A Harley Davidson Adventure Bike... Is the Africa twin done?
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- Опубліковано 19 бер 2024
- Harley Davidson Tempted us down to Plymouth Harley for a Open day where we took a look at What Harley Davidson has to offer for the Adventure bike class... Let's see how the Pan America Adventure Bike compares to the Mighty Africa Twin - Would We consider moving over to the Dark Side..
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I will be interested to see rich do the full review, but a honest long term review is what's needed to see if it is reliable in the end.... Take it on one of your trips rich.... Then we will see!
Review will come soon. I do agree, Id love to take one for a long trip and prove Reliability. @HarleyDavidson are you Game?!
I had a testdrive for one hour on the Pan America. As a non HD fan I must say that the Pan America drives really great. Powerful, comfortable. Really a nice driving bike.
I have to say that was pretty much my experience too. Other than changing some ergonomics and sorting out the side stand issue I didn’t find much to complain about in my hour of riding
@@ontheroadadventure the sidestand position (forward) is were HD always puts them. Not my choice also.
I found the stand doesn’t go down well when the bike is in the lowest position, need to tip the bike over to the right to get it down, for me that’s a drop waiting to happen
Well done! Glad you didn’t trade your Africa Twins
Not Yet....!
My daily commute to work you rode there 😀.
But do you do it on a Harley?!
I have have a 2021 Pan America Special, the first year they were out. It is a great machine, best bike I have ever had and my first Harley. They did have a few gremlins in them the first two years, but my dealership was on top of it and the company seemed to put out frequent software updates. I was never left stranded and this bike has been a workhorse. This bike is made for eating long miles on paved roads, but does awesome on gravel and fire roads. This is not a bike for mud and single track. I would encourage people to really be honest with themselves on whatever type of riding they will actually be doing and buy the bike for that purpose. If this isn’t your cup of tea, try something else. It is worth a ride. I picked this bike over the AT as that bike was too dirt bike for the highway miles I wanted to do. I still have a great time doing light off road trails with this bike, but definitely not the bike for single track or real off reading. If you are doing actual off road, get a much smaller machine like a KLR or something. ***buy the right tool for your purpose*** However, the PAS is an incredible bike. Those of us that beta tested these things and worked through some tech issues, can say that the bike is still worth it and I believe HD has sorted all the issues out. Go try one and others and pick what you like. 👍
Now that is a great and fair review from a owners experience 👍 I’m glad your enjoying your ride bud. Thanks for joining us on the channel
Thank you my friend, great video. Just based purely on aesthetics, I must say that motorcycle fits you very well. As far as technical aspect, longevity, resale, value, etc. I’ll keep my thoughts to myself as I see there are several experts here that obviously know way much more than most of us.
It’s real owners reviews we want, the rest of us can only really offer opinion over experience I guess
Once a Harley, always a Harley. Nice that you gave it a try😂
(A Harley rider) love your video’s!
I do like riding Harley’s, especially big old noisy ones! All bikes have their place in my opinion
I have seen so many videos now with Pan America. And yes they sell some of these bikes. But most dealerships hate getting stuck with these bikes because they dont sell good.
Sadly reviews do not seem to be too great especially on the earlier models
A riding buddy of mine has one which I’ve ridden and been very impressed with it. He has the S model which is the one you rode with all the toys, it reminds me very much of the KTM but more refined and comfy. It is an oddball in the Harley range albeit likely the best bike they have ever made. Sadly most Harley riders don’t want a ADV bike and none Harley fans don’t want one either hence bargains are to be had due to poor sales.
I was looking online, you can get one with 2k miles on for 9k! Now you would think that would be a very tempting prospect!
i went to see the bike two weeks ago, its top heavy and very clumsy. I just bought the 2024 AT adventure sports DCT its awesome. i know your lady will love it
We need to ride the 24. Did you have AT before? How’s the differences?
Maidstone honda have a demo 2024 AT DCT. Yes I still have an AT, mine is a bit unique as it's had a lowering kit fitted (2017 crf1000 l-h). So I have been riding it with a 19 inch front for about 3 years. I have been waiting patiently for this new version. I bought it as soon as I saw it from Maidstone Honda. I sort of knew how it would feel and I was 100% right. It's amazing powerful and comfortable. The engine mods really make a difference to the ride and the upgraded DCT is smooth.
Also you will notice the ease of road riding, not having to fight with the steering when cornering
Sounds great, I can’t wait to get a go! I might even give DCT a chance
You don’t like the 21 18 set up?
