Good review and contrasts. Nice content. Have to comment on the review of power. Looks like you only really turned it up to 6-6.5k rpm. If I recall that’s about 90 or so HP on the dyno graph I saw. With a redline or 9k it’s hard to make a call on its overall performance. I noticed the same when I went for a test ride. First one was similar to yours the second I used more of the range and found it really starts pulling at 7k. Glad Harley is making moves to modernize. Just a few years back the thought of HD competing with a GS was laughable, how times change. Keep up the content you’re a natural.
The quickshifter (given your clutch line is perfectly tightened) and riding it in sport mode/custom makes it a different machine. It’s addicting how quick it is in higher revs
@@jh_90 agree. I just got one installed a few hundred miles ago. It’s works about 75% as good as the high performance Japanese bikes but still a lot of fun.
@@aplourde15 what the mechanic at the Harley dealership told me made a big difference. He said: “don’t treat it like a modern quickshifter as if you’re riding a Yamaha R1 - which can be used with light inputs. When you shift up or down, make it a deliberate move. Hold your foot against the shifter firmly and it will work as it should. It’s a Harley, so handle it like one.” 😂 Works like a charm now. Did you check your clutch cable? Mine was slipping around 5k rpm, had to play around with it for a bit. Now it’s perfect
You’ve gotta see the videos of them on the race track. They handle phenomenally! Also watch the videos that were made by guys that were actually able to open the bike up. I have one, I just came from a sports bike… In sport mode the the PAS holds its line and draws you rights into the apex, much better than the GS or GSA is able to do. This might have something to do with the weight. But honestly there is a reason why sport bikes, dirt bikes and race bikes use a suspension setup more akin to what’s on the PAS.
Great review Jed. Nice to see Harley doing some original designs these days. Versus BMW, I think Harley has almost nailed it. If they keep this segment alive, BMW will certainly have their work cut out for them. I think that's a good thing though, leads to change and innovation.
Not a bad review Jedd. Totally enjoyed your thoughts. You need it for a few months and get it set up for you! May respond better. I would trade my 2015 Dyna in a heartbeat for it. Thanks for the great review again.
Fair revue given the limited freedom to 'try it out', I think you'd have been smiling a lot more if you could have pushed her more. Regarding how it turns in, I can tell you from experience that once you're rolling, the Pan America loves twisty roads, it really does hold the line very well. Regarding Sport mode vs. Road mode, I tend to stay in Road mode, even when chasing a friend on her Multistrada, Sport mode gives you plenty more go, but I prefer not the get used to Sport mode, it adds a little spice when I want to ride aggressively.
That’s an interesting perspective - saving Sport for special occasions! I tried to do that on my BMW but I couldn’t make myself keep it on the back burner. Thanks for offering your experience on the twisties - I don’t doubt for a second that it is a blast to ride. I would love to get some more time on one.
No question about it ,Comparing the highly capable beautiful Pan to the extraordinary engineered Beemer is like comparing the Sherman to the Tiger tank . Hmm ,time will tell . Rode both ,nothing like a Harley . Love the styling and center stand .
Good review. A year ago I was going to trade my 20yr old Road-King and Yamaha Tracer 900GT for a Pan America, hoping to move to one do-it-all bike. After the road test I got back on my Tracer and actually preferred it to the Pan Am; disappointing and not what I was expecting. Ended up buying a GS Triple Black and after 9,500 miles with zero problems, I'm loving the GS, but miss being a Harley owner (after riding them for 30yrs). Can't win them all.
I haven't actually ridden a Tracer, but I've ridden that triple in other Yamahas and love it. Hard to be without an HD for too long, though. I had one from 96 until 2004, and not again until 2019. That was a long wait!
Ha! You're not ignorant. A quickshifter lets you upshift without the clutch. An autoblipper lets you downshift without the clutch. My BMW has both. They call it "Shift Assist Pro." Harley's version can be purchased here: www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/screamin-eagle-quickshifter/p/32700151, and here's a video explanation from Blockhead on a Yamaha: ua-cam.com/video/x5HaqZLQDVs/v-deo.html
I had to stop the video as the description could have been done with a once around the parking lot. Giving that 95% of the ride was below 50 mph how can Harley expect a productive riders presentation on any bike?
I can't get my head around the sound... Far out they sound horrible! Demo ride in Australia from Harley is OK... maybe 10 minute ride? Can't Demo a BMW. "Deposit first"
PA is as good or as bad as BMW's attempt of trying to compete with HD Touring Bikes with the R 18. This engine sounds like a John Deer lawn mover. Just like I would not exchange the GS for this bike, I would not take the R 18 over HD SG or RG. It is a failed attempt for both brands to get into each others Market. Stick with what you are good at it is the lesson to learn for both.
