When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I call BS on that. In NO WAY will this bike be remotely competitive with the GS Adventure. The GSA is just on another level compared to almost any other adventure bike on the market, and BMW has ruled that market for years. As several of the biggest motorcycle magazines have noted, the adventure segment is the single most competitive market in all of motorcycling, and it's where a lot of the manufacturers are putting their biggest bets.
So a few thoughts.
The Triumph Tiger, while a competent bike, has persistently lagged behind the competition and had a long-term problem with sales. And this stems mostly from the fact that adventure bikes need to be off-road capable, and the Triumph is mediocre in this regard because the bike is not only heavy, but top heavy. It's noticeable on the street, and it ensures the Tiger is pretty terrible off-road compared to the BMW GSA or KTM Super Adventure 1290R.
There's not a doubt in my mind that the Pan America monstrosity is going to perform way worse than the Tiger, meaning it will be an adventure bike which can't adventure. Underpowered, outdated, top heavy, etc. Understandable considering how difficult it is to build a top level adventure bike.
Ducati learned that lesson the hard way with its initial launch of the Multistrada Enduro Pro 1200. The Enduro Pro 1200 is a gnarly bike which looks like it was made for the US Army or something. Tons of power and torque, beefy components, cutting edge technology -- what's not to love? Except that it was so big and so top heavy that it was impossible to use for anything except street touring. And the regular Multistrada 1200 is better for that. Which means you can still get a new leftover Enduro Pro heavily discounted because no one will buy them. Ducati learned from its initial failures, committed to making big changes, and now has the 950 and Enduro 1260, which are a massive improvement. Even still, as good as the second generation Enduro 1260 is, competition against BMW and KTM is brutal.
This bike from Harley will suck donkey *****. Bank on it. It's not even a question, really. The real question is, after the Pan America gets ripped to shreds by reviewers and shown for what it is, will Harley have the fortitude to go back to the drawing board, learn from its mistakes, and commit the resources and money it will take to design and build a bike that can honestly compete in the adventure bike market? My guess is no. Harley-Davidson has never shown any interest in actually competing with other manufacturers, and my guess is the company is betting that Harley enthusiasts will buy the bike, even if it sucks, just because of the badge on the tank. The company has basically gotten away with building one type of bike, for one type of market, with very limited changes for decades on end. But what works in the classic cruiser market is not going to work off-road, or in the performance sector. Without a paradigm shift within the company, I see no possibility whatsoever that Harley is suddenly going to start cranking out bikes which can compete with the best the Germans, Austrians, and Italians have to offer. Those guys have put huge money into adventure motorcycling, and the bikes they produce for that segment are some of the most advanced, supremely well engineered bikes of any type on the road today.
As a company Harley needs to change, we all know that. And there are lots of bikes Harley can and should build to broaden its appeal and increase profits. But adventure bikes? I don't see it. I've seen no evidence whatsoever that Harley-Davidson has what it takes to go all-in in that market. And unless the company goes all-in, it shouldn't go in at all. It will just get humbled and lose money.
P.S. I should say for the record I would love to see Harley produce an adventure bike which is actually better than a GSA. It ain't gonna happen. But I would be the first to applaud this miracle if it somehow did occur.
Nice rant but you've never owned or ridden a BMW Boxer GS or GSA have you? They're good Touring bikes for bad roads but I think they're top-heavy in the dirt and when you're on foot muscling them around. Harley's Pan America looks small and slender everywhere BMW's GS is big. I prefer the Pan America's austere styling to that of the GS - no beak either. The BMW GS is a good bike but I wouldn't put it on a pedestal.
Nice rant but you've never owned or ridden a BMW Boxer GS or GSA have you? They're good Touring bikes for bad roads but I think they're top-heavy in the dirt and when you're on foot muscling them around. Harley's Pan America looks small and slender everywhere BMW's GS is big. I prefer the Pan America's austere styling to that of the GS - no beak either. The BMW GS is a good bike but I wouldn't put it on a pedestal.
Biggest hurdle for most people with the GS will be the price, especially the 1250 in the adventure trim level. They can really get up there in price. As I mentioned earlier, though most people who buy them never really use them for adventure touring. In fact the local dealer here takes the nobby offroad stock tires off the ADV trim and puts on the road tires. When you ask why, they tell you because nobody wants them and they found that very few will buy it if it has the offroad tires.. They do offer various stock suspension heights, though. They have a standard and a low suspension option. Low is what most people go for as they understand they will rarely use it offroad and even the low suspension offers more travel than most any street bike out there. I am 6 foot and can flat foot the low easy. The standard I am on my toes and the bike does feel top heavy. I would not opt for that trim as most of my riding would be on-road.
