The Pan America Owner's thread...
#241
Harley delivered a clean-sheet bike during a pandemic that caused massive supply chain issues. Crap happens when new products are released (ask Ford). The people here and on other forums who've actually received their bikes have been very candid about both the good and the bad, and I don't think anyone's just waved off the issues the bikes have had.
You have griped about the mishandling of the shipments of New PanAms to dealers and the pre-order customers. So you have been a complainer too, in that sense. It wouldn't have been that big a deal to me. It's funny how some see a situation, and call it a problem, while to others the situation isn't even a minor inconvenience.
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'05Train (07-06-2021)
#242
I don't disagree with anything you said. But I don't get that same attitude from SOME of the others here. I may be more critical of Harley than you think I should. That doesn't mean I'm wrong, and it doesn't mean I'm right either. It just means that I hold them to a higher standard than most people do. It all depends on your view from YOUR porch.
You have griped about the mishandling of the shipments of New PanAms to dealers and the pre-order customers. So you have been a complainer too, in that sense. It wouldn't have been that big a deal to me. It's funny how some see a situation, and call it a problem, while to others the situation isn't even a minor inconvenience.
You have griped about the mishandling of the shipments of New PanAms to dealers and the pre-order customers. So you have been a complainer too, in that sense. It wouldn't have been that big a deal to me. It's funny how some see a situation, and call it a problem, while to others the situation isn't even a minor inconvenience.
Add me to the camp that's never been stranded on a Harley. I've had my share of issues, but I've never had to call for a tow.
#243
I finally joined the owner's group this weekend. I ran out of patience waiting for a bike to arrive at the original dealer where I made my reservation back in March. Did some research and found a dealer with a bike on the floor that matched what I wanted (creamsicle, ARH, wire wheels). I've completed the 500 mile break-in period. Having a blast!
The following 3 users liked this post by tjduexjr:
#244
If I rag on Harley too much about the PanAm, I'll calm down. It's just that I wanted the PanAm to be THE bike for ME. It was going to be everything I needed. I was SO excited about it. Then Harley kept delaying it. Then they finally put it out at bike shows but nobody could touch it or sit on it. AND, the FINAL KILLER( for me)....darn CHAIN DRIVE! So I understand all of you being so excited about getting this new bike. I GET IT! I hope that these little issues aren't many, I hope they all get fixed in a hurry. And I want all of you to enjoy your new PanAms.
The following 2 users liked this post by GOV5:
'05Train (07-06-2021),
Jed Clampett (07-06-2021)
#245
New Pan America Special
Purchased my PA1250S on Friday, July 2. Rode 300 miles on July 4th. Smooth and nimble is the best way to describe it. Traded a 2020 RGS for it and no buyers/seller's remorse.
Have the black aluminum panniers and mounting brackets on order along with a top case mounting bracket. May stick with soft luggage instead of a hard case for tail luggage.
I find the interaction between my iPhone, Cardo Packtalk Bold, and the HD system very finicky. It worked well thew first day and now I can't get the three items to cooperate with each other.
(I just ordered a Garmin Zumo XT which I will connect with my BT headset and phone and disregard connecting to the bike).
Still in the "break in" period but am very satisfied with the bike thus far. Looking forward to adding additional protection when the items become available from HD.
Have the black aluminum panniers and mounting brackets on order along with a top case mounting bracket. May stick with soft luggage instead of a hard case for tail luggage.
I find the interaction between my iPhone, Cardo Packtalk Bold, and the HD system very finicky. It worked well thew first day and now I can't get the three items to cooperate with each other.
(I just ordered a Garmin Zumo XT which I will connect with my BT headset and phone and disregard connecting to the bike).
Still in the "break in" period but am very satisfied with the bike thus far. Looking forward to adding additional protection when the items become available from HD.
The following 4 users liked this post by paul463:
#246
Purchased my PA1250S on Friday, July 2. Rode 300 miles on July 4th. Smooth and nimble is the best way to describe it. Traded a 2020 RGS for it and no buyers/seller's remorse.
Have the black aluminum panniers and mounting brackets on order along with a top case mounting bracket. May stick with soft luggage instead of a hard case for tail luggage.
I find the interaction between my iPhone, Cardo Packtalk Bold, and the HD system very finicky. It worked well thew first day and now I can't get the three items to cooperate with each other.