BMW is becoming over engineered .HD hit it out of the park with the Pan . Power weight ratio is very good . Styling is fantastic . My first choice for adventure bike . Love BMW and Harleys . Only concern is chain ,but understand the weight factor .
Giant turds! Own one, regret every dollar and mile spent on this steaming pile of garbage, if you buy one keep up the warranty and make sure you have a good trailer and comfortable shoes, you will need them all.
2100 miles on my 22 PAS, electrical issues, no starts, lean codes, stalling during downshift, rode it offroad one time and the triple clamp came loose and the forks spun causing a crash, engine sounds like hot Marbles being tossed around in a trash can, other than that it's a great bike! Resal value is awful, buy one and you will be stuck with it unless you want to take a bath, fun when it runs but that's not often enough to justify the price, HD really should be ashamed of this mediocre bike being sold at a premium price with a huge dealer network that doesn't give a flying rats ass about fixing it
If my sharing my experience can keep one person from being suckered into buying one of these turds, than hopefully it's worth the anguish I've been through owning this piece of shit! Harley Davidson are you listening?? You have lost yet another life long customer.
I test rode it. What a piece of shit. Bought a 2021 gs1250. Not even close. In canada the beemer was 2500 dollars more. Worth every penny compared to this crap. Read the ongoing problems, enough said.
Good review and contrasts. Nice content. Have to comment on the review of power. Looks like you only really turned it up to 6-6.5k rpm. If I recall that’s about 90 or so HP on the dyno graph I saw. With a redline or 9k it’s hard to make a call on its overall performance. I noticed the same when I went for a test ride. First one was similar to yours the second I used more of the range and found it really starts pulling at 7k. Glad Harley is making moves to modernize. Just a few years back the thought of HD competing with a GS was laughable, how times change. Keep up the content you’re a natural.
Hey, thanks. I agree with all of that - except me being a natural! 😆
The quickshifter (given your clutch line is perfectly tightened) and riding it in sport mode/custom makes it a different machine. It’s addicting how quick it is in higher revs
@@jh_90 I believe that. Would love an opportunity to give it a try.
@@jh_90 agree. I just got one installed a few hundred miles ago. It’s works about 75% as good as the high performance Japanese bikes but still a lot of fun.
@@aplourde15 what the mechanic at the Harley dealership told me made a big difference. He said: “don’t treat it like a modern quickshifter as if you’re riding a Yamaha R1 - which can be used with light inputs.
When you shift up or down, make it a deliberate move. Hold your foot against the shifter firmly and it will work as it should. It’s a Harley, so handle it like one.” 😂
Works like a charm now. Did you check your clutch cable? Mine was slipping around 5k rpm, had to play around with it for a bit. Now it’s perfect
You’ve gotta see the videos of them on the race track. They handle phenomenally! Also watch the videos that were made by guys that were actually able to open the bike up. I have one, I just came from a sports bike… In sport mode the the PAS holds its line and draws you rights into the apex, much better than the GS or GSA is able to do. This might have something to do with the weight. But honestly there is a reason why sport bikes, dirt bikes and race bikes use a suspension setup more akin to what’s on the PAS.
Completely agree! Thanks.
Great review Jed. Nice to see Harley doing some original designs these days. Versus BMW, I think Harley has almost nailed it. If they keep this segment alive, BMW will certainly have their work cut out for them. I think that's a good thing though, leads to change and innovation.
Thanks. Definitely great for competition! 👍🏼
Not a bad review Jedd. Totally enjoyed your thoughts. You need it for a few months and get it set up for you! May respond better. I would trade my 2015 Dyna in a heartbeat for it. Thanks for the great review again.
Thanks. The “better than a Dyna” standard could be a handy one to employ!
Fair revue given the limited freedom to 'try it out', I think you'd have been smiling a lot more if you could have pushed her more. Regarding how it turns in, I can tell you from experience that once you're rolling, the Pan America loves twisty roads, it really does hold the line very well. Regarding Sport mode vs. Road mode, I tend to stay in Road mode, even when chasing a friend on her Multistrada, Sport mode gives you plenty more go, but I prefer not the get used to Sport mode, it adds a little spice when I want to ride aggressively.
