Traction control is standard on the Breakout 117 in the 2024 model year.
The new Breakout 117 has had traction control installed as standard this year.
Harley-Davidson is once again focusing on safety and driving stability, especially with powerful models like the Breakout. In addition to the anti-lock braking system, traction control is now one of the standard assistance systems that ensure an even safer driving experience. On a Harley, which already builds up a lot of pressure with 168 Nm at 3,500 rpm, traction control is a useful support, especially in wet road conditions.
Harley Davidson Breakout 117
Test drive with the Breakout 117! Traction control in practical testing
During my test drive I was able to take a closer look at the character of the Breakout - in particular when the traction control really intervenes and whether you have the feeling that the machine is perhaps being controlled too much. But don't worry: The Breakout remains untamed. Of course, you still have to be a little careful on wet asphalt when you go straight to full throttle.
But as soon as the traction control registers that the tire is spinning, it intervenes pretty perfectly without the driver noticing a noticeable loss of performance. She just keeps going like the road is dry.
In my YouTube video you can get an impression of how I turned the throttle properly :-). If you want to drive without traction control from time to time, you can deactivate it using the switch on the dashboard.”
The new traction control of the Breakout 117 – video
During my test ride last year, when I was riding the Atlas silver-colored Breakout, I was able to see how good the saddle on this machine is. I assume that you can easily cover longer distances with it. That's probably why Harley-Davidson thought: we'll also give the Breakout 117 cruise control.
Modern features and practical details for maximum performance and comfort
In addition, the Breakout 117 impresses with modern features such as a digital speedometer with LCD display in the handlebar clamp, LED headlights, electronic cruise control and a USB port. Practical details such as an immobilizer, keyless ignition and a remaining range display are also on board.
Visually, the model impresses with forward footrests and a removable pillion seat. The self-resetting indicators and the LED combination indicators at the rear complete the package. The integrated hazard warning lights ensure even more safety, while a connection for the battery charger increases convenience in everyday life.
New colors and standard cruise control for even more driving fun
The Breakout 117 is available in several attractive colors: Billiard Gray, Vivid Black, White Onyx Pearl, Alpine Green and Blue Burst. Each of these colors gives the motorcycle its own touch and makes it a real eye-catcher on the road.
The Breakout 117 also now has cruise control as standard, which makes longer journeys even more relaxing. This electronic cruise control system is ideal for tours where you want to keep the speed constant without having to constantly turn the throttle. Not only is it comfortable, but it's another example of how Harley-Davidson equips the Breakout 117 with modern technologies to optimize the riding experience.
Technology: Harley-Davidson Breakout 117
Technical data: Breakout 117 model year 2024
Assistance systems:
Anti-lock braking system traction control
Features: digital speedometer and operating displays in an LCD display on the handlebar clamp, LED headlights, electronic cruise control system, USB connection, immobilizer, keyless ignition, remaining range display, forward footrests, removable pillion seat, self-resetting indicators, LED combination indicators (rear), hazard warning lights, connection for battery charger
Colors: Billiard Gray, Vivid Black, White Onyx Pearl, Alpine Green, Blue Burst
Assistance systems:
Anti-lock braking system traction control
Features:
digital speedometer and operating displays in an LCD display on the handlebar clamp, LED headlights, electronic cruise control system, USB port, immobilizer, keyless ignition, remaining range display, forward footrests, removable pillion seat, self-resetting indicators, LED combination indicators (rear), hazard warning lights, connection for battery charger
Colors:
Billiard Gray, Vivid Black, White Onyx Pearl, Alpine Green, Blue Burst
Breakout 117 model year 2024
Mass and weight:
Curb weight incl. materials:
310kg
Wheel load distribution:
front:
142kg
rear:
168kg
Maximum weight allowed:
533kg
Payload:
223kg
Tank content (reserve):
18.9L (3.8L)
Length:
2370mm
Width:
950mm
Height:
1065mm
Seat height, without driver:
665mm
Wheelbase:
1695mm
Information according to manufacturer
Engine: Milwaukee Eight 117
Air and liquid-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 45° V-twin, transverse crankshaft, two gear-driven balancer shafts, an underlying camshaft driven by a toothed chain, four valves per cylinder (OHV) operated via forked rocker arms, oil-cooled exhaust area, hydraulic tappet, double ignition, dry sump lubrication , Heavy Breather air filter, fuel injection, throttle valve Ø 55 mm, Electronic Throttle Control (ETC), contactless transistor ignition, electric starter, 42 A three-phase alternator with 390 W at 1000 rpm and max. 546 W, maintenance-free AGM -Battery 12 V/17.5 Ah, regulated catalytic converter, oil cooler
