Harley-Davidson Reveals 2021 Pan America 1250, Global launch Soon

Production for Continental’s Most Sustainable Tyre To Date Starts

Harley-Davidson has revealed the 2021 Pan America 1250, the American brand's first adventure motorcycle that truly sheds the well-established conventional norms of what a Harley can be.

Expected to be launched globally in the coming months, the Pan American 1250 looks impressive with a wide circular headlight, a tall (and adjustable) windscreen fit on a high handlebar, the seats are split in design and at 868.6 mm.

The adventure motorcycle is available in two variants: Pan America 1250 and Pan America 1250 Special. Both are powered by the new 150Bhp Revolution Max 1250 engine, a liquid-cooled 1,250cc V-Twin.

 To minimize overall motorcycle weight (Pan America 1250- 242.218 kg,  wet/Pan America 1250 Special- 253.5 kg. wet), the Revolution Max engine is integrated into the vehicle as the central member of the chassis.

The cast-aluminium swingarm minimizes unsprung weight. The chassis is designed with a 62.2-inch wheelbase, ideal for touring capability and agile handling required for off-road manoeuvrability.

The cast aluminium wheels (19-inch front and 17-inch rear) are designed to be strong, yet lightweight, intended for use on paved roads and unpaved surfaces, such as gravel and rocky roads.

 Harley-Davidson and Michelin have collaboratively designed a Scorcher Adventure (120/70- Front, 170/60- Rear) for the Pan America models to meet the demands associated with adventure touring.

The Brembo Dual front brake rotors are 320mm in diameter, at the rear, we have a single rotor at 280mm. A new lightweight front brake master cylinder offers adjustable lever response.

The Pan America 1250 model features premium passive front and rear suspension that is fully adjustable for pre-load and compression/rebound damping. Front suspension is provided by a SHOWA, 47mm inverted cartridge fork. The rear suspension is a SHOWA Piggyback reservoir shock with adjustable hydraulic preload.

The 6.8-inch TFT touchscreen supports infotainment generated by the rider’s Bluetooth-equipped mobile device, including music and calls. Navigation is supplied by the free Harley-Davidson App for iOS or Android.

There are five riding modes on the base model (4 are pre-programmed and one can be customized). The Pan America 1250 Special model has two additional modes that can be customized by the owner

Pre-programed ride modes for the Pan America 1250 models include Road, Sport, Rain, Off-Road and Off-Road Plus. Each Ride Mode consists of a specific combination of power delivery, engine braking, Cornering Enhanced Antilock Braking System (C-ABS) and Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS) settings.

Additionally, Harley-Davidson is the first to offer Adaptive Ride Height (ARH) in the motorcycle industry as an option for the Pan America 1250 Special model only.

The 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 costs $17,319 (Rs. 12.53 lakhs) for the standard variant and $19,999 (Rs. 14.47 lakhs) for the top-spec Special offering that comes with additional features like wire-spoked wheels, with tubeless tyres, and adaptive ride height. (TT)

Tall (and adjustable) windscreen
6.8-inch TFT touchscreen

Yokohama Rubber Supplies BluEarth Tyres For Suzuki Wagon R In Japan

Yokohama Rubber Supplies BluEarth Tyres For Suzuki Wagon R In Japan

Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. said it has begun supplying its BluEarth-Es ES32 tyres as original equipment to Suzuki Motor Corporation for the Wagon R mini-vehicle, following the model’s launch in Japan in December 2025 after a minor update.

The Wagon R is fitted with 165/55R15 75V tyres.

BluEarth-Es ES32 is a standard tyre under the BluEarth YOKOHAMA global tyre brand, developed around the concept of being “environmentally, human, and socially friendly”. The tyre combines fuel efficiency with extended service life by reducing uneven wear. For the Wagon R, Yokohama Rubber said the tyres use tread patterns and compounds designed to deliver both lower rolling resistance and improved wear resistance.

Suzuki’s updated Wagon R incorporates additional safety features, including the Dual Sensor Brake Support II collision-mitigation braking system. The vehicle is also designed to offer a quiet and comfortable ride, stable steering and a refined exterior.

Yokohama Rubber said it continues to develop tyres using its BluEarth technology, with a growing number of these products being factory-fitted on petrol-powered vehicles, hybrid models and electric vehicles across a range of segments.

