@@brendanmartin4489 check out Million Dollar Bogan he have one. btw if you have ever had a busted tire in the middle of nowhere or had the bike fell on muddy/raining dirt then you'll know :)). I don't think HD makes good adv bikes.
At least they are doing something different instead of recycling the same thing year after year. I’m just wondering if they will use this engine in a smaller capacity cruiser for beginning riders
@@Soshi12005 Yes they are doing something, but it is too late. They listened to their "core" customer, and now that they (we) are ageing out they have real issues, you made your bed HD now you lie in it.
This bike is critical in the sense that many people are ditching baggers for sport touring or adventure bikes. This will help keep people in the brand even if they don’t want to a cruiser.
With it being a Harley, I was reluctant at first. But after seeing yours and some other's reviews, I'm quite impressed with what Harley has done with this bike.
I just wish it didn't look like a hand vacuum. The face of this bike is something only a mother could love. I'll be more excited to see what else they put this engine in.
As a 5'9 rider, the adaptive ride height control is a huge selling point. Really hoping this bike is a big success for HD, it looks like a really good option for a lot of ADV riders so far!
Fellow 5’9” rider here. 29” inseam. I currently ride a BMW r1200gs with no issue. Started on an r1150gs that I got for a bargain. My advice is to find something cheap you don’t mind dropping (which should be any adventure bike lol) and practice around the seat height issue. It’s very doable and makes you a better rider in every area, not just tall bikes. Happy riding :)!
@@mitchellstephens8993 Where the fuck are you finding a cheap ADV bike lmfao MSRP on most is well over 14k, especially with ANY options you'd want for a long range/offroad machine.
I hope it does well, but their track record is not good with new bikes. Since 2014 every New bike they have made has been an absolute sales flop and most have been discontinued. Street 750- sales flops and discontinued Street 500 - sales flops and discontinued FXDR114 - sales flops and discontinued Live Wire- sales flops Pan American - ???? Time will tell
@@highmilagerider1154 no argument there. The people who buy Harleys only seem to want to buy the "classic Harley Davidson" and it's killing the company. At least that's my take on what's going on
@@PEZ1514 I wouldn't. Sell the adventure gear as much as you cal Harley! And I'm pretty hardcore biased towards HD. Harley will always be a cruiser based company. Until that changes.. then it doesn't bother me. I like the idea of them moving towards stuff like this. It could help them develop something new for their Cruiser/ Touring lineup. That's how I look at it.
Not a HD fan but damn, sounds like they did a good job with this. Also no valve maintenance is a huge win in my book...pay attention other ADV OEMS. When traveling around the world the last thing you want is to have to take your entire bike apart to check the valves. I hope this is a turning point for HD and its culture.
I don't get the big deal with the valve adjustments. For BMW GS's at least it doesn't get much simpler. And most of the time no adjustment is necessary, just verify you're within spec. If you are traveling a long way from home you only need a couple of common hand tools and maybe a few shims on the off chance a couple of your valves are out of spec.
Definitely agree. At this point, damn near everything should have at LEAST screw type valve adjustments. Taking your camshafts out to put shims in?? What is this, 1985? My Honda has hydraulic lifters and no issues in over 100,000 miles. My Guzzi has screw adjustments that take about 30 minutes to do. My Triumph has shims that need checked every 12,000 miles and service cost is around $700. That's not a lot if you ride the bike
Yeah, they thought Buell was going to hurt their core business. They thought wrong. I lost all interest in my local HD dealership when I found out they didn't sell Buell's anymore. The Ulysses was badass.
Eric Buell has failed like 5 times, you can't blame Harley for that. On the other hand, walking into a Harley dealership for parts to fix my Buell pretty much guaranteed I would never buy a Harley.
Been waiting my whole life for Harley to build this bike. Getting the special this june. Thanks for the info, I'll make sure a skid plate is part of the package now. Safe travels all.
I have about the same inseam, my kawi versys’s almost 34” seat height can be a bit much, I love that adaptive suspension is very attractive . I just wonder about the durability , especially on a bike that do some soft off roading
I'm super excited about that feature too! I hope they didn't patent it and lock it away.. I really hope more brands can start utilizing that feature. Also... Remember that Inseam doesn't mean much most of the time. When you straddle a seat, that takes up some of your leg length, but the length of your foot to tippy toe can give some back. For an easy example, find a stool that you can sit on and comfortably reach the ground.. then scoot back on it and straddle it like a motorcycle seat and watch how your legs magically seem 4 inches shorter. Us shorter people have it pretty rough in the motorcycle world, especially with misleading seat height numbers. Personally, some short bikes like the Monkey feel taller and more awkward to me than my daily rider which has a 32in seat which is theoretically too tall for me. But it has a narrow seat that fits me well and allows me to use the full length of my legs and feet. That small detail makes a world of difference.
It looks like Harley actually came to play. Who would have thought they’d be first to market with the adjustable ride height. Add in MODERN engine tech and they might actually be finally starting to get it! Now, let’s see that Bronx brought to market.
As soon as I heard double overhead cams I got excited. I know people like the sound of old pushrod v twins, but it’s just such an inferior way to build an engine in this day and age
bike honestly looks like a blast, i don’t mind the looks all that much either. i hope it sells well enough for harley to keep it in the line up for years
A couple of thoughts... 1. Harley Davidson: This bike is made in the USA and has an incredible pedigree. 2. For service, Harley has an amazing network to get your bike worked on. Get parts and help locally (if you need it) or while you're on a trip. They've got you covered. 3. This is a damn cool bike with features for days (At first I was skeptical, but the looks have totally grown on me). 4. Have always been a Harley fan. It's a social thing as well as a quality thing. Slow and steady, for sure, but for me, I dig them. There's just a "feeling" of riding a Harley down the road over any other brand. Thank you, Harley! I wish you the very best of luck with this new offering. I think you're going to kill it!
I think you are right, it is an USA bike. But who is going to buy in Europe instead of a GS, KTM, Triumph or Japanese Adventure? Who is going to buy it in Asia, or Africa? Guess the price is going to be rediculous in Europe, after import duties. But I have to admid it is looking better than I expected, my compliments.
The dealer network point absolutely can not be ignored. I’d bet it’s stronger than any other brand. Where I live in CNY I have to pass three HD dealers to get to the nearest BMW dealer, 4 to find a Ducati dealer.
@@hershchat sheesh, we get it, stop spamming this on all reply sections. You're changing the topic from the pan america to a Harley circlejerk like all other Harley videos. Just let us enjoy the bike.
I'm just curious really, but I doubt many would pay for an adventure bike from them until a few years pass to show off it's reliability. Especially when compared to KTM, Honda, BMW, Yamaha. Either way, still a great step out of mediocrity
Yea. It's just hype talk from promotions. I don't see this doing as well as they are pushing. For one, it looks like a hand vacuum. And secondly, they're competing with well established players, with a brand name that is gaining hate as the years pass. I think this new engine though is a step in the right direction
I’m definitely not a harley Ferguson fan, but this had my interest. But as stated by others, I’ll sit back and see how it fares in the real world for a bit It won’t take long to see if it’s really a new breed of Harley or just a pig with fancy lipstick. I hope it’s the former and not the latter.
As far as the Bronx goes. I think a 750 version would be great to compete with 650-700 class nakeds, have the 975 as a middleweight. And the 1250 as the big boi
I’m a vintage-style cruiser sort of guy, but there is something about this bike I really like. I might check it out to be my daily commuter, and keep my cruiser for day trips.
@@hershchat what would have made this bike more appealing? A smaller displacement, air cooled, and AFFORDABLE entry level version....I have been hearing about an adventure bike roll out for a couple years, and I was really hoping for just THAT....when they just released the ill affordable Pan American...they lost me, and I went to Royal Enfield for an affordable adventure bike 🤷♂️
more people than you realize are NOT into "speed"....but they ARE into the smaller retro twins and singles....because they are sub 10k out the door, they sound good, and they look damn good....
