By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 (RA1) vs KTM 1290 Super Adventure S (MY2021)
Wide open on the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250, the Revolution Max pulls hard and it's still gathering speed when the top-end rush arrives. On the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, the throttle's barely cracked and the engine's already shoving. That thrust doesn't let up until redline.
So which one do you buy?
The 1290 Super Adventure S has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
Slight edge: 1290 Super Adventure S
On loose ground, the 1290 Super Adventure S feels a little more sure-footed. The reason: more suspension adjustment. Small margin, and the right tires matter more.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: 1290 Super Adventure S
On a winding road, the 1290 Super Adventure S comes out a touch ahead. What tips it: better suspension and stronger brakes. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Edges it: 1290 Super Adventure S
Long days lean slightly toward the 1290 Super Adventure S. That comes from better wind protection. Your own body is the better judge of a gap this small.
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: 1290 Super Adventure S
Day in, day out, the 1290 Super Adventure S nudges ahead in traffic. Credit simpler maintenance. It isn't a big enough gap to plan around.
Keeping running costs low
Small edge: 1290 Super Adventure S
The 1290 Super Adventure S should be a little cheaper to keep on the road. It's a small gap.
What makes each one tick
Pan America 1250
There's a mechanical voice in the Pan America's liquid-cooled V-twin, and it splits opinion. The chassis brings a sporty road manner to corner entry. It's capable off pavement too. The engine keeps climbing into a sporty top end.
1290 Super Adventure S
On twisty roads, the Super Adventure S keeps its mass low and it's quick to flick between bends. It doesn't trade control for comfort. The bike eats long days of miles in comfort.
Nils rode the 1290 Super Adventure S in 2021, and in Ireland in 2022 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1290 Super Adventure S has the lower seat: 33.4 in (849 mm) vs 35.2 in (895 mm).
- The 1290 Super Adventure S makes more peak power: 160 hp (118 kW) vs 148 hp (110 kW).
- The 1290 Super Adventure S makes more peak torque: 102 lb-ft (138 Nm) vs 94 lb-ft (127 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
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
1290 Super Adventure S
What owners say
Strengths
- Explosive and torquey V-twin engine
- Advanced electronics and rider aids
- Agile handling despite its size
- Plush, adjustable suspension
Trade-offs
- Reliability concerns and electrical gremlins
Known problems to check before you buy
Pan America 1250
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
1290 Super Adventure S
- High-speed wobble Owners report a headshake or weave developing at higher speeds, most often with luggage or a pillion aboard, or when the front tire is worn or unevenly loaded. The bars can shimmy noticeably until the rider backs off the throttle. Careful attention to tire condition and wheel balance, along with front preload and fork damping settings, usually calms the behavior.
- Fuel pump failure Some owners have experienced sudden fuel pump failure, leaving the bike stranded. A known issue with KTM, though not widespread.
- Engine misfire requiring multiple dealer visits Intermittent engine misfire in the mid-range that can resist diagnosis, with owners reporting repeated dealer visits over an extended period before a fix is found. Points to tricky fault-finding and possible parts-supply delays rather than a single failed part.
- Electrical gremlins and intermittent faults Reports of TFT display blanking, fuel gauge failure, and random warning lights. Often traced to voltage sensitivity during starting; keeping battery fully charged and starting in neutral can mitigate.
What they share
- Wet weight
- 540 lb (245 kg)
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-19
- Rear tire
- 170/60-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Pan America 1250 | 1290 Super Adventure S | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 35.2 in (895 mm) | 33.4 in (849 mm) |
| Pan America 1250 | 1290 Super Adventure S | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1252 cc | 1301 cc |
| Engine | 60° V-twin | 75° V-twin |
| Power | 148 hp (110 kW) | 160 hp (118 kW) |
| Torque | 94 lb-ft (127 Nm) | 102 lb-ft (138 Nm) |
| Pan America 1250 | 1290 Super Adventure S | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 46 mpg (US) / 5.1 L/100 km | 41 mpg (US) / 5.7 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.6 US gal (21.2 L) | 6.1 US gal (23 L) |
| Pan America 1250 | 1290 Super Adventure S | |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | 8.3 in (210 mm) | 8.8 in (223 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.5 in (190 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.5 in (190 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Pan America 1250 | 1290 Super Adventure S | |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Suspension | Option | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Not offered | Option |
| Navigation | Standard | Option |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Option | Standard |
| Luggage System | Option | Not offered |
| Cornering Lights | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
