Pan America 1250 Special vs R 1300 GS for green laning
The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special is 26kg heavier than the BMW R 1300 GS, with the same seat height, and scores 2/10 against 2/10 on the Holloway Green Lane Score.
2/10Pan America 1250 Special
2/10R 1300 GS
Which suits you
Choose the R 1300 GS if low-speed control and picking it up after a drop matter most: it is 26kg lighter wet.
Both take a 120/70-19 front tyre, so the same front tyre options fit either bike.
The R 1300 GS costs £1,750 less new.
Holloway ratings side by side
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special BMW R 1300 GS
A tick marks the better figure for green laning. Manufacturer figures; weights are wet unless marked as estimates.
Where they sit against every other bike
Wet weight against ground clearance across the whole Bike Finder. Light and tall, top left, is where the easiest green lane bikes sit.
Our take on each
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special: A powerful, well-equipped and comfortable semi-active adventure bike that is much better on gravel than its weight suggests, but 263 kg and road-biased tyres make mud a real risk.
BMW R 1300 GS: A superb road tourer that carries its weight well on gravel, but its bulk and narrow front wheel make it a poor match for tight, rutted UK lanes.
Remember: rider ability, tyres and the weather on the day move the real answer more than the bike does. Check each lane's own difficulty and legal status before you ride.
Find where to ride either one
Plan a day of legal green lanes across England and Wales on Holloway's map, with each lane's difficulty and status.
