Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1538840
34 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com Harley-Davidson Pan America: Having tested the Pan America back in 2023 with less-than-stellar experi- ences, I thought it best to revisit the Harley-Davidson semi to see if the people represen ng and the product had changed in a posi ve way. I'm happy to report that H-D's marke ng strategy has shi ed from the dressed-in-black, bearded crew that seemed to put more energy into looking cool/menacing than selling their product. Upon walking into the H-D tent, I was greeted by two pre y young ladies with big, friend- ly smiles. There was no ini a on process, and their product knowledge was remarkable and appreciated. I was soon familiarized with the Pan America and given a chance to choose a ride with the op onal taller seat. The electronics on all these new ADV models, regard- less of brand, are immense and interac ve. One can tailor their ride to their preferences. One feature for those with shorter legs is that the Pan America drops a full two inches when stopped. Once underway, the bike raises, increasing ground clearance. One of my previous gripes with the Pan America was that the ergonomics didn't work for me. The distance from the seat to the bars was a stretch, resul ng in an uncom- fortable reach. Also, either the seat was too low or the bars too high, resul ng in my wrists above my elbows, which was a ring ride posi on. The 2025 model with the taller seat fits me well. As for the test ride, H-D no longer offers guided tours; they take your license info and set you out solo to enjoy the experience one-on-one. The course was arrowed like a dual sport, and I set out to see what the 2025 Harley Davidson Pan America was all about. During the introduc on process, I learned about the different power modes, with the "Sport" mode offering a whopping 150 hp on tap. Once I felt comfortable, I kicked it into Sport to see what it was all about, and man alive, the power is immense. I'd also like to add that the Pan America isn't your typical, loud, air-cooled Harley; this engine is a high-tech liquid-cooled V-Twin with overhead cams and hydraulic, variable valvetrain. The bonus is it's quiet. My me spent on the Pan America consisted of about 45 minutes of all pavement. In the end, I was impressed on many levels. It seems the bike and company have evolved in a tremen- dously posi ve way. Yes, being a 1250cc 150 hp ADV bike, it's a large motorcycle, but if one is considering a cross-country adventure that might include some dirt road riding, the Pan America is a great alterna ve for those who enjoy this seg- ment of motorcycling. In closing, I'm glad to have revisited H-D this year and pleased to report they changed my opinion tremendously! Triumph Tiger 900 Triumph Tiger 900 Harley-Davidson Pan America Harley-Davidson Pan America Pan America engine is a high tech unit Pan America engine is a high tech unit