Drilling:
103.5mm
Hub:
114.3mm
Displacement:
1923 cm3
Compression ratio:
10,2:1
Power kW (HP)/rpm*:
76 (103)/5020
Torque Nm/rpm*:
168/3500
Maximum speed:
190 km/h
Standing/driving noise:
94 dB(A)/2510 rpm / 75 dB(A)
Emissions*:
135 g/km CO2 (Euro 5)
Fuel consumption*:
5.6L/100km
Service data:
Guarantee:
four years with no mileage limit
Initial inspection:
after 1600 km
Service intervals:
Once a year or every 8000 km
Engine oil change:
every 8000 km (with filter)
Engine oil:
Harley-Davidson Syn 3 (20W-50)
Capacity:
Oil tank with filter: 4.7 l
Spark plugs:
6R10
Air filter:
Fiberglass filter element
Idle speed:
850 rpm
Fuel:
Super unleaded
Landing gear:
Double loop tubular steel frame, top cable in backbone construction, telescopic fork (SDBV technology), standpipe diameter 49 mm, central spring strut with hydraulically manually adjustable spring base, triangular swingarm made of tubular steel, square steel profile and cast mold elements
Steering head angle:
34°
Fork angle:
36°
Trailing:
145mm
ABS braking system:
front:
a disc brake, perforated, Ø 300 mm, four-piston fixed caliper
rear:
a disc brake, perforated, Ø 292 mm, two-piston floating caliper
Spring travel:
front:
130mm
rear:
86mm
Rim size:
front:
21×3.5 26-spoke cast light alloy wheel, glossy black with high-sheen areas
rear:
18×8 26-spoke cast light alloy wheel, glossy black with high-sheen areas
Standard tires:
Michelin Harley Davidson
front:
Scorcher 11 – 130/60 B21 63H
rear:
Scorcher 11 – 240/40 R18 79V
Tire air pressure:
front:
2.5 bar
rear:
2.9 bar
Price: 28,995 euros base price ex works including 19% VAT plus transport and assembly fee: 560€ (manufacturer information 09/2024)
In Senigallia I rode the brand new Harley-Davidson Street Glide 2024 during the test rides of the Harley-Davidson event. There is a Motovlog driving report from the road where I go into the differences between the Street Glide and Road Glide. I highlight the impressive innovations, performance and driving experience of the new Street Glide, with the 117 Milwaukee-Eight engine. Whether it's design, technology or ride comfort - I'll take a closer look at the Street Glide 2024 and share my experiences and impressions with you.
Harley-Davidson test drive on my YouTube channel
With the new Street Glide and Road Glide models for the 2024 model year, Harley-Davidson is setting new standards for its Grand American Touring motorcycles. These bikes feature an impressive new design, increased comfort, more performance and driving dynamics as well as the latest infotainment technology.
Optics and technology are based on the CVO models CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide, which were introduced last year. Thanks to lighter materials, the 2024 models were able to lose weight compared to the 2023 Street Glide Special and Road Glide Special models, which has a positive effect on driving and braking performance.
Colors: Billiard Gray, Vivid Black, White Onyx Pearl, Whiskey Fire, Blue Burst (each with a choice of Chrome or Black Finish) Additionally only with Chrome Finish: Alpine Green Additionally only with Black Finish: Atlas Silver Metallic, Sharkskin Blue
Large 117 Milwaukee-Eight engine, a large tank, the 21 inch front wheel and 240 rear wheel and the Screamin' Eagle Heavy Breather air filter are striking features
Are you looking for a motorcycle that impresses in terms of both performance and style? Then you shouldn't miss the current Harley-Davidson Breakout 117 ! The Breakout 117 FXBRS combines the best of both worlds and is a real eye-catcher on the road. I took her on a trial tour and drove through the Westerwald in the powerful 117 Milwaukee-Eight.
1. A look at the technology: powerful engine and chassis
A look at the technology: powerful engine and chassis When it comes to the technology of the new Harley-Davidson Breakout 117, there is a lot to say. Let's start with the powerful engine: The proven Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin engine powers the current Breakout and offers a whopping 1,923 cc displacement and an output of 106 hp. This means that this machine is not only powerful, but also fast and agile.
It really starts firing, especially in the middle gears. I was driving it on the motorway and stopped somewhere around the 200 km/h limit. Harley-Davison states that it has a top speed of 190 km/h, but I didn't feel the limiter switch on. I would even say that she goes over it, but if we're honest, these speeds are not her comfort zone and she wasn't built for that.
But that's just the 177 engine, it always pulls full power when you turn the electronic throttle.
Optimal handling and perfect straight-line stability
The chassis is very good and provides optimal handling and noticeably good straight-line stability. Whether on winding roads or on straight stretches, the Breakout can be controlled precisely. However, the 240 mm rear tire means that it has to be pushed a little into the curves. The driving behavior is slightly different than if you were on the Low Rider S, but that is exactly what makes it so special. The central spring strut is covered by the triangular swingarm, creating an old-school rigid frame look.