Watched these bikes the first time in in the telly show "Long Way Up" from 2020 with Evan McGregor and Charley Boorman when they was riding across south and north America. And those was electric. 😄 Never owned a Harley and these days riding a Triumph but if i could afford it i for sure would buy my first Harley ever.
These are incredibly affordable, almost suspiciously so…
Those weren’t the Pan Americas they were Livewires the electric bikes
One famously caught fire whilst at a huge bike show…. Opps
I do liked the mini microwave and mini fridge in that front thing !
Is that what it is?! Now that’s a Tourer we could make use of!
Big, heavy adventure bikes are for the highway and nothing else. Just more Harley Davidson silliness.
I agree, but most big adventure bikes are used as tourers for this reason, we all know small and light for proper adventure riding is the way to go
I have a couple of friends who bought Pan Americas when they first came out. They both had a lot of problems with them, which was a shame as they are an amazing bike with a stonking engine. I hope they have sorted out the teething problems now, but I can't get over just how ugly it still is from the front.
Well I can’t really speak from experience but the salesman did tell us the early ones had problems as with most new bikes to the market, but assured us the teething problems were addressed
You looked good on it mate. They are different and I liked them when they first came out. But they did have a lot of issues. But doesn’t the new BMW 1300gs at the moment. A very good attempt from Harley for there first ever Adventure bike 👍👍
The sales manager was telling us about the early issues in the switch gear but assured us it’s not a problem anymore. I don’t know enough about it to judge it’s reliability but it looks to me like Harley need some positive media for this bike. To me, it looks like there are some real bargains to be had for anyone willing to stand out from the crowd with the pan America
@@ontheroadadventure 100% right there mate. I got talking to a fellow when we were riding up to Scotland last year and he was doing Scotland too and he loved it. They have seemed to gone quiet on the sales front with them. They need someone like you two to take it through there paces on some long journeys. Come on Harley Davison pull your finger out it would be nice to see something different for a change on UA-cam 👍👍 I could see it now both of you on Harley Adventures 👍
We would do it! We are off on a epic one very soon, if Harley said take these and show what they can do, we would make it happen
I've only ever seen one Pan Am out on the road and it looked fantastic! It would be a bit like considering a Moto Guzzi, it would be great to ride something with charisma and a real rarity value, but would you want to sacrifice Japanese bike reliability? If, however, you were brave enough to buy one, every ride would be a special experience. They are a bold statement and I really respect HD for that. Cheers.
Great comment 👍 Ewa feels the same, she likes that it stands out and is different
Handling felt odd because you weren’t wearing the official HD boxers and socks 😂
You think the bike knew I wasn’t one of them…? 😂
@@ontheroadadventure be glad it wasn’t a cruiser, if you aren’t wearing chaps it won’t start 😂
@@goldilocks913 Luckily Harley sell you all you need 👍
@@ontheroadadventure and lots you don’t, as l know to my cost 😏
@@goldilocks913 Lol yes, well we are all guilty of that no matter the brand!
I bought a 23. Love it zero problems
How many miles have you on it now? Its great to hear a positive review from a happy owner
Tremendous machine and they deserve to sell more.
Have you got chance to ride one yet? I like to approach all bikes with a open mind and not be biased to one brand or another, All bikes have strengths and weaknesses and i have to say, in the hour or so i spent with the Harley Pan America i found very little to complain about. What id really like to do is take it around Europe and give it a full real world test, The proof is in the pudding!
Pile of very expensive'machinery' that has /is fast losing any form of relevance to the reality of today's world.
@@markpavlowski7223 In fairness these are available at a good price now especially when compared to a gs1300 or a new AT. The question is the cost of long term high mileage ownership
Over the four years I've bought 1X RE intercept 650 (used)/ 1 X RE meteor 350 (new)/2 X RE Himalayans (used)...the 'used' stuff was mint for a sum total of £15,000.00…probably spent another £4000.00 with Hitchcock on 'stuff'
O.K...admittedly I know my way around a spanner and have a good workshop but to spend £10,000K+on a single bike... I did 23.0000 miles in total last year (most of that on the meteor, yes I know but a great relaxed touring bike) @@ontheroadadventure
Do you have any problem with corrosion on the RE interceptor?
"Million Dollar Bogan" does an interesting review on this bike.
I will have to look that one up and see what he thought of it
No way man. Ewa will definitely leave YA 😂😂😂😂
Ewa likes the Harley…. 🤫
Had a pan am special 2022 from new, a couple of items changed under warranty and software updates, in 2 years it has been 100% reliable, had loads of bikes, my first Harley, my first ADV, always thought the GS and Africa twin look dreadful, the pan looked more interesting. My previous bikes were a 2013 Duc streetfighter, then a Yam MT10SP and finally a 2019 Honda CB1000R neo and the Harley is more comfortable and probably quicker than all of them. I have decided to extend the Harley warranty another two years and keep the Pan. Happy days. Mine is Orange and White the best colours.😊
That’s excellent 👍 How many miles has the bike done now?
