Since Last weekend, the new HD Pan America “S” is presented to motorcycle journalists for the first time. I had the chance to meet HD Officials during this ongoing event yesterday.
In marginal weather a “PRO” has demonstrated that this new development from Harley Davidson can certainly claim a place in the field of “Adventure Tourer Motorcycle Competition”.
So far, I have only seen the motorcycle on videos, and I am excited when I can drive the Pan America for the first time in about 4 weeks. This was even not possible yesterday. Looking only, taking photos from the first time having a real HD Pan America in front of my lens.
Since yesterday, I have to realize that I must still wait about 2 additional months for the final delivery of and the first ride on my motorcycle. It does not matter that I was probably one of the first customers having ordered an HDPA exceedingly early on, because of my 1-100,000 km project.
I must accept, that all over the world test rides are offered to ride the bike invited via HD. These test rides are reserved for dealers and journalists only. So closed society ☹ HD may be sure, that I will focus on the motorcycle very seriously, I will challenge it maybe more that all the guys having the chance to ride it now, mainly for the purpose of writing reports for advertising purposes. This is acceptable and fully understandable from the marketing perspective. However, not a member of this society, I will write my reports in a fair and firm manner and will start with the first comparison with the BMW GS 1250 HPA as I own and ride one.
The HDPA “S” version I had ordered since December will be available in mid-June. ☹
Harley Davidson has fully succeeded in challenging the competitive market of adventure motorcycles.
BMW scores with the higher torque despite the lower KW / PS power. HD scores with the newly developed semi-active chassis and the low seating position. In the (S) version with the additional, adaptive seat height when the motorcycle is coming to a complete stop.
The BMW-GS 1250 Adventure looks bigger because of the 30-liter tank. The total weight of the BMW with a full tank (30 liters) is 9 KG higher, but with only 21 liters refueled (tank content with the HDPA) it comes up same to a similar weight for both motorcycles. The wheelbase is shorter on the BMW. The Pan America scores with a 6.8-inch TFT touch screen display and more than 6 driving modes. In contrast, the suspension travel of the BMW-GS 1250 is longer at the front and rear. The windshield mounted at the HD Pan America is incredibly soft and will probably flutter a lot at higher speeds or on longer gravel passages. I will see… 😊
I am missing additional locking and fixation support options here. An electric adjustment as installed is nice for touring motorcycle, but not always functional for an adventure motorcycle.
For the same reason, I had to attach 2 Wunderlich reinforcements and a spoiler to my GS 1250 to be able to drive relaxed 180 on the highway, or on lose ground without a permanent screen wiggle. But of course, in America you are only allowed to drive 130 😉
Ultimately, the Pan America (S) with all the extras included is around 2000 euros cheaper than the BMW 1250 GSA. At BMW, there are no upper limits set, in relation to extras via BMW itself and the known suppliers.
On the other hand, I see a big problem with the range of accessories at Pan America now. HD claims to deliver everything itself. This is part of the HD business DNA.
Around 90% of potential Pan America buyers will probably not go on a world tour with this motorcycle. My friends from K + M Harleyworld have already sold 3 motorcycles to Harley enthusiasts, but they will probably move the motorcycle on the road rather like another cruiser Harley.
It can therefore be stated that the market launch of the motorcycle is on the right track.
From this perspective, the range of accessories provided by HD may be sufficient. But I want to test the motorcycle as an adventure tourer over 100,000 km over the next 2 years and I am one of the remaining 10% of potential buyers who buy such a motorcycle or a BMW GS, Yamaha Tenere 700, Honda Africa Twin, etc. for exactly this purpose.
The question is not if, but when to fall over with a heavy motorcycle in the 210 kg PLUS weight class! With 258 KG, the HD Pan Americana is more likely to play in the GS league. I will optimize the motorcycle in such a way that in the end this new product mutates into a functional adventure motorcycle for the purpose of my 1-100.000 km Project.
Protective applications able for ordering via Harley Davidson Pan America as of April 15, 2021:
Underrun engine protection
Head Light Protection
Cooler protection
Crash bars sufficient, could be pulled up higher into the tank area
Exhaust protection
Hand protectors
available but in my eyes room for enhancement! They are only made for moisture protection and optics. Hand protectors must have a steel core, because otherwise in case of fall over / down the hand and associated levers are not protected enough.
Footrests adjustable and wide
but not movable 20 Degrees up and down as PIVOT Pegs do
Handlebar height increase is available.
Brake lever adjustment is mounted – 90-degree turn + 1,5 cm
Obviously missing:
- Foldable and adjustable gear lever (adaptation to different boots, fall protection)
- Movable footrests (20 degrees) as with PIVOTPEGS – important for long periods of standing.
- Handlebar cross brace
- Mirror arm extension to the right / left.
- Left side, especially the injection distributor, is not protected. Falling over to the left on a gravel passage, hitting a sharp stone, end of trip.
