Riding a Pan America

[oldbike54]

WTF?!?

The upkeep?

You mean changing oil, filters, and tires?

Cause that's all most of my Harleys have ever needed.

Most of my Guzzis have been MUCH NEEDIER!

 It's all of the doo rags and T shirts 

 Dusty

[jguzzi]

Agree with Kev and NCdan.  I bought a used 1200T a few years back mainly because I thought I should have one harley before I age out of riding....so glad I did.  For me the low seat height, bags, mid controls/pegs and the very nice (no vibrating) rubber mounted evo engine has been great.  And I like the tshirts too!  Along with my Guzzi ones of course.

[Moparnut72]

A HD salesman who ignores a rider coming in on a brand X bike is missing a good chance of selling a bike. Why would that rider be there, certainly not to buy something for his brand X or T shirts. When I took my V7 in for it's initial service I was given a Zero as a loaner for the day. I was shopping helmets that day and stopped by the Harley dealer. When they saw the Zero they started twisting my arm to take the Livewire out for a spin. I didn't, but I probably should have.

I wish Harley success with the PA. Kinds pricey but we knew that. They need to change course to some degree. I dumped my Twin Cam for the Audace. There were just too many shortcomings to continue to live with it. Things Guzzi does a much better job with. I wish we had the dealer support that Harley riders enjoy. I have a MG dealer fairly close but they are passable but a not so much of a pleasure to visit and just hangout like at a HD store.
kk

[kingoffleece]

Oh no.  First I have the audacity to willfully purchase a matt paint motorcycle (V7) and now I have to admit I stand on my pegs regularly on my motorcycles.   It does help my repaired knees and provides some welcomed fresh air but I was unaware it may be considered bad form.

I must be punished. 


Nice ride report.  I've enjoyed all 4 on my Harley bikes-prefer my Guzzis now but the memories are great.  Never left me by the road in over 200,000 miles.  I hope they do really well.

[Perazzimx14]

I've watched riders of large dual sport bikes stand up while riding one of the paved roads in the park where we have the Wild Guzzi rally . No , not a Guzzi rider 

 Dusty

Being able to comfortably stand on the pegs is just as important as a comfortable seat to me on my touring rigs. When I'm putting in big miles/long hours another position to change up to for a few miles is very welcome.

[kballowe]

UGLY, they say.

Meh.  I have UGLY for you !
 

[oldbike54]

Being able to comfortably stand on the pegs is just as important as a comfortable seat to me on my touring rigs. When I'm putting in big miles/long hours another position to change up to for a few miles is very welcome.

 Fellas , it was meant as humor , remember humor . That said , if you stand up on your motorbike as soon as you let out the clutch in a city park , on smooth pavement , then I find it amusing . Kinda like the guys who ride around at 5 MPH with their legs dangling over forward mounted footpegs located so far forward their legs are straight out at a weird angle .

 Dusty

[Dirk_S]

Fellas , it was meant as humor , remember humor . That said , if you stand up on your motorbike as soon as you let out the clutch in a city park , on smooth pavement , then I find it amusing . Kinda like the guys who ride around at 5 MPH with their legs dangling over forward mounted footpegs located so far forward their legs are straight out at a weird angle.

Behind many jokes is an amount of truth. Besides, it’s the internet; everything gets (sometimes unnecessarily) dissected. Like this:

Standing up at super slow speed is actually a very good exercise in balance. I recommend everyone start out like that 

Remember these machines serve as both tool and toy. Depending on the rider, the emphasis lies toward one end or the other.

[oldbike54]

Behind many jokes is an amount of truth. Besides, it’s the internet; everything gets (sometimes unnecessarily) dissected. Like this:

Standing up at super slow speed is actually a very good exercise in balance. I recommend everyone start out like that 

Remember these machines serve as both tool and toy. Depending on the rider, the emphasis lies toward one end or the other.

 So is standing your head 

 Dusty

[Motormike]

First review of the new Pan America I've read, and it was on Wildguzzi!?? To borrow from the English, "I'm gobsmacked!"

[LowRyter]

WTF?!?

The upkeep?

You mean changing oil, filters, and tires?

Cause that's all most of my Harleys have ever needed.

Most of my Guzzis have been MUCH NEEDIER!

Perhaps so.  I see Harley Riders about 5 to 1 over the rest of us.  I always hear stories about big buck fixes, primaries, clutches, even tune-ups (which I don't understand given hydraulic lifters) but it's always something.  The Indian guys seem to be the proudest, love their bikes and no maintenance issues, lots of performance.   

So far as Guzzis, no argument from me.  Cracked GB housing on the Sport, weak oil pump in the EV. 