@@hershchat I think you nailed it. As much as I want Harley to dig themselves out of the hole they created in the 80s I just can’t see these being a smash hit. When you build a brand on image that can be a double edged sword. Youngins like cheap and fast and that simply can’t be done while still building in USA and turning a profit, and we all know how people react to non American made HDs.
Sorry to burst your Bubble Sarah but Harley has already planned to ditch this approach with a new CEO. They are going back to focus on only Cruisers....The same approach that got them in the financial situation they are in.
I test rode a Pan Am today, I loved it a LOT more than I expected to. It's like the Swiss Army knife of ADV bikes, a really great compromise between the pros and cons of other ADV bikes in the market. I really get the feeling Harley took a pros and cons list from other brands and tried to fit all the pros in the Pan Am design! 😎
If I were to get one I would use it as a sport tourer. But first I would have to clear the mental hurdle of actually walking into a Harley-Davidson dealership.
If you are in SoCal come down to Laidlaw’s , we love H-D of course, but we are all also bike guys in general. Most of us have track bikes, motocross bikes, or both in addition to our big twins! You won’t get the “ready to get a real bike” treatment!
@@natecole3222 not at all, we get visitors all the time from Matt Laidlaw’s UA-cam channel! Stop by, shoot the shit a bit, grab a poker chip! We should have a demo PanAm available to test ride within a month or so. Last I heard first half of may we should be getting the demo bike.
@@fenrizwulf6682 Just like every motorcyle dealership then. The harley dealers by me are great actually. And you can even test ride a bike. Try that at a Ducati dealership.
As a short person, I absolutely love that adaptive ride height feature. That's amazing and I hope it catches on. I really hope Harley weren't assholes and patent it so no one else could use it. I'd absolutely buy a bike with that feature, but I'll most likely never own a harley. I just wont, but I really want that feature on some bikes I love like the Versys 650, BMW 650gs, or a few others. Although, there is a big misunderstanding with short riders and seat height. For anyone new, seat height isn't everything. A low but very wide seat feels as tall as a narrow but tall seat. Straddling a wide seat takes up more leg length. Also, if you have small feet that could make the bike feel taller. Big feet can tippy toe several inches further to the ground in some cases. Lastly, hip width plays a factor. Typically some women can handle a wider seat because of wider hips and pelvis allowing them to negate the wide seat issue from before, and narrow hipped people will have trouble properly straddling the seat and it will make it feel taller. So basically this means you could take several people of the exact same height and have them sit on the same bike, and one might have dangling feet and one might be flat footed, some people will be tippy toes, and some will be comfortably on the balls of their feet. This is why it's so important to just go sit on some bikes, a number on the internet means nothing. For example, my sister has a cruiser with a super low seat and it's terribly uncomfortable for me. The seat and tank are wider than my hips and push my knees outward awkwardly and then I have to bend them back inward to reach the shifter. It's perfectly comfortable at a stop, feet down.. but while riding it gives me knee and hip pain trying to overcome the incompatibility between me and the bike. Sit on some bikes. If you're not shy, ask if an employee will hold the bike so you can put both feet up and see how it feels. It's super important. I almost bought the same bike as my sister and I'm glad I didn't, I'd have hated it. I'm much happier with my bike, because I sat on a bunch and it felt the best. Good luck, and ride safe!
I've watched so many reviews on this. And so far, all I've got is, "it's really quiet. It has tons of power, but not as much rush as the KTM." And, "it can do wheelies man." What we really need to know is: 1.) Engine RPMS at 70 mph? 2.) Engine vibration at 70 mph? 3.) Gear ratio of 1st gear? 4.) Chain lash at low speeds? 5.) Throttle snatch during roll on? 6.) Fuel injection smoothness and overall fueling? 7.) Gas mileage? 8.) Wind protection and helmet wind noise?
@@diamondheat9 I did. And it's not even clear what exactly they're going for. Someone on bmwmoa.org put it very nicely: "One of the problems with HD is they 'elect' a new CEO every few years and the new CEO takes the company in a new direction. After the current CEO tires of the job a [new one] will show up and know all the mistakes of the previous CEO and tear down what he started."
A true test would be to load it down with camping gear, drive it 600 miles on the freeway, then take it down trails and off road deep into the boonies to find a wild campsite, pitch your tent, kick back, and make supper.
Harley wouldnt allow a real world test on these Bikes, meanwhile ive seen the GS family of BMW kill it on the trails and pretty much anywhere you ride it. Its proven so harley has a huge competition
@@ericiglesias4313 Right on the money! Once PanAmerica is available there will need be a heavyweight adv bagger group ride under real world conditions as in my original post. Not just riding them around the block.
And drop it at least once on the way. That will be the end of the discussion for such a big bike. Get a Tenere 700 if you actually want to go off-road. Large ADV bikes are good for flat gravel roads at most.
@@sv650nyc7 That was my unspoken point exactly. The adv lard baggers will do the 750 freeway miles great, but how about the last 5 miles to that lookout campsite?
@@hershchat i bought my Street Glide Special 4 years ago and I did some amazing trips. I live in Barcelona , Spain, and used it everyday of the year, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. I could spend literally a full day driving it and would never thought I would change it. But I’m tired of asphalt roads, know all of them around my area. I drove the street glide in little dirty roads and love the adventure but I would never have bought a bmw or Ktm. So I’m very happy Harley did this bike. I wish I could have kept the street glide and buy the Pan’Am, but I have 50k of bikes in my garage is too much. So I had to make a choice. If I keep making money , I’ll by another SG , but for now, I want to enjoy offroad but while keep driving a Harley! ride to live , Live to Ride! Peace and follow my adventures in my channel ;-)
Hope HD has a hit on their hands FWIW My '10 Duc Mutley had most of these features. Hope HD isn't too late to the Adv bike party which seams to be trending to 700-900cc slimmer machines IMHO any bike over 300#s isn't capable of being fun to ride in dirt. And I've had a few. I'll stick to my plated Katoom 525 RFS for that.
My Pan America blew the engine at 5,000 miles half way thru a 2500 mile motorcycle ride. Its been in the shop for 3 weeks. I got my first update from the techs. They are saying the manifold connecting the oil pump to the top end came out and caused my bike to overheat quickly to 294 degs. Fingers crossed Harley takes care of me and replaces the engine.
Ok, Harley. Turn a Sportster into a production scrambler. Folks have already done this in the custom market. Gen X would love it and buy it if it’s affordable.
I test drove one. I’m 74. In the 1960s I had a CH stroker. Since then I’ve put close to 200,000 miles on two BMWs. I owned a BSA 440 thumper. I think the Panamerica is the finest motorcycle I’ve ever ridden. I was shocked. It is smooth and fast and it wants to turn into corners. It’s tranny is magnificent. It’s brakes are crazy good. It’s clutch is great. I rode it in rain mode. My only negative is that even being 6’ tall I would need the electronic lowering. I was on the balls of my feet. It’s a magnificent machine. Shocking.
I just picked up my all black Pan-America Special with spoked wheels this week. I absolutely love it. The adaptive ride height and lack of valve adjustments needed sold me on the bike. If you are curious or into ADV bikes, seriously go in to your dealer and take a ride on one!
They aren't. Harley has already changed their approach again going back to focus on cruisers.... The Pan America /Livewire were the first and last change we will see from Harley in the future. Would think living in the pass they would change their approach but went back to their old ways
@@hershchat millennial checking in. Currently own a 2020 road king special, and 2009 xr1200, but have owned plenty of metric bikes. Put more miles on my bikes than my cars every year. Know plenty of people in my age group buying new harley tourers, and even more buying soft tails. Love all motorcycle brands; have bikes from every make that I'd want to pick up. Seems like a lot of hate towards Harley, almost like they did something personally to you, seeing as you copy/paste your comment onto every comment on this video. As a motorcycle enthusiast, I don't wish ill will toward any bike manufacturer. I want to see them all succeed in their own way. The world's a shitty place, but motorcycles of all brands make the world a whole lot better.
