I'd like to see the motor in person, 'cuz you're right, looks weird. But, the motor is not the issue, it's that dustbuster nose piece.
Harley Pan American coming 2/21/2021
- Thread starter Xclimation
- Start date
bmac
Active Member
They are. I have stopped by several local dealers (Milwaukee, WI) and they are selling as fast as they arrive. Demand seems awfully strong for a new model in a segment Harley had not been playing in. Owner reports have been quite positive and those that have had some issues report exceptional service by the dealers as well as Harley. If a problem pops up Harley wants to know about. Very encouraging.
thughes317
Well-Known Member
I was shocked myself, the frontal view is not as ugly as the pictures. Its kind of like the "Two Face girlfriend" Seinfeld episode....really can't explain it.
tntmo
Well-Known Member
I still don't get the hatred for the looks of the bike, I have owned a few ADV bikes and I gotta say they are the ugliest bikes I have owned. Once in the saddle, I didn't care how they looked. When I first got on the Harley PA for a test ride, I didn't care at all either.
one in Wales bikers cafe yesterday
PhilPhilippines
Well-Known Member
Still reminds me of Wallace and Gromit...
So. . . . the Super Tenere has been on the streets for over 10 years. I've seen maybe five in the wild. Today, I hear an odd engine note coming down the street. I look up, and it's a got damn, orange and white, H-D PA cruising down the street. I'm nowhere near any dealership, so unless the guy stole it, he bought it, and was not on a test ride. It was quieter than the Tenere, but had a different sound than any other H-D I've heard.
Any questions as to whether it's gonna sell, at least for me, are answered. It's barely on the street, and I've already seen one. . . . going by my house.
Any questions as to whether it's gonna sell, at least for me, are answered. It's barely on the street, and I've already seen one. . . . going by my house.
For those of you that haven't seen this comparison test yet. Good reading material. I got a kick out of their comments on the 6th gear roll ons.
www.revzilla.com
Sierra, I hate to say it but we will probably see more HD Pan Ams around than Super Teneres.
BMW R 1250 GS versus Harley-Davidson Pan America: Trans-Atlantic ADV showdown - RevZilla
Any new adventure motorcycle is going to be measured against the standard that invented the class, the BMW GS. So how does the Pan America compare?
www.revzilla.com
Sierra, I hate to say it but we will probably see more HD Pan Ams around than Super Teneres.
bmac
Active Member
I had a chance to test ride one last week. My expectations were quite high after reading all the glowing reports. The route for the ride that Harley chose was terrible so I wan't able play around much or get a real good feel for it. The ride was a big rectangle and mostly cruising straight at about 45 mph. One thing that did surprise me and that I had not read much about was vibration. I experienced virtually no vibration through the handlebars but quite a bit through the seat and pegs as the engine revs hit 4k and above. The Revzilla comparison review referenced above is pretty much spot on. Before I rode one I thought I could own one. After the ride there was no chance it was going to replace my 1250GS.
It is a nice first effort but it still needs a bit of work and refinement. Some folks say the front end looks better in person. To my eye, it is just as ugly in person as it is in pictures. To each their own.
I would most definitely take the Super Tenere over a Pan America but I am quite certain the Harley will significantly outsell the Yamaha.
It is a nice first effort but it still needs a bit of work and refinement. Some folks say the front end looks better in person. To my eye, it is just as ugly in person as it is in pictures. To each their own.
I would most definitely take the Super Tenere over a Pan America but I am quite certain the Harley will significantly outsell the Yamaha.
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JJTJ2
Well-Known Member
A couple weeks ago I stopped by the HD deal 90 miles from my house. The owner had his orange demo bike there. I think it looks better in person. They had a black one in the back prepped for the new owner to pick up and ready to roll out the door. The salesman that I was talking with told me they are selling them before they are able to get any in the door for the showroom. He said that these sales are all HD guys making the conversion to adventure touring rather than new to HD riders. At least the HD guys are embracing the bike but it doesn't look like they are picking up any market share.
On another note, they also had a Niken there. First time I saw one in person. Now that is a horse of a different color.
On another note, they also had a Niken there. First time I saw one in person. Now that is a horse of a different color.
I think the whole point of the PA is to branch away from the Harley faithful. Harley's revenue is in freefall, if they don't attract new buyers things do not look good.
Thankfully for Harley, the PA seems to be a success
tntmo
Well-Known Member
Thanks for sharing that article, pretty interesting. I haven't ridden a new BMW so can't compare the bikes, but there were half a dozen GS bikes parked at the PanAm test event I went to so obviously the BMW riders are interested in the HD. I chatted with a few people there, many were considering purchasing the HD.For those of you that haven't seen this comparison test yet. Good reading material. I got a kick out of their comments on the 6th gear roll ons.
BMW R 1250 GS versus Harley-Davidson Pan America: Trans-Atlantic ADV showdown - RevZilla
Any new adventure motorcycle is going to be measured against the standard that invented the class, the BMW GS. So how does the Pan America compare?
Sierra, I hate to say it but we will probably see more HD Pan Ams around than Super Teneres.
I wonder if there is a way to find out how many Super Tenere's have been sold in the USA? It is pretty rare to see them. When I rode to Alaska a few years ago, the majority of bikes I saw were BMW, Harley and KLR650. I saw more Honda CB500X (3) than I did Super Ten's (2).
Just yesterday I saw a GS loaded like a mule. From 1/4 mile behind it, I thought maybe it could actually be a Tenere. As I caught up to it and waved, the rider just stared. He seemed to reluctantly wave as I exited the highway. Maybe he'd never seen a monkey riding a motorcycle. I also saw a 'Wing, and two H-D cruisers. For around here, that's a lot of bikes in one day. . . . and I don't know why.
I also saw a 'Wing, and two H-D cruisers. For around here, that's a lot of bikes in one day. . . . and I don't know why.
PhilPhilippines
Well-Known Member
That'll be an ass, not a mule...Just yesterday I saw a GS loaded like a mule. From 1/4 mile behind it, I thought maybe it could actually be a Tenere. As I caught up to it and waved, the rider just stared. He seemed to reluctantly wave as I exited the highway. Maybe he'd never seen a monkey riding a motorcycle.
Kyle_E
Well-Known Member
Not really surprised by that statement. "ADV touring" bikes are old people bikes. The Bronx would have maybe flipped the switch for some new blood. But they ceded that battle to Indian. Of the 10 or so Indian FTR's Ive seen 9 were young guys.
bmac
Active Member
I would say that is very likely true with most pre-orders going to previous Harley owners. With that said, I think this bike has gotten a fair amount of interest from folks that have never owned a Harley. These folks (like me) will not buy the bike without a test ride. The real question will be how many will buy one after they have a chance to test ride one.
Dirt_Dad
Well-Known Member
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Honestly I've never learned much from a test ride. Mostly only been able to rule out bikes ...and some of those were probably unfair.
To even contemplate adding a Harley to the fleet id need a weekend rental at a minimum.
To even contemplate adding a Harley to the fleet id need a weekend rental at a minimum.
gv550
Well-Known Member
Did you rent a KTM for a weekend before your purchase?
I see the HD as a direct competitor to the big KTM and Ducati, not so much to BMW and Yamaha.
I hadn't thought about it before, but you bring up a good point. They're all "adventure" bikes. But, they all choose a different path, with different priorities. A person should decide what path he wants to take. Many times cost determines your path. But, with the exception of the H-D, a person can find a used/older model that fits the budget.