Harley Pan American coming 2/21/2021

blitz11

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My wife has a H-D street 500. The entire design was farmed out by H-D. Fit is fine, finish is questionable, but it has 25K miles on it, and she loves it. She put every one of the 25 K miles on it. It's been completely reliable, and very easy to service (coolant, valves, oil changes, air filters, tires). The brakes sucked, but i fixed that with new pads and I made stainless steel brake lines for it. It isn't super-refined, but she could care less. She rides it WAY more than the bikes she had in the past (CX500, 250 rebel), so it does what it is supposed to do.

The CCT on the street 500 has lasted longer than the CCT on the Super-10, and it also hasn't been recalled for a high-idle condition. The S-10 is good, but not perfect. Valve access on the H-D is much better than the S-10, and like the S-10, it was in spec at the first service (25K miles).

If we're being honest, in the big scheme of things, it's not THAT difficult to design a motorcycle in this day and age. I think that the Pan America is ugly (especially that fairing), but that might be just a prototype (i am hoping). I'd WAY rather have a chain than a BMW final drive. (S-10 FD is a winner.) I'd like to see a removable sub-frame on the H-D before i'd look at it, but that's not too difficult a change between prototype and production. If i were guessing, I am betting that the engine design was farmed out to the same outfit that did the street 500. If so, then the claims made by H-D in terms of power/torque are probably valid, and the engine will be reliable.

We'lll have to see how this goes. As has been said, i'd like to see H-D compete with the Japanese and Europeans. Competition makes it better for us all.
 

Sierra1

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It's been competing in and dominating the cruiser market for years....
They started/invented the cruiser market. Japan has been copying/emulating them for years. But, people that want a Harley....want a Harley, not something made in Japan. And, that's fine. Now Indian is making their way into the market. Great styling, and motors with good performance and reliability....Harley realizes that they have to do something else to survive. MY issue with H-D has always been the investment V return. What THEY charge, and what YOU get. I have a good friend that has one of the big baggers. He has well over 250k miles on it. But, he likes tinkering with it, and has had the motor apart several times....just for fun. I'm just not that guy. To each their own.
 
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Super08

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AB, Canada
They have yet to release a weight on it, looking at it I am thinking around 650lb bare without any accessories. I bet it is top heavy as hell, but we will see once people start getting a chance to get on one.
 

blitz11

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Sep 23, 2014
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Interesting frame design - especially around the rear cylinder head. "Easy" valve access. Bolt - on subframe - good. Actually, given the height of the cylinder head above the spark plug, i am guessing hydraulic lifters. Oil filter seems protected, and the radiator down low helps mass distribution (but also makes it more vulnerable off-road).

We'll see where it goes.
 
R

RonH

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It looks somewhat interesting, but they wouldn't put stupid chain drive on this would they? I had enough of that model-T chain drive to last me another 600yrs. Goes with points ignition, and carbs and should have been put to rest alongside those two wonderful inventions back in 1980.
 
B

ballisticexchris

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Good lord the ignition coil is so exposed!! 1st drop and you are stuck with a 600+ lb anchor.
 

~TABASCO~

RIDE ON ADV is what I do !
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Now here is a new twist, the CEO of Harley that has been pushing this bike just got let go.
SO, will the new CEO drop this program along with a few other models. I just read I really interesting article about them loosing a ton of cash and ‘not in control’. Maybe that’s why they let him go?
On the topic of this bike I hope they move forward, but they still have a long way to go.
 

offcamber

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I'll give them an A for effort but to little to late. The ADV market is already saturated with reliable affordable bikes. I can' see why any serious ADV rider would consider this thing. The current trend in ADV riding is getting away from big and heavy and going back to a smaller nimbler bikes. They also need to get away from the dated V-twin design.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Still odd looking, but not as fugly as the original concept we first saw.

There has never been a Harley parked in my garage, and I don't see this changing that record. But choice is a good thing. I sincerely hope they scratch an itch for someone, and find a healthy market. Good luck Harley.
 

WJBertrand

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I don’t know if I agree that a V-twin engine is necessarily dated. Look at Ducati, KTM, & Suzuki for very modern technology V-twins. This new Harley motor seems quite modern and has no relationship to their air-cooled, push rod OHV engines, which I agree are a dated design.


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VRODE

Easy Does It
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I thought it looked better in person than the concept photos I saw. It was made clear on the signage that this was a prototype. With the number of manufacturers that have been producing big ADV bikes already, HD would need to step up their game a bit. I think they can do it, but don't know if the new mngmnt will have the drive needed to get it done.
I could see them trying to reach some sport touring market share with this type of bike. I think they need to do something as the HD faithful are aging every day and there are not enough younger riders taking their place.
 
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