@@hershchat Surely you have far better things to do than copy-pasting the same propaganda over and over. You have CLEARLY shown that you are an illogical, irrational hater. Oh, and your lame-ass attempts to try to cover it up by, for example, saying that it's a "labour of love" isn't gonna help at all. This is why no one who isn't a Harley hater is taking you seriously. Try again, buddy.
Excellent and very thorough review. I'm 5'8 so there are a number of features like the auto ride height adjustment system I'd go for along with the deluxe bash plate. You're the first reviewer to stress the motor is revvy. Most people would not expect that from a Harley. Overall I think it's a very impressive bike I'd choose over a KTM or BMW 1250 GS.
I don’t think Harley will keep enough of these bikes on the shelf. I’m a Harley guy through and through but everyone is talking about the Pan America! I’m very excited about this motorcycle. I love the GS and the Africa Twin but this bike will be my next motorcycle for sure. Good review!
I finally got to see one first-hand yesterday and throw a leg over it. I was pretty impressed! It feels very well-built and carries its weight low, for an ADV bike.
I really hope this is a sales success for Harley. They needed a bike to break the cycle of producing the same old recipe of traditional cruisers, and jumping head first into the ADV market with something actually compelling (and totally out of their normal wheelhouse) is bold enough to do it. With any luck they’ll spin this into things like a naked street fighter (akin to their Bronx concept) and perhaps dip into the kind of bikes they were building with Buell back in the day. As far as a first effort I think they nailed it, and the amount of positive reviews of seen right out of the gate prove they’re on to something. Fingers crossed this is the first in a line of many winners to come for HD.
This seems like a really well-thought-out bike. I hope it serves Harley well and their loyalist appreciates it too. It just might make me a Harley rider.
I’d argue it is a polarizing design, but hey, we’re all entitled to our subjective opinions. At the end of the day who cares what people say. If you love it, then f’em. 👍
HD guys: no air cooled, no push rods, no yards of chrome, no massive rear tire, no raked out forks? It's not a REAL Harley! Me: exactly why I like it, it's NOTHING like a "real" Harley.
I wonder if they just ran out of room to tuck it up higher after all the other major components were engineered? I bet you dont see it there on Pan Am 2.0
So wait... the front brake lever activates both the front and rear brake??? I hear him say you can deactivate it but that’s actually kind of cool for street use
Linked braking has been used by a few different manufactures, but this is a much more sophisticated approach than I've seen in the past. It's electronically controlled and the amount of linking varies depending on how aggressively you pull on the brake lever. For what it's worth, I enjoyed this on the street.
I've watched a lot of vids on this bike, best review I've seen so far, and first to mention linked brakes. Curious to know does the bike stay in selected modes when stalled and restarted, or does it return to a default setting?
I grew up with 2 stroke off road race bikes of the 60-70’s and raced professionally. Less than 200 pounds, very low center of gravity, 6 inch front shock travel and 3 inch rear shock travel. Crossing steep v shaped river crossings could still plant both feet on the ground. I like the Harley and other adventure bikes but combinations take some of the fun. I would be interested in buying the orange one
yes, the motor is utterly unproven out here in the real world....not a great asset for an adventure bike. Might be awesome, might be horrible, might be both. We shall see in time.
They need to put this engine in a cruiser and bring back the V-Rod, they also need to make a 750-800cc variant of the Pan America since that’s a very large market too, they could also use that smaller engine to make a new cruiser and finally replace the ancient sportster.
I think there were plans for either 750cc or 950cc version (forget which) would be perfect. And I can wait to get this engine in something like a Low Rider S.
Never have been into the Harley culture or their bikes. However, this one is a great-looking bike, package as a whole has a unique look, everything about it is hits the right places for me.
Very interesting to see Harley continuing to slink out of their comfort zone. I think they probably half to if they want to survive in the long term. I love not having to adjust valves!
As a pure Sport Bike nut, I've only been disappointed by Harleys available to me. With that said, HD is about the only brand I never ever want to see going under. Its an icon. And I want that icon to shine bright for the lifestyle that is two wheels! I'm SOOOOOO happy they brought something competent to the market! so fucking happy! Hope they sell a ton of these!
I like them. They are nice, competitive, the ride height is cool. I've got too much money in my '17 GS and not enough miles on it to justify buying it because it's new. It's just not worth it to me now. The price I was quoted was 25K (well above MSRP, which is bullshit) which is moderately equipped with bash plates and guards, no bags, which is way more than I paid for my GS new in 2017. They sound more like a tractor, if they put that engine in a cruiser frame I'd think the cruise folks would complain. Not a deal breaker, but odd. I think they are a good alternative in the ADV market. I'd note there are really no aftermarket luggage systems and my dealer said the HD systems aren't currently available.
Definitely not a Harley fan, but I have to admit, they did better on this than I thought, and at a much lower price tag than I expected. I personally don't think I'll replace my Africa Twin for this, but I hope this bike does well. Harley as a brand needs something like this. It will allow HD fans to expand into the ADV realm, as well as introduce new customers who aren't into the cruiser scene.
I saw this bike at a dealership and I found that it looks much better in person and has very comfortable ergonomics. My next bike might be a Harley Davidson.
Fantastic review! The adaptive ride height option is truly a game changer for shorter people, makes this motorcycle more approachable and is a viable option for me to consider! Thank you Harley Davidson!
I think Harley did a great job. I wish they would have done this a decade or 2 ago. Lots of people hate on the styling. To them I say, what adventure bike is good looking? They aren't, admit it, they are big and ugly things. The harley actually looks really cool, Vtwin looks neat, gas tank is awesome looking, the whole bike almost looks like an overgrown vintage motocross bike. The headlight is not good looking for sure, but again, what adventure bike is? It is a shame that this engine is not in a naked bike. Use this engine, tune if for a naked (170 hp +) Try to keep the bike light, and hit the styling, and you would have a super naked contender. I don't think I ever would see the day with a harley bike with Showa suspension and Brembo brakes. I hope this bike does well for them.
They have a gigantic chunk of the motorcycle market in the US(if I recall correctly it's over half), even through all the lackluster sales they've had year after year they aren't going anywhere any time soon, they just need to steer in the right direction. If they do go bankrupt it'll probably take a couple decades. They want to lean harder into their more expensive models and focus on doing certified pre-owned type of sales, they just need to start attracting younger buyers before their core market gets too old. Also modernizing their platforms wouldn't hurt them either like the harley guys say lol
@@crazycamkalani Youre right and thats what i mean, when i think of harley i think of old guys with grey beards, not guy in 20s in sneakers:P I really do hope they make that scooter and realise to market it right, kinda like the adult lightining mcqueen crocs.
I test rode the Pan Am Special last weekend and loved it! Granted, it was my first try on an ADV bike but I was quite impressed with the engine....especially in sport mode. Plenty of locals posting vids bringing the front tire off the road.....even in higher gears. This bike looks fantastic in person....side view is reminiscent of a Road Glide (shark nose) but the front is kind of "Bender looking" (Futurama). I warmed up to it and appreciated HD making their bike distinct. People here commenting that its uglier than a GS or KTF are strictly fan boys.....the "beak" and "preying mantiss" designs of established ADV are worse looking IMO. Also, people REALLY believe HD came into this race believing they would put the GS out of business in their first year? GTFO of here with your fan boyness. This bike has plenty of potential. I spoke to riders who showed up on a GS, KTM and BMW 1600 and they were all impressed. I didn't hear any negativity from anyone in the 3 hours I was there. I agree with the poor protection of the inverter but you can upgrade to the beefier version ($350?). If you're gonna spend $20,000 on and ADV bike, it's a no brainer. I'm 6'-3" and definitely need the risers (AFAIK, there were no rideable bikes with them on....only the fully loaded demo with paniers etc.) but was still comfortable enough in the seated position. Standing, I was a little hunched over. Hope this helps.
Lmao nobody is buying this over the competition. For someone to buy this, it has to be better than the Multistrada, Africa Twin, GS, Superadventure, etc. Clearly you don’t know shit about this segment. Harley fanboy.
