2021 Harley Davidson Pan America in Showrooms

[GoldOxide_imp]

Gold...yes all of those contributed to the (in my estimation) excessive sound signature coming from the motor.

I forgot to mention one important thing I noticed. Engine braking on this bike is phenomenal. On the twisties I'd run up the RPMS and then let off the motor and roll through the curves in gear on what felt like a giant gyroscope. Best way I can describe it. Riders will have to experience it for themselves. For me that engine feedback was the best part of the test ride.

Yeah, I think the engine compression is pretty high; something like 13:1. If so, that could explain that experience.

[Stichill_imp]

I'm susceptible to annoyance from audible mechanical engine noises. My Triumph Thunderbird 1600 did that...whining/spinning sounds + cam racket.

I saw the shade thrown at 250 thumpers (I get it...the exhaust note is annoying), but a big advantage of them is non-existent mechanical engine noises. All I hear (quiet stock exhaust) is induction growl, especially at high rpm. I personally am a fan of induction vs. exhaust sounds.

[Tev62]

Gold...yes all of those contributed to the (in my estimation) excessive sound signature coming from the motor.

I forgot to mention one important thing I noticed. Engine braking on this bike is phenomenal. On the twisties I'd run up the RPMS and then let off the motor and roll through the curves in gear on what felt like a giant gyroscope. Best way I can describe it. Riders will have to experience it for themselves. For me that engine feedback was the best part of the test ride.

Engine braking is four stage selectable, you can turn it up or down to suit. You might have it high for the twisties and backed right off for the freeway.

[Frulk_imp]

Stichill said...“I saw the shade thrown at 250 thumpers (I get it...the exhaust note is annoying), but a big advantage of them is non-existent mechanical engine noises.”

I expect a 250 to sound like a 250.... and a 1250 to sound like a...well...a 1250. No dig on thumpers of any size. My 2009 KLR’s motor to me at least sounded more pleasing. Mind you, I LIKE mechanical and some auditory feedback from my bikes. I guess that’s why there’s a Guzzi in my garage. The PA motor (to me at least) provides too much of it from the motor and too little at the exhaust and all of it at the wrong frequencies.

Obviously this is a personal preference and the next mbr to ride it and post up here may have a totally different, and valid opinion on this point. I’ll be very interested in that and hope somebody here does ride and comment on the bike.

[Tev62]

I took a test ride on the Pan American today and posted it up on one of the Triumph forums I use. To keep it simple I repeat it here as is, that is why there is the occasional reference to the Tiger.

I took a two hour test ride on the Pan America (PA) today and it was a hoot. I really enjoyed the bike, the engine is its focal feature for sure. I'll get straight to the point, would I buy it? No. Would I ever buy one, absolutely.

Negatives first

DISPLAY The normal riding display implementation is very poor, very small text for a lot of the information. The gear position indicator, current revs and fuel gauge are hard to pick up on. You can declutter it and take items off you don't need, like I don't care that the battery voltage is 14.4v, but you end up with wasted display estate, I was hoping the rest would get larger but it didn't. That was a great shame, it makes the T12 riding screen look like a design masterclass, easily displaying good information on what is a smaller screen. Set speed for cruise was not there as mentioned above, not a deal breaker but I like to see it. It was not all bad news though, the menus and navigation for setup was intuitive and easy.

QUICK-SHIFTER There isn't one - big fail! This bike would be well suited to one, after being totally spoilt by the Gen 3 QS I wouldn't have a new multi-day bike without one.

LOAD CAPACITY I have mentioned this before, it is a good bit down on the Tiger, not a great contender for a two up load lugger. For solo only riders it is of no consequence.


The rest are merely observations or positives.

The engine is a stormer, pulls like a train, is smooth with marginal vibration. It brings out a little hooligan in you and encourages a handful. I had a screaming eagle add on exhaust which popped a lot on deceleration. but with euro regs. I suspect the stock exhaust would do the same. The acceleration sound from the engine was very pleasing and a little louder than I expected it to be. No valve services a boon.

Ergos for me were perfect, I would change nothing. I have a short 29" leg and the adaptive ride height did its job perfectly. Anyone with a 31" leg or more does not need it to my mind. Seat was comfy, bars were an easier reach than the Tiger. Standing did not work out though, too much of a stoop to the bars but they do offer a factory 2” riser so that is taken care of for taller off-road riders. I used the seat in the high position which gave a good seat to peg ratio. If I am honest this bike fits me better than my Tiger.

Switchgear was really easy to work out but did look slightly low rent compared to the Gen 3. Cruise resume rocker was a stiff old button. Rider modes were nice and easy to select. Looks like you can disable specific rider modes in the setup too so to take them out of the menu choice which I would like on the Tiger.

Handling is something to get used to, at medium speeds the steering damper feels as if it is working against you a little. Some bends felt like they needed a little opposite lock steering which is exaggerated by the narrow bars. Not a deal breaker, something to get used to.

Suspension and Rider modes made a difference in the same way they do with the Tiger. Sport firms it up and rain softens it off and a range in between. Sport seemed like a mode you might use a bit more often, a mode I would not really use too much on the Tiger. Sport rider mode isn't suited to town riding, the motor doesn't particularly like low revs in town.

Overall, the bike is not some great improvement over any ADV bike out there. From a technical standpoint it lags in terms of the latest gadgets that we see from BMW, Ducati and KTM and I suspect the next Gen Tiger 1200, maybe not a bad thing either. It has also gone in a completely different direction to all other ADV bikes, strip the minimal front end plastics top box and you could be looking at a classic roadster, just jacked up a little.

So just a new dash and a quick-shifter and that would do it for me. Better than any other ADV out there, not really, just different, H-D’s way and none the worse for it.

[PowerDubs_imp]

Honest question- why would someone want to shift that bike 'quick'?

Sure- a hardcore sport bike might- especially at a track... but this?

[GoldOxide_imp]

I am warm to the fashion of the Pam Am.

Good feedback Tev.

[the Ferret]

Saw one in the flesh going the opposite direction in South Dakota.

[Stichill_imp]

I am warm to the fashion of the Pam Am.

Good feedback Tev.

Dat grille; dat headlight

[GoldOxide_imp]

I am warm to the fashion of the Pam Am.

Good feedback Tev.

Dat grille; dat headlight

I think they make the viewer look.

The Pam Am has polarized the ADV fashion world for sure.