15,000 mile review of the 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America S

[@moto-minimalist8196]

At 4:50 you summed it up perfectly! I tried to explain it to my riding buddies but couldn't manage it as well as you did. Once I started riding the bike I began to realize that so little concentration goes into riding the bike that I am able to spend my full attention on my surroundings. I have 4500 miles on mine, with zero mechanical issues. My clock doesn't see to want to keep the right time but other than that no problems. Love the videos, more please.

[@floridajim]

When your on the wrong side of 50 (damn near 60) not too many things that rekindle the idea of having fun for fun's sake. This bike's one of them.

[@billreynolds2221]

Nice to see a geezer like me still out there riding the wheels off his bike. I bought a new bmw r1250gs last summer and also felt like I’d been riding it for years. Engineers got the ergonomics perfect for me. It may be the first bike I’ve ever owned that I can ride a hundred miles and not be looking for a reason to get off. I’m 66 years old and have too many physical limitations to mention but this bike allows me to ride like I was a young buck again. Love the adventure bikes. Good luck with yours and be safe.

[@seniorp9444]

Thanks for doing this. Since it’s so new there are not many people with as many miles as you have so your testimony for durability and reliability is important.

[@floridajim]

It's a great bike, though since I posted that I seem to be developing electronic issues - I posted about it in kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipC0i4hmpt-Ud9E I'm still using it this week as a daily driver until I have the time to get it in to the HD dealer.

[@mikedall9527]

Thank you for this. It's a great, honest review. I am planning to buy a 1250S tomorrow. You have just confirmed that my decision is correct. A video on the manual sounds like a brilliant idea. Go for it!!!

[@floridajim]

It's a great bike, though since I posted that I seem to be developing electronic issues - I posted about it in kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipC0i4hmpt-Ud9E I'm still using it this week as a daily driver until I have the time to get it in to the HD dealer.

[@hughmac7423]

I just brought the 2022 model in March 2023, it is a fantastic bike. First new bike in 35 years, my last one was a 1988 Lowrider, I still have it, with a sidecar fitted, it feels very vintage in comparison to the Pan Am, but is still lots of fun.

[@twowheelcagefreeliving.5906]

You stated that so perfectly. I feel the same way like it was made for me. Love mine.

[@paulkernen9736]

thank you for your information I bought this bike yesterday and there is a huge mix of opinions my dealership is great and i look forward to putting serious miles this year. cheers from Ontario Canada Happy new year

[@floridajim]

Enjoy it & make up your own mind - there;s good & bad in everything.

[@SNOWBIRDBIKER]

Good video. I’m in Canada, and I have 14,000 km on mine. I’m not into Iron Butt riding like you are, but I did one saddlesore 1000 on it. So far it’s treated me well. I enjoy riding the bike. My biggest concerns have come from reading about the problems others are having. There’s been a couple of glitches which required computer updates, but it’s never left me stranded. I guess I got a Wednesday bike as well. Cheers!!

[@floridajim]

Thanks, I've seen quite a few off road & ADV videos from Canada, love to make it up there when the border opens again.

[@grayghost1423]

I enjoy mine.

[@BaggerBro]

Lmao... first night bring my Pan-America home , i dumped it getting off of the bike. I my left ankle got pinned between the bike and my Harbor Freight motorcycle lift. Almost broke it. Haha finally got all the updates done properly thanks to the boys at Orlando Harley South. I still have issues connecting my Sena 50s and Phone to the bike properly. Other than that 5,000 miles and she runs like a top!

[@silverrambo1508]

I am happy to hear it that the PamericaS is a great motorbike. Left hand up.

[@monunyabidness5949]

I bought all my bikes (Honda Africa Twin) out of state and did about the same thing with the last two. Buying in Arkansas and riding to Los Angeles the next day from Dallas. Hell of a trip. That next weekend I headed up to Hearst Castle then San Francisco, across to Sacramento and bacl to LA. I had 5000 miles on her in the first 2 weeks. I'm glad you're enjoying your bike!!!!