So if you are looking for a bike with power and performance that is equipped with plenty of chrome and also looks very good, you should take a closer look at the Harley-Davidson Breakout 117.
2. What's new about the Breakout for the 2023 model year
In 2023, the Harley-Davidson Breakout will be equipped with an electronic cruise control function as standard, which Harley-Davidson calls Cruise Control. Since summer 2023, it has also been possible to order the Breakout 117 with optional electronic traction control.
LED turn signal brake light combination Breakout 117 Harley-Davidson FXBRS
Many parts that were previously black, such as exhaust parts, fender struts, side panels, indicators and rear view mirrors, are now chrome plated. The lighting relies entirely on LED technology and offers newly designed turn signals at the rear end, which have an even circle of light for the tail and brake light functions.
3. The look of the new Breakout 117: modern, powerful and cool
When it comes to the look of the new Harley-Davidson Breakout 117, you can only be amazed. The machine not only looks modern and powerful, but is also incredibly cool. The chrome-plated engine and the powerful wheels ensure an eye-catcher on every road. The design is aggressive and muscular, which perfectly matches the performance of the machine.
The LED headlight and the digital instrument display complete the overall picture. The digital display is a little more difficult to read in sunlight, at least with the smaller numbers, so sometimes I didn't really know which gear I was in and had to rely on my instincts. The Breakout 117 looks simply breathtaking and makes every biker's heart beat faster; the digital display in combination with the LED lamps makes it look very modern. The now larger tank makes it look even more powerful, with the thick tank it simply looks like more of a motorcycle, as I said YouTube
4. Travel comfortably with the new Breakout
How comfortable it is to ride on the Breakout 117.
Do you not only want to stand out on the road, but also want to travel comfortably? The saddle, with the removable pillion seat, is really outstanding and provides a pleasant riding experience even on longer tours. We can certainly speak of a good level of comfort, you will be able to get through a long Sunday tour without suffering.
The wide drag-style handlebars and comfortable seating position allow you to ride for hours without back pain or tension. In my opinion, even long distances are no problem with this machine! The perfect combination of performance and comfort makes the new Breakout a real highlight on the road. I'm 1.83 and it's perfect for me. If your legs are a little shorter, you can certainly think about moving the forward footrests so that it also fits a shorter rider.
5. Conclusion: The new Harley-Davidson Breakout 117 perfectly combines performance and style in one package
The new Harley-Davidson Breakout 117 is a combination of performance and style. With its powerful engine and very good chassis, it is technically top notch! But the look of the new Breakout 117 is also impressive. Modern, powerful and cool – these are the attributes that perfectly describe this machine. But it's not just its appearance that impresses, the new Breakout also offers comfort. With it you can travel comfortably and relaxed.
In summary, Harley-Davidson had a very good idea here by equipping the Breakout with the 117 engine and giving it the large tank. It is already very perfect and definitely on the shortlist for every biker who is looking for an extraordinary riding experience.
6. The driving report for the Breakout 117 FXBRS
Be there when I take you on my trial tour with the Beeakout 117 on my Harleysite YouTube Channel.
7. Advantages and disadvantages of the Harley-Davidson Breakout 117
PER
Very good straight-line stability!
Perfect fit
High-torque 117 engine
Drag style handlebars
Easy handling with the front wheel
Chrome-plated heavy breather
The design is very successful
Large 18.9L tank
Stable chassis
Two balance shafts
Wide tires
Pillion removable
USB-C port
Cruise control
Keyless ignition system
LED technology light ring with taillight and brake light function
Retention of value, the Breakout is generally in good condition and is always very popular
Spring preload adjustable without tools
CONS
Only one brake disc at the front
No upside-down fork
Digital display is not for old people
Traction control not standard
What looks cool is the wide tires, but it is more difficult to handle in tight corners
The price makes them very exclusive
8. A look at the Breakout 117 specifications
Specifications
Breakout 117 model year 2023
Seat height, without driver
665mm
Tank contents
18.9L
Curb weight without operating materials
296kg
Empty weight including operating materials
310kg
displacement
Milwaukee Eight. 117, 1,923 cm3
Power transmission
Timing belt, ratio 32:66
transmission
Six-speed Cruise Drive™
Wheels
Light alloy wheels with 26 cast spokes, glossy black
Front rim size
21 inches
Rear rim size
18 inches
Front suspension
49 mm telescopic fork with Dual Bending Valve technology
Rear suspension
Central spring strut with hydraulically manually adjustable spring base
Performance
103 HP / 76 kW @ 5,020 rpm
Max. Torque
168 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
USB charging socket
USB charging port
Colors
Vivid Black Black Denim Baja Orange Atlas Silver Metallic
SECTION
Standard
All statements without guarantee
Text & image credits: Harleysite / Volker Wolf
The Breakout 117 was made available by Harley-Davidson without any obligation to publish.
