Pan America

[Flipfly]

It's tempting! I often wondered what the HD would be like to live with

I can help you with that………it’s feckin awful if you expect HD to be of any service

There is a flaw in this bike, HD will feck as many through the doors as possible and turn their backs on the owners as soon as the warranty is done. There is no BMW ‘goodwill’, on going development fixes…..nothing. The bikes shit…..well that’s your problem Mr customer.

Thats why these are all so cheap, no sensible person would waste their money knowing they are so unreliable and prone to catastrophic failure. As the miles go on, it’s only going to get worse.

Barge and pole are the best two words that spring to mind!

 

[Hann]

There is a flaw in this bike

What are the problems that are happening with this bike exactly?
I was semi-seriously toying with the idea of one when they were launched, but saw sense...

 

[JJH]

What are the problems that are happening with this bike exactly?
I was semi-seriously toying with the idea of one when they were launched, but saw sense...

Yes I’d be interested to know about the problems and flaws. JJH

 

[Boxerlust]

Even in the US you never see them on the road…That tells you everything you need to know ! No one wants these water cooled Harleys…

 

[MartinK]

Just read a few reviews, and they don't look that bad? No obvious "flaws". OK it's not a sports bike, unlikely most would ride it off tarmac much anyway (I don't take my GS off road really, I have a CRF for that).... Reviews look ok TBH - am I missing something?

 

[Flipfly]

What are the problems that are happening with this bike exactly?
I was semi-seriously toying with the idea of one when they were launched, but saw sense...

Yes I’d be interested to know about the problems and flaws. JJH

Do your research, it’s widely out there on the tinterwebs.

There’s too many to list, but shit build quality is the start.

Sensors dropping out starving the top end of the motor, electrical issues, the motor is too highly strung (works great in the de tuned sportster), it’s a catalogue of errors and Harley bodge fixes. Most owners love them whilst they are running, but they are hideously unreliable.

Theres a reason they are giving them away.

I really like the look of it, but there’s no way I’d risk my own hard earned cash on one.

 

[JJH]

Do your research, it’s widely out there on the tinterwebs.

There’s too many to list, but shit build quality is the start.

Sensors dropping out starving the top end of the motor, electrical issues, the motor is too highly strung (works great in the de tuned sportster), it’s a catalogue of errors and Harley bodge fixes. Most owners love them whilst they are running, but they are hideously unreliable.

Theres a reason they are giving them away.

I really like the look of it, but there’s no way I’d risk my own hard earned cash on one.

Would you be kind enough to point me in the right direction because I’m not coming up with anything. I’m probably missing something here or maybe Harley has it buried? My research isn’t of a scientific nature so if you would kindly put up your own evidence I’d be grateful. JJH

 

[Littledumptruck]

I tried one and it was nice enough, although something about the peg position seemed more suited to shorter riders (or maybe it was just me). If I was thinking of getting one, I'd do a day at Mick Extance in Wales as he runs their adventure off-road experience.

I can't help feeling its a great attempt at a first gen model, but needs a little refining (hated the screen).

I’m tempted to do Micks PanAm experience. I should be there next easter again for another day with him, might see if there’s any deal to do both days as we’re stopping with the MoHo quite a bit nearer next year.
I’ve absolutely zero interest in buying one, they still look very expensive compared to my Tenere.

 

[Flipfly]

Would you be kind enough to point me in the right direction because I’m not coming up with anything. I’m probably missing something here or maybe Harley has it buried? My research isn’t of a scientific nature so if you would kindly put up your own evidence I’d be grateful. JJH

https://www.panamericaforums.com/threads/will-harley-fix-the-pan-america-issues.1009/

Theres a ton of threads on here with a huge selection of issues plaguing the bike.

Having been the victim of Harleys poor design/quality and subsequent failure to admit any problem, I wouldn’t be taking the risk……but it’s your money

They can’t even design a reliable 100k mile air cooled V twin, and they’ve been doing that for over 100 years

 

[beemerboy9]

the dynamic ride height thing is a gimmick and a pain.

Why was the dynamic ride height a gimick and pain? The new BMW GS is equipped with one - and being a short-arse, I would need it.

 

[leadfarmer]

Why was the dynamic ride height a gimick and pain? The new BMW GS is equipped with one - and being a short-arse, I would need it.

I'm average height but it still seems like a good feature to me

 

[ATT]

I was set on one of these before I moved to PT.
When I was ready to buy I looked at the second hand buys, bearing in mind very few are sold here new. There were many with low miles on them, that told me all I needed to know.
Not really good for a hot country, if I was in the UK I would probably have one.

 

[bowser]

When they were launched here they were about 15,000 or 16,000 euros for the posh model so a bit of a bargain really

For some reason they don’t seem to have sold well at all, now they’re 20,000 euros for the same bike

I’ve only ever seen one or two on the road over here

is that because it looks like a 1950's hoover from the front?

 

[Bubb]

It looks like “bender” from futurama……

 

[longdog]

This is a bit of a pointless comment because you're looking at new bikes, but as a buyer of older bikes, if these were on my radar I think I'd end up with a Buell Ulysses which seem to share a lot of the desirable traits of the HD but with a different aesthetic.

I had a Buell Ulysses, bought it new from Oxford HD, I really enjoyed that bike, said I would never sell it, but regretfully, I did. Of course, the Buell is much lighter and handles like a dream and the tuned Sportster motor is lovely!

 

[luckylucian]

Have a look at the MCN long term review

 

[blazebuster]

Bought new Special in July 2023 from HD Maidstone, £15K OTR with 3 yr warranty.
4500 miles local plus trip to Austria. Great bike, handles well, give it the beans & it goes like stink. Have had no problems at all. Only downside is 5K service intervals. Traded BMW R1200 GSA 2016. Wouldn't go back!
Have a friend who is currently taking 8 months out to do the Americas South to North with his wife on a PanAm Special. Only problem so far has been the Antigravity Lithium battery he fitted before bike went into the container, & then had a problem with it when uncrated in Montevideo. Delayed them for a few days until he could get a Genuine HD battery from nearest HD dealer which happened to be in Buenos Aires!! All seems well now.

 

[Rugged Path]

I have had different styles of bikes over the years. If you just want to ride, camp, tour then, any big bike will do the job. I did Italy on my Honda 400/4 in the 70's. Some are scared of criticism when choosing a bike whether from friends or beer/cafe' bar hoppers.
I personally don't like long day rides if I can help it.