Let’s face it, Harley-Davidson really is taking a wander into the lion’s den with the new Pan America. Going toe-to-toe with BMW in its own back yard, and the rest of the manufacturers takes some serious balls and an even more serious motorcycle. And while Harley could have totally gone the wrong way and created an adventure motorcycle in name but with little to back it up, I think they have pitched the new Pan America range pretty much perfectly.
While it’s true that there are more capable off-road machines available on one side of the argument, and vastly more sporty adventure touring machines on the other, how many of each camp actually get used to the full, day in day out?
What I’m trying to get across is that the new Harley is an extremely good all-round adventure motorcycle, probably better suited to how actual adventure bike fans ride their bikes than some of the established names. When riding on the road it has poise, balance, acres of grip, power, and exceptionally good levels of comfort. But then you take it off-road, and it is just as multi-talented again, thanks to its low centre of gravity, otherworldly suspension system, and excellent selection of tyres.