Thank you Spurg for the comments. I'm definitely looking to hear more about it in High-side Low-side podcast. The HD is horrible regarding the how looks, but I'm pretty interested in the technology and features.
Sat on one today and it has to be one of the most unique bikes I've ever been on. ats off to Harley for greenlighting such an "out there" product. I love how this bike looks, but I can tell its gonna be a love or hate thing in terms of aesthetics.
@@banaana1234 there are smaller adv tourers out there for new riders to try before riding this huge motorcycle. Its like asking someone who just started out riding motorcycles to try a 1000cc sports bike. Its not a responsible comment to make! If this motorcycle is 'approachable and easier to ride for someone starting out', then how about those 300-800 cc adv bikes?
Great job with this video. I still have a Buell XB12X and just bought a KTM 790 Adventure R. Also still have an HD FLHTC in my garage for cruising. This bike really intrigue's me... and will be visiting my local HD Shop when they receive one. Can't say I'll buy one anytime soon, just because I already have more bikes than I ride. But I'm so glad HD is in the ADV arena now because they are an American Company and truly make Awesome Bikes!! Dave J
Seriously considering this as my on road only bike. A 1.5-2 inch lowering kit on the base model, some grippy tires, and the sport side cases would make a hell of a "adv sport bagger"
@@hershchat Yes, you've said that on every comment. We get it, you like BMW's final drive failures and riding to starbucks and you won't buy a harley. Nobody cares.
@@hershchat Sure you do. If I had a golding I wouldn't need to comment on every reply about how harley is going down, really seriously this you you guys.
@@hershchat I'd say you aren't much of a rider in soul pervaded with hate pasting it in every comment section in a sad despicable way, sadder fact being no one cares about your copy pasting spree or your sad hateful existence. You're a far cry from a true rider.
@@hershchat I have a Buell Ulysses (09) and a GL1500 ('88) Wing. The Hp is up on the Pan. . But I'd have to lay it down and see if I can pick it up? As I ride dirt and my Wing is the easiest to pick-up! I have dropped twice in soft sand on the roads. Its where I live.
Read Spurgeon's review article here: rvz.la/3v9aAaS
@Lennon Krew Don't do it guys. I smell a rat.
We need to have them rename it dirt glide.
Sounds more like a type of lube for bedroom stuff!
@@chrishart8548 🤦♂️😂😂
Or the Offroad King
Or how about ugly glide?
@@chrishart8548 LOL so funny. I needed a good laugh thank you!
I’ll make up my mind when fortnine does a review
💯💯💯
He doesn't make reviews. He makes movies. Lol
dude's going to be so surprised at how much this thing weigh...
How about you ride the bike for yourself and develop your own opinion. don't be a parrot
@@brendanmartin4489 check out Million Dollar Bogan he have one. btw if you have ever had a busted tire in the middle of nowhere or had the bike fell on muddy/raining dirt then you'll know :)).
I don't think HD makes good adv bikes.
Not a Harley fan, but I hope this is a big hit for Harley.
At least they are doing something different instead of recycling the same thing year after year. I’m just wondering if they will use this engine in a smaller capacity cruiser for beginning riders
They are done! They build crap
Agree. Hope this is a sales success that will further allow H-D to diversify it's lineup.
Same
@@Soshi12005 Yes they are doing something, but it is too late. They listened to their "core" customer, and now that they (we) are ageing out they have real issues, you made your bed HD now you lie in it.
This bike is critical in the sense that many people are ditching baggers for sport touring or adventure bikes. This will help keep people in the brand even if they don’t want to a cruiser.
Wish they didn't cancel the Bronx...
Lol who wants to save the corpse of Harley and their 20k foreign made bikes
why ditch the bagger . Just add the Pan Am
That battery box location.......clearly that is one of those design decisions that sounded a bit like “oh crap, where we gonna put THIS?”
Yeah..what happens in river crossings?
Same as the KTM 950
😂
😂
@@c4t-tp238 that’s cool. I would be happy to get one used in a few years.
With it being a Harley, I was reluctant at first. But after seeing yours and some other's reviews, I'm quite impressed with what Harley has done with this bike.
I think we're in the same boat
They definitely got out of their comfort zone, and are trying hard to reinvent themselves.
@@hershchat gotta disagree. I was looking at a KTM 1290 adv and now I'm holding off for this.
I just wish it didn't look like a hand vacuum. The face of this bike is something only a mother could love. I'll be more excited to see what else they put this engine in.
Wait five years, will it be an endless money pit?
As a 5'9 rider, the adaptive ride height control is a huge selling point. Really hoping this bike is a big success for HD, it looks like a really good option for a lot of ADV riders so far!
Fellow 5’9” rider here. 29” inseam. I currently ride a BMW r1200gs with no issue. Started on an r1150gs that I got for a bargain. My advice is to find something cheap you don’t mind dropping (which should be any adventure bike lol) and practice around the seat height issue. It’s very doable and makes you a better rider in every area, not just tall bikes. Happy riding :)!
@@mitchellstephens8993 Where the fuck are you finding a cheap ADV bike lmfao MSRP on most is well over 14k, especially with ANY options you'd want for a long range/offroad machine.
@jay
Obviously used, dummy.
I'm very happy that Harley has created a bike like this. It gets so old to hear people complain that "Harley Davidson can't do anything but cruisers"
Almost as old as harley not doing anything but cruisers lol
thank god it's looking like that's changing.
Yeah but to be fair it DOES look like it just escaped from some lunatic bike builder's shed.
In 1975.
Cause they can't lol . And just cause they dropped this doesn't mean it'll last. That livewire was out for like a year 🤣
I hope it does well, but their track record is not good with new bikes.
Since 2014 every New bike they have made has been an absolute sales flop and most have been discontinued.
Street 750- sales flops and discontinued
Street 500 - sales flops and discontinued
FXDR114 - sales flops and discontinued
Live Wire- sales flops
Pan American - ???? Time will tell
@@highmilagerider1154 no argument there. The people who buy Harleys only seem to want to buy the "classic Harley Davidson" and it's killing the company. At least that's my take on what's going on
That seems like a really good deliberate option among the competition. Hope the bike sells so Harley can expand to other type of motorcycles.
their core fanbase will have a stroke when you go shopping there in adv clothes
@@PEZ1514 I wouldn't. Sell the adventure gear as much as you cal Harley! And I'm pretty hardcore biased towards HD. Harley will always be a cruiser based company. Until that changes.. then it doesn't bother me. I like the idea of them moving towards stuff like this. It could help them develop something new for their Cruiser/ Touring lineup. That's how I look at it.
@@hershchat cool bro. Ive heard it before.
@@tylernelson1993 Yeah, from Hersh in all the positive comments above.
@@hershchat man you've got a sad life copy pasting same comment in every section not anyone cares about.
Not a HD fan but damn, sounds like they did a good job with this. Also no valve maintenance is a huge win in my book...pay attention other ADV OEMS. When traveling around the world the last thing you want is to have to take your entire bike apart to check the valves. I hope this is a turning point for HD and its culture.
I don't get the big deal with the valve adjustments. For BMW GS's at least it doesn't get much simpler. And most of the time no adjustment is necessary, just verify you're within spec. If you are traveling a long way from home you only need a couple of common hand tools and maybe a few shims on the off chance a couple of your valves are out of spec.
I'm completely with you. I do no maitnenance at all; not the least bit mechanically inclined, so here here!
Idle is solid? Performance is good? No popping on decel?
No reason to even consider doing it.
@@drw1926 Cool story regard (1) single bike out of many.
Definitely agree. At this point, damn near everything should have at LEAST screw type valve adjustments. Taking your camshafts out to put shims in?? What is this, 1985? My Honda has hydraulic lifters and no issues in over 100,000 miles. My Guzzi has screw adjustments that take about 30 minutes to do. My Triumph has shims that need checked every 12,000 miles and service cost is around $700. That's not a lot if you ride the bike
I wish HD never dropped Buell. We coulved gotten this sooner in the form of a Ulysses
Yeah, they thought Buell was going to hurt their core business. They thought wrong. I lost all interest in my local HD dealership when I found out they didn't sell Buell's anymore. The Ulysses was badass.
dont forget HD wanted them to use their garbage v twins in a sport bike instead of making a dedicated sport v twin.
