The 2025 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 ST reimagines the adventure-touring formula, shifting focus from off-road capability to sporty road performance. Built on the Pan America platform, this street-oriented model promises agile handling and touring comfort. I took it for a spin to see if it lives up to the hype. Here’s my first-ride review, comparing it to the Honda Africa Twin and NT1100 for touring prowess, in a concise 500-600 words.
Design and Ergonomics
The Pan America ST looks sleeker than its adventure sibling, the Pan America 1250 Special. Its 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels, lower fender, and non-adjustable smoked windshield create a slim, sporty profile. The redesigned seat, 0.5 inches lower (31.7 inches with Adaptive Ride Height, or ARH, at its lowest), positions riders “in” the bike, enhancing control during cornering. At 542 pounds, it’s 27 pounds lighter than the Special, thanks to a simplified exhaust and reduced bodywork (no crash bars or handguards). The riding position is upright yet aggressive, ideal for carving canyons or cruising highways. However, the low-profile windshield offers less wind protection than the NT1100’s adjustable screen, and the seat, while supportive, isn’t as plush as the Honda’s for all-day rides.
Performance and Handling
Powered by the liquid-cooled Revolution Max 1250cc V-Twin, the ST delivers 149 hp at 8,750 rpm and 91 lb-ft of torque, slightly less than the Special but punchy for road duties. The standard Screamin’ Eagle bidirectional quickshifter makes clutchless shifts smooth, a clear edge over the Africa Twin’s optional DCT and NT1100’s standard clutch. The 17-inch Michelin Scorcher Sport tires (vs. the Special’s adventure-oriented Scorcher Adventures) grip pavement tightly, and the reduced suspension travel (6.75 inches vs. 7.5) lowers the center of gravity for sharper handling. Showa Balance Free suspension with electronic preload and manual adjustments feels responsive, though it’s less plush than the NT1100 on bumpy roads. Compared to the Africa Twin, the ST is less versatile off-road but outshines it on twisty asphalt, rivaling the NT1100’s nimble road manners.
Touring Features
The ST is tech-heavy, with a 6.8-inch TFT touchscreen offering Bluetooth, navigation via Harley’s app, and five ride modes (Road, Sport, Rain, plus two custom). Rider aids include cornering ABS, traction control, drag torque slip control, and vehicle hold control, matching the Africa Twin’s advanced suite but surpassing the NT1100’s simpler setup (unless opting for the 2025 NT1100 with IMU). ARH, standard in North America, lowers the bike at stops, a boon for shorter riders, unlike either Honda. However, luggage is optional, unlike the NT1100’s standard 65L panniers, and the ST’s 6.5-gallon tank (46 mpg, ~300-mile range) slightly edges out the Hondas’ 250-mile range. The lack of standard heated grips (optional) is a miss for cold-weather touring.
Ride Impressions
Over 200 miles of mixed roads, the ST impressed. In Sport mode, acceleration felt urgent, though fuelling between 3,500-4,500 rpm was slightly uneven, as noted in reviews. The quickshifter was flawless, making city commuting and canyon carving a blast. Handling was precise, outpacing the Africa Twin on pavement but not quite as flickable as the NT1100. Comfort was solid for solo rides, but the NT1100’s superior pillion setup and wind protection better suit two-up touring. The side-stand’s awkward placement, a known Pan America quirk, annoyed during parking.
Price and Verdict
At $19,999, the ST matches the Pan America Special’s price and undercuts the NT1100 (~$21,000 with DCT) and Africa Twin Adventure Sports (~$22,000). For road-focused touring, the ST’s sporty dynamics, quickshifter, and ARH make it a strong contender, rivaling the NT1100’s comfort and beating the Africa Twin’s road agility. However, the NT1100 remains the better pure tourer with standard luggage and plusher ergonomics, while the Africa Twin excels for mixed-terrain adventures. Choose the Pan America ST if you crave a thrilling, street-savvy tourer with Harley’s bold style.