Given this, if you like the bike, the cost of ownership is just one consideration.  Even if I get a $400 bill for replacing an oil pump, remember, I spent $300 just for tires!

[kingoffleece]

i WAS joking............. .....

[blackcat]

WTF?!?

The upkeep?

You mean changing oil, filters, and tires?

Cause that's all most of my Harleys have ever needed.

Most of my Guzzis have been MUCH NEEDIER!

Yeah, oil, filter, tires is about it on the HD's I've owned. And I'm within walking distance or a subway ride to the local dealer.

[inditx]

WTF?!?

The upkeep?

You mean changing oil, filters, and tires?

Cause that's all most of my Harleys have ever needed.

Most of my Guzzis have been MUCH NEEDIER!

KevM what I meant was, accessories, parts, labor if you don’t do your own, insurance costs...etc.
No need to get mad.
inditx

[inditx]

It's all of the doo rags and T shirts 

 Dusty

[Kev m]

KevM what I meant was, accessories, parts, labor if you don’t do your own, insurance costs...etc.
No need to get mad.
inditx

Not mad, just confused. But LABOR is the only thing I might believe here.

Because the accessories aren't any more than any other brand I've had. Hell, a lot is cheaper (since there's so much more competition).

Parts - nope, not more expensive. Again, compeition.

LABOR - well, I generally don't pay for that on any brand so I'll have to take your word, but I can't imagine Guzzi or BMW shops are generally cheaper..

INSURANCE?!?! - well I guess that varies, but the only reason my RK is more expensive to insure than my Stone or our Ducati RIGHT NOW is that it cost 2x as much as it is much newer. But, and how's this, our V7III is JUST as expensive to insure as the RK (even though it was half the cost) likely because it is newer.  But hell, full boat with accessory coverage etc all FOUR are only about $500/year total (as in just over 100/bike). So I don't get this one either.

Perhaps so.  I see Harley Riders about 5 to 1 over the rest of us.  I always hear stories about big buck fixes, primaries, clutches, even tune-ups (which I don't understand given hydraulic lifters) but it's always something.

Well,

1. "Hearsay"

2. The biggest problem with any Harley is its owner. I'm SURE there are huge bills to fix shit that people brake because they hop-up the damn things, sometimes within an inch of their lives, and then do stupid things with them from smokey burnouts to warming them up for 15 minutes. Like I said the biggest problem is the owner.

[inditx]

Can’t disagree with most of what you’ve said but more of my buddies ride Harleys and so I’m watching them shell out more than I would but I’m kinda tight anyway, GC.

I always say ride what ya like and like what ye ride.

p.s. My buddies don’t abuse their bikes and they are all garage queens. 
inditx

[Motormike]

2. The biggest problem with any Harley is its owner. I'm SURE there are huge bills to fix shit that people brake because they hop-up the damn things, sometimes within an inch of their lives, and then do stupid things with them from smokey burnouts to warming them up for 15 minutes. Like I said the biggest problem is the owner.

This!! Too many owners spend a fortune turning a dead-nuts reliable 60 to 70 hp Harley into a 100 hp hand-grenade. Completely pointless IMHO.  The only thing you can race a Harley against is another Harley.  After pissing away a lot of money I learned an important lesson from an old motorcycle racer, "Stock Is Trick!"

[Motormike]

Can’t disagree with most of what you’ve said but more of my buddies ride Harleys and so I’m watching them shell out more than I would but I’m kinda tight anyway, GC.

p.s. My buddies don’t abuse their bikes and they are all garage queens. 
inditx

"Chrome don't getcha home...."

[bad Chad]

I know everybody has their own experience with life, but I have had 4 moto Guzzi, all have been trouble free.  The one time I had trouble with my Bassa, was because of something I did, which later led to needing shop time to fix my screw up.  I currently have my B1100 with 49K, and everything works as it always has, and of course my much loved Roamer, only 5k, but a sweet 5k!

[kballowe]

All of my Harleys have been absolutely trouble free.

My Guzzis ?   hahahhaaa   no.


AND - I stand on the pegs at slow speed..... normally after I get rolling just enough to balance, and then to shake everything down.  Nothing worse than having the boys in a twist.  Well, Assuming I'm on one that HAS pegs.  Otherwise ya gotta wiggle and squirm until ya get situated.

 

[egschade]

I suspect that HD riders having issues may be like my former neighbor who was always complaining about the bike not running well. I think his issues arose from the bike sitting in his shed for weeks on end they being brought out for some bar hopping or puttering around town. He spent a lot of money a couple times a year having his bike 'fixed' at the dealer.