It’s only done 3000, when the bike came out there were some common design issues and Harley dealers fix them, the software updates that you do yourself have also improved the display etc. the screen is also touch sensitive with gloves on. The adaptive ride height is amazing, bmw have only just copied it. Went to test ride the new GS1300 that is one butt ugly bike even worse than the 1250. Don’t like the boxer engine, reminds me of my Honda CX500E I had in the 80s. GS is definitely a tractor, the new 1300 is just as rattlely and agricultural as the 1250.
I have to agree, I’m not a fan of the GS looks, also they are a nightmare to clean due to so many nooks and crannies to collect the dirt!
I like mine, its great on the road, i have a husky 701 for the dirt and trails......i just lean it a little to the right, side stand comes down, the ARH is what sold me on it as i'm vertically challenged at 5'7...its a heck of a touring bike.....i just don't want to pick it up off road, hence the husky....sláinte
How many miles have you racked up now? Any repairs needed so far?
@@ontheroadadventure6k, and i usually try and go in when there are new updates, an its not been in for any warranty work, its been a great bike....gets great gas mileage, comfortable, and it handles extremely well, also i keep it on the tender year around, they told me to do that at the dealership, so i do...
@@Eds_PanAm Ideał 👍
Seen a few reviews saying the headlight is awful bordering on dangerous.
Not for me never been a fan of HD design
It would be unfair for me to comment having ridden only in the day but I’m sure there’s a owner here who knows?
......... Is the Africa Twin done? 😂😂😂 You are a card! I'll watch the video anyway. 😉😁👍
Your not buying it are you…
@@ontheroadadventure Ok, I've watched it now. A fair review as per usual. 👍. Couple of observations - the right side seems to have "plastic" coverings to make the engine look good while the left side looks like apprentice scaffolders at work. The mirrors seemed to give a good, non vibration view but those mirror stalks look like they came off a push bike. When you compare the cockpit to the Honda you can just see the difference in quality - TFT, mirrors, switchgear, etc. Am I the only one that thinks the front looks like a Whale Shark?
lol I can see the whale shark! 🦈 Now that’s character 😂
Hi guys good review the evolution max engine is said to be a peach but just too much tec to go wrong great when it works and I'm not a fan of the on going side stand problem and it being bolted to the engine caseing makes me worried long term
I have to say the engine was Great! Loads of good usable power, not Snatchy or crazy... Honestly i cant comment on the reliability of the bike having only ridden it for a hour or so but if i owned one id have to find a solution to the side stand problem. I feel like on the level it was a challenge, off camber it could lead to dropping the bike
@@ontheroadadventure yes see a couple of testers do just that. Thanks again. Ride safe
Thanks bud 👍
I absolutely adore the new pan am special, but unfortunately it’s way to high for me, maybe in a few years when I’m more experienced 😂
Do however have a 23 Nightster special which I’ve modded lots and have a Dr Jekkyll & Mr Hyde exhaust.
Old Skool HD fans will complain about the new 975/1250 engines, sound and look etc, but honestly the engines are sound! Sport mode is epic 😂😂
Wow Jennie that sounds awesome, I had a 2007 Nightster, custom paint, apes, Vance and Hines, intake etc… it was a really cool looking bike. Perfect for the bike nights, shows etc but no good for any real distance or comfort
@@ontheroadadventure ooh, that sounds amazing, never did I think I’d get a Harley, I was looking at royal Enfield, Triumph etc something that was balanced and I could actually touch the floor 😂
It’s perfect, the lower fuel tank is genius for balance and feels so light, got some killer custom ‘sporty ape’ bars arriving today, the curse of short arms.
Honestly, I know everyone says being short shouldn’t affect what bike, but the amount of times I’ve put my foot down to find no ground because of the camber and when a bike tips, I can’t keep it up after a certain angle with the weight…
Poor poor CB650 I learnt on 😂
Share your bike pics with us on the Facebook group. Search On the Road adventure riders group
@@ontheroadadventureif I come back to FB I will for sure 👌🏻
@@JennieAshdown Do you do instagram? You can tag us in a photo of it there
👍
I bet you don’t see too many of these in Turkey?
@@ontheroadadventure You are right my friend, there is no this motorcycle in Türkiye.
It must be interesting to see these bikes for you on here. Do you have brands of bikes that we don’t have here? What stands out?
