I picked up my “S” about a month ago… first weekend, my left knee went out so in the garage she sits with 67 miles. Arrgghh - this video is inspiration to follow physical therapy

Great review. Now you did it. Was going to get a RK to complement my shovel. What a difference this PA will be. Hallelujah.

Really nice, comprehensive review! My FLHTCU may be changing into a Pan America soon. This looks like the bike I've always wanted.

Test rode one and bought it immediately! Nothing like it!! Love this bike and what it offers

I bought this and get it in February! Thanks for the in depth review.

Excellent review. I tested the Harley today and was really shocked how fantastic the engine is. It's a beast yet very manageable. Fantastic pull. I just wish they had done one road oriented bike with firmer suspension and 17 wheel up front, and one for the guys who want to go offroad. I just didn't care much for the lack of response from the front tyre and the overall not very distinct feel of the chassi and suspension. That engine on a more sport tuned bike would be great. This is why this bike really can't compete with the Multistrada and certainly not with the S1000XR.

The screaming eagle is made by Akropovic specifically for the PA and has a screw under a rubber gasket that allows you to remove and add back the dB killer baffle so you can try which note you prefer even though the stock is quite nice.

I love this bike! just waiting for mine in 2 weeks.

Nice review. We have the first demo rides coming into NZ next weekend, Ive booked. I currently ride a cvo roadglide and when you said you had a cvo 117 I was like forget the demo buy the dam Motorbike haha.

Great job! I will follow you to see how the bike holds up.

Great review. I am 6’ and noticed on mine that if I pull my head down just a few inches, I feel NO wind resistance so I’m guessing if I get the taller windscreen, I’ll experience no buffeting as you do.

Wally excellent review,I test rode one last week and this bike felt like I’d owned it forever,one thing that really surprised me was how light and nimble it felt..haven’t owned anything like this for over 30 years now , last bike anything like this was a Yamaha xt500 back in the 80s..Electra Glides from then on..wow this bike is something else , I came back from the test ride with a stupid grin from ear to ear..problem now is I have to wait till December / January till mine is ready ..I’m keeping my Street Glide as I have a love affair with but this Dirt Glide is one hell of a bike..just counting down now till mine shows up..excellent review again …btw you killed me with a reply to a negative post from a moaner..you called him a twat…man I’ve never heard any of my friends across the pond use this one.. Best regards

@ridendrive

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome to hear! Thanks for watching

@bigjoe6814

2 жыл бұрын

Finally have the bike…turned up Friday..love it

great video, nice job

Excellent review. Very detailed and comprehensive. Thank you.

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Hey man, great video. You able to do a follow up video of all the good and bad from the last 6 mos? Thanks!

When NASA figure out my inertia drive will work and ask me to move to America to develop it, the first thing I am going to buy is this Pan American Harley-D. As someone who is vertically challenged too, I am really exited about this bike, would be so good for touring and adventure trips.

Great review thanks

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

My local dealer keeps trying to get me to take a test ride. The problem with that is I'll probably want to buy it. I don't know if I would trade in the Street Glide or go with two bikes. Plus they have no accessories in stock right now. I'd need the side bags at a minimum. So I think I'll wait until demand goes down a little and the world get caught up as far as shipping and inventory. Looks like a winner though.

Good video. I had the 1st PA in MN back in May. I am truly in love with this bike. HD really pulled one out of the hat. If any other company were to make this bike, it would still be an impressive machine, but for the MoCo to engineer/design/release it is very amazing and awesome. I just passed 2,500 miles on mine and cannot wait to take her out to Sturgis this Aug!!!

@therealrobertbirchall

3 жыл бұрын

Will a Pan America be permitted at Sturgis?

@timarndt9328

3 жыл бұрын

@@therealrobertbirchall why not? There are no rules...have been to several biker bars and talking to "them" goes like: "what is that?" - it's a Harley. "Oh, cool, needs more chrome" It's got 150hp/94 torque..."shut the F up"..."wanna race?"