One day I offered to check it out for him. Pre-check the tires were both very low and the thing barely idled. I aired them up, replaced the bad gas and went for a blast on the highway. After about 20 minutes of running it hard it cleared up and ran pretty well. He took it for a ride soon after I dropped it off and wanted to know what I had done to make it run so well.

Dis-use might be the worst form of abuse.

[Huzo]

Bloody good on them for giving the customer what they want..
They’ve been crawling up the collective arses of wanna’ be bad boys since Christ died, appealing to their “rebel” pretences. If that first review is ANYTHING to go by, it’s probably worth a second (or third), look.
I’ll bet my pushrods on the fact that HD will have the good sense to take heed of riders requests if this model run progresses. If there is a backlash to the styling, it will be progressively honed.
If Guzzi followed that lead, we’d have our liquid cooled Le Mans and the RBW abberation that plagues modern variants would be consigned to the rotten pasta bin...
Good on you Harley and piss those stupid cruiser things off. They look like something that was built on scrapyard challenge...
I’ve just had a look at a couple of the reviews.
I just sort of wish that the likes of this thing, could be offered with a lot less bells and whistles. A recurring sentiment I hear a lot, is riders wishing their bike had less technological intervention. It’s all good while it’s working, but just a pain in the arse a lot of the time and adds to the price.
I’ve nothing against development in brakes, fuelling, handling etc..
But variable ride modes and “wheelie control” on an off road bike with massive power and torque....FFS...!

[ohiorider]

I hope HD does some sales training so their sales guys don't treat this bike the same as they did the V Rod and the Buells.  Or not!  At my age, I certainly have no interest in hearing either a good or bad sales pitch for HD's ADV effort.  I think BMW has had a lock on this segment since 1981, and will continue to do so.  2021 is the 40th anniversary of the GS series.

Bob

[twowheeladdict]

I have never been ignored at a dealership, unless I want to be.

I come in ready to talk about bikes.  I come in with a smile on my face and a hello for anyone not stuck on a phone or helping a customer.

I tell them if I am ready to buy, or if I am just there to see what's new.

I get more positive responses when I post photos of my Moto Guzzi on the Road Glide forum than when I post the same photos on this forum.

So, to the naysayers about how they are treated in dealerships, maybe it is you.   

[LowRyter]

I hope HD does some sales training so their sales guys don't treat this bike the same as they did the V Rod and the Buells.  Or not!  At my age, I certainly have no interest in hearing either a good or bad sales pitch for HD's ADV effort.  I think BMW has had a lock on this segment since 1981, and will continue to do so.  2021 is the 40th anniversary of the GS series.

Bob

I would guess with the downswing of Harley sales that there'll be lots of motivation to welcome new customers.  Just a guess.

[LowRyter]

I have never been ignored at a dealership, unless I want to be.

I come in ready to talk about bikes.  I come in with a smile on my face and a hello for anyone not stuck on a phone or helping a customer.

I tell them if I am ready to buy, or if I am just there to see what's new.

I get more positive responses when I post photos of my Moto Guzzi on the Road Glide forum than when I post the same photos on this forum.

So, to the naysayers about how they are treated in dealerships, maybe it is you.   

well,   when the Buell Rotax bikes were being released, I went to the local Harley store.  I walked in and looked around and asked the sales lady when they might have the new bikes delivered.  She replied that "Buells are for people that like to ride 100 mph and have their ass in air."  I said "yeah."

Now, they did have some warranty work on those pipe frame Buells that they couldn't fix.  But they still had a Buell sign in front.

[twowheeladdict]

well,   when the Buell Rotax bikes were being released, I went to the local Harley store.  I walked in and looked around and asked the sales lady when they might have the new bikes delivered.  She replied that "Buells are for people that like to ride 100 mph and have their ass in air."  I said "yeah."

Now, they did have some warranty work on those pipe frame Buells that they couldn't fix.  But they still had a Buell sign in front.

Your point?

You've never walked into any other type of dealership in your life and been blown off by a salesperson?  Ever? 

Did you ask where the owner was?  If a salesperson doesn't want to do their job, I ask for the owner or general manager. That is where you get the true feel for the business.  Not some person that might not even ride.  Sounds like you weren't really that interested. 

[arveno]

Hater will be hater....


to the OP , Thank you for the review , i am going to test ride one myself soon...not that i am going to buy it ( i am a COB ) LOL

[Huzo]

Hater will be hater....


to the OP , Thank you for the review , i am going to test ride one myself soon...not that i am going to buy it ( i am a COB ) LOL

Well said.
I like the look of that 997 cc (or whatever), motor.
The styling is a bit Kawasaki Versys, but noting a “facelift” wouldn’t fix..