By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure vs Cruiser
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 (RA1) vs Sportster S RH1250S (MY2021)
Off the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250, the first pothole tells you which bike you're on. On the Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S, that broken pavement doesn't get soaked up at the rear. Each hit jars straight up through the seat.
So which one do you buy?
The Pan America 1250 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Small edge: Pan America 1250
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the Pan America 1250. What tips it: a sportier chassis and better suspension. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
Daily commuting & city riding
Slight edge: Pan America 1250
For the ride to work, the Pan America 1250 noses ahead. Don't let that alone make the call.
What makes each one tick
Pan America 1250
There's a liquid-cooled twin in the Pan America that keeps pulling harder as the revs climb. Any real twist of the throttle brings hard acceleration, then a sporty surge once it's spinning high. Its twin keeps a mechanical growl.
Sportster S RH1250S
At idle the Sportster's twin clatters, and its wide bar and forward controls fold you into a crouch. There's precision at corner entry, where the light chassis turns in cleanly and stays on line. On Iron Mountain Road, it'll link one tight bend to the next. The fat front tire bites hard.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Sportster S RH1250S has the lower seat: 28.9 in (734 mm) vs 35.2 in (895 mm).
- The Sportster S RH1250S has the lower wet weight: 503 lb (228 kg) vs 540 lb (245 kg).
- The Pan America 1250 makes more peak power: 148 hp (110 kW) vs 120 hp (90 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not built for it: Sportster S RH1250S
The Sportster S RH1250S isn't built for long days on the road, so it sits this one out.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Neither is a natural fit
Neither one is where you should learn. Get a season on something gentler first.
These two run dead level on running costs. Sit on both in the showroom and trust what your body says.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Pan America 1250
What owners say
Strengths
- Powerful Revolution Max engine
Sportster S RH1250S
What owners say
Strengths
- Explosive Revolution Max power
Trade-offs
- Harsh ride over bumps
- Aggressive forward-leaning ergonomics
- Lack of wind protection and touring amenities
- Noisy, clattery engine character
Known problems to check before you buy
Pan America 1250
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Sportster S RH1250S
- Upper triple clamp fracture (recall 25V590/26V075) Recall 25V590000 The upper triple clamp may fracture under extreme load, leading to loss of control. Affects 2021–2026 models. Dealers will inspect and replace the clamp free of charge.
- Timing chain tensioner failure A few engine failures reported due to timing chain tensioner defects. Harley-Davidson has replaced affected engines under warranty. The frequency appears low, but the issue can cause catastrophic engine damage.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 5-year-old Pan America 1250 with a 5-year-old Sportster S RH1250S.
- Pan America 1250
- about $12,500
- Sportster S RH1250S
- about $10,400
At five years old, the Pan America 1250 sits around $12,500 while the Sportster S RH1250S lands near $10,400. That's a $2,100 gap in the Sportster's favor. These are estimates from the used market, not live listings.
What they share
- Displacement
- 1252 cc
- Engine
- 60° V-twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Torque
- 94 lb-ft (127 Nm)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Front brake
- 320 mm
Where the spec sheets split
| Pan America 1250 | Sportster S RH1250S | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 35.2 in (895 mm) | 28.9 in (734 mm) |
| Wet weight | 540 lb (245 kg) | 503 lb (228 kg) |
| Pan America 1250 | Sportster S RH1250S | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 148 hp (110 kW) | 120 hp (90 kW) |
| Pan America 1250 | Sportster S RH1250S | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.6 US gal (21.2 L) | 3.1 US gal (11.7 L) |
| Pan America 1250 | Sportster S RH1250S | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 120/70-19 | 160/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 170/60-17 | 180/70-16 |
| Ground clearance | 8.3 in (210 mm) | 3.7 in (93 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.5 in (190 mm) | 3.6 in (91 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.5 in (190 mm) | 2.0 in (51 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Pan America 1250 | Sportster S RH1250S | |
|---|---|---|
| Cornering ABS | Standard | Not offered |
| Electronic Suspension | Option | Not offered |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Steering Damper | Option | Not offered |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Option | Standard |
| Adjustable Windscreen | Standard | Not offered |
| Adjustable Seat Height | Standard | Not offered |
| Luggage System | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