Watch my BMW GS1250 HPA customizing video how to make this motorcycle ready for adventure purpose as an example:
Tire Problem – Missing choices:
HD is a partner of Michelin and therefore only two types of Michelin tires are currently approved for Pan America. Yes, the mounted tire is a special edition based on a special contract between Michelin and HD. However, it seems that this design is based on the Michelin Anakee Adventure and the Knobby Tire on the Michelin Anakee Wild.
That is why I proactively put the comparable Michelin Anakee Adventure tires on my BMW GS for a test in February and have so far driven 7100 km with them. Tire change is scheduled again during next week. This tire lasts just 8000 km. The Michelin Anakee Wild as 50/50 tires maximum 5000 km. These are particularly good tires for local use, but these tires are not the cross-country utility runner, needed by world travelers.
Heidenau K60 Scout and Mitas E07 Dakar are the tires of choice for me and many other adventure riders. These tires, which last about 15,000 km and offer good grip on the road, on gravel and on loose surfaces. They are 50% On road 50% Off-road Tires with na speed range to 180 km/h. I guess this limitation is acceptable. Even HD will electronically limit the top speed to 170 km/h when knobby tires installed. In the V Speed area – unlimited above 180 km/h-240 km/h, I can only recommend the Metzeler Karo Street. This tire is an 80% Street 20% Off-road tire, and it also lasts 10-13,000 km as an exceptionally good all-rounder without limitations. I have driven the tire set all winter. 😊
Here are the tire limits, released by the EU certification body:
- P = 150 km/h
- Q = 160 km/h
- R = 170 km/h
- S = 180 km/h
- T = 190 km/h
- U = 200 km/h
- H = 210 km/h
- V = 240 km/h
Michelin tires are good tires, but they have a soft Silicea compound, which offers good grip in wet conditions, but wears off more quickly. Michelin knows this problem. From a safety perspective, HD made a good choice with Michelin. Many motorcyclists do not even drive 5000 km per year. This is especially the case with a high percentage of origin HD customers. Thus, a tire that is soft and adheres well is a good choice. An adventure rider who wants to go on a world tour, will need a compromise, a roadrunner on all terrain and, above all, a long mileage.
BMW therefore have approved all kind of tires fit for purpose with EU and associated speed approval for the GS. As an adventure rider, so I always have the option of choosing my set of tires the way I want to use my motorcycle now or for a specific project.
This is not the case with HD at the moment, because there are probably limiting contracts with Michelin. The 10% Adventure Rider, although this segment is being advertised in all the videos, is not on HDs real radar.
The ongoing HD advertising with a lot of off-road components, reminds me to the “world of adventure” advertising from Marlboro cigarettes in the 8os. Therefore, I will certainly remove the Michelin tires fitted by HD over the summer and switch to Mitas / Heidenau very quickly via individual registration change and approvement with the help of the German certification body TUV as I will not change 6 times my tires on my planned Pan America trip.
I do not know now, how HD is going will deal with this fact in the future.
Baggage systems:
HD offers 3 luggage systems. It remains to be seen how these systems will perform on the motorcycle. The tank bag seems to have been designed very well. Personally, the SW Motech Trax cases on the motorcycle are a bit too bulky in my eyes. Coming back to the HD business model, origin SW Motech Trax cases will not slide in into the HD rack. When it comes to soft bags, I am an advocate of these systems because if you fall over the motorcycle is protected and if you have an accident with oncoming traffic and getting hit, you will not fall over.
Any luggage system should be not extending the wideness of the handlebar. Otherwise, is there a continues risk to hit oncoming traffic or traffic on the side or objects during passes on small streets. My opinion, sorry to say this, all options of flexibility in tight traffic situations are jeopardized if you choose a large baggage system. However, everybody is different and different point of views related to that matter must be tolerated.
For me, however, it is already clear, that I will add my own concept and luggage solution. For this purpose, I only need the luggage rack from HD. I will report on this later.
Harley had not an easy task to challenge the adventure motorcycle market from 1 to 100 %. Yes, I can see that all advertising activities addresses the 10% of possible adventure riders. If I audit the motorcycle as I have seen it yesterday, I assume the design, protection, equipment was more developed and designed for the other 90 % of motorcycle enthusiasts, loving the brand Harley Davidson and loving to ride, longer, faster with this new Pan America mostly on European Streets. For this purpose, is the basic Pan America fully sufficient and app 3000 Euros cheaper than the basic BMW GS 1250 HP without the adventure attribute.
Overall, Harley Davidson made it. From now on the new Pan America will play a role on the market segment of adventure motorcycles. This will be not a small role – chapeau 😊
I see my task to challenge, test, optimize my Pan America S 100.000 km during the next 2 years and to ride the Pan America Highway beginning next year from Ushuaia to Prudhoe Bay.
Like a kid is waiting for Christmas, it is hard for me to wait until mid-June when my HDPA will be subject for hand over to me … You will see me and my Pan America mid-July on the Ligurian gravel roads and in September in Morocco. www.motorradtour-adventure.com
Keeping you posted
Jo