Yokohama Rubber Supplies Run-Flat Tyres For Toyota GR Yaris In Middle East

Yokohama Rubber Supplies Run-Flat Tyres For Toyota GR Yaris In Middle East

Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. said it has begun supplying its ADVAN Sport ZPS tyres as original equipment to Toyota Motor Corporation for the new GR Yaris, following the model’s launch in the Middle East in December 2025.

The tyre supplied is sized 225/40RF18 88Y.

ADVAN Sport ZPS is derived from the ADVAN Sport, the high-performance tyre in Yokohama Rubber’s global flagship ADVAN brand. It is a run-flat tyre with reinforced sidewalls designed to support the vehicle even in a zero-pressure condition, such as after a puncture. The company said the tyre balances ultra-high-speed handling with wet performance, quietness and comfort.

Yokohama Rubber tyres are already fitted to several models in Toyota’s GR sports car range. In recent years, the company has supplied ADVAN APEX V601 tyres for the GR Corolla and ADVAN FLEVA V701 tyres for the Corolla Cross GR Sport.

The supply forms part of Yokohama Rubber’s three-year medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2026, covering 2024 to 2026. Under the plan, the consumer tyre business is seeking to increase the proportion of high value-added products, with a focus on expanding original equipment supply of ADVAN tyres and GEOLANDAR tyres for SUVs and pick-up trucks.

Yokohama Rubber Supplies ADVAN V61 Tyres For New Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Yokohama Rubber Supplies ADVAN V61 Tyres For New Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has been selected by Toyota to provide its ADVAN V61 tyres as original equipment for the newly launched global hybrid SUV, the RAV4. The tyres, fitted specifically to the Z and ADVENTURE trim levels, come in the sizes 235/65R17 and 235/60R18. This partnership follows the worldwide introduction of the ADVAN V61 in March 2025, a premium summer tyre designed for sport utility vehicles that is now available in all markets except North America.

As part of Yokohama’s flagship ADVAN line, the V61 is engineered to deliver the brand’s signature high performance. It achieves a careful balance between fuel efficiency, stable handling and reduced noise, aiming to provide comfort for both daily urban use and extended journeys in heavier SUVs. The model is already supplied as original equipment on several premium vehicles and is offered in a broad selection of sizes for the aftermarket.

The development of these tyres was supported by Yokohama Rubber’s proprietary HAICoLab, an artificial intelligence framework. This system combines human innovation with the extensive data-processing power of AI to accelerate discovery and foster digital advancements in tyre technology.

Hyundai’s All-New ELEXIO E-SUV To Run On NEXEN Tyres

Hyundai’s All-New ELEXIO E-SUV To Run On NEXEN Tyres

NEXEN TIRE is expanding its original equipment presence in the strategic Chinese electric vehicle market by becoming a tyre supplier for Beijing Hyundai's newly launched ELEXIO, an electric SUV developed specifically for China. This vehicle is the first electric-dedicated model from Beijing Hyundai, utilising the Hyundai Motor Group's Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). For this application, NEXEN TIRE is providing two of its ultra-high-performance tyre models.

The supplied tyres include the N’FERA Supreme S, a flagship all-season tyre designed for both electric and internal combustion engine vehicles. It incorporates an AI-optimised tread pattern to reduce noise and a structure that improves load distribution, enhancing stability for heavier EVs and SUVs. Technologies to maintain performance over time and an aerodynamic sidewall for better energy efficiency are also key features. The second model, the N’FERA Primus QX EV, is a summer tyre engineered specifically for electric vehicles. Its design focuses on improving cornering stability, lateral grip and water evacuation, with a reinforced shoulder and tie-bar technology to provide responsive handling.

This supply agreement marks a significant step in NEXEN TIRE's strategy to grow its original equipment brand in China, a critical market leading global EV adoption. The company has built a strong foundation as a supplier to global automakers since 2012, including providing tyres for other Hyundai and Kia electric models. As original equipment products hold considerable prestige in China, this partnership with Hyundai is anticipated to substantially boost NEXEN TIRE's brand recognition and influence within the local automotive industry.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “Supplying OE tyres for the ELEXIO marks an important milestone in demonstrating our electrification capabilities in the strategically important Chinese market. We will continue to expand our global OE partnerships by delivering products optimized for both EVs and ICE vehicles, as well as for other mobility solutions.”