Ok my two cents worth. I think adventure bikes are getting to big, to powerful and to many electronic gadgets on them. Many years ago I bought a second hand Suzuki 650 Vstrom great bike except for the poxy screen which gave a lot of head buffeting but as I said it was a great bike with more than enough power. Now let's be honest here how many riders of these big adventure bikes actually go off road I bet a very few. So for myself if I was ever to go down this path I be looking at a mid size bike, it would probably be Japanese. I wouldn't want to spend more than $12,000 new on a bike that I might take off road and when the time comes to move it on hopefully I wouldn't lose thousands and thousands of dollars when I sold it. Back to the question would I look at a Pan America the answer would be no from me.

I sort of get it.  Back in the mid seventies my Grandmother's brother had a 1929 J Model in the shed.  I grew up sitting on the very worn and very dusty seat.  Many mini bikes and cheap Yammies later.  In the very early eighties I would frequent Burlings and Simmons - on a Jappa, and they would let me in the door - and dream of being able to pay for one and ride it away.  Marriage, three kids, a house, endless amounts of shift work from both of us and then in 1995 I bought a first year Dyna Superglide.  No other bike before or since has given me the absolute thrill of riding it out of the show room.  Christ, if you could bottle and then sell that feeling, you would be one rich man or woman.  Literally, twenty years in the making was that feeling.  But I am less romantic at nearly sixty years of age.  

"Powered by H-D’s new Revolution Max 1250cc engine, a liquid-cooled 60-degree V-twin, the Pan America 1250 Special will compete with the likes of the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure and the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R.

Sure, wanting to "compete" with BMW GS or KTM Adventure bikes is admirable. The GS has now been fine-tuned for 40 years now, hopefully the Pan America doesn't shake itself to bits offroad - like HD's can do just on smooth bitumen.  

50/50. I like the look but the weight kills it for me.

So he has read the same stuff we have online and made a video. Until we get some actual everyday people test riding these it is a bit of an unknown. I tend to not even believe the reviews on bike sites, they seem real adverse to giving a bad review overall. Something to do with not getting further test bikes to review maybe? Can’t wait for May to roll around to start reading some feedback from the US market. That is, I think they are getting them in May to dealers. 

Actually I made a mistake with that one rr. I’m suspicious of reviews by nature and honestly while I quite like re, he is very driven by advert revenue. I didn’t even look at it and maybe I should have. 

I appreciate you putting it up mate. Was worth a look. I wasn’t having a go at all, just think everyday riders will decide in the end if this is any good or not. I really hope it is. In Australia only bringing in the higher spec model they are going to have a challenge due to the price point. I think they should at least offer the lower price model also, just to get more people looking at them. 

Had a look and sit on the new Pan America today. Certainly looks better in life than the pics. Quality build but not sure about radiator fans, covers etc with little protection in a minor fall. We get the full fruit version....but you have to pay extra for the panniers. Of course there is no price on them yet and being HD thinking HEAPS.

Wouldnt be my first choice. Obviously a untested motor as well, lets hope that its better designed than the early m8 motor.

Yes you can get a lower spec, mags vs spoke wheels, less rider aids such as clutch less gearbox for up down shifts etc. Still has plenty of std fruit.

Saw one of these at the dealer yesterday. It was fully kitted with the metal luggage. It looked huge. I’m 6 foot and standing beside it i felt like I would need a damn step ladder to get on the thing. These adventure bikes are massive these days. Really liked its brute looks though, just not for me PA 1 RR 0. 

Yes it is tall, dont forget that when its running it automatically lowers 2-3" then raises up as you let the clutch out.

At this stage typical HD.....thats the one were getting.

Why are BMW the ugliest bikes ever made?

Serious question...or not, I’ll go into the rabbit hole. 

We have done this dance before.....HD has a few shockers on the ugly list as well, 1971 FX Super Glide, FXDR 114, FXFBS Fat Bob just to mention a few. Would it stop me from buying one....absolutely not. I would go straight to that BMW over many other brands because of its great pedigree not its looks.