You might also be interested in the following article:
Harley-Davidson Breakout 117 model year 2023
Is the new Harley-Davidson Breakout 117 perfect now? 58
Ridingthe Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King from the Icons Collection in Milwaukee
I experience a truly unique sitting position on the Highway King
After sitting in the comfortable seat and starting the engine, I was greeted by a deep, sonorous sound. The 114ci Milwaukee-Eight engine came to life, but the most noticeable thing was the seating position, which was very unusual for me. I was sitting really high and my legs were already slightly stretched, even though I'm not necessarily short at 1.83. But somehow it was cool and off we went to the Mother City of Harley-Davidson. The roads in Milwaukee are really bad, but in the suspension saddle of the Highway King it doesn't bother you much.
THE BEAUTY! Those were the words of a Harley biker as I appeared next to him at a traffic light in Milwaukee. “ That Harley is so pretty ,” he said to his wife, who was sitting behind him and looking friendly over at me with a smile on her face. We only stood at the traffic lights for a short time, but we immediately started talking. That's how it is with Americans, communication is always established quickly, especially when it's clear that you have common interests.
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King in Milwaukee
Driving on Highway King in Milwaukee
The Highway King particularly stands out in the Magenta / Birch White paintwork. There is another paint option in Orange/Birch White, but it wasn't available to me. Still, even though the color is unusual for a biker guy, I couldn't resist the temptation to ride it around Harley-Davidson's hometown. Unfortunately, you don't get this opportunity to travel with a model from the Harley-Davidson ICONS COLLECTION very often, and in Milwaukee too.
The Highway King exudes an impressive presence!
From the first moment I laid eyes on the Electra Glide Highway King, I was captivated by its imposing presence and signature styling, something more in the classic design that Harley fans around the world love about the brand. The rich black on the tank with shiny chrome details and the unmistakable Harley emblem made my biker heart beat faster, it is simply beautiful, but my favorite would still have been the orange, if you can say so. The two-tone paintwork is included in the two Icon models.
Technically the highway is king these days!
She has had various assistance systems implemented. Anti-lock braking system and corner-optimized anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution and corner-optimized electronic brake force distribution, traction control and corner-optimized traction control, drag torque control, vehicle holding assistant and tire air pressure monitoring system. Something like everything that's going on at Harley today, you could say.
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King from the Icons Collection 2023
The Harley-Davidson Highway King in the old waterfront area of Milwaukee
From Historic Buildings to Legendary Motorcycles: A Journey Through Time in Milwaukee
This building complex was built between 1889 and 1929, a period that must be considered extremely productive. After all, I'm only in Milwaukee because the first Harley-Davidson was launched here in 1903. While this old cold storage facility may be a relic of the past, Harley-Davidson remains active today, continuing the tradition of producing legendary motorcycles like the Highway King.
WHAT A FEELING!
The Electra Glide Highway King showed its true strength on the streets of Milwaukee. Acceleration was effortless and powerful. The 114ci engine developed an impressive torque curve, which made it possible to glide through the gears gently, or as gently as you can with a Harley, but also to overtake powerfully if necessary, but that's not particularly appropriate for such an icon.
It's not a corner chaser, you could take it quickly through corners, but the high seating position and handling are not intended for that. She just wants to be beautiful and she can do that. A royal and relaxed outing is her specialty, with her you can easily promenade through the city.
On the road in Milwaukee with the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King, from the Icons Collection.
The trip to the legendary Harley-Davidson Museum
My route took me through the historic streets of Milwaukee, the birthplace of Harley-Davidson. As I drove through the streets of Milwaukee, I could feel the history and soul of Harley-Davidson. The city is the birthplace of this legendary brand, and I was honored to cruise through this historic setting on an Icons Collection Harley-Davidson.
My destination, the Harley-Davidson Museum , the perfect place to pull up on a Highway King. First, I enjoy the view from the large Sixth Street South Bridge, which is in front of the Harley-Davidson Museum, where numerous Harleys have been parked. You are not allowed to park anywhere on the bridge because it can be folded up, which some of the bikers didn't even notice.
Only when it was pointed out to them that it would be better to park somewhere else did they clear the space, which was not vacant for no reason. I just positioned myself briefly on the threshold for the photo, with the Harley-Davidson Museum in the background.
The Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King on the Sixth Street South Bridge in Milwaukee
I can't even describe the feeling, when you have just a little bit of Harley in your blood and you get a glimpse of the museum where the entire history of Harley-Davidson is kept, you get a tingling feeling.
