Is Pan America good for Harley?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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Actually I have probably ridden more dirt on 2 wheels than pavement in my day. I'm not opposed to the bike as a category. But a bike with a radiator or reverse is not a Harley-Davidson. Those are non-negotiable for me.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2020
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From: Orangeville
So you would never ride a HD with a rad, or you would never ride any bike with a rad? As you know, the four bangers are taking quite the chunk out of the two strokes on the dirt.
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Banned
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Of course I'm just like you when it comes to electric, so there will be some younger punk saying the same **** about me. And so it goes...
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Last edited by FatBob2018; Oct 21, 2022 at 10:41 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
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Well, I think Harley did a great job on this bike and it holds its own pretty well against the 'other' bikes even if it did not race a Dakar
There is no 'magic bullet.' Many reviewers for ragazines and YT channels claim they like the PA and recommend it over the competition. Some even state they were sure they would not like it but changed their mind when riding it.
Is it 'good' for Harley? Of course it is. Is it good for you? That is up to you to decide.
There is no 'magic bullet.' Many reviewers for ragazines and YT channels claim they like the PA and recommend it over the competition. Some even state they were sure they would not like it but changed their mind when riding it.
Is it 'good' for Harley? Of course it is. Is it good for you? That is up to you to decide.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 188
Likes: 29
From: Malta
I think the radiator bit, is for a full water cooled bike. I think a radiator water cooled bike is ugly on cruisers or classic road bikes; Street series, V-Rod, and new Sportsters.
The same goes for other brands like the Indian Scout, and or Honda Rebel IMO to name a few, but also a classic inspired road bike like Ducati Monster, this bike was nicer with the air cooled series.
To be honest a full dressed bagger with a radiator like the Indian Challenger can be more acceptable then a cruiser.
Oil cooled bikes like the Milwaukee-8s are ok as they have a small radiator. Possibly Harley Davidson with PA could have tried going the Moto Guzzi V85-TT which is an air-cooled engine.
Possibly this would have respected there heritage even more. BMW was until 2012 air/oil cooled, with the switch to liquid cooling came in 2013, with important to note BMW still respecting its air/cooling with R9T models, and Ducati doing the same with the Scrambler.
But ultimately HD especially with the new CEO seems to want to move away from air/oil cooled engines, which IMO might be the beginning of the end for Harley.
Which sometimes I feel does not understand the bike a lot and BS marketing....
I am waiting for the new PA 975, and if it looks like the bigger sister I might be tempted to go HD route for an adventure bike, I really like the looks of the PA.
For me it is a challenge with the Ducati MS V2S which is still high on the cards, and if I just follow the heart I would go for a Moto Guzzi V85TT, which is still a second option.
The same goes for other brands like the Indian Scout, and or Honda Rebel IMO to name a few, but also a classic inspired road bike like Ducati Monster, this bike was nicer with the air cooled series.
To be honest a full dressed bagger with a radiator like the Indian Challenger can be more acceptable then a cruiser.
Oil cooled bikes like the Milwaukee-8s are ok as they have a small radiator. Possibly Harley Davidson with PA could have tried going the Moto Guzzi V85-TT which is an air-cooled engine.
Possibly this would have respected there heritage even more. BMW was until 2012 air/oil cooled, with the switch to liquid cooling came in 2013, with important to note BMW still respecting its air/cooling with R9T models, and Ducati doing the same with the Scrambler.
But ultimately HD especially with the new CEO seems to want to move away from air/oil cooled engines, which IMO might be the beginning of the end for Harley.
Which sometimes I feel does not understand the bike a lot and BS marketing....
I am waiting for the new PA 975, and if it looks like the bigger sister I might be tempted to go HD route for an adventure bike, I really like the looks of the PA.
For me it is a challenge with the Ducati MS V2S which is still high on the cards, and if I just follow the heart I would go for a Moto Guzzi V85TT, which is still a second option.
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Banned
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So yes, for first model year, Harley did very good.
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Joined: Mar 2020
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From: Orangeville
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From: Charleston, SC
Did Harley sell PA's outside of the U.S.? If so, how many? THat number would be a fair comparison to BMW, I would think.
It would also be nice to know how many PA's have been sold so far this year. THat number might also give us some insight to how the PA is fairing since the initial wave of excitement about them, as it has been claimed that the dealers have little interest in them now, and the initial buyers(some) have not been pleased with all the problems and responses from Harley. It's a new product and it takes time for dealer service techs to get to know it. That has to be a big factor too.
Last edited by GOV5; Oct 22, 2022 at 07:19 AM.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: NC
I am waiting for the new PA 975, and if it looks like the bigger sister I might be tempted to go HD route for an adventure bike, I really like the looks of the PA.
For me it is a challenge with the Ducati MS V2S which is still high on the cards, and if I just follow the heart I would go for a Moto Guzzi V85TT, which is still a second option.
Do not follow you heart. The 85TT is underpowered and Guzzi will drop it like a hot potato when they put the V100 motor in an Adv model. 