[@floridajim]

That's the only way to really get to know a bike.

[@johncate326]

Thank you for your service and the candid review! Stay safe.

[@mikedanaher2409]

Sounds like a great bike. You laid out the good the bad and yet there was no ugly. Appreciate the information.

[@30fgallardo]

In Canada 🇨🇦, only have 500 km . I can't wait to add more.

[@biker_dale]

Thanks for the honest and practical review. I did write it off as a gimmick from Harley but may look at it again now.

[@floridajim]

On the surface it may seem like a gimmick or an attempt to jump on a train that left the station years ago, but I think this may actually be the most important bike Harley has produced since the Blockhead in 1984.

[@BGPD70]

Amazing that I've said the exact phrases to my friends. This bike immediately felt like the ride I started on in teens all the way my now mid 50's. This is the total package. Harley has proven there's more than gold at the end of the rainbow, there's more throttle too. Still have low miles on my '22 but I'm itching for 15K , safe riding maybe see you in the pan handle.

[@roadtramppaul1981]

Good informative review, I bought one, have 5000km o it, good to see higher milage on one. I'm in Ireland 🇮🇪

[@billyflanagan9657]

Do you still have it?Are you happy with it?

[@roadtramppaul1981]

@billyflanagan9657 still have it, no issues, 20,000 km on it

[@billyflanagan9657]

@roadtramppaul1981 great news I am trading my lowrider st in for one in waterford. Thanks for the reply

[@roadtramppaul1981]

@billyflanagan9657 waterford great to deal with

[@raymunchieftain4170]

Thank You for an honest review with experience. I'm seriously considering a Pan Am S !!!

[@floridajim]

Glad it was helpful, though I'd recommend test riding it before you put any money down. It is a very unique bike, unlike any other Harley,

[@harmonyandserenity]

Don't do that, I have one and it has been more time at the dealership than I have ridden. The bike has issues that never ends.

[@NoLimitzz9]

Appreciate your service and your video! Thanks greatly.

[@davidpierce1363]

Hey Jim, thanks for putting out a fine video. I'm glad you said what you did about all the breakdowns others have experienced. These bikes are put together by people for the most part and s_it happens. Except for a few design flaws, from what I've seen and heard, I think H.D. hit a home run. I'm hoping they fix a few more things on their 2023 model. I absolutely would love one myself!!

[@tweetchris46]

Thanks for the honest review, ride safe...from the UK

[@cdfort]

Great thanks for the honest video. Yes do a video on the manual please! Purchased one in the UK; should only be a few weeks more 😁

[@floridajim]

Any luck?

[@black_widow_overland]

Awesome video. Thanks for the honest review. Safe travels

[@metalzhenry]

I like this review. It is believable. Has a much better context being your the owner and have put some real miles on. Thank you sir

[@marinebcreation5010]

I love my pan america special. Hello from France.

[@travelinben1966]

Your experience is encouraging.It's the first I've seen where the owner didn't have issues,and ultimately traded it for something else.

[@cpuuk]

Real owner, riding real miles is the best sort of review- thx.

[@johnb7014]

Best bike I’ve ever owned. I love it.

[@frodelien3569]

Glad to hear this. My PAS is on the way from the factory now. Can't wait👍

[@floridajim]

Thanks, but be sure to watch my "jinxed" and Flash update videos for more info on issues that popped up after the 15k. I still love my PanAm and am riding as a daily driver to work, as well as running IBA certs with it.

[@frodelien3569]

@@floridajim i hope they made rhe modifications necessary to the -22. Fingers crossed🙂

[@floridajim]

@@frodelien3569 Cold morning starts when the bike spends the night outdoors is the the biggest issue I'm looking into right now.

[@frodelien3569]

@@PeterAngles-ks9fp worked perfectly for 1.5 season so far

[@frodelien3569]

@@PeterAngles-ks9fp I'm om my 8'th HD now, without a single serious problem. So I guess we have different experiences👍

[@heyitswesty]

looking really hard at the pan am s. Love motorcycling and the bike seems fantastic. Would prefer shaft to chain but that's just me and I don't know if that's going to keep me from picking one of these up.

