Reviewers test Harley-Davidson’s 2026 Pan America 1250 Limited, Street Glide Limited and Road Glide Limited

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• Pan America 1250 Limited: fully kitted but familiar
• Street Glide Limited: classic touring, incrementally improved
• Road Glide Limited: same heart, different nose
• Key specs at a glance

Harley-Davidson’s 2026 "Limited" trio — the Pan America 1250 Limited, Street Glide Limited and Road Glide Limited — was ridden back-to-back on coastal mountain roads outside Málaga. The comparison highlights where Harley’s touring DNA still excels and where some updates feel overdue.

Pan America 1250 Limited: fully kitted but familiar

I first rode the Pan America 1250 when it arrived in the UK in 2021 while working in Harley-Davidson’s PR team, so I’ve spent a lot of time with the model. The 2026 Pan America 1250 Limited keeps the core bike largely unchanged from that first effort.

Harley has loaded this Limited with equipment: a three-piece luggage system developed with SW Motech (total carrying capacity 120 litres), tubeless spoked wheels, crash bars, a sturdy bash plate and adjustable brake and shift pedals. The bike also gets a Screamin’ Eagle quickshifter, an adaptive ride-height system, semi-active suspension and adaptive LED lighting. A 6.8-inch TFT display handles connectivity and rider settings, and Harley advertises a full suite of rider-safety aids and nine selectable ride modes.

All that kit carries a premium. The Pan America 1250 Limited starts at £22,995. Remove the accessories and the underlying motorcycle remains essentially the same as the 2021 model: similar looks, performance and feel. In practice that means the engine character and the gearbox still divide opinion, and the quickshifter does not fully mask transmission roughness for some riders.

Another practical point: used Pan Americas have been appearing at steep discounts. The author found multiple listings under £7,000 online, which underlines a gap between new asking prices and the resale reality.

Street Glide Limited: classic touring, incrementally improved

The Street Glide Limited is unmistakably a Harley touring machine — big, comfortable and designed for long miles. Mechanically it follows the same template as the company’s touring range but adds a few evolutionary upgrades.

Most notable is the partially liquid-cooled, 1917cc Milwaukee‑Eight V‑twin now fitted with variable valve timing. That change nudges the output to around 107 bhp and 130.5 lb‑ft of torque, while also delivering modest gains in efficiency. Ergonomics and overall ride remain rooted in Harley’s long-distance philosophy: these bikes reward a smooth, flowing riding style rather than aggressive flicks of the wrist.

The Street Glide Limited is heavily equipped. Standard items include a taller screen, improved fairing aerodynamics, heated grips and a heated rider seat. Luggage capacity is listed at 144 litres, and the model is roughly 11 kg lighter than the previous generation. Pricing starts at £29,995.

That weight — around 405 kg — is part of the package. When handled within its intended envelope the Street Glide feels composed and confidence-inspiring. Mistakes, however, are less forgiving on a machine this size; the platform rewards sensible inputs and steady pacing.

Road Glide Limited: same heart, different nose

At heart the Road Glide Limited shares engines and many systems with the Street Glide. The key distinction is the fairing: the Road Glide’s is frame-mounted, while the Street Glide’s is fork-mounted. That mechanical difference changes how the bikes feel at speed and in corners.

Because the Road Glide’s fairing remains fixed to the frame, it isolates the rider from some of the aerodynamic inputs that travel with fork-mounted designs. The result is a steadier feel under load and improved high-speed composure — one reason road-going “bagger” racers often favour the Road Glide layout.

The Road Glide also offers modest ergonomic advantages for taller riders and more useful lower fairing compartments. Harley says the 2026 Road Glide Limited is about 6 kg lighter than its predecessor. Price is the same as the Street Glide Limited: £29,995.

Purpose matters here. The Road Glide is not an everyday commuter or a nimble sportbike. It is designed for long-distance touring and American-style open highways. If that mission matches your riding habits, Harley remains one of the few manufacturers that executes it so thoroughly.

Key specs at a glance