I can't wait to visit the museum, there's an impressive collection of historical models waiting for me, and it felt good to take the Highway King to the site.
You park in a row with the “ordinary” Harleys on the lawn in front of the museum. The Highway King will be able to withstand that one day.
The Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King in front of the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee
Vain search for the FLHFB Electra Glide from 1968, the template for today's Electra Glide Highway King
Of course, it's possible that I was totally contaminated while strolling through the Harley-Davidson Museum. But I couldn't find the original for today's Electra Glide from 1968 in the museum.
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide 1968 FLHFB is the template for today's Highway King.
The Harley-Davidson Archive at the Harley-Davidson Museum
I went to the Harley-Davidson Archives, which really has a lot of Harley-Davidson history to explore. What you can generally see in the Harley-Davidson Museum is a story in itself. The Sturgis Softail is also located here, a particularly unique piece.
Harley-Davidson Archives - Harley-Davidson Museum Milwaukee
After I finished my program, I went back to the Highway King, which I had parked on the lawn. A group of Harley ladies saw me getting the magenta colored Highway King ready to go. Again I heard how beautiful it is and that you would love to have one of those. I then made it clear that it wasn't mine, I just had the honor of being the king, or maybe in the magenta livery it was also the queen, to be able to run a little through Milwaukee.
The cabin at the Harley-Davidson Museum Milwaukee
A royal day comes to an end
Harley-Davidson continues to pursue the goal of arousing desire among its customers. They achieve this with limitations, as in this case. There are a total of 1,750 of the models worldwide, 750 of which are in Hi-Fi Magenta and 1,000 in Hi-Fi Orange. The price is a royal €38,495 plus installation fee.
I was driving the model 199, one of 750 worldwide Highway Kings in magenta paint. Yes, that's something very special, the attention it received might prove them right, as long as the concept doesn't become commonplace and there are too many special models in the brand's portfolio. We had quite a few this year, but the ICONS COLLECTION still stands out.
The Harley-Davidson Highway King Magenta parked next to all other 2023 Harley-Davidson models
Hard to get anymore!
Basically, this article only addresses very few bikers, because most of them have already been sold and very few will have received one. So it's more about the feeling and dreams, I want everyone to have fun with one of the models from the Icons Collection. It's especially good when the owners ride them and let us share in their beauty as they travel the world's highways with exclusive Harleys.
Text & image credit: Harleysite. 1968 FLHFB Harley-Davidson
Type: FL3, Model: FLHFB, Motor: Milwaukee-Eight 114, displacement: 1868 cm 3 , power KW (PS)/U/min*: 69 (94)/5250, torque NM/U/min*: 158/3250 , Top speed: 175 km/h, stand/driving noise: 92 dB (A)/2625 u/min/74 dB (a), emissions*: 142 g/km CO2 (Euro V), fuel consumption*: 6.1 l /100 km, series tires: Dunlop Harley-Davidson, white wall, front: D402F MT90B16 72H, rear: D407 T 180/65B16 81H, empty weight incl. (Reserve): 22.7 l (3.8 l), seat height, without a driver: 790 mm. * according to 134/2014ec
Assistance systems: anti-lock braking system and corner-optimized anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution and corner-optimized electronic brake force distribution, traction control and corner-optimized traction control, drag torque control, vehicle holding assistant and tire air pressure monitoring system.
Features: Solo saddle (sprung) with chrome railing, windshield (tinted below), immobilizer, remaining range indicator, driver's footboards, electronic cruise control system, two lockable luggage cases (total volume: 64 l), chrome-plated trim strips on cases and front fender, Daymaker LED headlights, Additional headlights, self-resetting indicators, hazard warning lights, connection for battery charger.
Price from the factory: 38,495 euros (RRP Germany) or 47,595 euros (RRP Austria)
Colors: Hi-Fi Orange, Hi-Fi Magenta, each case in Birch White
You have to be a bit crazy to convert a Harley-Davidson Pan America so radically and unleash the maximum power of the HD Revolution Max Motor.
Sascha Körte is a salesperson at Harley-Davidson Weser-Ems / Börjes American Bikes in Augustfehn. And he's a little crazy too. Passionate Harley-Davidson driver and always on the last track. He actually works the asphalt of the northern German lowlands with a Harley-Davidson E-Glide Police. This bike has been completely rebuilt and was of course tuned for maximum torque and plenty of power in the Börjes Tuning Center.
THE AMERICAN STREETFIGHTER HAS CAUSED A LOT OF EXCITEMENT ON THE NET!
The image has fueled plenty of speculation, from the brand's renewed demise to the two-wheeled dream, at least for those still waiting for the Bronx today.
