The Harley Pan America Thread

[stratslingr77]

It's here--the Harley Davidson Pan America. This is a bold (and overdue) move from HD. I like it! The marketing department definitely earned their paychecks with this video. Bring on the love and/or the hate!


youtu.be/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF3pBM4eViE

 

[SFMCjohn]

It's here--the Harley Davidson Pan America. This is a bold (and overdue) move from HD. I like it! The marketing department definitely earned their paychecks with this video. Bring on the love and/or the hate!


youtu.be/WF3pBM4eViE

awesome vid ... :thumbup

“the defiant ones, outlaws in adventure ...” :laughing:gsxrgrl

 

[Caddywumpus]

I think it's ugly but the engine has me revved up

 

[stratslingr77]

I think it's ugly but the engine has me revved up

The aesthetic definitely takes some getting used to. That said, the GS ain't exactly a prom queen either.

 

[mrzuzzo]

I like the ugliness. I'm glad HD took risks with the design rather than making it look like another bland ADV.

 

[Johndicezx9]

The Lite-Brite headlight set up ruins the rest of what is a pretty cool bike... :dunno

Like caddy says, that motor is pretty enticing! :thumbup

 

[KrustyKruser]

Hell yeah. I already love this bike and if it is around/still being produced in a few years I’ll be buying one. Unless Indian Motors decides to make a competitor...

 

[N4teTheGreat]

Spec are pretty impressive for what it is, I'm not the target customer for a big ol' ADV (yet) but this seems pretty competitive for the category.

 

[bergmen]

What I posted on another forum:

"Not a fan of magnesium covers (highly susceptible to corrosion). Also, one photo in the link shows the radiator covered in mud because of the short front fender. Looks like the radiator could easily be punctured by a high speed sharp rock.

Headlight looks like it was designed by Edsel Ford. What is wrong with "conventional" headlight designs?

The engine design is fascinating, very modern as far as it can be seen in the "first look" article. How come it took them this long to go DOHC? Hydraulic valve actuators is what every motorcycle should have IMO.

Note to HD: There is NOTHING WRONG with a smooth running engine. You really do not have to design-in vibration (or shaking) to satisfy what you think the customer wants. Two years on a 1968 Sportster XLCH cured me for life of the need for Harley "vibration". My hands hurt just thinking about it.

The street version looks kinda like a bulldog. It might have some potential. At least it has something of a "normal" headlight design. Front fender is still too short though.

We'll see how this goes..."

Dan

 

[FLH03RIDER]

Me likey. :thumbup Probably have to go check one out when they get to dealers.
Kinda in the same weight range as the GS A though. Was kinda hoping for a few pounds lighter.

 

[norcalkid]

Interested to see one though outa my price range.

I like the idea of no valve checks.

 

[berth]

Note to HD: There is NOTHING WRONG with a smooth running engine. You really do not have to design-in vibration (or shaking) to satisfy what you think the customer wants. Two years on a 1968 Sportster XLCH cured me for life of the need for Harley "vibration". My hands hurt just thinking about it.

Me thinks Harleys market research department had a different opinion.

This is from a company that tried to trademark their "V-Twin sound".

Visceral experiences are part and parcel to the brand.

 

[Gary856]

This bike is fresh and rightfully generating a lot of excitement. The weight, spec and price are all good surprises to everyone.

Note to HD: There is NOTHING WRONG with a smooth running engine. You really do not have to design-in vibration (or shaking) to satisfy what you think the customer wants. Two years on a 1968 Sportster XLCH cured me for life of the need for Harley "vibration". My hands hurt just thinking about it.

Yes some older engines can be pretty vibey but you ought to try the current generation. Similar to exhaust tone and volume, the right type of design-in engine vibration is a huge part of the riding experience. What's the point of a big v-twin without the pulsing power and rumble?

 

[bergmen]

Yes some older engines can be pretty vibey but you ought to try the current generation. Similar to exhaust tone and volume, the right type of design-in engine vibration is a huge part of the riding experience. What's the point of a big v-twin without the pulsing power and rumble?

Yeah, I can see the point after thinking about it a bit. Similar to the BMW R series, it doesn't detract from comfort.

I guess I'm jaded a bit since I suffered with the hard, painful vibration of the '68 Sport (even made for double/triple vision at times).

Also, I jumped from the paint shaker to a sewing machine smooth 1969 CB750. This is when EVERY 4-stroke bike available at the time seriously vibrated (except maybe the Norton Commando which was sort of smooth some of the time).

I'm just spoiled by transverse I-4 smoothness...

Dan

 

[HadesOmega]

It's too bad they didn't come out with an electric version like the Long Way Up bikes.

 

[VicTim]

I'm both surprised and impressed. I'm used to being underwhelmed by HD. Pretty nice on paper, I really hate that headlight.

 

[ejv]

2nd video is much more interesting. Good for HD for finally trying something people would want. Perhaps the dealership experience will change as a result of non HD loyalists starting to visit their stores. I've only been to a few HD dealers and each time it was an experience I wouldn't want to repeat.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I only saw a link for one video.

Congratulations to Harley for making this bike. There was some comment in there that people would say it's too heavy. Yeah, because it's too heavy, but it looks like it would still work well out on dirt roads through the mountains. For sure it ought to be able to go anywhere a V-Strom could go. I hope they sell a bunch of them to the people around here who don't even recognize any other brand but Harley. Would love to meet them up in the hills.

 

[ScottRNelson]

Okay, after reading what Kevin Cameron had to say about the Pan America in Cycle World I'm much more impressed with the bike.

The weight according to Cycle World is about 25 pounds lighter than what the official Harley web site says. I guess that is actually the difference between the "base" version and the Special, looking closer at the CW numbers.

Apparently this bike has a totally new engine with the cylinders 60 degrees apart, but crank pins offset so that the engine fires 90 degrees apart. It has 13.0:1 compression ratio. Good for 150 HP and 90 lb-ft of torque with a flat torque cuve That's likely a first for a Harley engine and great for torque and fuel economy. What else can they put that engine in?

It's also pretty cool that the suspension can drop an inch or two when you stop the bike. You short riders don't have to whine about not being able to get your feet down. :laughing

Nice job, Harley. :thumbup

 

[mrzuzzo]

I only saw a link for one video.

Congratulations to Harley for making this bike. There was some comment in there that people would say it's too heavy. Yeah, because it's too heavy, but it looks like it would still work well out on dirt roads through the mountains. For sure it ought to be able to go anywhere a V-Strom could go. I hope they sell a bunch of them to the people around here who don't even recognize any other brand but Harley. Would love to meet them up in the hills.

It's not that heavy though if you put things in perspective. I think it's lighter than a 1250GS and roughly on par with an Africa Twin.

Kinda weird to be talking about the lightness of a Harley..