I seem to remember the V Rod was never a big seller either.
I can understand that, for me if I’m buying a big v twin Harley it needs to sound like one. That’s most of the appeal of a Harley Davidson
I've owned most makes of bikes but never a Harley, for various reasons. However on the couple of occasions I've gone into a Harley dealership I really don't know how I didn't walk out with one. The whole thing is an experience isn't it. As soon as I walked through those doors I got it. For me, you're buying into a way of life.
They need to concentrate on their tradition and identity though and make the bikes they're good at. Leave Adventure bikes to the other brands who do it far far better.
Yeah I think if you have a Harley badge on the tank you feel part of a community
I had a short test ride and liked it besides this too far-forward side stand.
Have you tried the 1300GS?
Not yet, I’m sure I will do soon. The problem with the GS is every man and there dog has one
Right. But, maybe for a reason :)
@@ontheroadadventurefor a reason 😊
Yes! I often say this, and I feel like it’s inevitable I will have to concede at some point but I’m not ready yet 😂
I know it has to happen one day…
Funny to see the traditional Harley guys come here to put the Pan Am down. It’s sad and it’s just wrong. The Pan Am is a very good bike and a great achievement for HDs first bike of this type. Frankly, the people crying about them have never ridden one.
I can understand it a little, this ADV bike stands out a mile in Harley’s range, it’s not traditionally what they have done before and most people don’t like change, even if it’s for the better
I ride a Harley but don't want to be seen on that thing. It doesn't look like a Harley, it doesn't ride like a Harley and it doesn't sound like a Harley, so what is it?
This seems to be the main objection from those who are a fan of the Harley badge
The title 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Your not buying it are you?!
Never got along with the looks but that is a subjective issue. I don’t know if it has been sorted but MCN have a video from about a year ago where they do their long term review. They highlighted the many times it broke down and changed moment that it was the most unreliable bike they’d ever had on test.
Wow that’s not good
😂😂😂 Stand Harley goes down properly
That does appear to be a small issue. As i understand it you can Twiddle the settings so i doesnt go to its lowest ride height when stopped and that will allow the stand down much better. If you need the bike in the lowest setting i guess modifying the stand isnt a big deal, but its not ideal we agree
the luggage costs £2,800.00
Holy moly! Must be some luggage!
Next weeks video, a review of leather chaps 😂😂😂😂
Oh dear… How did it come to this 😂
Horses for courses
This is a marmite bike for sure
africa triwn done ...........LOLLLLLLLLLLL nice joke ....thanks for the laugh
You know we are all about the laughs on this channel 😏
No way it's not the bike for me and it does not look right and if does not look right it is no good 👌💯👍
Not much love for the Harley pan America in the room!
@@ontheroadadventure no not for that bike it way to heavy they should stay with cruises the flat tracker yes i do like Harley-davidson's and it does not look right
@@ontheroadadventure and if it does not look right than it is no good end of
I love the look of the xr1200 👌
You have to want to look back at your bike as you walk away from it…
Aesthetically, did the designers just quit after the right side was done? Then again, ain’t that the American way; make the right look good and show how things really work on the left . . .
lol the American Dream
Hmm . . Not sure about this one, TBF I'm not a Harley fan and I thought this was as ugly as f#ck!! I'm sure it had some good points, but a Harley ADV bike??? Each to our own, and there are bikes for everyone out there, and that's the beauty of biking 👍
The front is not the prettiest but you don’t stare at the mantle piece when poking the fire!
@@ontheroadadventure That would definitely put my fire out! 🤣
😆😆😆
No. The Honda is proven and this is the second iteration of it.
I think we will be staying team red for a little while longer yet 😏
So your argument for.the motor company is why try something new? My goodness man give them some credit for stepping out of their comfort zone with a 1250 adventure bike with 150 HP.
Sorry I’m struggling to make sense of your comments… I think your saying their efforts should be commended for trying to create something new, to which we agree. There’s lots of good new tech on board and the bike rides nicely.
Pan Am is a pretty terrible bike, at least here in the US Market. Plagued with electrical issues and suspension problems. Most buyers sold and swapped to AT or BMW. The used PanAm Market here is flooded and no ones buying lol.
It seems there have been a fair share of problems on the older models here in the uk but apparently updates are in place on the new ones
@@ontheroadadventure yeah it might be different over in the UK. I"m a service manager for my dealership here in the US and we hate dealing with the PanAm even the cvo. We get them in weekly for issues ranging from basic engine codes to electrical nightmares. current cvo is in here from a couple weeks ago still after the module for fuel management failed, 400ish miles on it. I'm not saying they are all 100% bad but definitely not good all around. They aren't lowrider S bad but pretty close.