(I just ordered a Garmin Zumo XT which I will connect with my BT headset and phone and disregard connecting to the bike).
Still in the "break in" period but am very satisfied with the bike thus far. Looking forward to adding additional protection when the items become available from HD.
Have the black aluminum panniers and mounting brackets on order along with a top case mounting bracket. May stick with soft luggage instead of a hard case for tail luggage.
I find the interaction between my iPhone, Cardo Packtalk Bold, and the HD system very finicky. It worked well thew first day and now I can't get the three items to cooperate with each other.
(I just ordered a Garmin Zumo XT which I will connect with my BT headset and phone and disregard connecting to the bike).
Still in the "break in" period but am very satisfied with the bike thus far. Looking forward to adding additional protection when the items become available from HD.
#247
I find the interaction between my iPhone, Cardo Packtalk Bold, and the HD system very finicky. It worked well thew first day and now I can't get the three items to cooperate with each other.
(I just ordered a Garmin Zumo XT which I will connect with my BT headset and phone and disregard connecting to the bike).
(I just ordered a Garmin Zumo XT which I will connect with my BT headset and phone and disregard connecting to the bike).
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rauchman (07-15-2021)
#248
I hope I am using the right thread. I am strongly considering the PA. For me it would be a Sports Tourer. I have had a test rode and was surprised. Light, rides great plenty of power and the technology I think bikes should have.
I have a BMW R1200RT I use for some light touring and would be trading this along with a sports bike. I do ride two up often. I am 5’11” 200 and she is 5’8” 125. We are just the opposite. I have a 30” inch inseam and she has a 31” inseam.
I live in Georgia our weather is fairly good year round. Some very cold and right now hot as usual.
The BMW dealer is always trying to get me on an S1000XR. It’s just too tall. The Ride height adjustment is a game changer. I wouldn’t consider a bike like this without it.
I am looking for current owners thoughts.
How is the bike for two up?
Would my passenger feel cramped ?
Any concerns with height ? Do you think of it as top heavy? That is one of my issues with the RT.
Any other things I should consider?
The RT is a great bike with superior wind protection.Wind protection and winter riding is a loss here.. of course the PA is cooler during the summer.I hate to say this when I look at the RT I think tool vs look at that beauty.
I have had Harleys before. My local dealer is ok. They are all so large you get lost. My BMW guy is small and calls me by name when I walk in the door which is nice.
I have a BMW R1200RT I use for some light touring and would be trading this along with a sports bike. I do ride two up often. I am 5’11” 200 and she is 5’8” 125. We are just the opposite. I have a 30” inch inseam and she has a 31” inseam.
I live in Georgia our weather is fairly good year round. Some very cold and right now hot as usual.
The BMW dealer is always trying to get me on an S1000XR. It’s just too tall. The Ride height adjustment is a game changer. I wouldn’t consider a bike like this without it.
I am looking for current owners thoughts.
How is the bike for two up?
Would my passenger feel cramped ?
Any concerns with height ? Do you think of it as top heavy? That is one of my issues with the RT.
Any other things I should consider?
The RT is a great bike with superior wind protection.Wind protection and winter riding is a loss here.. of course the PA is cooler during the summer.I hate to say this when I look at the RT I think tool vs look at that beauty.
I have had Harleys before. My local dealer is ok. They are all so large you get lost. My BMW guy is small and calls me by name when I walk in the door which is nice.
Last edited by upwgdrb; 07-07-2021 at 02:25 PM.
#249
I hope I am using the right thread. I am strongly considering the PA. For me it would be a Sports Tourer. I have had a test rode and was surprised. Light, rides great plenty of power and the technology I think bikes should have.
I have a BMW R1200RT I use for some light touring and would be trading this along with a sports bike. I do ride two up often. I am 5’11” 200 and she is 5’8” 125. We are just the opposite. I have a 30” inch inseam and she has a 31” inseam.
I live in Georgia our weather is fairly good year round. Some very cold and right now hot as usual.
The BMW dealer is always trying to get me on an S1000XR. It’s just too tall. The Ride height adjustment is a game changer. I wouldn’t consider a bike like this without it.
I am looking for current owners thoughts.
How is the bike for two up?
Would my passenger feel cramped ?
Any concerns with height ? Do you think of it as top heavy? That is one of my issues with the RT.
Any other things I should consider?