[@HDVIBE]

Great honest review. Thanks for sharing👍👊🇺🇸

[@robbyclark6915]

Aaaahhh, I might have made a mistake? I was seriously looking at a Pan America recently but went with a Low Rider S instead because I just wasn’t confident yet that Harley had these bikes figured out and were reliable. I have seen a couple of really bad reviews on the bike by owners of it. One gentleman even traded his in for a GS and for good reason. However, the majority of reviews are very similar to this one. I guess that for every bad review I’ve seen there’s probably 10 or more good ones, even great ones. It seems there’s not a lot of middle ground with this bike. It seems people either get a dud that has constant problems or they get a great bike that they absolutely adore! The vast majority falling into the latter category. Well, the good news is, they haven’t stopped making them and in the meantime I still have a great bike that I absolutely love in the FXLRS. Great review!

[@floridajim]

I was seriously looking at the Lowrider S when it came out, but just couldn’t swing it (and HD had just completely rebuilt my Crossbone’s transmission & it was running great). I’m interested in the Lowrider ST, but when I hopped on the display at Bike Week the foot pegs were all wrong - and it was in that ugly grey (too many years underway I guess). The black & gold one is still tempting, and bears more than a passing resemblance to my very first Harley (79 Lowrider), the sled I had when I met my wife. The air-cooled V-twins are pretty well sorted out, so I don’t think it was a mistake unless you are planning ADV rides. The PanAm is a bit of a hit or miss bike - mine’s been running great, but there absolutely been some issues out there. You could have bought a good one and loved it, or you could have bought a problem child and hated it. They’re getting better, but it’s still an expensive roll of the dice and $25K+ is a lot of money to stake (at least to me)

[@SquaficleDude]

This is the bike that’s going to get me into Harley.

[@floridajim]

Test ride it before putting $$ down, it is pretty unique. Kind of a love-hate type of bike.

[@seniorp9444]

I always make sure bike is in gear when using this kickstand that way its limited on how much it can roll off it. Maybe the aftermarket will find a solution. If it keeps selling well the aftermarket will have options for just about everything on the bike.

[@floridajim]

Good advise, especially with this bike.

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Thanks for another great video. Having ridden for 50 years plus like you I never imagined paying so much for a bike but after test riding it I had to buy it. Your also right when you say its a bargain when compared to the prices of other ABs. I didn't know how the side stand worked so it was interesting to see you explain it. I would add that it as does the centre stand needs a bigger footprint to allow easier use. As you will know some have broken the grab rail when using it to pull the bike onto the centre stage. Given this is my first Harley I am now wondering whether I should try a " proper " Harley as I think the low down torque would be the same as I had on my BMW GS which I am missing. It doesn't help that my new Harley friends keep calling my bike a Honda 😂😂. Stay safe out there.

[@floridajim]

If you've never ridden one, go to a dealership and test ride a "proper" one. They have a unique feel to them you have to try to understand. Tons of low end torque and rock solid on the freeway. But if you expect anywhere near the performance of a Pan Am, or any modern bike, you'll be disappointed.

[@2wheelsrbest327]

@@floridajim Thank you for your advice. I actually bit the bullet yesterday & although it's older brought a 2014 Fat Boy and I already love it.Plenty of low torque is just what I wanted.

[@greasycanadianbiker]

Appreciate the honesty. Thanks for this!

[@KENNETHedwardMitchell]

I’ve been puzzling over the kickstand as well. But if it’s attached to the engine isn’t best it has some breakaway point. In other words it needs to fail. I know i love it so far. Its a bike. With a monster engine. Its pun fun. I have issues with the gear shifter fitting certain boots.

[@floridajim]

The shifter is a bit strange and clunky with off-road boots. I also notice that I almost always use my heel to shift from N to 1 when I fire it up in the morning.