Wow thats not a good report from a service manager!
@@ontheroadadventure this is in the US though and I'm not a veteran only been an SM for 3 years here. Just the experience we've had here specifically in my area. Other areas may vary and like I said HDs that end up overseas somehow have better builds. Breakouts for example are apparently amazing over there but have fork seal issues here. so yeah who knows.
Oh strange, you’d think they all suffer the same gremlins
A Pan-American CVO. LMMFAO! Those are just a bunch of garage queens. Nobody’s going to ride that on the trail. Honda’s Africa-Twin will eat it alive. Harley rules the road but Honda will kick its ass off the mountain.😂
As much as we love that, with our off road skills I suspect there ain’t much in it lol
We would love to do some off road stuff but there isn’t too much around where we are, both bikes are kinda of big and expensive for that though, better off with the crf300
@@ontheroadadventure Sure. So I’m a cruiser guy these days at 70 years old and I must admit I’ve never done the adventure bike thing. I did race in scrambles in the 1960s (district 36 AMA) But don’t you need at least enough engine and gear to get down the interstate enroute to your adventure destination? I guess unless you trailer. That’s where I think the Africa twin would be a better choice over a 300. But I’m really not sure. Your thoughts?
Yes, that is exactly the dilemma… I think you have to decide where you will do most of your riding and choose the right bike for that bit and suffer its downfalls when on the alternative
I had a close look in person for the first time at the Pan America and the first thing i thought was "plastic fantastic" it looks cheap and tacky, NO Thanks
It is not a bad ride though, but I have to agree it has quirks
All I've heard about this bike is how incredibly unreliable it is.
How can it be such a long standing brand can get such a poor reputation and still be going 🤷♂️
To answer your title question. No!
Not sold then?!
@@ontheroadadventureNope! Keep the twin and keep your adventures going. If you trade for that thing you were testing, the only adventures you'll have is riding to the service shop for repairs!
We choose the Hondas based on reliability, I owned a brand new KTM for 10 days before the Hondas, that thing soon sent me looking for reliability over performance
😂 lmao. Guys, that's not a motorbike it's a joke 🤣 HD adventure bike? Yes, in Hanna & Barbera cartoons. How much does it weight? 2 tons? 3 tons? Also, HD is a rip-off. In no way you can compare to the Africa Twin. Super the Enfields passing at the start of the video. Top motorcycle.
Not a fan of the pan then?! Surely all bikes deserve their fair shout.... I mean in reality most people are not taking this bike proper adventure riding, Likewise we use the Africa Twins for touring, we wouldnt do any more than a gravel track on ours.
I just don’t know who would go to Harley if in market for adventure bike. Looked nice though I must say. I wouldn’t mind giving it a spin though.
@@Chalky29 Having ridden one I am surprised people are not buying up all the used ones particularly, there’s dozens to choose from on eBay £10k or less!
Yes brother, there must be a good reason for so many used ones for sale at much reduced prices! Folks are trying to get rid of them!🤔
@@johnharris7353 I’m starting to feel sorry for the poor Harley pan America, nobody seems to want it 🤷♂️
The seating position and handling is different because it's a different bike. he calls himself a bike tester! ffs.
👍
The motor still looks like it's made of plastic - disgraceful.
Im sure the pretty side of the engine is plastic covers… at least that side won’t show the corrosion
the front is just to ugly
It looks ok from behind the dash…
@@ontheroadadventure hehe totaly
There's one on ebay and its.$15500, geez, you guys are full of crap!!!!
You can buy used here in the uk from around 9k on eBay for a two year old bike with very low miles indeed. That’s worrying for anyone thinking of buying new!
There have been issues with the adaptive ride height not working. If your tall it does not matter.
The problem with the Pan America is it has had issues and its a $25K heavy dirt bike.
Most HD riders are old fat potbellied men that have no business on a dirt bike.
In fairness most of us use these bikes on the road, it’s far to big heavy and expensive to use off road for the average joe
Why would anyone pay $25K for an oversized dirt bike with street tires to ride on the road. I see this all the time. Once you add street tires . Its now useless on dirt , light sand and gravel. Pull your head out of your ass and Take your $25K and buy a Road Glide. @@ontheroadadventure
The reality is people who buy this are sold the dream of the big epic adventures crossing the Sahara but in reality it goes to Costa coffee on Sunday
Advertising is the worlds largest brain washer. @@ontheroadadventure
You would think we would all be wise to it, but they know what we want and how to make us think we will get it…
Its a tractor farmers use , never liked them
Bloody quick tractor this one was!