The RT is a great bike with superior wind protection.Wind protection and winter riding is a loss here.. of course the PA is cooler during the summer.I hate to say this when I look at the RT I think tool vs look at that beauty.
I have had Harleys before. My local dealer is ok. They are all so large you get lost. My BMW guy is small and calls me by name when I walk in the door which is nice.
I have a BMW R1200RT I use for some light touring and would be trading this along with a sports bike. I do ride two up often. I am 5’11” 200 and she is 5’8” 125. We are just the opposite. I have a 30” inch inseam and she has a 31” inseam.
I live in Georgia our weather is fairly good year round. Some very cold and right now hot as usual.
The BMW dealer is always trying to get me on an S1000XR. It’s just too tall. The Ride height adjustment is a game changer. I wouldn’t consider a bike like this without it.
I am looking for current owners thoughts.
How is the bike for two up?
Would my passenger feel cramped ?
Any concerns with height ? Do you think of it as top heavy? That is one of my issues with the RT.
Any other things I should consider?
The RT is a great bike with superior wind protection.Wind protection and winter riding is a loss here.. of course the PA is cooler during the summer.I hate to say this when I look at the RT I think tool vs look at that beauty.
I have had Harleys before. My local dealer is ok. They are all so large you get lost. My BMW guy is small and calls me by name when I walk in the door which is nice.
The ARH will be your game changer for sure and if I were you and grab your wife and head over to the HD dealer (maybe another) and go try it out with her on the back. Remember you can also adjust the seat and if that doesn't work there is another low version also.
Dealer network was a big deal for me and I enjoy going to all the dealers and collecting poker chips (yup, totally drank the coolaid).
I ran in the rain pretty much all the way back from my trip. 2 days of wet and damp and 1 day of downpours. Wet weather pants and my Alpinestars jacket and I was relatively dry, cheap wet weather pants and summer gloves didn't hold up well lol. Windshield does and ok job but no real fairing protection, it's not none existent but you'd have more for sure on the S1000XR.
Yeah, go ride both and see what the wife likes best but for sure give the PA a look, it really is a great bike and the dealer network is the best imo
#250
I hope I am using the right thread. I am strongly considering the PA. For me it would be a Sports Tourer. I have had a test rode and was surprised. Light, rides great plenty of power and the technology I think bikes should have.
I have a BMW R1200RT I use for some light touring and would be trading this along with a sports bike. I do ride two up often. I am 5’11” 200 and she is 5’8” 125. We are just the opposite. I have a 30” inch inseam and she has a 31” inseam.
I live in Georgia our weather is fairly good year round. Some very cold and right now hot as usual.
The BMW dealer is always trying to get me on an S1000XR. It’s just too tall. The Ride height adjustment is a game changer. I wouldn’t consider a bike like this without it.
I am looking for current owners thoughts.
How is the bike for two up?
Would my passenger feel cramped ?
Any concerns with height ? Do you think of it as top heavy? That is one of my issues with the RT.
Any other things I should consider?
The RT is a great bike with superior wind protection.Wind protection and winter riding is a loss here.. of course the PA is cooler during the summer.I hate to say this when I look at the RT I think tool vs look at that beauty.
I have had Harleys before. My local dealer is ok. They are all so large you get lost. My BMW guy is small and calls me by name when I walk in the door which is nice.
I have a BMW R1200RT I use for some light touring and would be trading this along with a sports bike. I do ride two up often. I am 5’11” 200 and she is 5’8” 125. We are just the opposite. I have a 30” inch inseam and she has a 31” inseam.
I live in Georgia our weather is fairly good year round. Some very cold and right now hot as usual.
The BMW dealer is always trying to get me on an S1000XR. It’s just too tall. The Ride height adjustment is a game changer. I wouldn’t consider a bike like this without it.
I am looking for current owners thoughts.
How is the bike for two up?
Would my passenger feel cramped ?
Any concerns with height ? Do you think of it as top heavy? That is one of my issues with the RT.
Any other things I should consider?
The RT is a great bike with superior wind protection.Wind protection and winter riding is a loss here.. of course the PA is cooler during the summer.I hate to say this when I look at the RT I think tool vs look at that beauty.
I have had Harleys before. My local dealer is ok. They are all so large you get lost. My BMW guy is small and calls me by name when I walk in the door which is nice.
The bike is definitely not top heavy, I'm amazed at how light it feels. It's really hard for me to find faults with the bike, outside of the few gremlins, to be honest...
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