In autumn 2022, Dynojet tuning professional Marco Gertje was locked up by his colleagues “for a weekend” with a Pan America in the tuning cellar in Augustfehn. The goal was to optimize the mapping of the Pan America. The cold start and starting problem that occurred intermittently on some models should be resolved.
American Streetfighter Harley-Davidson
In addition, there was suspicion that the Revolution Max engine from Harley-Davidson could be capable of significantly more than what it was given at the factory. That's quite a bit of effort, because the Pan America has different driving modes, each with their own programs. After countless tuning runs on the test bench, he managed to give the Revolution Max engine a really clean cold start.
The interview with Sascha Körte on YouTube
The entire starting behavior has changed, even the starting noise no longer rattles as much. He couldn't resist modifying the S-Mode a little. After a few days of concentrated work, Marco returned from the basement with a big grin. An extraordinary mapping and a significant improvement in performance and drivability were achieved.
Sascha Körte was then asked by the Tuning Center team to test drive the new mapping for the Pan America, the Sportster S and the Nightster and to report back his experiences and requests for improvements to Marco Gertje.
It started with the comparatively harmless tuning of the Pan America 1250 Special, which culminated in an escalated maximum tuning.
The test drive then suddenly led to a change of heart. Sascha wanted a Pan America for himself. After the test drive, it was ordered immediately and he couldn't sleep peacefully for a while. In addition to tuning, a radical conversion also had to be thought out. The idea of a street fighter was always buzzing in his head, the absolute opposite of his E-Glide Police.
The Börjes workshop team rebuilt the entire rear and had a rear fender specially developed for the Pan America made. The fairing with windshield including headlights were removed and replaced with an LED round headlight with a small mask. The crash bars, radiator covers and handguards were also removed.
There are many small detailed solutions to discover
The series exhaust system was carried out by a Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde flap exhaust system replaced, which is partly self-made by Börjes Schmiede. This system originally belonged to a Sportster S. Kellermann also supplied the brand new Jetstream LED indicators for the rear area and a license plate holder was added. The remaining plastic parts were painted. A K&N air filter now ensures sufficient air supply and the bike handles well with a V-Team handlebar.
A home-made holder was used as a holder for the display/speedometer. The handlebar end mirrors and the front indicators come from the Ricks forge. Many other details have been changed, the list of which would go beyond the scope here. And because Sascha is a little crazy, he asked his tuning colleague to please use full power - but still drive well. Said and done.
The result was an American streetfighter with a radical design and unbridled power from standstill to top speed. And I was able to test this part extensively at the spring meeting in Augustfehn.
DynoJet Mapping Revolution Max 1250 American Streetfighter
My Streetfighter test drive and first impression
I have ridden many different Pan America 1250 Special models. She's certainly not slow in the series and her new character is a real revolution in terms of performance development in combination with Harley-Davidson.
Sascha took the Pan America with the powerful 1250 cc Revolution Max engine and converted it into a street fighter, which at first makes you wonder if that's even possible. Yes, of course, that actually works really well, with my 1.83 tall I sat on the Streetfighter like a glove, slightly leaning forward, my hands went to the widely spaced handlebar ends of the specially made V-Team handlebars, which felt really cool.
When I drove off with her for the first time, you immediately noticed that everything here was just waiting for the right command from the driver. A very precise response and it is noticeably full of tension. A slight twist of the electronic throttle and she wants to go brutally.
Everything trimmed for grip
I wasn't ready yet and had to check the situation first because the tires and grip felt completely different when I turned the steering. I was driving at around 15 degrees and had full grip, but I didn't expect that to be a good sign.
Sascha has mounted the AVON SPIRIT ST tires , the Michelin Anakee is easier to steer and certainly lasts longer, which is probably not a priority with the Streetfighter, it's all about grip. Let's keep in mind: seating position is great despite the wide handlebars, starting behavior is great, throttle response is very precise, mega grip and the most noticeable thing for me was the gears.
STREETFIGHTER WITH AVON TIRES
AVON SPIRIT ST
An extraordinary switching experience
The Streetfighter has the quickshifter installed, but that alone doesn't do it. Through the mapping, they have produced a switching experience that I have never experienced before. Not only does the gear just fall into place, there is an indescribably good and soft feeling when the gear is shifted.
Very striking, anyone who has the comparison will immediately notice the precise and smooth entry into the next gear. Seen from that point of view, everything was perfect, but there was still something to be discovered in terms of performance development. It goes like hell, in third gear the front still goes up and I'm by no means a lightweight.
You can see it very well on the performance diagram, it starts at 2000 revolutions, about 300 earlier than in the series. At 2500 rpm the curves meet again briefly and then it goes away. It pulls hard, at around 6800 rpm you have the feeling that more thrust is coming, but you can't see that on the performance curve, in the series it feels like it's at 6300 rpm, but then the Streetfighter is already gone.
