#PanAmerica

First instalment onboard this lovely Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special.
This is exactly as it says on the tin. First ride review, pulling up any niggles I can find, and telling you guys my first impressions. These are the important things to me, and perhaps to all of us. I'm sure the bike will come into it's own over the coming miles.
Stay tuned over the next couple of videos for the "500 mile" thing I mentioned.
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[@mattimoto]

I'm so happy you are testing my favourite bike. I have one and I'll tell you now nearly all these headlamps need adjusting so it's aiming higher. I was so angry with mine as I commute every day on mine and ride home in the dark, I adjusted it higher and its now very good. Also the lean sensitive light needs the opposite as it annoys everyone in front of you. Ride modes I suggest custom A copy sport. Max throttle response, max engine breaking, suspension Road which is a mixture of sport and road. Custom B I would copy sport, do the same settings as custom A BUT change suspension to Sport. Keep battery topped up on tender, there's a connection under the seat, as the battery power is terrible. A lot of us are changing to a lithium battery. This bike is very quirky. If you need any questions answering, you can ask anytime. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It's extremely capable on and off road. Also that screen isn't a standard screen

[@RichyVida]

Thanks Matti 👍

[@motorcyclistfromholland8856]

I am not a HD fan by far but could make a 20 min test drive on a HD Panamerica Special. Have to say it was brilliant! Very powerful, comfortable. Just really really nice. Then you look a the details like how did HD placed the cables and ignition coils and you wonder who’s ruining a really good bike on details but HD succeeded. Also the heat coming from the exhaust in the summer was horrible. Bit like KTM 1290 heat. But overall a really good bike. Easy to manoeuvre and very easy to drive slowly. Way nicer than my r1200gs does. So….maby I will buy a Pan America in the future if the details are better.

[@greenrush4313]

I've owned both. Sold my BMW to buy the Pan Am and have not been disappointed. BMW has some annoying traits that you did not hit on which have plagued the bike for years. Overall though, I thought your review was well done. The Pan Am is not perfect but neither was the BMW. I'm at 7500 miles now with zero issues. Overall what has impressed me most about the Pan Am is its ability to chew up miles without effort. What impressed me the least about the Pan Am and something Harley really needs to address is the size and placement of the rear tail light. Small and hard to see with full bags on the bike. Borderline dangerous. I rigged aftermarket LED's on my tail box to help with that. Otherwise, good scoot. 14 Reply

[@stuarthull5706]

I have a 21 model and the adaptive lights are fabulous and I love the whole bike, the ARH is great. I adjusted the lights to the highest settings and have a short screen

[@andrewmason2879]

Interesting I am glad you have you hands on one. Have a lovely Christmas mate to you and your family and thanks for all the brilliant videos you but out for all of us to enjoy 👍👍

[@GillyBikes]

I tested one when they first came out. I thought it was great in sport mode but every other mode was just tame. So I stayed in sport mode and had a brilliant time 😎

[@jesusamador4661]

Even better if you place it in a custom mode setting and change the throttle response to max instead of base

[@English-Motorcycle-Adventures]

Great to see you out, testing not just in the daytime but also in the evening Rich 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@greengoblindave]

Yeah. You got one. Great first review. Lights are pants arnt they. I don’t like the front. Back from the bars yes. But the front ? Nah. 258kg. Slightly heavier that the AT. But where is that weight Richy ? Up at the top like the A,T ? Or lower down ?? Like the idea of it lowering as you slow it down.. and the turning circle. Can’t wait to see more videos on this machine. I have seen it used off road. But it would be great to see how you handle it… 👍👍

[@peterhobbs7609]

Great to see you riding something so different Richy, another positive is that the valves never need to be adjusted, great for the long term owner, merry Christmas to you and the family, 🎉

[@denismustafa4225]

Informative as always Richy. ❤

[@IngramCars]

Great first review, enjoyed the ride along. Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year to everyone.