[@philipparana9225]

This guy is a true American.

[@neilbpence]

I'm happy with mine so far. 8600 miles and no problems. I do blame HD for the backlog of accessories. Make that shit in the USA!

[@floridajim]

I've had stuff on order since I bought it last year, I'm starting to look at the aftermarket for luggage, skid plates, bigger windshield, accessoey mounts.

[@davidknows3320]

TOH Rider 833 here. Thanks for the video!

[@floridajim]

Thanks for watching!, Going to run the ToH again next year?

[@davidknows3320]

@@floridajim absolutely!!!! I have reserved my number. I really enjoy it.

[@billyflanagan9657]

Great Review

[@victorgonza4528]

Well done and congrats

[@dancrawford174]

HD hit this one out of the park!

[@floridajim]

They needed to, and they did.

[@grayghost1423]

Thank you.

[@stevexxl777]

Great video. Thanks!

[@erikjensen6503]

I bought a 2022 PAS and at 1100 miles no power. Dealer has had it for 3 1/2 weeks, wth? Otherwise i loved it so far

[@floridajim]

When it runs right it is by far the best bike I've ever owned. When it's having electronic problems I'm about ready to trade it for something I can fix on the side of the road like an early 60's Panhead, early 90's Sportster, or an early KLR with a milk crate strapped to the back.

[@바보Queen]

ill wait for the 2022 version when it has a quickshifter option

[@floridajim]

If you want a quickshifter a 2022 is the way to go. It looks like they listened to what people were asking for and made it available. They had to change the wiring harness to do it, so it won't fit a 2021.

[@lt.kingslayer5759]

My pan America Lugz and hesitate when not warmed up before a ride.

[@floridajim]

I noticed that this morning on the way to work, I didn't notice it before (the new flash maybe?). By the time I'm out of my neighborhood (a couple of minutes) it is all warmed up and ready to go.

[@lt.kingslayer5759]

I forgot to mention my heating bars do not work no longer the throttle one connects and disconnects

[@browngreen933]

I'm interested in hearing what the PA Owner's Manual lacks, thanks!

[@floridajim]

Noted!

[@Dundertaker1]

The electronics sticking out behind the tire!?!?!?! WHY HARLEY WHY???? I've never understood their engineers sticking those behind the wheels and usually either in the hottest or most dangerous place for one of the most sensitive pieces of electronics on the bike. DUMB! I rode them 2x....great bike, not perfect. The "crotch pot cooking" from the engine heat was my #1 complaint. The kickstand is annoying too. :) Runs like a champ and Fast AF! thanks for sharing.

[@dylkelley]

I’m about to lemon law mine. You got a lucky one 🎉

[@floridajim]

I HAD a luck one.

[@dylkelley]

@@floridajim dang brother. What happened to yours?

[@pspez]

How do you like the Harley tank bag?

[@floridajim]

OK for a regular commuter bike, and far better than nothing. But I think the Fandango is much better: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4LVdaScbL9-bNk

[@lakegeneva4851]

Thank you for this. There is a downloadable manual which is much better

[@floridajim]

Yes, though I'm still waiting for them to release the service manual.

[@joaodores2352]

Hello. What about the heat that comes from the right side of the engine? Is it tolerable in a summer day?

[@floridajim]

It is hot. Then again, all emission controlled bikes have to run hot to meet emissions - not just the Pan Am. My BMW F800GS ran hot. Here's an example. Back when Mr. Overlander was into bikes he commented on how hot his 2013 Yamaha YZF-R1 ran, and posted a video about how much cooler it ran after re-flashing it: 2013 Yamaha YZF-R1 Review Hot or Not? kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3_HZH1vmq2igsk And even though my Crossbones is an air-cooled Twin Cam it ran noticeably cooler after I added a Power Commander - even though I added hotter cams which bumped it up to 96hp. While that might help with the Pan Am, personally there is no way I'd even consider re-flashing it while all the electrical issues are being worked out. That seems like a sure fire way to void at least the computer portion of the warranty, if not the whole thing. But back to your original question, it usually doesn't bother me. I only wear jeans & ankle boots short trips around town and it doesn't bother me much. On the long trips I'm wearing the Rev'it/HD boots & pants which do a pretty good job of shielding me. Or maybe I'm just heat tolerant from growing up in FL in a house without air conditioning & all the time I spent deployed to North Africa & the Middle East....