That’s an interesting perspective - saving Sport for special occasions! I tried to do that on my BMW but I couldn’t make myself keep it on the back burner. Thanks for offering your experience on the twisties - I don’t doubt for a second that it is a blast to ride. I would love to get some more time on one.
No question about it ,Comparing the highly capable beautiful Pan to the extraordinary engineered Beemer is like comparing the Sherman to the Tiger tank . Hmm ,time will tell . Rode both ,nothing like a Harley . Love the styling and center stand .
Very impressive bike the Pan America. I still prefer the GS overall, but I have a feeling I might prefer the PanAm off-road.
That B*tch Made Waterbuffalo can suck a fart. Once harley gets all the gremlins out this bike will be bulletproof. And cheaper to maintain.
Good review. A year ago I was going to trade my 20yr old Road-King and Yamaha Tracer 900GT for a Pan America, hoping to move to one do-it-all bike. After the road test I got back on my Tracer and actually preferred it to the Pan Am; disappointing and not what I was expecting. Ended up buying a GS Triple Black and after 9,500 miles with zero problems, I'm loving the GS, but miss being a Harley owner (after riding them for 30yrs). Can't win them all.
I haven't actually ridden a Tracer, but I've ridden that triple in other Yamahas and love it. Hard to be without an HD for too long, though. I had one from 96 until 2004, and not again until 2019. That was a long wait!
Yo Adrian, put a Harley next to the GS. The best of both worlds.
Looking seriously at this bike. Havent had a new ride since 2002. Call me ignorant but WTH is a "quick shifter"?
Ha! You're not ignorant. A quickshifter lets you upshift without the clutch. An autoblipper lets you downshift without the clutch. My BMW has both. They call it "Shift Assist Pro." Harley's version can be purchased here: www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/screamin-eagle-quickshifter/p/32700151, and here's a video explanation from Blockhead on a Yamaha:
ua-cam.com/video/x5HaqZLQDVs/v-deo.html
I had to stop the video as the description could have been done with a once around the parking lot. Giving that 95% of the ride was below 50 mph how can Harley expect a productive riders presentation on any bike?
Sorry to disappoint, John.
Awesome bikes Pan America.
Agree!👍🏼
I can't get my head around the sound... Far out they sound horrible!
Demo ride in Australia from Harley is OK... maybe 10 minute ride?
Can't Demo a BMW. "Deposit first"
PA is as good or as bad as BMW's attempt of trying to compete with HD Touring Bikes with the R 18. This engine sounds like a John Deer lawn mover. Just like I would not exchange the GS for this bike, I would not take the R 18 over HD SG or RG. It is a failed attempt for both brands to get into each others Market. Stick with what you are good at it is the lesson to learn for both.
Or keep trying until you crack the code. 👍🏼
BMW is becoming over engineered .HD hit it out of the park with the Pan . Power weight ratio is very good . Styling is fantastic . My first choice for adventure bike . Love BMW and Harleys . Only concern is chain ,but understand the weight factor .
Giant turds! Own one, regret every dollar and mile spent on this steaming pile of garbage, if you buy one keep up the warranty and make sure you have a good trailer and comfortable shoes, you will need them all.
D Mac, wow, that sounds horrible. Tell us more about the problems?
2100 miles on my 22 PAS, electrical issues, no starts, lean codes, stalling during downshift, rode it offroad one time and the triple clamp came loose and the forks spun causing a crash, engine sounds like hot Marbles being tossed around in a trash can, other than that it's a great bike! Resal value is awful, buy one and you will be stuck with it unless you want to take a bath, fun when it runs but that's not often enough to justify the price, HD really should be ashamed of this mediocre bike being sold at a premium price with a huge dealer network that doesn't give a flying rats ass about fixing it
@@dmac5497 Oh, man, that sound AWFUL! Dude, I am so sorry to hear that, but thanks for sharing your experience with the bike.
If my sharing my experience can keep one person from being suckered into buying one of these turds, than hopefully it's worth the anguish I've been through owning this piece of shit! Harley Davidson are you listening?? You have lost yet another life long customer.
@@dmac5497 well, that's the power of the internet. But I wouldn't hold your breath on HD watching my channel!
I test rode it. What a piece of shit. Bought a 2021 gs1250. Not even close. In canada the beemer was 2500 dollars more. Worth every penny compared to this crap. Read the ongoing problems, enough said.
Wow, that's pretty harsh. Like you, I prefer the GS, but I am curious what in particular was so egregious to you about the PanAm?
Do you also wear the highly desired reflective vest ?
Well he is Canadian....."nuff said" LOL