[@PureEvolution]

Never been a fan of Harley but past few months been looking to swap to a ADV and its was in there in my top 3 so defo done well with the Pan America for sure its a stunning back from what i have seen and heard

[@martinburns342]

I've never understood why the UK does some metric and some imperial. Like MPH and MPG. Reviews do power in HP and torque in Nm. Seat height in mm. I would have thought being part of Europe as you were everything would go metric, its much easier. Merry Christmas from Down Under 🇦🇺

[@Nick10407]

Well we (UK) half-arsed the switch to metric. The Miles per Gallon measure is even worse as fuel is sold by the Litre....

[@andyscothern7527]

Another great video its great seeing you riding around my local area.

[@willhoult]

Brilliant vid richy beast of a bike

[@LickyDischarge]

Nice video as ever Richy. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas ❤️ and all the best for 2024.

[@beans4491]

Nice little ride that Richy!…have a great Christmas mate.

[@DanceMusic1957]

Nice one Richy,be interesting too see how you get on with it....wishing you and your family all the best for Christmas. Regards Glenn.👍

[@bikerbuddy3166]

Enjoyed that as ever 😎🙏 look forward to watching the rest of the vids on this bike 😎🤘❤️have a amazing Christmas looking forward to bumping into you next year 😎🤘❤️🙏

[@RichyVida]

Same to you, mate 👍

[@philliplum3845]

Great video.. Have a great Christmas

[@BestRoadsOfEurope]

Looking forward for more.

[@harley84fly]

Pull the front cowl off, it’s only popped on with rubber grommets. Adjust the low beam up a touch. Worked a treat for me after. The fuelling around town is awful on that bike. And corrosion was the reason I sold mine after a yr with Harley telling me it was my fault.

[@richardwitherstone7396]

Headlights all seem to be set to low on new bikes from the factory, my V strom was rubbish until i adjusted it up ,no problem now 😊

[@user-gn7cm6db2d]

Merry Christmas.

[@johnmacdonald1878]

Nice bike, enjoy the ride, interested in hearing your thoughts after riding for a while. Merry Christmas.

[@markcartwright1176]

Be interesting to see if headlamp aim as been set up right

[@bradleyalexander5821]

Been watching review videos of this HD bike for a couple of years now. No one has ever put her to the night light test. Your example was eye opening to be sure. 🏍️💨 👀 Thanks Richy 👍🏼

[@RichyVida]

Thanks for watching!

[@RevJay_Rides]

I bought one in 2022. I owned it for a bout 3 months, I believe. I absolutely loved it. It wasn’t my only bike. My main bike is a Grand Touring bike, the Ultra Limited. I need that because I do lots of long trips, including trips with my wife riding 2-up. The only reason I sold it was because things got tighter financially than I had anticipated. If I can ever afford a 2nd bike again, the Pan America is what I will buy.

[@RichyVida]

Great to hear!

[@likearolllinstone]

Great video, mate. I would try a little offloading if you can and test the modes out. Theyre very good for that . Also, I'm not sure what the 'B' mode is ! - I think they're customisable, I found that its better in traffic, but there is definitely a surge in road mode. PERHAPS if Harley are listening, they could do something about it as I'm sure it's engine management and could be rectified by an update - and not a fault as such. Thanks again, and Merry Christmas. Dave

[@BeanieBiker_AutisticRider]

HD are back at the ABR festival this year, you might get your chance to ride one with 50/50 tyres and take her on the trails

[@Sharpey76.]

Looks ok from the side but the front looks awful to me and i ride alot at night and those lights would scare the crap outta me lol Merry christmas to you and the family and i hope you all have a great new year!

[@p1lts1]

Well, I couldn’t be first this time. Bloody work got in the way again. Nice vid. Terrible lights though for a new bike. 😮👍

[@7485D]

The headlight looks like something a 70’s vacuum cleaner had.