[@raidernation4life854]

I believe a lot of people that have issues with not just the Pan America but Harley’s in general is the lack of information and not reading their owners manual and performing proper maintenance

[@floridajim]

It's the result a 100+ year old culture that went awry sometime in the 80-90s and no longer fits. Here's my view of it, a typical dirt-poor saddle tramp from the 70-80s. Harley motors from the Knucklehead through the blockhead were pretty simple & rugged, getting progressively easier to maintain every generation. With the move from the Knuckle to the Pan you no longer had to grease rocker arms, from the Pan to the Shovel you no longer had to adjust pushrods weekly, from the Shovel to the cone Shovel introduced alternators and eventually made setting and adjusting points a thing of the past. The maintenance I did on my `79 Lowrider was similar, but easier, than what Ol' Jake (RIP) was doing on his pre-war Knuckle, and he was able to teach me pretty quick. They could all easily be maintained by the rider (and needed it regularly). When AMF took over Harley began pushing dealer maintenance & bikers became "persona non grata" in the dealerships. We taught each other everything from how to rivet small block Chevy points on Harley plates to how to run Corvair pistons in an 80" Flathead. Those cast-iron motor were as tough, rugged (and heavy) as a farm tractor and could survive amazing abuse. And if you could maintain or rebuild any of them you could figure out all of them. With the AMF buyout things radically changed. Harleys were mainstream cool, the Blockhead was as reliable as a car, leather jackets, engineer boots, cuts & black T-shirts were not only allowed but sold in the dealerships, and the rich new breed of Harley owner - used to having their car maintained at the dealership - did the same with their bike. Factory support for private maintenance drifted even further away. From all this we now have a weird mix of a company & customers that assumes Harley should do all the maintenance, some riders that think the bikes need once a year maintenance, others who won't take it to a "stealership", and others who worry about damaging their "investment" by riding too much or getting recalls done. Then they threw into this mess a radical new cutting edge bike - design finalized and assembled in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic - with almost no support, no parts, no hands on training for techs (COVID), and no experience or maintenance history to draw from. While things aren't as good as I'd like, I'm surprised it's not a complete disaster.

[@depthsounderdave]

@@floridajim well said

[@motomike007-1]

Great video! I bought my pan America on Sunday at space coast Harley. Unfortunately never made it out parking lot. Bike died codes lit up and 6 days later no bike.

[@floridajim]

That sucks, no excuse for that.

[@billyflanagan9657]

Feels like my old 1983 honda CB1100F

[@floridajim]

Feels far more like that than a Harley, that's for sure.

[@Patriot-Logic]

Sounds like it’s your first non cruiser!

[@floridajim]

Nope, in my earlier videos I was comparing the PanAm to the BMW F800GS I had for a few years. I also had an MT500, a heavy little HD dual sport that I ran off road, commuted to work with, and even ran in a Supermoto up in Cuddlebackville, NY (bad idea - I melted the seals out of the rear caliber). And even though it started out life as a cruiser, I had an 883 that I tore down and rebuilt to run in the short lived AMA Dual Sport series (flat track & road race on "stock" 883 Sportys, though it cost more to modify them to the "stock" specs than I paid for the bike). But you're not too far off, I spent around 30 of my 40 years riding on cruisers and choppers (if you consider Sportys, Glides & FXRTs cruisers)

[@Megakoolguy357]

For guys who like riding on the road, I think this bike is perfect. It's unfortunate that Harley made a few decisions that make its ADV usage very limited, but they can't directly compete with BMW and KTM. This bike is a great way to split the difference between the new riders they want to sell to and the faithful customers they have had for decades. As far as marketing goes, I don't know if they could have done any better at that price point.