@therealrobertbirchall

3 жыл бұрын

@@timarndt9328 was being ironic

@2wheelsrbest327

2 жыл бұрын

@@timarndt9328 Tim remember those sort of comments when I rode a Unit Construction Triumph Bonneville in 1969 from pre unit construction owners. 😉😂

@mikemerrill175

2 жыл бұрын

@@therealrobertbirchall Ninjas are permitted.

Really good review... very thorough! One question: is the switch gear back-lit ??

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, it is not.

Nice review...I just sold my GSA 1250 and consider to buy this. However, I am concerning my height is only 5.7 which is too short for PA? Thanks and subscribed.

Excellent insight, I really appreciate your comprehensive thoughts on your experiences. The skeptic in me has been weary of all the glowing reviews, but the volume of thorough reviews on the practicality and minor things that don’t have much to complain about. I’m not super excited about the wonky front USB or the GPS that needs to be paired, but this is the exact bike I’m looking for as a do-it-all and do-it-right motorcycle. I live far from my family and and from any motorcycle friendly trails, so the comfy touring is very attractive. Come to think of it, I don’t believe that there’s any public land friendly to riding in IL, though I’m new to the market, so anyone is welcome to correct me (or give recommendations!) if I’m wrong. That said, I am a beginner and only have about 50 miles of short distance riding under my belt from learning on my dad’s 96 Katana, so probably not a great bike to start on this year with those 150 horses. Just for my own confirmation bias, so you (OP and/or any other experienced riders in here) think you could mess with the settings to nerf it while I learn? Basically do you think there’s enough options to make it more forgiving to me as I improve my beginner habits like throttle control and maybe protect myself from the aggressive engine breaking that you mentioned, for example? I know the RPMs can feel quite a bit different between sport and say rain mode, so I have a glimmer of hope.

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. As a beginner rider, this is not a bike to consider. You may want to start on something with half the power and price to get used to things. But only you be the judge of course. Good luck on your search!

@mikemerrill175

2 жыл бұрын

Start with a 650 Suzuki. You’ll love it and it won’t scare the s#t out of you if you make a small mistake

should have mine soon!!

Good review! I'm interested in this bike for sure. What about time between service? Also, and I don't want to sound bitchy but how do you charge your phone? Might need that on a long trip.

Can I rename custom mode to BEAST mode? 😂 I think it's an awesome ride

Me thinks that exhaust shield is going to melt a lot of adventure pants!

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

Hasn't been a problem so far

Will this bike start in gear and/or sidestand down like other Harleys? Just curious..

Nice vlog ...How about Highway handlebar vibrations?

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching. The highway vibrations are essentially non existent. It is really pleasant

Great Review! but 5'9" is no where near vertically challenged

15:29 Check the boot scuffs on the engine casing. That needs some protection adding.

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

No actual scuffing left, just dirt from going on some dirt roads. That said wouldn't hurt to add some protection there.

@mikemerrill175

2 жыл бұрын

Or, who cares as this is part of riding.

Funny that I’m doing a test ride with Biggs tomorrow.

@ridendrive

2 жыл бұрын

Talk to Mark Bradley!

Love this review…. How much is this bike worth?

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

Great question, I believe the bike at $22k MSRP is well priced. I believe the features, tech, capabilities are well matched. I think that if they could have gotten the bike full loaded at 20k MSRP would have helped jump start a lot of people on the fence, as most will still wants panniers, other accessories to go with the adventures they will do. But as a whole I think it’s well priced.

The Michelin scorcher Adventure you are running are 90/10 possibly 80/20 road/dirt, not the 50/50 Michelin Anakee Wild which require a remap. I think there is also an Anakee 70/30 which I might consider.

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. I don’t think that a tire is going to require mapping the ECU, but I appreciate the feedback. Also the scorcher is definitely an 80/20 tire no question. I would like to run a Dunlop trailmax mission

@w3cadet

3 жыл бұрын

@@ridendrive If you fit the Anakee Wilds then they will limit the speed and also the TPMS as they have a different pressure.

