Why on Earth Did Harley Make a CVO Pan America? Here’s Why
The Pan Am CVO is packed with tech, but is it really worth that much more than the Pan Am Special?
You could have made a killing in Vegas if you had laid down money that Harley was going to come out with a CVO Pan America for 2024.
A CVO adventure bike in bagger world? Isn’t the CVO treatment reserved for popular cruisers and Grand American Touring? Fancy paint schemes and shiny gadgets? A big, fat and expensive fashion statement?
The Pan Am is a bike you ride in the mud.
But when the shock wears off, you have to admit: It makes sense if done the right way. And it appears the Motor Company has done that.
Running With the Big Boys
First of all, I think Harley Davidson has not received enough credit for the Pan Am. The Pan Am is basically only six years old, having been officially introduced in 2018.
It hit the dirt running and is now mentioned in the same qualitative breath as top-tier adventure bikes that have been built and refined for decades by such manufacturers as Ducati, BMW, Royal Enfield and others.
A Pan Am recently competed in the grueling, 12-stage, off-road Africa Eco race across two continents.
Tasteful CVO Paint Job
Actually, the Motor Company did add a cool new paint scheme for the ’23 Pan Am called “Legendary Orange.” But, this paint job departs from CVO tradition in that it is, what’s the word? Ah yes: Tasteful.
It’s tastefully done on the seat piping, tank, crash bars and sub-frame, and set off with a No, 1 graphic in “Atlas Silver” with accents in “Raven Metallic” on the fuel tank and fairing.
But, mainly they made a rugged bike even more rugged and more rideable. They smartly kept the same engine, the liquid-cooled Revolution Max 1250 that pumps out a whopping 150 horsepower and 95 ft/lbs of torque. Why go bigger than that? If anything, fans are clamoring for a lighter adventure bike.
High Tech Adaptive Suspension
The biggest add-on for the Pan Am CVO is probably the Adaptive Ride Height suspension, which is an option that costs around an extra $1,000 on the Pan Am Special.
It’s a sophisticated feature, allowing the rider to adjust the suspension according to the type of terrain he or she is riding on. It also means most shorter riders can flat-foot it at stop lights or whenever the bikes comes to a stop.
Why Not the Pan Am Special?
You might be asking at this point: Why buy the Pan Am CVO at $28,400 when you could buy the Pan Am Special at $20,000 when the Adaptive Ride Height tech can be added for just another $1,000?
Good question.
After all, they have the same Revolution Max 1250 engine and other technology, like semi-active front and rear suspension, touch screen display, selectable ride modes, and Daymaker Adaptive Headlamp technology.
It depends on if you decide the technology the CVO has that the Special doesn’t is worth it, like the bullet-proof, aluminum top and side cases, a Screamin’ Eagle quickshifter, tubeless spoke wheels, auxiliary LED forward lighting and an aluminum skid plate.
And don’t forget the paint job.
Photos: Harley Davidson
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