The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 adventure bike has only had limited success since its launch in 2021, partly due to oddball styling and partly due to being a modern adventure bike from a traditional US cruiser manufacturer – but it’s not remotely a bad bike due to its lusty and versatile 150bhp V-twin engine, decent chassis and impressive electronics and equipment.
This new ST (for sports tourer) version might turn around those sales challenges. It’s inspired by Harley’s success in US ‘Super Hooligan’ racing (with a modified PanAm winning this streetbike series in 2025) and is intended to be a sportier, street-only incarnation with shorter travel suspension, 17” cast wheels with street tyres, chopped down screen and a one-piece saddle and sharper looks. The result may still look a little odd but is more manageable, better handling, great fun, versatile and even pretty good value. The result is the PanAm we’d most likely buy.
The ‘Revolution Max’ 1250cc V-twin was already one of the highlights of the original 2021 PanAm and is unchanged for the ST – and that’s no bad thing. It’s responsive, has just the right blend of flexible midrange and impressive top end power; there are four easily accessed riding modes (Street, Sport, Rain and Custom); a quickshifter/autoblipper and hill hold control.
Together it adds up to an engaging, occasionally thrilling, yet also versatile and practical performer. Braking-wise there are no complaints either. Stopping is taken care of by the latest Brembo radial calipers biting onto big 320mm twin discs, all ably supported by cornering ABS to offer plenty of power and control.
Handling, however, is significantly different to the stock PanAm. New 17” wheels replace the previous 19/17” combo and are also wider and wear stickier, Michelin Scorcher Sport, rubber. The shorter travel (by 21mm) suspension remains quality Showa fare and is fully adjustable, while feeling more controlled and precise.
The wheelbase is reduced from 1585 to 1570mm, trail is down from 108 to 95mm; the new, chopped down one-piece seat is lower, and the ST is 14kg lighter than the PanAm too, with a kerb weight of 246kg. All of those changes result in noticeably sharper, sportier, grippier and more controlled handling without sacrificing anything in terms of stability and practicality. It’s an ‘adventure sports style’ street sportster.
And although still an upright adventure bike, the ST is notably different when it comes to comfort and practicality. Its smaller wheels and reduced suspension travel drop the whole bike down; the seat is a new, more sculpted one-piece design that’s now just 825mm high (compared to the donor PanAm’s 850mm) and the screen is cut down too.
It all feels lower, meaner and more planted. It’s not perfect, that seat is also firmer and thinner, takes a little getting used to and isn’t as plush as the adventure version, while the screen was a little low for my (190cm/6’3”) liking and is non-adjustable, but on the whole it’s still a comfy, upright adventure bike.
As a street dedicated ‘Adventure sport’ it is similar to the likes of Ducati’s Multistrada, Triumph’s Tiger 1200 GT and the S version of KTM’s 1290 Adventure. The ST may have no off-road ability, but it still makes a great all-rounder. It has most of the upright comfort and versatility of an adventure bike, but with more manageability and street sporting aplomb. As an upright sportster it has much of the appeal of a super naked, but with added weather protection and comfort. It’s also a decent tourer, great around town and has a sharper, more striking sporty style as well.
The ST is not just a premium Harley, it’s their sportiest bike yet, so you’d expect equipment levels, particularly of sporting items, to be high – and they are. So, along with the quality suspension and brakes there’s a big touchscreen TFT dash with full Bluetooth smartphone connectivity; its electronics suite includes four modes, switchable traction control, cornering ABS and autoblipper, and there are tons of optional extras available including luggage, heated grips and more. On the slight downside, the screen’s not adjustable and it’s not quite as plush and luxurious as it might be. But on the whole, it wants for little.
At launch the PanAm ST’s price starts at a fairly reasonable £16,995 (although the red or black options, as tested, cost £350 more) which, considering it’s a Harley, its equipment levels and finish, is, by our reckoning, pretty good. On top of that, it shouldn’t be excessively expensive to run, and Harley residuals are traditionally very good.
Overall, if you like adventure bike proportions and practicality but want a sportier, street machine, the ST has a lot going for it. It’s fast, fine-handling, comfortable, manageable, decently equipped, versatile and has one of the most premium badges in motorcycling, even if slightly oddly styled. Personally, I like that and like the fact it’s different too. It’s also, in my book, pretty good value. For those reasons it’s probably the most likely version of the Harley PanAm I’d buy.
2025 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 ST Specification
Price: £16,995 (£17,345 as tested)
Engine: 1252cc V-twin, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, VVT, liquid cooled
Power: 150bhp (112kW) @ 9000rpm
Torque: 127Nm (94lb-ft) @ 6750rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, chain
Frame: Tubular steel with cast alloy sections
Suspension: (F) Showa 47mm USD telescopic forks, fully adjustable (R) Showa monoshock, fully adjustable.
Wheels: Cast aluminium
Tyres: Michelin Scorcher Sports (F) 120/70 x 17, (R) 180/55 x 17
Brakes: (F) 2 x 320mm discs, Brembo Monobloc four-piston radial calipers, (R) 280mm disc, Brembo single-piston caliper. ABS
Weight: 246kg (kerb)
Wheelbase: 1,580mm
Seat height: 825mm
Fuel tank: 21.2 litres
Fuel consumption: N/a
Service intervals: 5000 miles/12 months
Warranty: 24 months unlimited mileage
Contact: https://www.harley-davidson.com
Words: Phil West
Photos: Harley-Davidson