[@markdunphy7652]

Beautiful Bike 10/10 For Style it looks good to drive And looks Comfortable,,,BUT That main light is not good i definitely would not have any trust in it..Thank god it's got Spotlights,,,But overall a Beautiful Bike...Well Done good Review and great Footage as always...absolutely loves your Channel i watched around 378 Episodes So Far and 100% one of the best Channels on KZbin....Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy New year and all the best for 2024

[@RichyVida]

Thanks very much, Mark 👍

[@paulsmyth497]

Rich. It's 1975. I'm in a Geography lesson, talking global economies with Sister Columba (Left Footer skewl pal). The "Argument" is Japan Vs USA industry. My mate Gaz behind me (and a Harley lover) and me (Honda lover - as tha’ knorrs) are trading insults. Then Sister Columba tells us that the Japanese marketing model is superior to the USA, and so I turn round to smirk, and say “See”, get “nabbed” - sent to the corridor where Mr Keegan finds us - and suggests we move to his office to avoid cluttering the corridor - and we both get three whacks on each hand!!!. I can STILL remember the sting pal. Have a great one mate.

[@albee68]

If it stalls for no apparent reason, change the key fob battery. In fact, renew the fob battery anyway; I set a reminder to change mine every 2 months, just to eleiminate the possibility. Despite the foibles, I love my PanAm

[@hughmac7423]

I have a Pan Am Special, it is a cool bike and over 10 months I've only had a few small problems. I've had no problems with the spokes, then we don't put salt on our roads in Australia. I found it funny that you use Celsius and Miles, we use Celsius and Kilometres. Funny also was you are the first person I've heard saying they like the sidestand.

[@RichyVida]

Aah really? People dislike it?

[@louiseworsfold47]

The side stand is the worst part of the bike. The extra lean you get means you have to be careful where you come to a stop. It also has a habit of flicking back up if there is a small amount of forward motion. You need to set it in gear, let the bike roll forward to take the bite, then put the side stand down… it’s THE one thing I would change in a heartbeat. Lastly, that Smokey screen you had is not stock.

[@PaulJohnson257]

I think your spoilt with your Africa lights which are amazingly bright, and to be honest I try to avoid night riding now, it’s an age thing 😂

[@RichyVida]

Yes, good point well made, but still..

[@motorbike-marra]

You’re welcome 😂 Pleased you have your hands on one looking forward to the reviews , I’m torn between this and the KTM 1290 S

[@RichyVida]

Top man!

[@davewash50]

Great first video Rich on the ultimate’marmite’ bike. Mate bought one and returned it after a week because the electronics were frankly dangerous. Will be interesting to see how you get on. Those lights are terrible!! Thank you👍

[@RichyVida]

Oh what issues did he have? Nothing dodgy with them here, yet. Today I rode in the p***ing rain with it and no issues. Performed remarkably well actually 👍

[@davewash50]

@@RichyVida the suspension had a mind of its own and kept changing settings whilst moving. And the modes would change whilst on the move also. Then the suspension locked in the low setting and wouldn’t change. Thoroughly dangerous motorcycle, so he rejected it and had his money back.

[@brucekendall52]

I would love to know how the world sales are doing versus your traditional adventure bikes.

[@ejdtm]

It’s funny that so much is metric over there with kilometers and Celsius except for your speed is in MPH

[@operator0]

To be fair, the UK is the only country I can think of that has MPH and metric for everything else. I know some other countries still unofficially use standard for some stuff (looking at you Canada), but the UK is the only one I can think of that mixes them in an official manner.

[@greenrush4313]

I've owned both. Sold my BMW to buy the Pan Am and have not been disappointed. BMW has some annoying traits that you did not hit on which have plagued the bike for years. Overall though, I thought your review was well done. The Pan Am is not perfect but neither was the BMW. I'm at 7500 miles now with zero issues. Overall what has impressed me most about the Pan Am is its ability to chew up miles without effort. What impressed me the least about the Pan Am and something Harley really needs to address is the size and placement of the rear tail light. Small and hard to see with full bags on the bike. Borderline dangerous. I rigged aftermarket LED's on my tail box to help with that. Otherwise, good scoot. 14 Reply

[@mattgolding7557]

Nice review….can I ask what rear bag you re using please ?

