Test ride not impressed
#21
07-28-2023, 08:23 PM
Cruiser
For the Panam if you shift at 8000rpm (actually 7700 - 7800) and don't let the rpm drop below 7000 rpm.
Shift between max torque and max power and don't let rpm drop below max torque ( 6800 -7000 ).
Very quick and not even in Sport mode. Also the quickshifter takes the bike into a whole new class of crazy.
Shift between max torque and max power and don't let rpm drop below max torque ( 6800 -7000 ).
Very quick and not even in Sport mode. Also the quickshifter takes the bike into a whole new class of crazy.
#22
07-30-2023, 09:14 AM
I am the OP and wanted to give an update after a second test ride.
My preferred dealer (Boswell's in Nashville) did not have a PA in stock, so I went on my original ride at Moonshine in Franklin, TN, I followed the salesman who was riding an old twin cam Fat Bob, we rode in town on smooth as glass roads and on a few twisty backroads, never got over 45-50 mph. The salesman did not go over the bike or controls with me, our first turn was a right-hand turn, I do not know what I might have turned on or off when I attempted to turn on the right-hand signal with the right-hand controls.
I contacted Niko at Boswell's, he arranged for me to ride the owner's bike for a test ride, the only mods to this bike are an aftermarket exhaust (Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde) and 2" risers. Niko rides a Pan America himself; he took the time to go over the bike and the controls before our ride, he then led the ride on his PA. This ride was mostly through an industrial section of town with beat up roads, then we got on Briley Parkway and hit faster speeds. The PA in road mode absorbed all the bumps, dips, manhole covers and railroad crossings with ease; this was great for my old back. The engine was also much more responsive in the higher RPMs and higher speeds (which I will not disclose).
Long story short, I ordered a new PA special, the dealer will install a Jeckel and Hyde exhaust, 2" risers and do a little paint work before I pick it up. Delivery is expected the week of the 14th.
My preferred dealer (Boswell's in Nashville) did not have a PA in stock, so I went on my original ride at Moonshine in Franklin, TN, I followed the salesman who was riding an old twin cam Fat Bob, we rode in town on smooth as glass roads and on a few twisty backroads, never got over 45-50 mph. The salesman did not go over the bike or controls with me, our first turn was a right-hand turn, I do not know what I might have turned on or off when I attempted to turn on the right-hand signal with the right-hand controls.
I contacted Niko at Boswell's, he arranged for me to ride the owner's bike for a test ride, the only mods to this bike are an aftermarket exhaust (Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde) and 2" risers. Niko rides a Pan America himself; he took the time to go over the bike and the controls before our ride, he then led the ride on his PA. This ride was mostly through an industrial section of town with beat up roads, then we got on Briley Parkway and hit faster speeds. The PA in road mode absorbed all the bumps, dips, manhole covers and railroad crossings with ease; this was great for my old back. The engine was also much more responsive in the higher RPMs and higher speeds (which I will not disclose).
Long story short, I ordered a new PA special, the dealer will install a Jeckel and Hyde exhaust, 2" risers and do a little paint work before I pick it up. Delivery is expected the week of the 14th.
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#23
07-30-2023, 06:01 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
#24
07-31-2023, 12:43 PM
I am the OP and wanted to give an update after a second test ride.
My preferred dealer (Boswell's in Nashville) did not have a PA in stock, so I went on my original ride at Moonshine in Franklin, TN, I followed the salesman who was riding an old twin cam Fat Bob, we rode in town on smooth as glass roads and on a few twisty backroads, never got over 45-50 mph. The salesman did not go over the bike or controls with me, our first turn was a right-hand turn, I do not know what I might have turned on or off when I attempted to turn on the right-hand signal with the right-hand controls.
I contacted Niko at Boswell's, he arranged for me to ride the owner's bike for a test ride, the only mods to this bike are an aftermarket exhaust (Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde) and 2" risers. Niko rides a Pan America himself; he took the time to go over the bike and the controls before our ride, he then led the ride on his PA. This ride was mostly through an industrial section of town with beat up roads, then we got on Briley Parkway and hit faster speeds. The PA in road mode absorbed all the bumps, dips, manhole covers and railroad crossings with ease; this was great for my old back. The engine was also much more responsive in the higher RPMs and higher speeds (which I will not disclose).
Long story short, I ordered a new PA special, the dealer will install a Jeckel and Hyde exhaust, 2" risers and do a little paint work before I pick it up. Delivery is expected the week of the 14th.
My preferred dealer (Boswell's in Nashville) did not have a PA in stock, so I went on my original ride at Moonshine in Franklin, TN, I followed the salesman who was riding an old twin cam Fat Bob, we rode in town on smooth as glass roads and on a few twisty backroads, never got over 45-50 mph. The salesman did not go over the bike or controls with me, our first turn was a right-hand turn, I do not know what I might have turned on or off when I attempted to turn on the right-hand signal with the right-hand controls.
I contacted Niko at Boswell's, he arranged for me to ride the owner's bike for a test ride, the only mods to this bike are an aftermarket exhaust (Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde) and 2" risers. Niko rides a Pan America himself; he took the time to go over the bike and the controls before our ride, he then led the ride on his PA. This ride was mostly through an industrial section of town with beat up roads, then we got on Briley Parkway and hit faster speeds. The PA in road mode absorbed all the bumps, dips, manhole covers and railroad crossings with ease; this was great for my old back. The engine was also much more responsive in the higher RPMs and higher speeds (which I will not disclose).