@Seektruth-59

3 жыл бұрын

@@ridendrive sorry used wrong term, recalibration for mileage which was mentioned I think by Matt Laidlaw in his video and I read in the spec or review sheet. serviceinfo.harley-davidson.com/sip/service/document/1483119268238816529?locale=en_GB See last point 2. Under Complete. Also there is note in there that if you revert back to original tire, you need to reset to factory settings.

Wow what an awesome review brotha thanks. I’m looking at an 850 GS but this video and just my research makes me really like this bike. I went to sit on the bike today and loved it. Question, you mention GS in your video, so assume you have one. How does it compare in the street to your GS? I’m looking at 500+ mike trips and such. Thanks again

@ridendrive

2 жыл бұрын

I would say on the street its got a more fun and exciting motor, it really shines on the road and offers more excitement. I think its off road where the GS starts to have some advantages.

As far as my understanding goes, you are not correct in your description of the semi-active suspension operation in that it only manages the preload and sag while damping is preset. Actually it does manage the preloads to maintain sag as you describe, but it also is constantly reviewing the damping rates according to speed, vertical acceleration, throttle and more. The pre-programmed modes are more or less the starting point for the system to adjust from. If you hit a pothole in Sportmode the damping should manage the damping albeit from a different set point than if the ride was in a softer mode.

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Phil, the way I described it is how I understand the system to work, also as I continue you ride, I do not feel the system changing any dampening characteristics in the bike, as if it did then a lot of the areas of the suspension that it falls short on would be corrected by the computer, but its not doing that. Do you have any information or links you could provide me?

@pa6793

3 жыл бұрын

Please see the link and relative info copied below. This is the same operation as my recent R1200GS (although the preload was selected from a menu) and my current Ducati Multistrada 950S. I have traded my Road King for the PAN America due to arrive August. h-dmediakit.com/us/news-articles/technology-enhances-the-harley-davidson-adventure-touring-experience.html Semi-Active Suspension The Pan America™ 1250 Special model is equipped with electronically adjustable semi-active front and rear suspension. Utilizing data provided by sensors on the motorcycle, this suspension system automatically controls damping to suit the prevailing conditions and riding activity. These suspension components are provided by SHOWA®, while the control software was developed by Harley-Davidson. Suspension travel front and rear is 190mm (7.48 inches). Front suspension is by 47mm inverted SHOWA® BFF™ (Balance Free Forks) with semi-active damping control. Rear suspension is a SHOWA® BFRC™ (Balanced Free Rear Cushion-lite) coil-over shock with electronic preload control and semi-active damping control. The rear suspension incorporates a linkage system connecting the shock, swingarm, and frame which provides a progressive feel through the stroke. This progressive system maintains a comfortable, compliant ride on-road, while providing superior support for off-road conditions. The Vehicle Loading Control system senses the weight of the rider, a passenger and luggage to select optimal suspension sag by automatically adjusting rear preload. The Semi-Active Suspension system reacts to suspension position, vehicle speed, vertical acceleration of the motorcycle, roll angle, roll rate, rider applied throttle, and applied brake torque alongside the selected Ride Mode to maintain the desired motorcycle comfort. The Semi-Active Suspension system features five pre-programmed profiles, which are incorporated into each ride mode program: Comfort: Maximizes ride comfort by providing significant compliance and isolating the rider from rough road conditions. Balanced: Optimized balance of ride comfort and ride control for all-around riding. Sport: Maximum ride control with higher damping rates calibrated for spirited riding with confidence. Off Road Soft: Reduced initial damping to increase suspension compliance to better absorb larger inputs and to reduce kickback - ideal for logging roads, washboards and rocky terrain. Off Road Firm: Increased initial damping for aggressive riding or when less body float is desired - ideal for soft/loamy terrain. The rider may not change the Semi-Active Suspension profile within a pre-programmed ride mode, but when creating a custom ride mode the rider does select their preferred suspension profile.