[@RichyVida]

Sure! It’s the Pro Rearbag from SW-Motech. Should be a link and discount in my description 👍

[@specter929]

IMPO, some nice parts on the bike, personally I just don't like the overall look of the bike. I love my S1000XR TE :) I am the same when i go to a nice Barbers, kind of therapeutic lol

[@user-mf1ur7zp7h]

I was given a Pan-Am for the day when my Harley LRS was being serviced. I was interested to ride it as I also have a KTM 1190 AdvS which on paper is very similar. I cam away thinking it was a highly commendable first attempt in a genre well out of HD's comfort zone, but far from the finished article. I liked the engine. Slightly wider spread of torque I thought than the KTM but not as responsive, as alive or as outright fast. Chassis not as nimble either. Didn't flick like the KTM but I'm sure that could be improved with different tyres. General build quality and equipment was excellent. What I really didn't find it was comfortable. The KTM isn't the plushest big adventure bike, not least because it's extremely tall so the seat has by necessity to be narrow, but I found it a lot roomier than the Harley. On the KTM if I look down at my crotch there's still a good deal of seat in front of me and I have plenty of wriggle room fore and aft. On the Harley I there was no seat in front of me and I looked and felt squashed up against the tank. I wanted to sit about two inches further back. Admittedly I'm 6' tall but still that's not exactly a giant. Maybe Harley should offer comfort seat options like many other makes do. The headlight looks like it needs adjusting. My LRS came out of the crate with the light pointing at the sky. maybe the factory (or the dealerships?) aren't to hot at checking headlight alignment before they send bikes out to buyers. Might pay to get the Pan-Am's light checked before passing judgement. Otherwise, I think Harley have hit the ground running with the Pan-Am, considering how advanced and capable this sector has become and the fact that they've never built such a bike before. I wouldn't change my KTM for one but a very good start from Harley and gen 2 or gen 3 could be very interesting bikes.

[@RichyVida]

Great comment, my friend. Yep, I’ll try and align the headlight as so many have commented about that. Cheers. HNY 👍

[@user-mf1ur7zp7h]

@@RichyVida HNY to you too. Have to say, as long as you can get it adjusted right so you can see far enough ahead, I thought the spread of light was good. Many bikes have beams that are too narrow that won't let you look where you want the bike to go in advance of bends, forcing you to chase a small splodge of light where the headlight happens to be pointing, rather than where you need to be looking. I don't find corning lights a great help as you've already committed to a line by the time they come on. The breadth of the Pan-Am's beam looked much better in that respect. Hope adjustment does the trick.

[@martinlewis8225]

Spokes are probably the same as my triumph scrambler which are coated rather than chrome so impossible to keep looking good.

[@tiger_800]

nice bike my spokes on my tiger are like them cheap i think you don't know anyone local to Nottingham to refurbish the wheels do you

[@RichyVida]

Steve Scott Motorcycles in Mansfield is your man.

[@StanPinnock]

Turn the TC off in off-road plus mode when you take it off-road. Hold down the TC button on the right hand switch gear. If that doesn't put a smile on your face nothing will!

[@RichyVida]

Haha brilliant. Will do

[@paulmorris3022]

Hi Richy, I took the Pan America on a test ride when it first came out and i wasn't that impressed. The vibration was unbelievable and the buffering of the screen in top mode was not good. I had issue reading the display, but they have altered that now. The other issue was the position of the kick stand. being a 29" inside leg i had trouble reaching it. they must have improved it since then. Alchemoto has one and he mentioned the lights were crap at night and the issue with temperature and miles. i work it out by minus 30 then divide by 2 and your there about in Celsius. i do like the look of it though and apparently the new version has a quick shifter. Brilliant vlog as always. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy new year

[@RichyVida]

Same maths as I do for the conversion!

[@dondle2]

You have too much money bud, £20 for a haircut. The last time I paid for one it was 2/6d, that is 12 and a half pence in todays money. Bought a set of clippers and have cut my own hair ever since, must have saved the price of a bike or two over fifty odd years.

