The ultimate goal of motorcycle tour enthusiasts - 2021's top three ADVs

2021 has come to an end. Looking at the top ADV market in the past year, BMW still relies on the R1200 GS to secure the top spot, but Harley's strong entry seems to have to fight with BMW to the end. After all, the two have already stepped on each other's lines. The Ducati Multistrada V4 is definitely the biggest dark horse. Not only has it made breakthroughs in technology, but it has also been replaced with a V4 engine. It is a rare four-cylinder model among the current top ADVs.
As the three most powerful ADVs in 2021, each of them is the ultimate goal of motorcycle tour enthusiasts: BMW R1250GS, Harley Pan America 1250 Special, Ducati Multistrada V4S.

BMW R1250GS
As a benchmark model in the ADV industry, BMW R1250 GS has stood for more than 40 years. It is enough to prove everything. The familiar design has established the wind vane of ADV style, and the iconic bird's beak has almost become the indispensable element of the appearance design of most ADVs. As the flagship among BMW ADV models, the R1250GS has top-of-the-line specifications. The front 19-inch rear 17-inch steel spoked wheels, the front 190mm rear 200mm shock absorption stroke, the 840mm seat height, the unique horizontally opposed twin-cylinder boxer engine, endows it with a lower center of gravity, making it less difficult and more stable to drive. Take into account the dual characteristics of off-road performance and high-speed cruise.

In terms of functionality, it is equipped with a 6.5-inch full-color TFT instrument, MSR engine resistance torque control system, dynamic traction control, ASC automatic stability control system, two riding modes, hill start control, cruise control, keyless start, ABS Pro, Dynamic ESA, and more. Although BMW has always been a strong point in electronic configuration, many of these functions are optional.
In terms of power, BMW's famous "boxer" engine is adopted, with a horizontally opposed layout with a displacement of 1254cc, and an advanced BMW ShiftCam variable camshaft control system, with a maximum power of 100kW (136Ps)/7750rpm and a maximum torque of 143Nm/6250rpm. Although the data is not the strongest among the three models, the boxer engine is definitely the most stable and reliable. BMW is the only axle-driven model among these three models. The boxer with the drive axle is definitely the most perfect combination.

Harley Pan America 1250 Special
The distinctive exterior design makes the Harley Pan America 1250 highly recognizable. As Harley's first ADV model, the Pan America 1250 is a brand new attempt. Its exterior design is full of American violent aesthetics, and the thick muscle lines are very powerful. It does not use the traditional ADV beak, which makes it completely different from the other two opponents. The front 19-inch rear 17-inch wire spoked wheels, the front and rear shock absorber travel of up to 190mm, the minimum ground clearance of 210mm, and the seat height of 868mm, these hardware elements make the Pan America 1250 quite hardcore, and has a good off-road ability.

As a "newcomer" entering the ADV market, Harley is obviously still a little immature. Although it is very powerful in terms of functionality, it is obviously not as good as the other two opponents in the field of human-computer interaction. There is no problem with the 6.8-inch full-color touch screen instrument. The problem is that the font design of some data is too small, and the layout inside the instrument is slightly crowded, which makes the data difficult to identify during riding. Harley also tried its best on the electronic configuration part, including five driving modes, cruise control, mobile phone connection, hill hold, automatic headlights, traction control, TPMS (tire pressure monitoring), cornering ABS, semi-active suspension, and even There is also a ride height adjustment function.

Powering it is the Revolution Max 1250 engine, a V-twin-cylinder power platform with an actual displacement of 1252cc, which goals with the standard of BMW R1250. Although Harley has been immersed in air-cooled engines in the past, this V2 water-cooled engine is quite powerful. The maximum horsepower is 150ps/9,000rpm, the maximum torque is 128Nm/6750rpm, and the top speed can reach more than 200km/h, which has the momentum of surpassing the BMW R1250.

Ducati Multistrada V4S
The Ducati Multistrada V4 series is the world's first motorcycle with front and rear active radar, and this gimmick alone can make it invincible among many competitors. In fact, from the appearance point of view, the Multistrada V4 is basically similar to the V2 model, and the appearance design is also very recognizable. The front 19-inch rear 17-inch steel spoked rims, the front 170mm rear 180mm shock absorber stroke, and the 860mm seat height are indeed in line with the hardcore ADV specifications.

A 5-inch colour TFT display with Ducati Connect smartphone connectivity offers cornering ABS, wheel control and traction control, four riding modes as standard, and Vehicle Hold Control. Because of the use of front and rear radar modules, it also has adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring, which the other two opponents do not have.

In terms of power, it is quite interesting. This is a water-cooled V-type 4-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1158cc. It uses valve springs to replace Ducati's traditional cooling valve system. The maximum horsepower is 170hp/10,500rpm and the maximum torque is 125Nm/8,750rpm. In terms of power alone, it is the strongest among the three models. After all, the other two rivals are twin-cylinder models.

Three pillars have their own strengths
Let’s talk about the BMW R1250GS first. If you are asked to buy a top-level ADV model, it may be the first choice for most people. After all, it has been famous for many years and has already become the benchmark and representative of the industry. The solid position it has built over the years cannot be shaken in a short period of time. No matter how strong the opponent is, the BMW R1250GS is still one of the first choices.

Let's talk about the Harley Pan America 1250 then. As an important car in Harley's transformation, Pan America not only represents the change of Harley, but also declares war on BMW. As a traditional American cruise brand, it suddenly turns into a new field. It is a bit unacceptable for a while, and many people have a wait-and-see attitude. Although there are many people who like to try new things, after all, the traditional image of Harley is too profound, and it is impossible to shake the status of BMW in a short time.
In fact, the Ducati Multistrada series has always given the biggest impression of a station wagon. The biggest attraction of the launch of the Multistrada V4 is that in addition to the powerful V-shaped four-cylinder engine, the front and rear active radar system is a more interesting technology. The application of new technology is a trend in the development of high-end motorcycles in the past two years. It is difficult to say whether it will be popular in the future, but before that, don’t you want to try the charm of new technology?

(Reprinted)