At 8000 revolutions the series becomes a little quieter, the Streetfighter pulls through to 9200 and screams for the next gear. It's hell what comes out of the engine and even that's not the end, it would turn even more, Sascha told me. You have to pull yourself together if you want to go through the curves in accordance with the law. Accelerate out of the curve through the S-curve with load changes. I would say that many burners only see the taillights from it.
The longer travel is not a problem, the upside down fork does a very good job. When braking, you notice that Brembo music is playing in the double disc brake system at the front. She pulls you back out of the shooting inferno when it's needed.
The American Streetfighter is the perfect corner chaser
This is a pure street fighter, it's not about the top speed, it's supposed to sprint and steal corners, with its top set-up it does that perfectly. When it comes to street fighters, appearance also plays a role. The rear was changed and various parts were painted, a lot can be done with good paint.
The seat has been shortened, but not finished yet. Sascha is still working on his Streetfighter, it was more of a coincidence that I drove the device. I'm pretty sure that a new trend can emerge here, there are enough crazy people like Sascha who want to have fun with projects like this and who would have thought it, Pan America is actually the template for it.
To this day, Harley-Davidson has let the Streetfighter and BRONX issue fizzle out. And this despite the fact that they actually have the basics on the shelf. The water-cooled Revolution Max engine has incredible power and can be put on the road with different characters.
The Sportster S is designed more for torque, but is already very sporty and the Pan America with its 152 hp goes a little crazier when you drive it.
If Harley-Davidson doesn't manage to get a streetfighter on the road, they just build it themselves; for Harley bikers, it's probably the least of their problems.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide ST and Road Glide ST 117 with Screaming Eagle Performance
The Harley-Davidson ST models are the high-flyers in the 2022 model year. In the series version, the Street Glide ST and Road Glide ST models are delivered with the powerful 117 Milwaukee-Eight engine. This also applies to the Low Rider ST from the Softail series, it is a little lighter and sportier.
On the island of Mallorca with the Street Glide ST 117
I've been traveling around Europe Harley-Davidson Street Glide ST 117 It was around 8,500 kilometers in the sporty way, you could confidently say. The machine had previously taken part in the non-public Bagger Party Race and had to prove itself on the racetrack, but I didn't go that far with it.
The Street Glide ST converted into a tourer
For me it also had to serve as a tourer, so the passenger footrests and, as is usual for me, a sissy bar and the removable luggage rack were installed because I still want to go on a big tour with it.
The Street Glide ST is equipped with the new Euro 5 Screaming Eagle exhaust system , which is backwards compatible until 2021. The system from the Harley-Davidson factory tuner Screaming Eagle makes noticeably more sound and is legal, it is not a flap exhaust system, but comes without these electronically controlled flaps. The DB-Eater can be removed for racing purposes. It sounds very robust and sporty, this entire combination, starting with the sporty Heavy Breather air filter, which is included as standard, the drag seat, the Öhlins chassis and up to the Screaming Eagle exhaust system , make the ST a really sporty motorcycle.
The original exhaust system is a lot quieter, but feels louder than usual with previous models and in this case the Heavy Breather air filter still dominates the sound.
The Harley-Davidson drag seat
to the Harley-Davidson drag seat as I'm not normally that sporty. However, I was able to notice that it really provides a very good grip. Anyone who likes to drive through curves in a sporty way will appreciate it. If you are a little taller, you can adjust the rear attachment backwards, which is a very good solution.
Harley-Davidson drag seat
It gets a little softer after a few thousand kilometers. Personally, I would replace it with the Hammock Touring seat for long tours, which can be done quickly with a screw.
Although it really depends, maybe I just need to lose some weight, because in a conversation with André Jäger (Harley-Davidson District Manager) that I took with him on the island of Mallorca, he had a different opinion. You can listen to the entire conversation on the Harleysite YouTube Channel .
Screaming Eagle Performance Öhlins suspension
Trying out the Screaming Eagle Öhlins was really an experience for me. With the right setting, I generally always drove well with the original chassis, although at high speeds and with a lot of luggage you notice that you are at the limit.
Now you might think, who rides that fast on a Harley, you should be surprised, a lot of people do that. I wouldn't have thought that either, but when some people noticed on Facebook that I was using other suspension components, I started getting inquiries accordingly.
After over 8,500 kilometers of test driving, it's clear to me that you should generally think about investing in a chassis, perhaps even earlier than in something else. Especially if you are thinking about tuning, this should be on your agenda. A completely different driving behavior arises once you have found the perfect and suitable setting.