[@ledzeproberts2111]

I test rode one a month ago. I wasn't given the fob, good job I hadn't ride too far !! Went back to dealership to pick it up. Had a nice ride to shropshire has plenty of grunt. Found gear change a bit agricultural and hard to find neutral at lights. Engine stop switch was faulty so had to stall it in first gear. Not for me(unless I win the test ride competition) 😕 Mitch

[@johna6968]

It isn't so bad in black

[@ejdtm]

Looks like the lights need to be adjusted up.

[@1teem]

Worth a try

[@boblynch7535]

The headlights must be adjustable, aren’t they?

[@RichyVida]

From the comments, apparently so..

[@miketalbot3248]

Great review video Richy, headlights seem very poor for such a big adventure bike! At £17k this bike would need to be very special to tempt people away from the tried and tested popular ADV bikes. Happy Christmas.

[@piersdenney]

Your bikes headlight aim must be off. It was a common build problem. Mine doesn’t have that crazy short throw.

[@RichyVida]

Yes seems to be the case from the comments. Cheers guys 👍

[@Paulcfc67]

I test road the pan American out before I bought my Gs don’t know about you I found out it had bad vibrations on the foot pegs between 60/70 mph

[@RichyVida]

No, no vibes at all. Maybe a tyre issue?

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

£20 for a "full job" sounds pretty reasonable to me!

[@Mototherapy_Michio]

😂

[@Mototherapy_Michio]

You have to do the whole thing again with the proper cowboy accent 😂

[@RichyVida]

😂

[@martyn_g]

I’m not sure why’d buy this over a GS. I had the choice and bought a 1250GS Adventure- no regrets at all;)

[@johngittins6244]

It’s spec makes it a capable bike but there is one overwhelming problem……Pig ugly. If it doesn’t make me look back every time I hop off then not good. Bit like when you get married ! 😂 A very merry Xmas and thanks for your you tube hard work this year keeping us entertained 👍🍺

[@RichyVida]

Thank you, Sir 👍

[@baldandbiking]

I kept stalling the thing every time I take off. Very sticky clutch.

[@RichyVida]

Yes, I’ve suffered the same

[@baldandbiking]

So it's not just me! @@RichyVida

[@edgybikercop]

MCN had a long termer, lots off problems. Too early to buy one

[@SouthWest-jj8yu]

Never been keen on the looks well front end anyway. Believe it’s a good bike to ride but think last year MCN said it was the most unreliable long term test bike they’d ever had.

[@RichyVida]

Wow really?

[@SouthWest-jj8yu]

@@RichyVida called spending 2021 with the Harley Davidson Pan America MCN, from about 9 minutes 20seconds more or less to the end lists all the problems that there have been and there are many.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Most disappointed you didn't do the review in an American accent...pull your socks up Vida...

[@RichyVida]

Not a problem, Sir! Haha

[@whitedrguy6503]

Needs shotgun exhaust, springer front end, bobber rear end, ape hangers and leather straps hanging off the end of the bars. 😂😂😂😂

[@timothybrockbank7474]

You like riding at night is too much information

[@RichyVida]

Hahaha nice one!

[@jamesweber4938]

The engine looks like it belongs in an Airfix kit ? It doesn't look real. Million Dollar Bogan did not think much of its off road capabilities.

[@vincentsheehy3926]

I would question the Million Dollar Bogan’s off road capabilities before the Pan Am’s off road capabilities 😂

[@jonathanfoster1270]

£20 to get your hair cut!!!! Bugger me, you southerners have more money than sense, i feel sick, its £2.50 at jimmy browns in Filey, 🤔 he only does one style tho, if you go, a word of advice, dont take advantage of his complementary back and neck massage, unless youre made of stern stuff youll never walk again! 😂

[@RichyVida]

😂😂

[@jaywinters2483]

HD discontinued entry level Sportster 883 because HD ONLY WANTS TO $ELL HIGH END. Done with Harley. Blocking HD videos.

[@jimmyjames6487]

You'll be missed.