Hi all,

I’m thinking of a second hand PA and wonder if there are significant differences between the model years. Is a 22my as good as a 23my?

Thanks
Jayne

 

Late 2022 MYs are as good as 2023s. 2024s have an upgraded stator for more juice and a larger CCA battery. I have a 21 (which along with early 22s are supposed to be the problem children) I bought exactly 1 year ago and I'm over 9000 miles on the clock. My only issues so far have been a dead battery (my Pan Am Special sat in a warehouse for almost a year untendered). My only other issue was a melted radiator hose near the front header. Once it was replaced by H-D, I used a hose cover from Design Eng Inc I got here- I used 8" or so, split up the center, covered the hose, and I haven't had a problem since.

Other than those small initial problems (both in the 1st month of ownership), my PAS has been great. Make sure the bike has ALL of the software updates. No, seriously, ALL of them, they make a difference. The 21s and early 22s can be a good value. If it has a few thousand on it already, it's likely OK, but you want to hear it run and take it for a test ride. My PSA had 2710 on it when I bought it last year, problems usually reared their heads early, in the 1st 1000 miles from what I've read. I'm not saying it's a totally safe bet, nothing these days is, but for the right price, the 21 and early 22s can be quite a deal.

Lastly, if you do buy a Pan Am, or any bike from any brand for that matter, just get the extended warranty. There are a ton of expensive electronics on bikes now and parts cost good money (and labor, oh boy the labor costs) to replace. One good thing about H-D is the ESP (Extended (warranty) Service Plan) is refundable if you get rid of the bike. I just upped mine to 5 years, I really love my Pan Am. If something were to happen, I can get some of that money back. I hope I've been helpful and happy hunting!

 

The radiator hose fix from the factory debuted on the '23's, clamping the hose to a feature added to the radiator pulling it away from the header. The hose on my '22 also started melting at <100 miles and replaced under warranty. The replacement's clearance to the header didn't look like much of an improvement to me, so I also wrapped the hose....been good for >13000 miles.

Fuel pump issues afflicted bikes with build dates prior to early May '22.

The '23's also have a thingie deflecting the air flow from the radiator fan from blowing on your shin and an additional exhaust heat shield just before the header enters the resonator box. Neither of which is a big deal IMO.

Once sorted, they're a great bike.

 

I got a '22 in the fall of '22, was built in March '22. Dealer said "leave it on a tender" Never did, never had a battery/starting problem. Close rad hose was fixed before I got it.
I was getting error codes of various types, but it didn't effect the bike that I could tell, except a few times the auto lowering shocks wouldn't at a light.
Then the pretty significant dealer-only update was done in Spring of '23 and all has been good.
Love it.
I've heard about the fuel pump issues, but not me (so far).
ohhh, I liked the left air-flow deflector thing that Tri Cycle mentioned and ordered the parts and put it on myself.

 

Where can you tell when a PA is manufactured? I know the model year is in the VIN, but is it stamped on the body? Or do you have to ask the dealer?

 

Right behind the fork head on the right-top.of the frame.

 

Found it. I have a late '22 model.