[@floridajim]

Harley marketing certainly had their job cut out for them with this bike - some times it seems like their potential customers are looking for a Hayabusa killer for under $10k, while their old school customers want them to put the valves back down beside the pistons where they belong....

[@Megakoolguy357]

@Peter Angles You must be a troll. A Suzuki Vstrom is $15,200 base model to the Panamerica's $17,000. The "out the door" price on bikes is okay to use to compare dealerships, but it is meaningless when comparing specific machines. The Suzuki is the same weight and has far less horsepower. If you wanted to compare the Panam to an AT or a T7 (way lighter and way more off road capable) or to a GS (closer in market), I'd entertain that. The Suzuki is just a slightly "worse" version of a BMW GS or a HD Panam. If I had the choice to make again, I probably would have bought a used AT. Cheaper, good parts availability, more off road capable, and well proven for over 5 years. Now that I'm into the HD, I find it far more than adequate for commuting and no slouch on gravel either.

[@zyonsdream]

I had about 3,000 miles on mine before the dealer was forced to buy it back from me. We were one instance away from meeting federal lemon law requirements. It kept throwing codes and going into limp mode. The codes indicated the ECU kept losing contact with the BCM and another module I can’t remember right now. The MoCo couldn’t figure it out and my dealer was clueless. I basically traded it in on a Heritage Softail even though I didn’t really want it. I just refused to keep the Pan Am. To me, the bike is garbage.

[@tadstertrolley7770]

Apart from throwing up codes, what else was wrong with it?

[@gatti493]

I live in Britain 🇬🇧, we have quite a wet environment over here, my pal has a pan America on a 2021 and there is a serious issue that nobody seems to mention, RUST ! MY pal has 4000 on his bike and almost every bolt is rusty, especially around the headlight , this makes it look old and shabby when is is only just over 12 months old with low mileage, I have recently traded in an Africa twin on a 2020 plate with 4500 miles on it and it was immaculate condition, anybody thinking of buying this bike should be made aware of this rust issue ! Also his exhaust is ridiculously discoloured, his bike now just looks old and shabby , very poor

[@floridajim]

That seems to be a Harley thing, and back when I was running a big twin I had the habit of shooting all my bolts with a light coat of Krylon paint to prevent the rust. I actually picked that habit up from my racing days for an entirely different reason. Back then we used to spray all the parts and fasteners (in a contrasting color) we were worried about. It was such cheap paint that it would crack off when something got a bit loose or over flexed and let us know there was a problem.

[@gatti493]

@@floridajim good thinking that ! Harley have a bit of a cheek selling a bike for that kind of money without stainless steel hardware??

[@chrishartman9467]

I pray you ride with a helmet of salvation JESUS! GOD bless!

[@chopperchopster]

hmmm Nice but Im not getting rid of my pans, shovels or ironheads. LOL!!!! That thing is UGLY! I see that digital dash stuff and Im like WTF I wouldnt even know how to start it.

[@floridajim]

I have two Harleys, the Pan Am and a 2009 CrossBones. Two very different design philosophies. With the Pan Am form follows function. With the CrossBones form is function.

[@chopperchopster]

@@floridajim i prefer old school. I have panhead choppers. Couple of shovels . Ironhead choppers. 82 FXR I'm slowly restoring . Parts not easy to find for that one! Daily ride is an 09 Dyna street Bob. Also have classic Honda Yamaha and triumph. Those are all choppers. Simple . Old school. Not into technology. I respect it, it's just not for me. When I think off road my mind goes to MX bikes. Arena cross. Super cross. Seth Enslow kings of crusty. I prefer light to light . City riding. I'm from Brooklyn. Do over 100 miles a day never leave the city LOL. I'm in phx now. Big spread out city. Suits my riding perfectly. My bikes are transportation not recreation. Plenty of desert here in Az I bet that bike is great out here but its just not for me.