As we know, most motorcycles are specialized weapons, manufactured to hit a certain target without missing. Some bikes hit the asphalt hard and fast, while others tread dirt without batting an eye. Some can go on long marches, while some are single shooters, requiring reloads after every shot around the track. The truth is, none of these bikes can do everything you want all at once.Most riders don’t usually live inside a single box. They use their bikes for practically everything they do. A commute through traffic to work, a small escape from the city, or even a longer multi-day escapade into the wilderness beyond. This is the kind of rider most of us are. Of course, there are a select few of us who have our designated track bike or trail buddy, but for those of us who don’t, the adventure bike can be the most promising thing out there. Adventure Bikes Are The Ultimate Motorcycle Multitool Honda Adventure motorcycles have evolved into some of the most versatile bikes a rider can own. While they were originally inspired by long-distance rally racing bikes, they could scale any kind of terrain; manufacturers started blending everyday practicality into them. This resulted in touring machines that are capable of handling more than just heat and asphalt. The plush seats and upright riding position made it easier for long days in the saddle, but their high ground clearance, large wheels, and tall suspension made them easy to handle when the tarmac ended.Kawasaki Add to this the large fuel tank, luggage mounts, and endless electronics, and what you get is a perfectly capable bike for crossing continents with as few fuel stops as possible. If the bikes are capable of so much over such large distances, then the everyday commute, too, becomes easier. Just strip off the bags and give it a wash, and it's all set to take you to work. Harley-Davidson Steps Into The Adventure World Harley-Davidson For most of its history, Harley-Davidson built motorcycles that followed a very specific design language. H-D has become synonymous with cruisers, tourers, baggers, and bobbers. These bikes were, and still are, some of the most iconic machines in their category, and while this worked for Harley for a long time, the motorcycle world and the riders in them started to change.Harley-Davidson The company recognized that shift and finally made the decision to step outside its comfort zone. The result was an entirely new platform, a motorcycle built from the ground up, ready to compete on a very different field from what H-D is used to. For the first time, ADV riders who were also secretly Harley admirers got exactly what they wanted. A New Direction For Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 ST Harley-Davidson The H-D Pan America model line by itself represented a different kind of thinking from the company. A shift from their original cruisers and heavyweight tourers, the Pan American shows how the company wanted to expand. While the older purists were still looking at Harley as the cruiser king, there was an increasing number of buyers who wanted more than just laid-back mile munchers. The first Pan America satisfied that craving, but it took the saying 'off the beaten path' a little too seriously.Harley-Davidson The latest Pan America 1250 ST, however, pulls it back a little more towards the road. While the original Pan America ran on spoked wheels and knobby tires, the ST gets alloys and smoother, road-gripping rubber. The suspension was also tuned for stability, allowing the bike to feel more planted in the corners than the original would. The Revolution Max Engine Changes The Formula Harley-Davidson When Harley stepped into the ADV segment, it came with an entirely new foundation. At the heart of the Pan America sits the Revolution Max 1250 engine, a modern liquid-cooled V-twin designed to deliver the kind of performance you would expect from a modern ADV. Displacing 1,252cc, the engine is capable of churning out 150 horsepower and 94 pound-feet of twisting power. There is also variable valve timing, which automatically adjusts based on speed and load. This allows for smooth, predictable power delivery in slow, everyday situations, but there is enough oomph the moment you ask for it. The Pan America 1250 ST Is Built For The Road First Harley-Davidson The Pan America’s frame is a key part of its design. Harley uses a modular chassis for the ADV where the engine is a stressed member, allowing for better rigidity and better weight savings, at least when compared to its cruiser siblings. 17-inch road-focused tires and a fully-adjustable suspension add to its road-going credentials. While still tall, suspension travel has been reduced compared to the off-road-oriented version, so the squat stance also helps with balance. The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 ST Is A Comfortable Partner Living With A Motorcycle That Does Everything Harley-DavidsonThe real value of the Pan America 1250 ST becomes clearer in everyday riding. An upright seating position immediately makes the bike comfortable to ride, and the wide handlebars offer excellent control. For daily commuters, the tall stance also offers an excellent view of the traffic ahead, allowing for better judgment and navigation. Out on the highway, protection from the tall windscreen and a comfortable seat allow for long durations in the saddle without the need for breaks. Technology That Makes Riding Easier Harley-Davidson Modern motorcycles do feel like rolling computers calculating speed, distance, lap times, adjusting for road conditions, adjusting for weather conditions, and even providing music and phone call ability. The Pan America embraces that evolution. There are multiple riding modes that adjust throttle response, and suspension behavior can be altered as well. Even cornering ABS and traction control provide a safety net in unpredictable situations. All of this is accessible and controlled via the large digital display up front. It keeps the information crystal clear and easy to read. The Pan America 1250 ST Is Harley’s Best Do-It-All Machine Harley-Davidson A lot of motorcycles claim to do it all, and more often than not, they do live up to their promise. Of course, there have to be sacrifices made, but that’s the course you choose when you want a jack-of-all-trades. You get a lot of very qualities smooshed down into a single machine, but not one single best ability. For a lot of us, this is better than owning multiple rides that can just do one thing right.Sources: Harley-Davidson