Difference is pretty stark. The standard suspension is at top and it's like riding a stork. Very difficult to just push around. The low suspension trim is great for my height and inseam and the ergos and seating are perfect. If I had the money I would get that..but I don't.
Not that any of these adventure bikes are going to win any beauty contests but this thing looks like it was designed in the old soviet union.
Kind of spooky looking like a dystopian dual sport road glide.
Not that any of these adventure bikes are going to win any beauty contests but this thing looks like it was designed in the old soviet union.
Kind of spooky looking like a dystopian dual sport road glide.
None of the adventure bikes are going to turn any heads. But they are definitely the kind of bike you get with riding in mind and nothing else. This fact might lead to the only big drawback of the panamerica when it is released. Harley can't count on potential owners being swayed by anything but capability and rideability. Someone considering an adventure bike is not after bling, nostalgia, or styling and they won't pay a premium for it because its a Harley. Trying to sell image to the adventure bike crowd is a lesson in futility. The bike must be competitively priced to succeed.
None of the adventure bikes are going to turn any heads. But they are definitely the kind of bike you get with riding in mind and nothing else. This fact might lead to the only big drawback of the panamerica when it is released. Harley can't count on potential owners being swayed by anything but capability and rideability. Someone considering an adventure bike is not after bling, nostalgia, or styling and they won't pay a premium for it because its a Harley. Trying to sell image to the adventure bike crowd is a lesson in futility. The bike must be competitively priced to succeed.
I just recently bought myself an adventure bike (2016 Honda Africa Twin). It has 9.8 inches of ground clearance with over 8 inches of fully adjustable suspension travel. ABS front and rear with the option of turning off the rear. Also has 94 hp (1000cc) and weighs 512 pounds.
I got this bike so I can go places my Street Glide can't. Paved back roads and gravel with a little double track thrown in.
It can also run 80 mph down the interstate for hours but it's not nearly as comfortable doing this as the SG.
I hope that the Pan America turns out nice but if the early prototypes are any indication I think it will be a flop.
I just don't have allot of confidence that Harley will put enough effort into it so it can compete. Heck my Africa Twin has already been upgraded once in 2018 by Honda and is getting another makeover next year with a bigger engine (1100cc).
Like was said before, the adventure market is very competitive and Harley will have to work hard to break into the market and to keep up.
I'm looking forward to the Pan America more than any other motorcycle HD has brought out in recent memory because while I enjoy my Road King, in all honesty I do most of my riding on Adventure or dual sport bikes. I like the overall look of the Pan Am and hope Harley is attentive to what most buyers of these kind of bikes feel are important. I would want a fuel capacity of at least 5.5 gallons and 45 mpg, compliant suspension with at least 7" of travel, it appears to have tubeless wheels... good. Other wants include WR gearing with a low 1st for crawling 10 mph up a rutted dirt road loaded down yet a tall 6th for relaxed long distance travel, comfortable ergonomics with some adjustability (bars, seat height, maybe even pegs), 130 rear wheel HP isn't important give me an honest 115 or so in a torquey motor with a lot of grunt down low, self adjusting valves or at least long intervals (like at least 25,000 miles) between checking. (This, along with tube type wheels, are my main complaint with my Honda Africa Twin because $500+ to check valve clearance every 12,000 miles is beyond inconvenient it's insane!)
I just recently bought myself an adventure bike (2016 Honda Africa Twin). It has 9.8 inches of ground clearance with over 8 inches of fully adjustable suspension travel. ABS front and rear with the option of turning off the rear. Also has 94 hp (1000cc) and weighs 512 pounds.
I got this bike so I can go places my Street Glide can't. Paved back roads and gravel with a little double track thrown in.
It can also run 80 mph down the interstate for hours but it's not nearly as comfortable doing this as the SG.....
Interesting in that I have the same year and color AT as you, and hark from the same state LOL. As far as comfort after I changed the seat my AT is now my most comfortable motorcycle.
I kinda dig it, but if it only makes Suzuki V-Strom 1000 power at twice the price, it will die a rapid death. I love Harleys, but Lord is the Moco dense.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