Long story short, I ordered a new PA special, the dealer will install a Jeckel and Hyde exhaust, 2" risers and do a little paint work before I pick it up. Delivery is expected the week of the 14th.
Please tell us more when you get the PAS.
I've always stated that the dealer has as much to do with the test ride as the bike.
The following users liked this post:
FLS103 (08-03-2023)
#25
08-01-2023, 09:20 AM
Tourer
I am the OP and wanted to give an update after a second test ride.
My preferred dealer (Boswell's in Nashville) did not have a PA in stock, so I went on my original ride at Moonshine in Franklin, TN, I followed the salesman who was riding an old twin cam Fat Bob, we rode in town on smooth as glass roads and on a few twisty backroads, never got over 45-50 mph. The salesman did not go over the bike or controls with me, our first turn was a right-hand turn, I do not know what I might have turned on or off when I attempted to turn on the right-hand signal with the right-hand controls.
I contacted Niko at Boswell's, he arranged for me to ride the owner's bike for a test ride, the only mods to this bike are an aftermarket exhaust (Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde) and 2" risers. Niko rides a Pan America himself; he took the time to go over the bike and the controls before our ride, he then led the ride on his PA. This ride was mostly through an industrial section of town with beat up roads, then we got on Briley Parkway and hit faster speeds. The PA in road mode absorbed all the bumps, dips, manhole covers and railroad crossings with ease; this was great for my old back. The engine was also much more responsive in the higher RPMs and higher speeds (which I will not disclose).
Long story short, I ordered a new PA special, the dealer will install a Jeckel and Hyde exhaust, 2" risers and do a little paint work before I pick it up. Delivery is expected the week of the 14th.
My preferred dealer (Boswell's in Nashville) did not have a PA in stock, so I went on my original ride at Moonshine in Franklin, TN, I followed the salesman who was riding an old twin cam Fat Bob, we rode in town on smooth as glass roads and on a few twisty backroads, never got over 45-50 mph. The salesman did not go over the bike or controls with me, our first turn was a right-hand turn, I do not know what I might have turned on or off when I attempted to turn on the right-hand signal with the right-hand controls.
I contacted Niko at Boswell's, he arranged for me to ride the owner's bike for a test ride, the only mods to this bike are an aftermarket exhaust (Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde) and 2" risers. Niko rides a Pan America himself; he took the time to go over the bike and the controls before our ride, he then led the ride on his PA. This ride was mostly through an industrial section of town with beat up roads, then we got on Briley Parkway and hit faster speeds. The PA in road mode absorbed all the bumps, dips, manhole covers and railroad crossings with ease; this was great for my old back. The engine was also much more responsive in the higher RPMs and higher speeds (which I will not disclose).
Long story short, I ordered a new PA special, the dealer will install a Jeckel and Hyde exhaust, 2" risers and do a little paint work before I pick it up. Delivery is expected the week of the 14th.
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user 7298720 (08-02-2023)
#26
08-02-2023, 09:41 AM
Tourer
it's hit and miss with test rides especially in the Nashville area - glad you finally got a good one.
I went to "Pan America DEMO DAY" at a shop once... got there early - waited a loooong time to finally ride one and it was like a 5 minute ride. I felt like I knew more about the bike than the sales kid did..... (I've been doing my research lol)
I went to "Pan America DEMO DAY" at a shop once... got there early - waited a loooong time to finally ride one and it was like a 5 minute ride. I felt like I knew more about the bike than the sales kid did..... (I've been doing my research lol)
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FLS103 (08-03-2023)
#27
08-02-2023, 02:39 PM
A bad test ride/demo experience is definitely a turn-off. I got lucky when I went to look at the PAS I ended up buying - my dealer brought out the guy that went to the Harley Pan America Experience training, and was genuinely excited about the bike. Learned a lot from him. It's a small dealer, and they don't sell a lot of Pan Americas, but two years later, and I can still walk in and get some route recommendations, good conversation, etc.
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FLS103 (08-03-2023)
#28
08-19-2023, 12:53 PM
Picked her up today with 5 miles on the odometer, 47 miles later the shifter quit working. It seems the bolt that holds the shifter to the linkage was only engaged by 2 threads from the factory, hopefully this is not a sign of things to come.
I dressed the stripped area up with my knife and used the tool kit under the seat to make a roadside repair, all is good now.
In years past I have made many roadside repairs, compensator, intake gaskets, clutch cables...but this is disturbing on a brand new bike.
Last edited by FLS103; 08-19-2023 at 12:54 PM.
#30
08-19-2023, 10:22 PM
Tourer
Picked her up today with 5 miles on the odometer, 47 miles later the shifter quit working. It seems the bolt that holds the shifter to the linkage was only engaged by 2 threads from the factory, hopefully this is not a sign of things to come.
I dressed the stripped area up with my knife and used the tool kit under the seat to make a roadside repair, all is good now.
In years past I have made many roadside repairs, compensator, intake gaskets, clutch cables...but this is disturbing on a brand new bike.