Hill Hold Control
    • Cruise Control
  7. Both models use a 6.8-inch TFT touchscreen instrumentation that bluetooth's to your mobile device.
  8. The standard model features a Daymaker Signature LED headlamp, and the Special is upgraded with the Daymaker Adaptive Headlamp technology. The latter utilizes the ABS IMU to determine the motorcycle's lean angle and automatically projects additional light into corners to illuminate areas of the road that may be unlit by an LED headlamp without this technology. All other lights are LEDs.
  9. MSRP Pricing begins at $17,319 for the base model and $19,999 for the Special, without freight and setup.
  10. 250,000 miles in testing. hot, Cold, Mud, Wet, Harsh conditions. All so you can beat the hell out of this bike and not worry about durability.


From the commanding riding position, the rider will have the optimal view of the terrain ahead, while also controlling the cutting-edge rider-support technology. Everyone who has ridden this motorcycle comes back raving about its looks and performance. They report that it is equally comfortable laying down highway miles, cresting sand dunes, or fording rivers. It will enable current Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders to access new places to ride, as well as open up the Harley experience to a new generation of riders. We couldn't be more excited about it!

DID YOU KNOW... The bike is named after the Pan-American Highway, a network of roads that runs along the Pacific coasts of North and South America. The Pan-American is the longest motorable road in the world and passes through jungles, mountains, and desserts.


Pan America 1250 and Pan America 1250 Special models are powered by the new 150hp Revolution Max 1250 engine, a liquid-cooled 1,250cc-displacement V-Twin designed to offer a broad powerband that builds to a rush of high-RPM power. To minimize overall motorcycle weight (Pan America 1250 534lb. wet/Pan America 1250 Special 559lb. wet), the Revolution Max engine is integrated into the vehicle as the central member of the chassis.

Harley-Davidson Revolution Max 1250 Engine is Tuned for Adventure!

The next chapter in a century of legendary V-Twins is here. Revolution Max is a liquid-cooled powertrain with 150 hp, full of ample torque, and a surging powerband tuned to maximize rider control. The Revolution Max 1250 engine has been tuned specifically to deliver desirable power characteristics for the Pan America 1250 and the Pan America 1250 Special models, with an emphasis on smooth low-end torque delivery and low-speed throttle control applicable to off-road riding.

A focus on performance and weight reduction drove both vehicle and engine architecture, material choices, and aggressive component design optimization. To minimize overall motorcycle weight the engine is integrated into the vehicle as the central member of the chassis. The use of lightweight materials helps achieve a desirable power-to-weight ratio. The Revolution Max 1250 engine is assembled at the Harley-Davidson Pilgrim Road Powertrain Operations facility in Wisconsin.

The Revolution Max 1250 is a structural component of the motorcycle chassis, eliminating a traditional frame - which significantly reduces overall weight and keeps handling taut. This is performance you can feel, with the center of gravity low and the chassis super rigid.

Double Overhead Camshafts (DOHC) facilitate higher peak horsepower, and independent Variable Valve Timing (VVT) broadens the overall powerbrand and improves torque management. All this to say you'll have as much low-end acceleration of the line and high-RPM horsepower you can twist.

Revolution® Max 1250 Engine

Displacement: 1250cc

Bore x Stroke: 4.13 in. (105 mm) x 2.83 in (72 mm)

Horsepower: 150hp

Peak Torque: 94 ft. lbs.

Peak RPM: 9500

Compression Ratio: 13:1



Pan America models are equipped with technologies designed to enhance the riding experience, including multiple electronically controlled ride modes plus Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements. This broad collection of technologies is designed to match motorcycle performance to available traction during acceleration, deceleration and braking. The Pan America 1250 Special model is equipped with electronically adjustable semi-active front and rear suspension. As an industry-first innovation, Pan America is equipped with Adaptive Ride Height (ARH), a revolutionary new suspension system which automatically transitions between a low stopped position and optimal ride height when the motorcycle is in motion.

Adaptive Ride Height makes it debut on the pan America 1250 Special. This factory-installed option unlocks confidence you can feel by lowering seat height when stopped, and maintaining a constant, optimum suspension sag at speed by adjusting preload while continuously sensing weight inputs.

Semi-Active Front & Rear Suspension - 190mm travel on Showa BFF (Balance Free Forks) fronts and BFRC (Balanced Free Rear Cushion-lite) coil-over rear shock with electronic preload control and semi-active damping. The rear suspension incorporates a linkage system connecting the shock, swingarm, and frame which provides a progressive feel through the stroke.

Harley-Davidson design and engineering teams collaborated throughout the process of creating and refining the Pan America™ 1250 and Pan America™ 1250 Special models with a vision guided by utility. Like a good multi-tool, function leads the form of these Harley-Davidson® models. From grab handles to integrated luggage mounts, to a horizontal headlamp configured to better illuminate an off-road trail, function defines style. Inspired by the spirit of rugged North American off-road versatility, the Pan America 1250 and Pan America 1250 Special models stand out visually in the adventure touring landscape, with design that reflects the capability of the motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson dealers will offer a complete line of accessories for the Pan America 1250 and Pan America 1250 Special models, including three durable luggage systems, and new technical riding gear for men and women developed in collaboration with respected European motorcycle apparel specialist, REV’IT!. 

The Pan America 1250 and Pan America 1250 Special models will arrive at Harley-Davidson dealerships in Spring 2021.