AMD261 April 2021 American Motorcycle Dealer 261 April 2021 | Page 24

It also recognizes that a very high percentage of the miles ridden on ADV models worldwide are actually ridden in downtown , urban , suburban and periurban conditions - according to some estimates up to 80 % of the miles done on ADV models in some markets . While the Pan America is no BAJAJ or DAKAR winner in the making , it isn ' t designed to be and doesn ' t need to be . It is powerful at 150 hp at 9,000 rpm ( likely 130 / 135 at the tire ) and 94 ft lb torque ( 127 Nm ) from the new 1,250 cc / 76.3 ci liquid-cooled

Revolution Max engine . Plus , it is light by Harley standards , and strong . At 534 lb wet for the base model ( without luggage ) and without the driving modes and other electronic handling aids , it isn ' t exactly going to be as nimble as some of the emerging new generation of Dual Sport options that are becoming available in increasing numbers - especially those engineered in China . However , the judgement shouldn ' t be about its startpoint specs , the judgment should be about what it
The RA1250 Pan America ( standard ) weighs in at 534 lb wet without load , has a 62.2 " ( 1,580 mm ) wheelbase , 8.3 " ( 210 mm ) static ground clearance , 25 degrees of steering head rake , an unladen seat height of 31.8 " ( 807 mm ) and is expected to retail for a little over $ 17,000,00 . means for the brand and where it could be in competitive terms in , say , a decade from now . In both respects it looks like Harley certainly hasn ' t disgraced itself . Its engineers have done well , and seeing footage of it ' at play ', the styling doesn ' t look as gauche as might have been first thought . It looks rugged and it will clearly be strong enough for the conditions it will be exposed to . The use of the engine as a stressed member with the front frame , a mid-frame and a tail section bolted to the powertrain reduces overall weight while making for the kind of satisfyingly stiff riding solution that Adventure Tourers enjoy . A one-piece cast aluminum swingarm also contributes to minimizing the unsprung weight . The precision of the handling is augmented by a slew of electronic cornering rider safety enhancements and a positively un-Harley like approach to the front and rear suspension - its adjustable , reliable , durable and , urm , good . Harley appears to have shopped rather further up Showa ' s art-of-the-possible price list than usual . It is in the electronics that Harley has joined the top table of OEM creature comforts . To be fair , it has improved and embraced the opportunities to enrich the riding experience on its Big Twins quite dramatically in recent years , but there has always been a haunting sense of foreboding that should Harley ever need to mix it with the likes of BMW , Honda et al , the company would come up short . Not so . From the riding modes to the cornering safety enhancements , through to the semi-active suspension and the functionality , usability and quality of the information-rich 6.8 " viewable area TFT display , Harley has met the bar expected by riders in the ADV market . Among the plethora of electronic riding aids , it is a
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