I agree, I have had several bikes over the years (mostly Harleys) and I love my 22 PAS. All of the problems that I have had were glitchy little things mostly during startup in cooler weather (below 50 deg F). I am interested in what kind of lithium battery you settled on?
Thanks for starting this discussion.

 

Hi Putt, this is the battery I bought - Amazon.com: Antigravity ATX12-HD. Heavy Duty Lithium Motorcycle and Powersport Battery with Built in Jump Starting, 8Ah, ATV, Quad, UTV, Scooter, Lawn Mower, Generator Battery - Harley, Honda, Kawasaki : Automotive

 

I just wanted to start a thread hoping to build on this is one of the best bikes out there. The forum here is loaded with threads on the problems with the bike. What I think is lost is this is hands down the most fun and enjoyable bike out there I have had two HD ultras, several sport and cruiser bikes and have been a dirt rider since I was 8. The only other bike I have had was faster than it was a Hayabusa which sucked to ride. A Lithium battery has solved most of my problems, I have yet to ride anything better.. View attachment 4618

For sure it's the best all around bike I have ever owned. Make sure you have the extended warranty and ride the wheels off it.

 

I’ve got six motorcycles in the garage, soon to be seven. If I was forced to downsize to one, the Pan America would be that bike. Yes, it is that good. 👍

 

I just wanted to start a thread hoping to build on this is one of the best bikes out there. The forum here is loaded with threads on the problems with the bike.

You can't trust a lot of these negative threads. There are so many of them where someone signs up just to post about some grievous failure and then never posts again or even responds. Others where some snowflake is running down the the bike because he doesn't like the GPS or thinks the jiffy stand is an overall statement of poor build quality. Harley in general is attacked on-line by haters of all types. I'm a member of several forums but I never see the amount of crap like I do on Harley forums. People sign up to HD sites just to flame. Yeah, my bike had some software glitches for the first couple months I had it, very similar to the issues the KTM 1290 super adventure did. But it never stranded me like the BMW GS did or needed anything as major as a "Dookickey" like my 2016 KLR650 did, back in 2017, when it had less than 5000 miles on it. Nor does have a high speed "death wobble" like my Honda ST1300 did (it actually killed some cops). All the issues above were just as wide-spread as the PA issues seem to be but their forums don't have the attacks like the PA forum does. There aren't any "Class action lawsuit" threads on those sites. Although there ARE class action lawsuits for Honda, just not mentioned the ST forum. It's insane.

I have followed the Pan America since 2018. Patiently awaiting it's release. It is by far, my favorite bike of probably somewhere around 30 bikes I've owned over the years. I've owned BMW adventure bikes and Japanese sport bikes, American and foreign tourers and cruisers but this thing fills my performance needs of all of them. I can rip around back roads and piss off farmers and cops alike. I can pull wheelies and hoodlum around. I can put on the bags and two-up the "ole-lady" and go visit wineries that are at the end of gravel roads at 30mph, while pointing at scenery and talking on the Cardo. I can strap on my cooler and fishing pole and get to hidden lakes and streams that few would even try to reach. In my (nearly) three years and over 30 thousand miles of PA ownership, this bike has been awesome. I wouldn't trade it for any other bike I've seen. If it blew up tomorrow, my extended warranty (that I bought because I frequent this site, not because I thought I needed it) will put a new motor on it. Either way, I'm going to ride it for a long time.

Also:

https://www.panamericaforums.com/threads/any-happy-pa-owners-around.1283/page-3#post-12913

 

@Tobba611 Very well said....

I've been checking out the PA for many years as well. One of the very first PA's that was physically displayed for public consumption was put into a clear plastic case for the International Motorcycle Show circuit (saw it at the Cleveland. OH show at the IX Center). At first, after it hit dealer showrooms, it was selling for a bit more money than I was willing to pay (not that it wasn't worth it, I just wasn't willing to pay it). Now that they've been out a few years, and the early bugs (for the most part) have been worked out, and the price has come down (not MSRP, but market-driven price discounts), I finally own one. I'm very happy that I do.

 

And 1, love my bike, i have posted my thoughts on other threads in here and some comments bout the issues my buddies beemer. However, I don't quite have the many years or bikes/brands as others do, I still know a good thing when I see, own, ride, feel, shoot, etc said item.

 

I seen this bike in 2018, at least the concept of it and was sure I wanted it.
I love it, and like any good relationship there's going to be some issues!
I got thus bike when the wife deciden she was done with long rides (she has been on back of my bikes for 30+ years) and traded in the RGS for the PAS. I love the power, handling on and off road, the twisties, in town cruising.
The issues I have had I knew might be a problem when I went in to it, so I dont complain. Its a new concept.
I got to say, if this one gets traded in, it will be for the newest model!

 

Right on! I’ve owned the bike for about 13 months, just shy of 16,000 miles. I’ve run it through its paces in every kind of riding environment. I’m a motorcycle instructor and have taken the bike out to our cornering clinics, precision maneuvering clinics, etc. Love it!

While I would love Harley Davidson to come out with a 975, I understand why they haven’t yet. This bike is so flickable and gives you everything that you’d expect from a large adventure tourer, but handles like a middleweight. Fellow instructors that don’t know about the motorcycle always assume it’s a middleweight, the way it handles, especially in the precision maneuvering exercises.

