Spending 2021 with the Harley-Davison Pan America | MCN

#Harley-Davison#Pan#America

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[markhollidge]

Ouch. But it was great to watch an honest review. Get fed up sometimes with reviewer after reviewer saying it's the best bike they've ever ridden. Until the next bike... So well done MCN for being frank as ever. Keep up the good work!

[jockmcjock]

The value of MCN doing a long term review over an ‘influencer’ doing a dressed up demo ride is immeasurable. Not needing to ‘influence’ the manufacturers lends itself to an honest review like this that removes the gushing ‘best bike ever’ nonsense seen on the merry band of self appointed experts with a camera and editing suite on their laptop. By some way MCN are showing themselves as the ‘go to’ for reviews. This sort of review has more value for the manufacturer than the marketing teams choice of amateurs with a GoPro.

[MrJayNC]

I really appreciate these long term reviews. Hopefully Harley steps up and corrects these issues in this current generation before leaving a bad impression with potential owners.

[texanbill]

I purchased a Pan America in June 2021 after a long line of BMW GS's going back 20 years. I have NEVER owned a Harley, and certainly wouldn't be any sort
"fanboy" of the brand..

So far, my bike has been flawless with the exception of the clock not keeping proper time (corrected with last software update).
I've ridden it a half dozen times in torrential
downpours, but have never gone into "limp mode".

I have heard of the exhaust heat shield falling off on some 2021s. From the photos I've seen, it looks like the metal tab cracks at the weld. This part was redesigned on the 2022 models and replaced units.
It's also worth noting that there is a quick shifter option for 2022.

I've not heard of any rear shock failure on any of the forums. The suspension is made by Showa, so it should be a quality unit. With that said, it’s new tech so let’s see if any widespread issues develop.

Would I buy the bike again? Absolutely, but I’ll probably extend the warranty given it’s a completely new design.

It's a great handling bike, probably the best front-end feedback of any ADV bike, certainly better than the numb feeling GS telelever. The suspension soaks up
bumps, but never feels soft or wallows in fast sweepers. Go ride one, that's what sold me!

My bike was made in Pennsylvania, with the engine assembled in Milwaukee. Are UK Pan America's made in the USA?

So why did I leave BMW after so many years? The reliability started to falter on my last two GS's. My last one had to be towed to the shop 2x in less than 2.000 miles.

[belcher]

Jordan was brilliant. Let’s have more of him. 👍🏻

[Motorcycle_Mike]

These long term reviews are always so well done, and thorough. Cheers lads, enjoyed this.

[themuz]

Thanks for your honesty. You probably saved me a lot of heartache.

[vaughanboyce]

I commend MCN for being down to earth and honest, so many times u watch a review where the journo reads out a spec sheet takes it around the block and says all the things the manufacturer want to hear and smiles...

[timbailey]

I purchased my HD Pan Am Special orange/white spoke wheels, last July. My motorcycle was built in May. 5000 miles on it now, only issues has been a recall on the plastic passenger seat hand grips and software reflashing to correct a few glitches. Other than that, my bike has ran great with zero issues. I replaced the front windshield with a Madstad, the oem shield is pretty flimsy. Added electric heated seat, pivot pegz, extended front and rear fenders, oed heavy skid plate, oem radiator guard. For the price of the special model it should have came with those items, but Harley - every thing is an accessory . Also I added some nice to have items as most owners do, a Rowe electronics Amplink, Zumo gps, USB charger, Rox risers, SW Motech tank bag, oem sport side and top bags probably a few more things I have forgotten. This is my third Harley, last one was a Road Glide. I wanted a lighter bike that I could take down a gravel road and not be afraid I would drop it and have to replace 500 bucks worth of chrome. The Pan Am has filled that wish . This is my first adventure style bike, all my previous motorcycles have been heavy touring models, so I am learning as I go. I have read lots of horror stories from new owners regarding the Pan Am, but about an equal amount from very happy owners. Except for a few minor design flaws that hopefully will be corrected in the next couple of years, I think allot of the issues with the Pan Am are due to inexperienced employees at Harley building the bikes. Sadly some of the Pam Am purchasers than getting to pay for the learning curve at the factory.
2022 models are out, we should be getting some feed back from owners of the latest builds to see if this assumption might have any truth to it. I know the 2022 models have a new wiring harness and sofware upgrades, not sure what else Harley has done.

[pistolpete]

This was really interesting and why I appreciate videos like this that you all do. I went to a local dealership last June to test ride one and as they were about to drive it out of the showroom for the test ride it wouldn’t start. An hour later they said that I’d have to postpone the test ride because they couldn’t get it started. Two weeks later I finally got to test ride it and while it was great I decided to buy something else and this video reinforces that was the right decision. Harley will no doubt work the niggles out over the next few years so your recommendation to wait to buy make total sense and is a fair assessment.

[brutter]

Perhaps it brings new meaning to an adventure bike.
An adventure never knowing what’s going to break next!

[IronMission]

Picked up a 2024 and really like it so far!

[michaelwood]

I commend MCN for these long-term test videos. All the ones I have seen have been excellent and this one in particular will be valuable for anyone considering purchasing one of these bikes.

[Vince_vanca]

wow once again an amazing video.. .this serie slowly becomes my favourite on the internet. Great to have real feedback from people who knows bike and who ride them in the real world

[roseysnapper]

Love this series - honest opinions from folk who know what they’re talking about.

[davidconnelly]

As others have said best not to buy first edition of anything where its mostly new..especially something so different from usual HD..had similar default mode experience with a car at motorway speed once dread to think how much scarier potentially on a bike..honest and measured as ever well done MCN

[kiwicanuck]

Great review and love the honesty, love the long term ride reviews really proves how good or bad a bike is and shows that there’s more to a review and insight than a press review ride.

[bwxmoto]

You're doing Harley a service. They should watch this and fix every single thing wrong you mentioned and then give you the improved bike for another year.

[harlequin]

Good advice on the waiting to purchase one of these. Only as a Harley owner I have found them underwhelming in the reliability area too. Harley won’t be pleased, but they like to charge the premium price so they can suck up the criticism. Good job MCN.

[vmotobiker]

MCN are the best reviews! Thanks guys for the great reviews!