Hey everyone,
I am looking into getting a Pan America 1250 and would love some honest feedback from current owners. I am especially curious about how it’s held up over time. How are the engine and electronics handling long rides and different terrains: ?? Any recurring issues or maintenance surprises I should be aware of: ?? I have read that the adaptive ride height is a game changer but I am wondering if there have been any issues with it.
Also, how are you finding the support from dealerships: ?? Has it been smooth when it comes to parts or repairs: ??
Appreciate any insight from those who have put some real miles on theirs especially if you have taken it on long trips. I am planning to ride a mix of on and off road so I am trying to get a realistic idea of what to expect in terms of reliability and durability. I have also searched on the forum for any tips and advice related to my query and I found this
https://www.panamericaforums.com/threads/harley-davidson-pan-america-vs-bmw-r-react-native-1250-gs.9/ but couldn't get any help.
Thanks in advance for your help !!
With Regards,
Derek Theler
Most of this has been covered on other threads. But here's a direct response.
I have a 2021, I am currently at 36,000 (ish) miles. I ride nearly every day and commute about 80 miles round trip daily. I ride 70% on road, 30% off road. My PA has been on several really long trips. I bought the extended warranty for my bike and have used it once. I do all services myself. I'm on my third set of spark plugs, either 4th or 5th set of tires, (cant remember, I would need to reference my book), third set of chain and sprockets (second set was fine- didn't need to change, I was going on a trip and didn't want to be doing it on the road).
Issues I've had:
Year one
1. When I first got the bike, it would issue some weird codes and sometimes wouldn't start if I let it sit.. Weird part was it would crank over but was under 12volt so it wouldn't start. ALL of the codes it issued were about some module losing communication or not responding. ALL of the "code" and starting issues were resolved by installing an after-market battery with a higher mAh and CCA. two years later, I haven't had a single erroneous code. The only time my bike is ever on a charger is when I am doing an infotainment update. (done twice).
2. Key fob battery died. The bike acted weird while this was happening, it would power up and then turn back off or just do nothing when I turned the power on. The fob became obvious when I switched the bike on without mounting it first. (If you jump on it without the fob, security gets triggered).
Year two
1. Ignition coil died. Mine is the only ignition coil failure I've heard or read about. Replaced in less than an hour by HD. I don't know if they just happened to have one, or if they pulled one from a bike on the floor.
2. A little wrench popped up on the screen. The wrench is a time-based indicator for brake flush. My dealer reset it without flushing at my request. I flushed it myself later. Took maybe 10 minutes while I was shopping 50 dollar shirts.
Year Three
Stator failure. Replaced by HD. Took two days. No one said a word about my Lithium battery.
Negative comments:
1. I've never liked the way the engine sounds. It sounds just like ever other PA I've been around and it sounds better than a KTM, IMHO.. Doesn't mean I have to like it.
2. Some HD service departments are piss-poor. They either don't know jack about the PA, are intimidated by it, or only want to work on "real Harleys". Some shops also have a weird culture of people that hang out there. In America, you really have to shop around for a good dealer/service center. Luckily, there are more good than bad. There are also a lot of them. BUT, if you want a smug culture and self-righteous techs, you could just buy a BMW.
3. It's a little heavy for tight, muddy, areas.
4. Mine still occasionally does the "starter whine", that was fixed on the 22's. (There is a fix for mine, I just haven't made time to get it done). I don't really care.
5. I've been riding around with a new fuel pump under the seat because the forums have lead me to believe they all fail, without question. Mine is still the original pump.
6. The requirement for 93 octane. Not a lot of people in my area use 93 octane. Some gas stations in rural Tennessee don't even have it. So I think it is sometimes old or watery. Which lead to my final negative comment, the bike like clean, pure fuel. It will sometimes surge when I fill up at questionable gas stations. If I add an octane booster or injector cleaner, it soothes right out.
7.
The anti-Harley people. If you are looking for negative comments, you won't have far to look. There is a plethora of people that exist to be negative towards HD. Nearly every TicTok video with a Harley, nearly every Youtube video and it appears that people even sign up to forums just to crap on the brand or the bike and then never return. It's the craziest thing I've ever seen. It makes finding actual, useful info really hard. You just don't see this with other brands.
Positive Comments:
1. Extensive dealer network to choose from.
2. Excellent customer support from HD. (Hearsay, I haven't actually called them).
3. This is the most comfortable and well fitting bike I have ever owned, (and I've owned a lot). I'm 6'5", about 265 and this bike fits me perfect with nothing bought or modifications needed.
4. Good cruiser, excellent sport bike.
5. Rides the same, loaded or unloaded. Extremely versatile.
6. Great for two up.
7. I have always owned multiple bikes: a cruiser, and enduro, and a sport bike. The PA can be all three very well.
8. It's damn fast and nimble. Love the power and speed.