Good for you for starting this thread!

 

Bought my used 2021 PAS in November 2022 with 4k miles on it. Not sure why previous owner traded back to dealership. Easily $5k in options and after market put into it. Had a few glitches but nothing I couldn't figure out or was just operator error. Did replace stock battery with lithium. Bike is just as fast and nimble as my previous Triumph Sprint GT 1050 and more comfortable than my (now) classic 2004 BMW R1200 CLC. Still have not had a real off road ride with it yet, but the little off pavement I have done has been a positive experience.

 

Too early for me to make a final judgment (just picked up my '24 a few days ago) but so far, after 100 miles, it's looking good. The most pleasant surprise so far is that, unlike with my former bikes, I do not feel the need to rush out and buy lots of expensive add-ons. The seat in particular; every bike I've had since 2004 (thereve been quite a few of all classes) has required forking over $500 - $800 for a new saddle. This may be the break in the chain although I'l know for sure after our annual trip to the Tail of the Dragon, etc., in July.

 

I had to switch from my Ultra Ltd. to the PAS because of a bad hip. The adv. riding position works for me and I wanted to stay with HD. So, a PAS it is. Now, after riding it, it is probably the most exhilarating bike that I have owned. The power and handling is the best I have experienced from an HD out of the box. I would not go back even if I could. It's an apples to oranges comparison (bagger vs adv) and it all comes down to preference and need. No reason to flame anyone's choice. Ride what you want to ride and be happy.

 

i first migrated to the ADV segment more than a dozen years ago primarily because of the more comfortable ergo's of the ADV's upright seating position. At 6'5" tall (barefoot), a bagger needs ALOT of modification for someone my height to be comfortable on it for extended periods of time, but I ultimately made of the HD baggers in my life work for me.

I went through a 2006 Ulysses, a 2013 Tiger Explorer, a 2016 Honda Africa Twin, and now a 2023 PAS (still have the Honda and PAS). But I can't completely give up on the bagger segment either. Still holding onto my 2017 Electra Glide (that looks like a Street Glide). I switch bikes primarily depending on who I'm riding with, the type of riding I'm doing, and what bike my riding buddies (that I'm riding with at the time) are riding. I ride with a club that rides a little bit of everything. The club is very much a "anything on two wheels" type. We all respect and enjoy the variety of bikes and everyone's choices they made.

 

Delivered in December new and now have 1,600 miles on it. I absolutely love my '22 PAS. I have not enjoyed my commute this much ever, to the point that I get up early so I can take the long route (an extra 25 miles) to get to work. I just wish I didn't have to stress about it not starting in the morning. It has been at the dealer for over a couple of weeks now getting it's RHCM replaced (waiting for the part), hopefully that will fix the issue and I'll be stress free.

It's such a great bike, I hope the bugs get fixed before my warranty runs out. I would love to keep the bike for a long time and hope my many trips to the service department are not endemic.

 

A lithium battery solved my issue with it not starting, pretty much solved all my electrical gremlins.

 

I love my PAS and it’s a riot to ride - ridden thousands of urban miles and ridden up gravel/dirt forest roads and ATV trails to over 13,000 feet (with the girlfriend in tow) and the bike did not disappoint. Unquestionably the funnest bike I’ve ever had, and I still have my ‘78 Shovel and ‘15 Road Glide which like 2023DG said, I ride depending on the situation, or my mood. Electrical gremlins and starting issues are not my favorite but hoping an upcoming lithium battery swap eliminates those, as many have suggested. An air cleaner that appears to be next to impossible to service is another thing - albeit small really. What does concern me is the prospect of HD killing production and finding service afterwards.

 

@Terronaut

I can tell you that having personal experience owning a 2006 Buell Ulysses (owned between 2013-2016) that I bought when the Ulysses was already out of production (since 2010) for 3 years (and Buell was out of business as well), HD was pretty good about making sure Buell parts were available for dealerships to order for some time after. Some dealerships were better at obtaining Buell parts than others. Some just gave up on it all together. I had HD dealers around me that would still order Buell parts for me.

The Buell forum (BadWeatherBikers.com) was a very passionate crowd, just like the PA crowd, and did an awesome job helping each other out with parts availability/procurement and fix-it advice. There were also small independent parts suppliers and repair shops that dealt with Buell parts and helped as well. I ultimately sold the Buell in 2016 more because of wanting an upgrade (replaced it with a 2013 Triumph Tiger Explorer) vs. not being able to get Buell parts. I would bet HD will be even better about keeping service parts available on bikes like the PA with the bar and shield emblazoned on them.

But don't worry about that now. Go out and enjoy your PA! I've only had mine since late December! I'm willing to bet that even if HD ends PA production in a couple of model years, that you'll likely see and want another bike long before you'll get frustrated with PA part procurement.

 

I’ve seen several people mention a software upgrade fixing a starting issue. Asking if there is a particular starting issue you are referring to? The only one (I am acutely aware of) is low voltage in the battery (<12V) causing the bike to not start. Mine has done this even after being just unplugged from a tender, and continues to do so intermittently although to the best of my knowledge software is up to date. Was this the same starting issue you refer to? I plan on swapping out to lithium one of these days - for now my added-on boost points and mobile jump starter are my back-up for quick get-away.