Harley Pan American coming 2/21/2021

tntmo

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Pardon me if I fail to understand what's "fun" about riding 2-3 mph for long stretches or why anyone would choose to do that unless they absolutely had to in a crisis situation. I told you on day one this is not a dirt bike and the mentality doesn't transfer over.
You know, it's kind of funny how we all have things that we find "fun" that others don't.
Really amazing how we are all different.
If we weren't, Yamaha could just make the bike exactly right for all of us and nobody would need to have an endless choice of seats, handlebars, luggage, etc.
Good day to you, sir!
 
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ballisticexchris

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I will say again, you want to compensate for your lack of skill. Your error, among others, is not understanding that skills include route choices, not just riding the bike.
Some routes are one way in and one way out. There are no route choices in some cases when you want to get to a destination. Off highway travel is a whole different animal.

I'm not sure if anyone posted this but here are the specs to the bike:


The adaptive ride hight seems a little odd. I have never heard of that before.
 

Checkswrecks

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...
I just do not see this new Harley ADV bike doing mega miles with little or no maintenance.
I disagree and after the inevitable teething issues, I have a feeling this is going to be the most bulletproof engine Harley's ever made. After all, it's a ground-up computer-based redesign to modern standards and materials, borrowing long established ideas of what works, and they've had them on the road for almost 4 years in testing and various prototypes.

As for bike weight, it looks like they took BMW as what the market is willing to accept. Other than the huge fluid-filled radiator, Harley engines keep their weight and CG nice and low.

Want to bet how close the front end specs and steering geometry are to the Super Ten or KTM 1290?
 
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ballisticexchris

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Well the motor is a first year model. Time will tell on the reliability of this bike. Who knows? It may end up being a big hit and surprising everyone. I will say the suspension specs look to be awesome.
 

WJBertrand

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Well the motor is a first year model. Time will tell on the reliability of this bike. Who knows? It may end up being a big hit and surprising everyone. I will say the suspension specs look to be awesome.
I think if Harley blows the reliability thing it will be a total bust for them. There isn't the same loyalty for this kind of bike among current Harley customers so they will need to develop trust and loyalty among a new set of customers. That's the whole point of building this bike. BMW and KTM have reliability issues but I think their customers are more forgiving since those bikes have developed more of a pedigree or status image. Harley are really going to be under the microscope here.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Want to bet how close the front end specs and steering geometry are to the Super Ten or KTM 1290?
Which one? The 2021 KTM has a new steering geometry from the 2020.

BMW and KTM have reliability issues but I think their customers are more forgiving since those bikes have developed more of a pedigree or status image.
Have one of each in the garage and I promise pedigree was something I had to overcome, not an attractant in any way. Status/image...have you ever seen me? Clearly that doesn't apply here. But I'll admit I suspect I may be more forgiving if a reliability issue does crop up. The fun/enjoyment factor is so far off the charts I think it would be hard to give up. Hope to never need to test that last statement.

I think if the Pan America attracts the Harley faithful they will probably give the company they already love the save level of break they always have. Of course if the bike attracts riders accustom to Japanese reliability, they better hit it out of the park to have any chance of holding that crowd. Harley might be able to get the pedigree or image seeking crowd. They understands that crowd better than most.
 

WJBertrand

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Personally, I’d love to buy “made in USA” if there was the right type of bike at a reasonable price and with acceptable reliability


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cyclemike4

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ky
I would like to see Harley do well and not because I am a loyal Harley fan. I do like some of the bikes but I like all motorcycles but some just won't work for my needs. I would like to see them do well and create good jobs for people and help keep the economy going. I do think they are going to have to step away from the norm for Harley. Not drop what they are doing because I know what they make is popular. I see more new Harleys out than any other brand around here. I am excited to see how this new project turns out for them. I have been reading about the features of the new bike and it sounds like it is loaded with technology. there is where i see the problem coming up for them. I know you can go to any state and find masterful Harley mechanics. Some are as good as any in any Industry. The thing is Most of the Harleys are very similar and even when there is an issue with a part or function of the bike it spreads like wild fire and everyone knows what to do about it. With all the new tech in this bike i feel like there will be teething pains and the mechanics that have to deal with it will be left out in the cold. That in turn will leave the consumer in the cold. Not a good thing for business. I hope they have not only have a plan to sell bikes but a plan to keep the customers happy and running down the road. I have seen some instances where other brands just don't seem to have enough qualified techs to diagnose and repair the bikes they sell. It has left the customers cold and ready to try another brand. they can seem to afford that but I really don't think Harley can with this project. Also industry investors generally look for return on investment in one year. I sure hope Harley is in this for the long haul. It seems they have big intentions and for one reason or another the plug is pulled even before it is laid down. I do not think this will be an over night success so there will have to be long term dedication for sales and reliability to be where it needs to be. Good luck Harley lets see what you can do!
 
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ballisticexchris

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The biggest hurdle for Harley to overcome is the CEO himself. Jochen Zeitz has zero experience in power sports or any other form of motorsports. His specialty is marketing. He pulled PUMA out of a slump. Almost all successful motorcycle manufacturers have CEO's that have at least a working knowledge of how the industry works.
 

Sierra1

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You're thinking in the past. Marketing may be the key. Somebody has to figure out how to get people back onto motorcycles. Not sure the Dustbuster will be the bike that does it. . . . but who knows.
 

blitz11

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Did you do that because you're you, or did the owner's manual spec it? 'Cuz that's the other reason I thought they were all hydraulic, I've never seen it required. . . . unlike a timing belt replacement.
Owner's manual inspection / adjustment interval. that was the same interval as the timing belt. 12 nuts hold the valve cover, and it's right there. The tool is easy to use. Hook around the cam, depress the bucket, ice-pick the old shim out, insert new shim, release tool. Piece of cake.

The "Rally Volvo" is the best cage i've owned.
 

blitz11

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I disagree and after the inevitable teething issues, I have a feeling this is going to be the most bulletproof engine Harley's ever made.
My wife is short, wanted a Harley, so we bought her a street 500 when it came out in 2014. Stone reliable. Fit - n - finish is marginal, but valves have not moved (still in spec), uses/leaks no oil, no cam chain noise, no clutch issues, no belt/pulley issues. I've changed a few sets of tires in 30K miles, but other than that, rock solid, adn she loves it. It's weird to me, but i don't ride it much. at 6'4" tall, too big.

That engine/trans in a smaller dual sport would be terrific.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Decided to watch the marketing video.


They did a really nice job on the video. I came away rooting even more for Harley to have a runaway sales success with this bike. I'd be amused to take one for a ride. I don't ever see one making a home in my garage, but if this is the bike that turns around Harley's currently decline I think that would be awesome.
 

twinrider

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My opinion Yamaha really messed up the low gears, it goes waaaay to fast in first gear for an adventure bike, other than that the gearing is fine......well I would also prefer a 5 speed
I don't know about the 5 speed but I gotta say I agree with you on the first gear. Never noticed it on tarmac but I was on a narrow twisty dirt road the other day and it was cranking along at about 15 kph without me even touching the throttle. At first I thought maybe something was wrong, but when I pulled in the clutch, the revs dropped. It just likes to move lol.
 
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