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Prospective PAS buyer looking for advice

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#21 ·
All valid points for the '21 Mike. I did mention it was my personal opinion to stay away from 21's.. One for the QA issues, and two, i think any '21 out there are used that likely had issues that the owner gave up on. I also personally think a PA is best bought new, but YMMV. I got a new '22 in july of '23.. So maybe you can find a '23 model that hasn't sold yet.
 
Discussion starter · #22 ·
tvond said:
I was in your boat around this time last year and I did pull the trigger and i'm glad i did! Everyones got a little different perspective, so here's my 2c.


It is rather weak, but re-aiming (as suggested above) is good, and you're going to want one of the spot lights and/or running lights. HD has one (comes standard on the new CVO) and Denali has a number of options too.
  • Bags! As an aside, exhaust, lights and seat are the only ones i think are super needed if you are staying on road and not hitting the dirt a ton.

So im up north and its hot. I replaced my exhaust with the HD SE and i love it. But its not the stock or aftermarket exhaust that gives off heat, its the radiator/engine headers that do. The 23 and newer have a shield and if you have an older theres an aftermarket one you can put on. Its definitely a warm bike for sure, one of the few negatives about the bike. Being up north, its actually not bad to ride in the cold weather however.

Well, there is no "OEM" bags, unless you are buying the new CVO. I got the sport HD ones which are the easiest to pull on and off. I found for stopping at hotels its super easy to unload your stuff for the night. If you are going off road though, you're going to want to look into some more heavy duty panniers.

Get the bike on the latest software update when you take delivery of the bike. Keep the bike on the tender at all times, unless you are upgrading to the lithium battery.

Have fun and stay safe out there.
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Thanks - these comments were very helpful!
 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
mikeInPA said:
now, let me add the caveat that the differences I described are the actual changes as far as parts used on the bike year to year. Once could perhaps also argue that later model bikes may have had better QA coming off the line as the factory techs gained more experience. There were several TSBs issued for early year bikes instructing dealers to verify proper routing and clamping of the coolant hoses, proper routing of the battery cable, proper wiring in suspension connectors, etc..
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I'm sure the learning curve had a lot to do with it. I've been in industrial manufacturing for almost 40 years and whenever you have a new release of a complex product there are always a lot of gremlins to work through. Companies have become better over the years at anticipating these before the product gets released but they still happen. And in Harley's case this is a completely different platform, increasing the likelihood of problems. I just hope they stick with this model line and not go Buell on us.
 
#24 ·
kw278 said:
I'm wondering if the '21-'23 charging systems are up to scratch. I've come across a few posts where they had to be replaced. Any thoughts on the risks of not going with a '24 (with the more robust charging system)?
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While I don't run heated gear, I DO charge my phone and have been running a Kuryaken Road Thunder speaker for the past year with no issues. The only time it's been on the battery tender since I installed the lithium battery was for the 5 minutes or so it took me to install the new infotainment update.

If I was buying new, I would insist on a 2024... Just because.. Unless they are going to knock three or four thousand off of a 23, five or six thousand off of a 22 or ten thousand off of a 21.. (Numbers based off of reports of trade and resale offerings from this site).
 
#25 ·
Tobba611 said:
If I was buying new, I would insist on a 2024... Just because.. Unless they are going to knock three or four thousand off of a 23, five or six thousand off of a 22 or ten thousand off of a 21.. (Numbers based off of reports of trade and resale offerings from this site).
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Agreed, for anyone in the market for a PAS right now, ask yourself which of the following categories you fit in:

1: I want what is likely to be the best version of the Pan America that has benefited from 3 years of field testing, and I'm willing to pay MSRP to get it = Buy the 2024.
2: I want to score a good deal on what is still a capable, very fun machine = Buy a 23 or older.
 
#26 ·
mikeInPA said:
Agreed, for anyone in the market for a PAS right now, ask yourself which of the following categories you fit in:

1: I want what is likely to be the best version of the Pan America that has benefited from 3 years of field testing, and I'm willing to pay MSRP to get it = Buy the 2024.
2: I want to score a good deal on what is still a capable, very fun machine = Buy a 23 or older.
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Other than the 21 not being able to have a QS, everything else can be updated to the 24 components correct? Although I remember in your video you stated the wiring harness and ecms have all new part nos.
 
#28 ·
NewEnglandRider said:
Other than the 21 not being able to have a QS, everything else can be updated to the 24 components correct? Although I remember in your video you stated the wiring harness and ecms have all new part nos.
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the non-electronic parts can be swapped out and upgraded. The electronics on the 2024 are not backward compatible with 2023 and below. I'm not sure what the actual differences are in the new electronics.

Installing the larger battery involves replacing about $300 worth of parts, plus the battery if I recall. And the parts required for the updated charging system cost about $1,000.
 
