Harley Davidson Pan America

[LTD]

  Good friends with a Harley salesman who knows Im not interested in their cruisers.  He invited me down to look at the Pan America and I must say the bike is impressive they are selling extremely well he said.  competitive pricing I think 20 grand for the special and 17 grand for the base.  All reviews have been positive and yes I would consider buying one a winner for Harley Davidson.

[Valkorado]

I've seen a couple already, but not up close.  I like them too.  I'd want the luggage setup if I were to go that direction.



Looks capable.

[98valk]

one survived the latest iron butt rally.   11k miles in 11 days.

[Beardo]

I think Harley hit it out of the park with it.

Although personally, I’d probably go with a tried and tested Super Tenere, even though it has quite a bit less hp. If I was going to buy another Harley…it would be the one though. Will be interesting to see how the new engine holds up long term.

I do like the maintenance free valve train. Not having Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and going with their own app is a miss.

[Savago]

Saw one last weekend in Mt Diablo near home.

Spoke to the rider, he said the bike only had near 600 miles and was making 42-44 mpg (still breaking in the engine, may get better). Also said that loved it and he never owned a HD or a cruiser style bike before.

Seems like a quite competitive motorcycle that HD made. Still unproven but i hope it is going to be a success.

[Valkorado]

Hmmm.  20k "ish".  Looks like it would be happy in Colorado.  First run bikes can have some issues.  And if not, a used one at 12-15k in a couple years might be appealing...

I'd have to get one in black.  Or gray.  From what I'm reading, I could probably deal with riding a Hardley -- but not an orange and black one!  

Interesting.  More here.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/pan-america-1250-special.html

Some cool tech.  The engine is a component of the chassis, pumps out 150hp.  Automatic vehicle loading control and semi-active suspension.  Skid plate and brush guards stock...

I'm droolin' on meself just a liddle biddy bit -- over a Harley!  

[F6Dave]

I just got home from a Wyoming trip, with a brief excursion to Sturgis. A guy at a motel in Wheatland had just picked up a new Moto Guzzi V85 TT in Ft. Collins, CO. It was a beautiful bike in a gold matte color, with neat touches like an LED headlight in the shape of the Guzzi emblem. The 90 degree V twin was smooth with loads of character. And the price was a bargain. If I were in the market it would be high on my list.

[CoreyP]

Sorry I don't like adventure bikes. I have owned endro/dual sport bikes which I loved but the adventure bikes are too heavy,too big etc

These bikes are made to crush highway miles and look like they can go off road. They can go on a dirt road that's groomed. Other then that I think they are just hype.

I would go with something like this KTM 690 Enduro R for decent long haul riding plus good off road abilities. If I was less on the highway in a more rural area I would go lower displacement.

[Beardo]

Sorry I don't like adventure bikes. I have owned endro/dual sport bikes which I loved but the adventure bikes are too heavy,too big etc

These bikes are made to crush highway miles and look like they can go off road. They can go on a dirt road that's groomed. Other then that I think they are just hype.

I would go with something like this KTM 690 Enduro R for decent long haul riding plus good off road abilities. If I was less on the highway in a more rural area I would go lower displacement.

You’re right, a vast majority of adventure bikes don’t go off road. Yeah, a KTM or Tenere 700 or Africa Twin is better suited for off road.

But the Pan America or 1250 GS is a great mile muncher that is faster, more fun and arguably just as or even more comfortable than a cruiser with how they soak up bumps and how you’re seated. You can stand up, change seating position easily, take weight off your rear. I’d love to have one but they aren’t the best for 2 up long distance touring. Passenger seats aren’t comfortable, peg positions aren’t the best, hard to mount/dismount.

Kudos to HD for what seems to be a well executed bike. Time will tell how well that execution really was. Too early to say right now, but early reports are very favourable.

[F6Dave]

I suspect the 1,000 cc+ adventure bikes venture off pavement about as often as large luxury SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade.

I still own one of the originals, a 1988 BMW R100GS. The term 'adventure bike' didn't exist yet. Even though it displaces 980 cc, it only weighs 420 pounds and is a pleasure to ride off road.

[vanavyman]

Neighbor bought one and loves it.  Very hard to get in this area.  He loves it but kept his Ultra.  But he is a real rider not a bar hopper.  He has 100,000 on his Ultra in 5 years.

[Valkorado]

I'm not a MotoX type rider, never liked taking the beating.  But the dirt, gravel, washboardy and rocky toads around here would pair weell with this bike.  Finding some solitude would be nice, especially with the thick tourist traffic on the blacktops nowadays.  Took Ruby out the other day, so damn crowded it just wasn't fun. 

Not the same town my family relocated to 53 years ago.   

[F6Dave]

I'm not a MotoX type rider, never liked taking the beating.  But the dirt, gravel, washboardy and rocky toads around here would pair weell with this bike.  Finding some solitude would be nice, especially with the thick tourist traffic on the blacktops nowadays.  Took Ruby out the other day, so damn crowded it just wasn't fun. 

Not the same town my family relocated to 53 years ago.   

This is exactly why I bought my R100GS 33 years ago. I got tired of being stuck behind platoons of crawling RVs on the east side of the divide. A bike with even minimal off road capabilities opens up miles of uncrowded roads. I never regretted the purchase.

[F6Dave]

I should add that adventure bikes are about the only segment of the MC industry that's experiencing growth. So there are plenty to choose from. With the aging riding population (I felt young at Sturgis around all those trikes!) we are very lucky to have so many choices.

[98valk]

I'm not a MotoX type rider, never liked taking the beating.  But the dirt, gravel, washboardy and rocky toads around here would pair weell with this bike.  Finding some solitude would be nice, especially with the thick tourist traffic on the blacktops nowadays.  Took Ruby out the other day, so damn crowded it just wasn't fun. 

Not the same town my family relocated to 53 years ago.   

This is exactly why I bought my R100GS 33 years ago. I got tired of being stuck behind platoons of crawling RVs on the east side of the divide. A bike with even minimal off road capabilities opens up miles of uncrowded roads. I never regretted the purchase.

and with the new bill, plan is to remove hwys and u know turned them back to nature.
see #4

https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/6-troubling-leftist-wins-11-trillion-infrastructure-bill

[F6Dave]

I'm not a MotoX type rider, never liked taking the beating.  But the dirt, gravel, washboardy and rocky toads around here would pair weell with this bike.  Finding some solitude would be nice, especially with the thick tourist traffic on the blacktops nowadays.  Took Ruby out the other day, so damn crowded it just wasn't fun. 

Not the same town my family relocated to 53 years ago.   

This is exactly why I bought my R100GS 33 years ago. I got tired of being stuck behind platoons of crawling RVs on the east side of the divide. A bike with even minimal off road capabilities opens up miles of uncrowded roads. I never regretted the purchase.

and with the new bill, plan is to remove hwys and u know turned them back to nature.
see #4

https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/6-troubling-leftist-wins-11-trillion-infrastructure-bill

I think everyone on this board loves the freedom we have to ride nearly anywhere we want, whenever we want. It doesn't need to be an essential trip, we can just do it for the pure pleasure of riding. But the people running the 'democratic' party loathe that freedom, and they're working very hard to eliminate our right to enjoy it. Yet some of the members here proudly vote for those guys. I just don't get it.

[98valk]

for your reading pleasure.

https://advrider.com/f/threads/hd-pan-america-owners.1501189/

[LTD]

Freedom of speech Meathead its all good read many of your diatribes over the years never got upset I know your still a good ol boy as we original Texans still even say today