The 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan American 1250 Special shown in Baja Orange and Stone Washed White Pearl.

It’s official: Harley-Davidson has entered the Adventure-Touring segment with the all-new 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250. The ADV class has become one of the most hotly contested categories in motorcycling, and H-D is joining the fray with two models ? a base model Pan America 1250, priced at $17,319 and the up-spec Pan America 1250 Special priced at $19,999. Loaded with technology, an all-new 1250cc V-twin engine and much more, these American-made ADV look ready for action.

The Pan America features an all-new Revolution Max engine, a 1,250cc DOHC liquid-cooled 60-degree V-twin that pumps out a claimed 150 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 94 lb-ft of torque at 6,750 rpm. Harley says these healthy performance figures include a broad powerband but doesn’t forgo a nice top-end surge that extends to the 9,500 rpm redline.
The 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 standard model, shown in River Rock Gray with Medallion.

H-D has pulled out all the stops with the Revolution Max engine when it comes to engine tech, and we see things like Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and a finger-follower valvetrain employed. The brand has also adopted a radically oversquare 105mm bore and 72 stroke, which is a huge departure for H-D engines. High-mileage riders will also enjoy hearing about the maintenance-free valves, thanks to hydraulic adjusters, saving owners time...