Buell did build the Ulysses. Harley Davidson just owns the intellectual property of it and now putting this out to confuse Buell riders
Eric Buell has failed like 5 times, you can't blame Harley for that.
On the other hand, walking into a Harley dealership for parts to fix my Buell pretty much guaranteed I would never buy a Harley.
Been waiting my whole life for Harley to build this bike. Getting the special this june. Thanks for the info, I'll make sure a skid plate is part of the package now. Safe travels all.
they made a very similar bike named the Ulysses back in the mid to late 2000's
My black S is on it's way!
@@512mbflashdrive the Ulysses wasn't really an ADV. It was more like a standard with ADV accents. Lind of like a first gen versys.
@@RB01138 the xb12x ripped off road. the xb12xt was like a versys.
@@je7887 otd price?
With a 30 inch inseam, this ride adaptive ride height is a wildly welcome feature! 😎
I have about the same inseam, my kawi versys’s almost 34” seat height can be a bit much, I love that adaptive suspension is very attractive .
I just wonder about the durability , especially on a bike that do some soft off roading
I like your King Crimson image....
I'm super excited about that feature too! I hope they didn't patent it and lock it away.. I really hope more brands can start utilizing that feature.
Also...
Remember that Inseam doesn't mean much most of the time.
When you straddle a seat, that takes up some of your leg length, but the length of your foot to tippy toe can give some back.
For an easy example, find a stool that you can sit on and comfortably reach the ground.. then scoot back on it and straddle it like a motorcycle seat and watch how your legs magically seem 4 inches shorter.
Us shorter people have it pretty rough in the motorcycle world, especially with misleading seat height numbers.
Personally, some short bikes like the Monkey feel taller and more awkward to me than my daily rider which has a 32in seat which is theoretically too tall for me. But it has a narrow seat that fits me well and allows me to use the full length of my legs and feet.
That small detail makes a world of difference.
29” inseam here. I ride an r1200gs. You can do it, just practice :). It’ll make you a better rider on tall and short bikes
I know it seems to get flak for looks but i really like that it looks different than every other ADV!
Take a look at a BMW from 1980 or so. That's where Harley got their brilliant design idea!
Looks are very subjective. I personally don't like the beak's on Beemers and I have owned the GSA/GS.
@@je7887 i have a r1150gs and the beak is ridiculous. glad i can't really see it when i'm riding lol
It looks like Harley actually came to play. Who would have thought they’d be first to market with the adjustable ride height. Add in MODERN engine tech and they might actually be finally starting to get it! Now, let’s see that Bronx brought to market.
As soon as I heard double overhead cams I got excited. I know people like the sound of old pushrod v twins, but it’s just such an inferior way to build an engine in this day and age
@@hershchat bro calm down you already said it once
@@hershchat Im a young rider and this in my opinion is cooler than the "other" adv options presented
@@jimmyneutron5679 Honda Africa Twin waaaaay cooler
@@jimmyneutron5679 Fr^
bike honestly looks like a blast, i don’t mind the looks all that much either. i hope it sells well enough for harley to keep it in the line up for years
A couple of thoughts...
1. Harley Davidson: This bike is made in the USA and has an incredible pedigree.
2. For service, Harley has an amazing network to get your bike worked on. Get parts and help locally (if you need it) or while you're on a trip. They've got you covered.
3. This is a damn cool bike with features for days (At first I was skeptical, but the looks have totally grown on me).
4. Have always been a Harley fan. It's a social thing as well as a quality thing. Slow and steady, for sure, but for me, I dig them. There's just a "feeling" of riding a Harley down the road over any other brand.
Thank you, Harley! I wish you the very best of luck with this new offering. I think you're going to kill it!
I think you are right, it is an USA bike. But who is going to buy in Europe instead of a GS, KTM, Triumph or Japanese Adventure? Who is going to buy it in Asia, or Africa? Guess the price is going to be rediculous in Europe, after import duties. But I have to admid it is looking better than I expected, my compliments.
@@robinr5787 nah, european price here are not that crazy. I even was surprised.
The dealer network point absolutely can not be ignored. I’d bet it’s stronger than any other brand. Where I live in CNY I have to pass three HD dealers to get to the nearest BMW dealer, 4 to find a Ducati dealer.
Who cares that it's made in the US?
I rode the Pan America. Looks like I'm gonna have another bike payment soon. I want one.
@@hershchat Such useless chatter. If I wanted to hear from an asshole, I would have farted.
@@hershchat I think I'm picking up a theme I could be wrong but is the theme that people won't buy a Harley tourer? Lol
🤔I was thinking the same thing.
@@brucelee9968 we need a person with a big brain or big pp to comprehend it.
@@hershchat you should change you're name to Harsh C. There was no need to murder this man along with with HD
Didn't think I'd say this about a harley, but I like it!
It's badass and should sell well.
@@hershchat sheesh, we get it, stop spamming this on all reply sections. You're changing the topic from the pan america to a Harley circlejerk like all other Harley videos. Just let us enjoy the bike.
Judging by the amount of views on all the reviews for this bike, there are many riders, that never considered a HD are now considering this one.
I'm just curious really, but I doubt many would pay for an adventure bike from them until a few years pass to show off it's reliability. Especially when compared to KTM, Honda, BMW, Yamaha. Either way, still a great step out of mediocrity
Yea. It's just hype talk from promotions. I don't see this doing as well as they are pushing. For one, it looks like a hand vacuum. And secondly, they're competing with well established players, with a brand name that is gaining hate as the years pass. I think this new engine though is a step in the right direction
I’m definitely not a harley Ferguson fan, but this had my interest.
But as stated by others, I’ll sit back and see how it fares in the real world for a bit
It won’t take long to see if it’s really a new breed of Harley or just a pig with fancy lipstick.
I hope it’s the former and not the latter.
@@mj_aussie_coaster_travels8310 same here, never even wanted a Harley. Saw this, and it caught my attention.
@@Yutter89 like everyone says, they are late to the party and want to know why even bother showing up. Lol
I hope we get the Bronx back, hopefully with the 975 AND the 1250 as options
I really hope they make smaller (700cc and 900cc) Pan Americas soon.
Agreed. I was prepared to get the Bronx
@@electric7487 I'd like to see a version that has the 750 street rod engine.
As far as the Bronx goes. I think a 750 version would be great to compete with 650-700 class nakeds, have the 975 as a middleweight. And the 1250 as the big boi
I’m a vintage-style cruiser sort of guy, but there is something about this bike I really like. I might check it out to be my daily commuter, and keep my cruiser for day trips.
Shocked Harley actually made this. Not a fan of anything they make, and hope this is a new future for them.
@@hershchat what would have made this bike more appealing? A smaller displacement, air cooled, and AFFORDABLE entry level version....I have been hearing about an adventure bike roll out for a couple years, and I was really hoping for just THAT....when they just released the ill affordable Pan American...they lost me, and I went to Royal Enfield for an affordable adventure bike
🤷♂️
more people than you realize are NOT into "speed"....but they ARE into the smaller retro twins and singles....because they are sub 10k out the door, they sound good, and they look damn good....
@@hershchat I think you nailed it. As much as I want Harley to dig themselves out of the hole they created in the 80s I just can’t see these being a smash hit. When you build a brand on image that can be a double edged sword.
Youngins like cheap and fast and that simply can’t be done while still building in USA and turning a profit, and we all know how people react to non American made HDs.
Sorry to burst your Bubble Sarah but Harley has already planned to ditch this approach with a new CEO. They are going back to focus on only Cruisers....The same approach that got them in the financial situation they are in.
@@SirSpinalColumn the Bronx could have been a real turning point but if I remember correctly that has been scrapped
I'll be waiting for the ultimate review from Fortnine
Lol only if he does, which he does rarely.