#29 ·
kw278 said:
I shall! The GS was a good bike, although I always had a problem warming up to the looks. The real issue (in addition to having a bit of brand loyalty to the MoCo) was service - the nearest guy, who is actually quite good, is over an hour away.
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Yeah, my buddy went to three states to finally get his fixed.... a dealership finally opened that's basically an hour but that's lot better than 3-4 and different state.....
 
#30 ·
mikeInPA said:
the non-electronic parts can be swapped out and upgraded. The electronics on the 2024 are not backward compatible with 2023 and below. I'm not sure what the actual differences are in the new electronics.

Installing the larger battery involves replacing about $300 worth of parts, plus the battery if I recall. And the parts required for the updated charging system cost about $1,000.
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Also for those bikes that did have gremlins and were traded in are still in need of some of the retrofits that the 24s appear to have. I remember your video calling it some of those parts so thank you! Makes me wonder about when the retrofit kits for the 21-23 (HD TSB M1615) will be available for those of us that needed them.
 
#31 ·
I never noticed the heat until I got a skid plate. It required the removal of the cat heat shield. Combining the bend up the side from the skid plate and no heat shield it gets pretty toasty feeling. I will be getting a different one. I added some driving lights I got off amazon I wanted something compact and bright, didn't want to spend 5 to 6 hundo on some so I rolled the dice on a set from amazon. Figured if they were junk I would just send them back. I was surprised on the build quality and components included in kit. They work really well, I am very happy with them. I am sure they are not as good as the HD or Denali ones. Kewig Motorcycle Auxiliary LED Light Kit Driving Spotlights White/Amber Fog Light. I have the Two Brothers exhaust it was louder then I was looking for and seemed to run lean, lots of popping. I got the quiet tip and spark arrester for it. Now it is more the sound I was looking for. Got rid of a LOT of weight. I would imagen if you did a full swap with headers it would be super lean. Not willing to use a tuner and void warranty.
 
#32 ·
I would counsel strong caution right now despite dislikes with the GS's aesthetics. Beyond looks, carefully weigh objective measures on reliability, dealer support and brand commitment before jumping to the Pan America. Style matters but sustained function and backing should rule the day.

That caveat out of the way:

  • Not the headlight per se, but Denali makes some good auxiliary lights - Baja designs as well (using something like a cansmart). The aftermarket HD lights were ok, I found the switchs to be fiddly and a cansmart can tie them to the high beams. FWIW I didn't find the headlight weak, it was fine.
  • Seat was great, V&H exhaust was excellent, you may want bar risers.
  • Bike got hot in central VA - uncomfortable in stop and go traffic wearing riding jeans but not hop off the bike unbearable.
  • The HD hard panniers are great - but they are ENORMOUS and drastically increase the width of the bike. I use lone rider bags and can recommend them.
  • Do your due diligence - there's a litany of things you should be concerned about, I won't re-list them here. If you can manage your expectations and catch a bit of luck, when it works the Pan is an amazingly fun bike.
 
#33 ·
Chris97038 said:
I never noticed the heat until I got a skid plate. It required the removal of the cat heat shield. Combining the bend up the side from the skid plate and no heat shield it gets pretty toasty feeling. I will be getting a different one. I added some driving lights I got off amazon I wanted something compact and bright, didn't want to spend 5 to 6 hundo on some so I rolled the dice on a set from amazon. Figured if they were junk I would just send them back. I was surprised on the build quality and components included in kit. They work really well, I am very happy with them. I am sure they are not as good as the HD or Denali ones. Kewig Motorcycle Auxiliary LED Light Kit Driving Spotlights White/Amber Fog Light. I have the Two Brothers exhaust it was louder then I was looking for and seemed to run lean, lots of popping. I got the quiet tip and spark arrester for it. Now it is more the sound I was looking for. Got rid of a LOT of weight. I would imagen if you did a full swap with headers it would be super lean. Not willing to use a tuner and void warranty.
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What brand of skid plate is on the bike now and what are you looking to replace it with? Thanks!
 
#34 ·
kw278 said:
Thanks for this - and since you brought up the battery and Mike's Motorbike Channel - I have a follow-on question. Mike (I guess that's his name) also said the charging system was being upgraded in '24 to charge better at lower RPM's. I'm also considering a '23 model, as I like the styling a bit better, but I'm wondering if the '21-'23 charging systems are up to scratch. I've come across a few posts where they had to be replaced. Any thoughts on the risks of not going with a '24 (with the more robust charging system)?
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The issue isn't the charging system..>The bike sits at 14 volt no matter what accessories are running. The bike draws current while off. A "bigger" battery just gives more reserve time. The phone App will connect to the bike when the bike is "off"...
 
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