Going from HD touring to Pan America style bike
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Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 52
Likes: 59
From: North Texas
I don't drink, so not checking out every watering hole along my routes for one. Plus, I honestly like the feel of the open road. OK with the twisties, but long straight runs are a sure way to unwind. We have the Three Sisters not too far from us, plus it's only 300 miles are so to hit far west Texas and the Big Bend and Davis Mountains. Lot of open stretches out there to to enjoy and pour the miles on.
The closest I have ridden to a dual sport or adventure touring of whatever would be a BMW RS several years ago. It was the loaner bike at the dealership where I kept my Yamaha Maxim 650 serviced. Did not like the riding style, but it was more sport.
I play around on an old CL350, but that is OK for around town and very, very short jaunts into the outer areas. I have considered dropping down to a softtail or heritage classic, but not much weight savings there.
I don't have the "space" to keep another full sized bike. I can store my CL350 in my store room.
This weekend I chatted with a KTS rider who was about my height and age. He suggested the KTS 890.
Pretty sure wife will raise hell in any event - she likes that ultra limited comfort for the very few miles she does with me.
The closest I have ridden to a dual sport or adventure touring of whatever would be a BMW RS several years ago. It was the loaner bike at the dealership where I kept my Yamaha Maxim 650 serviced. Did not like the riding style, but it was more sport.
I play around on an old CL350, but that is OK for around town and very, very short jaunts into the outer areas. I have considered dropping down to a softtail or heritage classic, but not much weight savings there.
I don't have the "space" to keep another full sized bike. I can store my CL350 in my store room.
This weekend I chatted with a KTS rider who was about my height and age. He suggested the KTS 890.
Pretty sure wife will raise hell in any event - she likes that ultra limited comfort for the very few miles she does with me.
I've always like the BMW GS myself. Just remember, the optimum number of bikes to own is the number you have.... plus one.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 926
Likes: 135
From: Central, NJ
Being vertically challenged and having owned a Multistrada the thing you need to look out for is where the weight is distributed. My 825 lb. Road King "feels" lighter than the 550 lb. Multistrada because the weight of the Multi is much higher than the Road King. Hopefully, you get to test ride the Pan America before you buy it to see where the weight sits. With a 30" inseam I was not able to flatfoot the Multi but it was more than manageable. Good luck, I like what I've seen on paper with the Pan America.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 766
Likes: 238
From: Calvert, MD
I had a Buell Ulyssess for a year. I really enjoyed it and even rode it to East Troy Wi for the Buell Homecoming. I had a FLHT also at the time. Only sold it to support other hobbies. I'm watching the Pan Am almost bummed that I got a new RK last fall now....
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,311
From: Virginia
I've got a Pan Am on order for the same reasons with the exception of less frequent passenger. I want a the lighter weigh and better power the Pan Am has. With the optional ride height option that can lower the bike up to 2" when stopping and a 1" lower seat option I don't see the Pan Am having a seat heigh problem. Check out some of the pics of riders on Pan Ams stopped. They are flat footed with a bend in the knees. I do have two concerns first is the heel under butt riding position. Not sure if my 70 year old body will adapt comfortable. Second is passenger comfort and passenger accessibility for my fiancée at 5' 2". It's certain that passenger comfort won't be as good as on a Electraglide Limited. But will it be comfortable enough for the times she's not on her own bike. Waiting for the demo bikes hoping they arrive before my order hits the dealership so I can get some answers to my concerns.
I don't know about the Pan America, but I have a buddy with aBMW 1200 GSA. His wife says it is very comfortable. There is more suspension travel and less bottoming than on an EG. Adventure bikes seats are comfortable, they still have a backrest on the tour pack.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 165
Likes: 16
From: Bowie MD
Outlier here. My wife is vertically challenged. So when she got her license in 2017 we purchased the Honda Rebel 500. Seat height is a tad over 27". The bike has been flawless, the motor having come from the CBR 500. Fast forward to 2021, The Rebel now has an 1100 courtesy of the Africa Twin. Trans, six speed or DCT, cruise and ABS standard. 470+ or tad over 500 lbs with the DCT. The 500 bike is a hoot to drive, the 1100 I'm looking forward to testing. Just a thought.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 46
From: Yamato, Japan
You mention touring bikes in general, and reference the Pan-American adventure tourer (aka ADV bike).
Been down that road. My advice is if you're not looking to go off asphalt, don't get an ADV bike. They are popular and trendy. While some are excellent, even the best are "jack-of-all trades" bikes. They will never handle in the dirt like a true dirtbike... although they can haul crap through unpaved roads like nothing else.
And as you note, the downside of ADVs are they tend to be tall. The ones with lower seat height compromise to be more sport-tourer-ish (ala the late Buell Ulysses XB12XT), in which case... I'd just look at a purpose built sport tourer if you want more performance-to-weight, or a bagger/dresser like you already have.
Been down that road. My advice is if you're not looking to go off asphalt, don't get an ADV bike. They are popular and trendy. While some are excellent, even the best are "jack-of-all trades" bikes. They will never handle in the dirt like a true dirtbike... although they can haul crap through unpaved roads like nothing else.
And as you note, the downside of ADVs are they tend to be tall. The ones with lower seat height compromise to be more sport-tourer-ish (ala the late Buell Ulysses XB12XT), in which case... I'd just look at a purpose built sport tourer if you want more performance-to-weight, or a bagger/dresser like you already have.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 46
From: Yamato, Japan
Essentially it was a rugged, but too tall sport tourer.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 160
Likes: 99
From: Louisiana
As a former Uly owner, I found it a very good, but not great bike. Engine was a hoot. It could take a beating and was easy to work on, even roadside. But it was lousy off-roads... Fire trails were ok, but anything more serious it would bog down in.
Essentially it was a rugged, but too tall sport tourer.
Essentially it was a rugged, but too tall sport tourer.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
If you're questioning whether you will like the Pan American style bikes, there are a lot of used bikes that you can likely afford to test. I found a 2012 Yamaha Tenere for a very good price. And, plenty of Sport Touring bikes as well. Get one, take a 500 mile trip on it and you will know by the end of the day if that is the bike for you. Remember, Adventure bikes don't have fairings. Most Sport Touring have very nice fairings. If they appeal to you, sell both your bikes and pick up the Pan American. If not, sell the test bike and give you touring Harley a hug.
Beary
Beary
I rode an Africa Twin for a couple years and just recently sold it.
The biggest drawback for me was the 35 inch seat height. I only have a 30 inch inseam.
I was really uncomfortable sitting at a red light with only the ball of my left foot on the ground holding up a 530 pound bike.
However, once rolling the bike was amazing. Lots of power and torque and very comfortable to ride.
I did see that the new Pan American S has adaptive ride height meaning the bike will lower itself a couple inches when stopped.
The biggest drawback for me was the 35 inch seat height. I only have a 30 inch inseam.
I was really uncomfortable sitting at a red light with only the ball of my left foot on the ground holding up a 530 pound bike.
However, once rolling the bike was amazing. Lots of power and torque and very comfortable to ride.
I did see that the new Pan American S has adaptive ride height meaning the bike will lower itself a couple inches when stopped.