@@onefivzero I think he'll do it eventually
I think Harley would be scared to let Ryan on one of the touring demo units
@@TheFreaknasticus they don’t want that real honesty lol
After the way he honestly tore the company apart in one of his videos I doubt it
I test rode a Pan Am today, I loved it a LOT more than I expected to. It's like the Swiss Army knife of ADV bikes, a really great compromise between the pros and cons of other ADV bikes in the market. I really get the feeling Harley took a pros and cons list from other brands and tried to fit all the pros in the Pan Am design! 😎
I hope this is what can help Harley a bit and open up new possibilities for them
Cost is crazy right now but lots of promise in the live wire. Would love to see more electric off road bikes, I think that would be a huge market.
@@hershchat thanks for the essay
@@mariofan010 Don't listen to this guy. They've been copy-pasting that same BS for forever now.
Not having to adjust valves is pretty great
If I were to get one I would use it as a sport tourer. But first I would have to clear the mental hurdle of actually walking into a Harley-Davidson dealership.
If you are in SoCal come down to Laidlaw’s , we love H-D of course, but we are all also bike guys in general. Most of us have track bikes, motocross bikes, or both in addition to our big twins! You won’t get the “ready to get a real bike” treatment!
Don't worry, if you go into an HD dealer, no one will talk to you or try to help you anyway.
@@TH3G0ODGUY mind if I come down to just say hi?
@@natecole3222 not at all, we get visitors all the time from Matt Laidlaw’s UA-cam channel! Stop by, shoot the shit a bit, grab a poker chip! We should have a demo PanAm available to test ride within a month or so. Last I heard first half of may we should be getting the demo bike.
@@fenrizwulf6682 Just like every motorcyle dealership then. The harley dealers by me are great actually. And you can even test ride a bike. Try that at a Ducati dealership.
As a short person, I absolutely love that adaptive ride height feature. That's amazing and I hope it catches on. I really hope Harley weren't assholes and patent it so no one else could use it.
I'd absolutely buy a bike with that feature, but I'll most likely never own a harley. I just wont, but I really want that feature on some bikes I love like the Versys 650, BMW 650gs, or a few others.
Although, there is a big misunderstanding with short riders and seat height. For anyone new, seat height isn't everything. A low but very wide seat feels as tall as a narrow but tall seat. Straddling a wide seat takes up more leg length. Also, if you have small feet that could make the bike feel taller. Big feet can tippy toe several inches further to the ground in some cases. Lastly, hip width plays a factor. Typically some women can handle a wider seat because of wider hips and pelvis allowing them to negate the wide seat issue from before, and narrow hipped people will have trouble properly straddling the seat and it will make it feel taller.
So basically this means you could take several people of the exact same height and have them sit on the same bike, and one might have dangling feet and one might be flat footed, some people will be tippy toes, and some will be comfortably on the balls of their feet.
This is why it's so important to just go sit on some bikes, a number on the internet means nothing.
For example, my sister has a cruiser with a super low seat and it's terribly uncomfortable for me. The seat and tank are wider than my hips and push my knees outward awkwardly and then I have to bend them back inward to reach the shifter. It's perfectly comfortable at a stop, feet down.. but while riding it gives me knee and hip pain trying to overcome the incompatibility between me and the bike.
Sit on some bikes. If you're not shy, ask if an employee will hold the bike so you can put both feet up and see how it feels. It's super important. I almost bought the same bike as my sister and I'm glad I didn't, I'd have hated it. I'm much happier with my bike, because I sat on a bunch and it felt the best.
Good luck, and ride safe!
I've watched so many reviews on this. And so far, all I've got is, "it's really quiet. It has tons of power, but not as much rush as the KTM." And, "it can do wheelies man." What we really need to know is:
1.) Engine RPMS at 70 mph?
2.) Engine vibration at 70 mph?
3.) Gear ratio of 1st gear?
4.) Chain lash at low speeds?
5.) Throttle snatch during roll on?
6.) Fuel injection smoothness and overall fueling?
7.) Gas mileage?
8.) Wind protection and helmet wind noise?
The linked story answers a lot of your questions, I read it before coming here.
@@ericweber1969 Thank you :)
Hydraulic lifters and no valve service is huge. More manufactures need to get on this, especially for touring models.
Amen! 100% agree.
I hope this bike will be a big win for HD. It sure is an impressive first effort.
Last effort. Harley switched their road map from New innovative bike classes like Livewire/Bronx/Pan America to go back strictly to Cruisers
@@diamondheat9 You have a source for that?
@@electric7487 umm it is all over the place....
@@electric7487 look up Rewire/Hardwire
@@diamondheat9 I did. And it's not even clear what exactly they're going for.
Someone on bmwmoa.org put it very nicely:
"One of the problems with HD is they 'elect' a new CEO every few years and the new CEO takes the company in a new direction. After the current CEO tires of the job a [new one] will show up and know all the mistakes of the previous CEO and tear down what he started."
A true test would be to load it down with camping gear, drive it 600 miles on the freeway, then take it down trails and off road deep into the boonies to find a wild campsite, pitch your tent, kick back, and make supper.
Harley wouldnt allow a real world test on these Bikes, meanwhile ive seen the GS family of BMW kill it on the trails and pretty much anywhere you ride it. Its proven so harley has a huge competition
@@ericiglesias4313
Right on the money! Once PanAmerica is available there will need be a heavyweight adv bagger group ride under real world conditions as in my original post. Not just riding them around the block.
And drop it at least once on the way. That will be the end of the discussion for such a big bike.
Get a Tenere 700 if you actually want to go off-road. Large ADV bikes are good for flat gravel roads at most.
@@sv650nyc7
That was my unspoken point exactly. The adv lard baggers will do the 750 freeway miles great, but how about the last 5 miles to that lookout campsite?
Good review . I’ve ordered my 1250 Special a few month ago. I’m changing my Street Glide Special for the Pan America ;-)
@@hershchat i bought my Street Glide Special 4 years ago and I did some amazing trips. I live in Barcelona , Spain, and used it everyday of the year, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. I could spend literally a full day driving it and would never thought I would change it.
But I’m tired of asphalt roads, know all of them around my area. I drove the street glide in little dirty roads and love the adventure but I would never have bought a bmw or Ktm. So I’m very happy Harley did this bike. I wish I could have kept the street glide and buy the Pan’Am, but I have 50k of bikes in my garage is too much. So I had to make a choice. If I keep making money , I’ll by another SG , but for now, I want to enjoy offroad but while keep driving a Harley! ride to live , Live to Ride! Peace and follow my adventures in my channel ;-)
Hope HD has a hit on their hands FWIW My '10 Duc Mutley had most of these features. Hope HD isn't too late to the Adv bike party which seams to be trending to 700-900cc slimmer machines IMHO any bike over 300#s isn't capable of being fun to ride in dirt. And I've had a few. I'll stick to my plated Katoom 525 RFS for that.
My Pan America blew the engine at 5,000 miles half way thru a 2500 mile motorcycle ride. Its been in the shop for 3 weeks. I got my first update from the techs. They are saying the manifold connecting the oil pump to the top end came out and caused my bike to overheat quickly to 294 degs. Fingers crossed Harley takes care of me and replaces the engine.
Seeing you lean over on a Harley is strangely refreshing
You should open your eyes wider.
Dedicated harley riders:
"Wait, there are revs past 2500?"
Lmao
That comment makes no sense.
That was me after the break in period. Woke up a whole new beast
@@RuFFRyDas87 it was a joke due to the low reving nature of MOST Harley cruisers.
@@deadlyapollo lol. The old iron heads revved out to 7000RPM.
Ok, Harley. Turn a Sportster into a production scrambler. Folks have already done this in the custom market. Gen X would love it and buy it if it’s affordable.
I'd buy the fuck out of that. I'd love something with that proper harley sound but with some lean angle/ground clearance
Good job Harley! I like the looks too....reminds me of the Cylons from Battlestar Galáctica!
not a HD fan but wish them the best. I hope this bike sells well.