Thanks great review. Yes its definitely a great bike but I am still missing the low down torque of my ing to listen to your comparison between your GSA. Harley owners are already telling me it will just be another Buell or V Rod but I don't think so and I also think given time more GS riders will realise how good it is at a reasonable price and will be buying them. Harley have a winner in this bike and I think they have priced it to attract GS riders.

@ridendrive

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely won’t be another Buell or V rod. This bike has already taken off and I think that Harley nailed it out the gate. Future years will only improve off an already great start, I see this really being a big seller and given they are mostly all sold out as is, is a sing on its own. Just my opinion

@mikemerrill175

2 жыл бұрын

They’ve attracted me. I’m test riding tomorrow.

@2wheelsrbest327

2 жыл бұрын

@@mikemerrill175 Enjoy Mike & it would be great if you could let us know what you think.

Great review! I am the same height as you with a 30 inch inseam and was really worried about not being able to flat foot the bike as I do a lot of city riding. So with the low seat option you tried in the slowest setting, can you flat foot without the auto ride height engaged like when you first start it and the ARH is at full height? Then when the suspension does lower, can you completely flatfoot, maybe a little bend in the knees? Thanks!

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

I can just about flat foot the bike with the low seat while off as well. with the ARH active it does help even more. You will be very comfortable I think, I've got about a 31" inseam so I cant say for certain how much bend in knees, etc but I can say you likely feel very comfortable.

@VarosVapor

3 жыл бұрын

@@ridendrive Thank you, great info! Going to PA this weekend to test drive one.

@mikemerrill175

2 жыл бұрын

Me too. 5-9, 30” inseam. Most all of my bikes have been tip toe deals.

👌🏼

heated grips ? Seat ? Quick shifter available ? Thanks...

@johnasbury9915

2 жыл бұрын

Heated grips, no heated seat or quick shifter available from HD.

@DJPTEXAS

2 жыл бұрын

@@johnasbury9915 Thanks !

Seems like an amazing machine.... As long as it's under warranty.

Hold onto your hat when all that tech goes south.😳💰💰💰💰💰💰💰

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

Some of us don't want to stay on 90's motorcycles... lol

@travelinben1966

3 жыл бұрын

@@ridendrive I sure don't.I prefer the 60's and early 70's for bikes,cars,and music.👍👍

@mikemerrill175

2 жыл бұрын

You could say that about all modern motorcycles. Ural on the other hand……….

I'd love to see a variant of the Pan America that was more road-focused (a bit like a Kawasaki Versys 1000), road tyres, belt drive and a front fender that kept the front end of the bike clean.

@ridendrive

2 жыл бұрын

I believe they call that the Road Glide.

You live in a nice estate.

Sounds like a r bike when you flip it on , but no abs servo buzz buzz.

Hand guards seem to be ok for exactly what they were designed for wind protection, I cant hold that against the designers.HD hit a home run with this one.

Why are both the kick stand and center stand down? 😆 yikes.

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

The reason for that is because you are unable to move the side stand with the center stand down. Typically when I take the bike off the center stand, I then proceed to lean it on the side stand before getting on to ride. So this method is the only option with the way harley has designed it.

This is the bike I hoped my Aprilia Tuono could be, but wasn’t.

@ridendrive

2 жыл бұрын

You wanted an adventure bike to match a naked V4 track oriented bike? Sorry it didn't work out....

Far to complex less is more this is a great bike but far to many gimmicks good review

Looks good but that master cylinder looks like it came off a go kart, horrible thing.

Big , $$ loud & heavy .. yep it’s American.

@ridendrive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. You should try to ride one at some point.

@SuperSnallygaster

3 жыл бұрын

It’s lighter and cheaper than a GS, no? It didn’t sound all that loud to me.

Blimps do nothing for the motor, annoying and just a mental thing, don’t do it. Like a car… childish

@ridendrive

2 жыл бұрын

What?