I test drove one. I’m 74. In the 1960s I had a CH stroker. Since then I’ve put close to 200,000 miles on two BMWs. I owned a BSA 440 thumper. I think the Panamerica is the finest motorcycle I’ve ever ridden. I was shocked. It is smooth and fast and it wants to turn into corners. It’s tranny is magnificent. It’s brakes are crazy good. It’s clutch is great. I rode it in rain mode. My only negative is that even being 6’ tall I would need the electronic lowering. I was on the balls of my feet. It’s a magnificent machine. Shocking.
Holy shit, here I was thinking they were going to put the livewire price tag on it. 17k that's not far from the africa twin.
Thanks for a good quick but comprehensive reviews I am pleasantly surprised
Finally a ADV beer/bar bike for my collection, right next to BMW coffee and KTM energy bike.
I just picked up my all black Pan-America Special with spoked wheels this week. I absolutely love it.
The adaptive ride height and lack of valve adjustments needed sold me on the bike.
If you are curious or into ADV bikes, seriously go in to your dealer and take a ride on one!
I hope they make a pan America 883. Glad Harley is finally catching up to the other guys
@@hershchat I hope so...that way i can score a lightly used one for cheap(er).
They aren't. Harley has already changed their approach again going back to focus on cruisers.... The Pan America /Livewire were the first and last change we will see from Harley in the future. Would think living in the pass they would change their approach but went back to their old ways
@@hershchat Hey! Europeans love their Harleys 😄
@@hershchat millennial checking in. Currently own a 2020 road king special, and 2009 xr1200, but have owned plenty of metric bikes. Put more miles on my bikes than my cars every year. Know plenty of people in my age group buying new harley tourers, and even more buying soft tails. Love all motorcycle brands; have bikes from every make that I'd want to pick up. Seems like a lot of hate towards Harley, almost like they did something personally to you, seeing as you copy/paste your comment onto every comment on this video. As a motorcycle enthusiast, I don't wish ill will toward any bike manufacturer. I want to see them all succeed in their own way. The world's a shitty place, but motorcycles of all brands make the world a whole lot better.
@@hershchat Surely you have far better things to do than copy-pasting the same propaganda over and over. You have CLEARLY shown that you are an illogical, irrational hater.
Oh, and your lame-ass attempts to try to cover it up by, for example, saying that it's a "labour of love" isn't gonna help at all. This is why no one who isn't a Harley hater is taking you seriously.
Try again, buddy.
Excellent and very thorough review. I'm 5'8 so there are a number of features like the auto ride height adjustment system I'd go for along with the deluxe bash plate. You're the first reviewer to stress the motor is revvy.
Most people would not expect that from a Harley. Overall I think it's a very impressive bike I'd choose over a KTM or BMW 1250 GS.
I've always wanted a USA made motorcycle. This is the first time I want an H-D.
I don’t think Harley will keep enough of these bikes on the shelf. I’m a Harley guy through and through but everyone is talking about the Pan America! I’m very excited about this motorcycle. I love the GS and the Africa Twin but this bike will be my next motorcycle for sure. Good review!
I finally got to see one first-hand yesterday and throw a leg over it. I was pretty impressed! It feels very well-built and carries its weight low, for an ADV bike.
I really hope this is a sales success for Harley. They needed a bike to break the cycle of producing the same old recipe of traditional cruisers, and jumping head first into the ADV market with something actually compelling (and totally out of their normal wheelhouse) is bold enough to do it.
With any luck they’ll spin this into things like a naked street fighter (akin to their Bronx concept) and perhaps dip into the kind of bikes they were building with Buell back in the day.
As far as a first effort I think they nailed it, and the amount of positive reviews of seen right out of the gate prove they’re on to something. Fingers crossed this is the first in a line of many winners to come for HD.
This seems like a really well-thought-out bike. I hope it serves Harley well and their loyalist appreciates it too. It just might make me a Harley rider.
For 25+ years I’ve been mostly a BMW guy but also had a few Harleys. I’m liking this.
the fact that he is gasping after riding a Harley.. proves just how much Harley has changed 😉💥
Think about altitude too!
People say it's ugly I think it's the best looking adventure bike right behind Ducati
I’d argue it is a polarizing design, but hey, we’re all entitled to our subjective opinions. At the end of the day who cares what people say. If you love it, then f’em. 👍
HD guys: no air cooled, no push rods, no yards of chrome, no massive rear tire, no raked out forks? It's not a REAL Harley!
Me: exactly why I like it, it's NOTHING like a "real" Harley.
Looking forward to that Adaptive Height Control making it on to other bikes.
Regular rectifier placement blows my mind
I wonder if they just ran out of room to tuck it up higher after all the other major components were engineered? I bet you dont see it there on Pan Am 2.0
Right?
Better not do any river crossings. May end up with a serious electrical problem
Keeps the weight low. If it is proven not to be an issue with forging water crossing then i don't see an issue with it.
@@philc9305 it would be the first thing the bike hits if it bottoms out the front.
Like my AWD RAV4 I would seldom go off-road unless it’s necessary but I’m comfortable knowing I have something to handle off-road if needed
So wait... the front brake lever activates both the front and rear brake??? I hear him say you can deactivate it but that’s actually kind of cool for street use
That`s been a feature on Cruiser HD`s for years oh and Hydraulic lifters since the late 30`s
@@slumpsg1901 Yep, but they're the first to bring Hydraulic lifters to a high performance ADV bike.
Linked braking has been used by a few different manufactures, but this is a much more sophisticated approach than I've seen in the past. It's electronically controlled and the amount of linking varies depending on how aggressively you pull on the brake lever. For what it's worth, I enjoyed this on the street.
I've watched a lot of vids on this bike, best review I've seen so far, and first to mention linked brakes. Curious to know does the bike stay in selected modes when stalled and restarted, or does it return to a default setting?
@@SpurgeonDunbar I know but you made it sound like it was a new idea in engine design
Just test rode one. Amazing motorcycle! Harley-Davidson has a winner on it's hands and the company is forever different. It's that good.
Riding on gravel roads is not "off road", it's just not paved. I didn't see any terrain in this vid that a Prius couldn't drive through.
95% of large ADV bikes don't even go off road.
I grew up with 2 stroke off road race bikes of the 60-70’s and raced professionally. Less than 200 pounds, very low center of gravity, 6 inch front shock travel and 3 inch rear shock travel. Crossing steep v shaped river crossings could still plant both feet on the ground. I like the Harley and other adventure bikes but combinations take some of the fun. I would be interested in buying the orange one
I’ll be interested in the reliability of this bike
yes, the motor is utterly unproven out here in the real world....not a great asset for an adventure bike. Might be awesome, might be horrible, might be both. We shall see in time.
They need to put this engine in a cruiser and bring back the V-Rod, they also need to make a 750-800cc variant of the Pan America since that’s a very large market too, they could also use that smaller engine to make a new cruiser and finally replace the ancient sportster.
I think there were plans for either 750cc or 950cc version (forget which) would be perfect. And I can wait to get this engine in something like a Low Rider S.
I've always disliked Harleys, but suddenly, I want to see them winning again. This bike seems inspired.
Great Review.Also make a video of Standard version and compare the two. To make such a machine in first attempt is incredible.
Hats off HD.
The bike looks cool, I hope H-D sells a whole bunch of them!
Never have been into the Harley culture or their bikes. However, this one is a great-looking bike, package as a whole has a unique look, everything about it is hits the right places for me.
Very interesting to see Harley continuing to slink out of their comfort zone. I think they probably half to if they want to survive in the long term. I love not having to adjust valves!
hydraulic valve adjusters ARE Harley's comfort zone
As a pure Sport Bike nut, I've only been disappointed by Harleys available to me. With that said, HD is about the only brand I never ever want to see going under. Its an icon. And I want that icon to shine bright for the lifestyle that is two wheels! I'm SOOOOOO happy they brought something competent to the market! so fucking happy! Hope they sell a ton of these!
This harley guy will probably never buy one. But i am sure stoked that they seem to have did it right
I like them. They are nice, competitive, the ride height is cool. I've got too much money in my '17 GS and not enough miles on it to justify buying it because it's new. It's just not worth it to me now. The price I was quoted was 25K (well above MSRP, which is bullshit) which is moderately equipped with bash plates and guards, no bags, which is way more than I paid for my GS new in 2017. They sound more like a tractor, if they put that engine in a cruiser frame I'd think the cruise folks would complain. Not a deal breaker, but odd. I think they are a good alternative in the ADV market. I'd note there are really no aftermarket luggage systems and my dealer said the HD systems aren't currently available.
I might be considering a Harley now. Thanks for the review.
Definitely not a Harley fan, but I have to admit, they did better on this than I thought, and at a much lower price tag than I expected. I personally don't think I'll replace my Africa Twin for this, but I hope this bike does well. Harley as a brand needs something like this. It will allow HD fans to expand into the ADV realm, as well as introduce new customers who aren't into the cruiser scene.
Wow that’s impressive looks like they took a few cues from victory in designing this! Well done Harley!
I saw this bike at a dealership and I found that it looks much better in person and has very comfortable ergonomics. My next bike might be a Harley Davidson.
Fantastic review! The adaptive ride height option is truly a game changer for shorter people, makes this motorcycle more approachable and is a viable option for me to consider! Thank you Harley Davidson!
2021 a year where BMW made a cruiser and Harley made a Tourer :))
I think Harley did a great job. I wish they would have done this a decade or 2 ago. Lots of people hate on the styling. To them I say, what adventure bike is good looking? They aren't, admit it, they are big and ugly things. The harley actually looks really cool, Vtwin looks neat, gas tank is awesome looking, the whole bike almost looks like an overgrown vintage motocross bike. The headlight is not good looking for sure, but again, what adventure bike is? It is a shame that this engine is not in a naked bike. Use this engine, tune if for a naked (170 hp +) Try to keep the bike light, and hit the styling, and you would have a super naked contender. I don't think I ever would see the day with a harley bike with Showa suspension and Brembo brakes. I hope this bike does well for them.
Well said.
Top review.
You covered all my questions in an unbiased style.
Not a bad effort from HD.
Best review of the Pan Am to date!!!!
I've been looking to upgrade to a larger adventure style bike and never thought I would include Harley Davidson in my list . Test ride booked.
Hope harley doesnt go bankrupt, would love to see more models other than cruisers.
They have a gigantic chunk of the motorcycle market in the US(if I recall correctly it's over half), even through all the lackluster sales they've had year after year they aren't going anywhere any time soon, they just need to steer in the right direction. If they do go bankrupt it'll probably take a couple decades. They want to lean harder into their more expensive models and focus on doing certified pre-owned type of sales, they just need to start attracting younger buyers before their core market gets too old. Also modernizing their platforms wouldn't hurt them either like the harley guys say lol
@@crazycamkalani most Harley sales by far at this point are in the used market. More used Harley get sold every year than new harleys by far.
@@crazycamkalani Youre right and thats what i mean, when i think of harley i think of old guys with grey beards, not guy in 20s in sneakers:P I really do hope they make that scooter and realise to market it right, kinda like the adult lightining mcqueen crocs.
Braaah... that was such a great review. Possibly the best one I've seen for any bike. Thank you.
I test rode the Pan Am Special last weekend and loved it! Granted, it was my first try on an ADV bike but I was quite impressed with the engine....especially in sport mode. Plenty of locals posting vids bringing the front tire off the road.....even in higher gears.
This bike looks fantastic in person....side view is reminiscent of a Road Glide (shark nose) but the front is kind of "Bender looking" (Futurama). I warmed up to it and appreciated HD making their bike distinct. People here commenting that its uglier than a GS or KTF are strictly fan boys.....the "beak" and "preying mantiss" designs of established ADV are worse looking IMO.
Also, people REALLY believe HD came into this race believing they would put the GS out of business in their first year? GTFO of here with your fan boyness. This bike has plenty of potential. I spoke to riders who showed up on a GS, KTM and BMW 1600 and they were all impressed. I didn't hear any negativity from anyone in the 3 hours I was there.
I agree with the poor protection of the inverter but you can upgrade to the beefier version ($350?). If you're gonna spend $20,000 on and ADV bike, it's a no brainer.
I'm 6'-3" and definitely need the risers (AFAIK, there were no rideable bikes with them on....only the fully loaded demo with paniers etc.) but was still comfortable enough in the seated position. Standing, I was a little hunched over. Hope this helps.
Very much. Thank you.
Lmao nobody is buying this over the competition. For someone to buy this, it has to be better than the Multistrada, Africa Twin, GS, Superadventure, etc. Clearly you don’t know shit about this segment. Harley fanboy.
Love that HD has proven that you don't have to have shim under bucket valve actuation on a high performance engine. Bravo!
Kudos to Harley. Impressive Bike from the house of cruisers. Excellent Review.
Don't listen to the Hersh C guy. They're clearly a shill of some sort.
Thank you Spurg for the comments. I'm definitely looking to hear more about it in High-side Low-side podcast. The HD is horrible regarding the how looks, but I'm pretty interested in the technology and features.
If I drop it, will any other Harley Riders bother to help me pick it up??
its 65odd pounds lighter than a 1250gsa
@@SirSpinalColumn Looks more like 30 lbs from my quick research. H-D Panamerica Special 559 lbs wet vs 591 lbs wet for the 2021 1250 GSA.
@@sv650nyc7 still the point remains that it’s well within the weight range for big adv bikes.
Sat on one today and it has to be one of the most unique bikes I've ever been on. ats off to Harley for greenlighting such an "out there" product. I love how this bike looks, but I can tell its gonna be a love or hate thing in terms of aesthetics.
@6:10 "its much more approachable and easier to ride for someone just starting out".
Yeah I thought that was pretty silly. Regardless of ride modes, starting out on a huge 150 hp bike is fucking insane lol
@@hershchat exactly
@@hershchat dude I agreed with you the first time, give it a rest with the cut and paste
I mean, he's talking about riding offroad, not riding altogether.
@@banaana1234 there are smaller adv tourers out there for new riders to try before riding this huge motorcycle. Its like asking someone who just started out riding motorcycles to try a 1000cc sports bike. Its not a responsible comment to make! If this motorcycle is 'approachable and easier to ride for someone starting out', then how about those 300-800 cc adv bikes?
Great job with this video. I still have a Buell XB12X and just bought a KTM 790 Adventure R. Also still have an HD FLHTC in my garage for cruising. This bike really intrigue's me... and will be visiting my local HD Shop when they receive one. Can't say I'll buy one anytime soon, just because I already have more bikes than I ride. But I'm so glad HD is in the ADV arena now because they are an American Company and truly make Awesome Bikes!! Dave J
The engine looks beautiful. They have put some effort into the visuals.
I like this. I really hope Harley is going to put out a sport bike too. Regardless of brand I don't like seeing businesses fail
Can't wait for the real, independent reviews! From those not afraid of hurting harley's feelings.
Seriously considering this as my on road only bike. A 1.5-2 inch lowering kit on the base model, some grippy tires, and the sport side cases would make a hell of a "adv sport bagger"
Can't wait to hear one with decent exhaust
@@hershchat Yes, you've said that on every comment. We get it, you like BMW's final drive failures and riding to starbucks and you won't buy a harley. Nobody cares.
@@hershchat Sure you do. If I had a golding I wouldn't need to comment on every reply about how harley is going down, really seriously this you you guys.
Yeah, no doubt this one will be turned into a stupidly loud noise maker before it leaves the showroom.
Just what we need.
@@hershchat I'd say you aren't much of a rider in soul pervaded with hate pasting it in every comment section in a sad despicable way, sadder fact being no one cares about your copy pasting spree or your sad hateful existence. You're a far cry from a true rider.
@@hershchat I have a Buell Ulysses (09) and a GL1500 ('88) Wing. The Hp is up on the Pan. . But I'd have to lay it down and see if I can pick it up? As I ride dirt and my Wing is the easiest to pick-up! I have dropped twice in soft sand on the roads. Its where I live.