There are a lot of things to consider, in addition to the right oil, you have to find the right compression and rebound damping. On the Öhlins there is a regulator on the external expansion tank where you can adjust the hardness as the load changes. That worked really well for me, at some point I got the hang of it, you can really fine-tune it. I drove to Prague on the motorway, from there to Tyrol in the mountains and via Italy and the Dolomites to Lake Faak.
On the highway it was a little firmer, on the country road it was a little softer and for the mountain passes the setting was somewhere in between. Now you can say that a chassis with Nivomat can also do this quite well, you can't argue with that, the difference is probably that the Nivomat settings are fixed, although with the Öhlings I can easily change them at any time.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but both versions are better than the standard chassis, that's for sure. It is best if you also replace Screaming Eagle springs At the moment, however, they are not yet available (as of November 16, 2022).
I had this experience when we were traveling a little faster on the island of Mallorca. When the brakes get a little harder, everything at the front is required. I have to say that with the Street Glide ST 117 and the changes to the sound, drag seat and chassis, I have rarely had so much fun driving through the curves in a sporty way.
Street Glide ST 117 in Prague at the National Museum
The sporty tire choice
As a rule, I use Dunlop Multi Thread tires; they are particularly effective on long journeys and on the highway. The Metzeler, on the other hand, is unbeatable for me when it comes to corner eating. The actually heavy machine falls so easily into corners and provides incredibly good grip, I can't even make the most of it. Although I would like to say that with a good setup I can travel quickly.
To come to the end, the Road Glide ST 117 that I rode in the spring was a lot of fun, but the Street Glide ST 117 with the Screaming Eagle updates topped it all again.
Considering that Harley-Davidson circles assume that prices will rise again at the turn of the year, you can certainly ask yourself whether you actually need more Harley. The price-performance ratio is not bad with this model; you can't otherwise get the 117 Milwaukee-Eight in the Grand American Tourer class that cheaply. Clear recommendation!
The Harleysite YouTube video about the report
Interview with André Jäger about the Harley-Davidson ST models.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide ST 117 and Road Glide ST 117
With the Street Glide ST and Road Glide ST models, Harley-Davidson is bringing two performance baggers onto the road, which are obviously descended from the racing machine with which Harley-Davidson won the 2021 MotoAmerica “King of the Baggers” championship.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST 117 – driving report
The special fun maker in the Grand American Touring class The Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST 117 is one of a series of three particularly sporty models that Harley-Davidson has brought to the road in 2022!
In Senigallia I rode the brand new Harley-Davidson Street Glide 2024 during the test rides of the Harley-Davidson event. There is a Motovlog driving report from the road where I go into the differences between the Street Glide and Road Glide.
The special fun maker in the Grand American Touring class
The Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST 117 is one of a series of three particularly sporty models that Harley-Davidson has brought to the road in 2022!
Road Glide ST 117 comes as standard as a single-seater from the factory; the background is its actual use for the Bagger Race, which is currently gaining more and more popularity in the USA and will certainly find its way to us. Now very few of us will want to race with it, so I converted it into a tourer a bit so I could ride the Road Glide to the Lofoten Islands in Norway. The hammock seat and the removable sissy bar with luggage rack are exactly what I need.
Buy another Road Glide ST 117 in 2022?
The 117 engine really appeals to me and the sporty ST version is the best way to get a tourer with a 117 cubic inch engine in terms of price-performance. Next year it is assumed that Harley-Davidson will bring an engine upgrade, but we don't really know which versions this will be for.
A price increase is expected again for the 2023 model year, which could be up to 7%, although the dollar exchange rate will play its own role.
So I would really consider whether it should still be a 2022 model. The tourer is really fun, the 1923 cc pushes the approx. 382kg powerfully out of every corner, it's this pull that really makes the difference.
An even larger Milwaukee-Eight engine would certainly be more fun, but that would cost more. The Vivid Black paintwork in combination with the “Matte Dark Bronze” color stripes on the lower rocker boxes and the Prodigy cast light alloy wheels are the identifying features of the ST series. Everything is beautifully done in black, it scores points with its appearance.
Of course, Harley-Davidson also has a number of parts in the catalog for the ST series, various panels or black levers for the case pull the black thread through even more.
If you want to stand out even more, it is also available in Gunship Gray for an additional charge of €430 (as of 10/2022). The gray is just as eye-catching as the whole series. I'm currently riding the Street Glide ST 117 with Öhlins shock absorbers and am also testing them extensively.
I drove the Road Glide ST a total of around 10,000 kilometers, including long stretches of motorway and just as many country roads and passages through the Norwegian mountains. Most of the time I was fully loaded, but you don't notice much of the luggage in terms of performance, it can handle it all.
It has all the technical features that make motorcycling safer, the rain mode being the most striking feature for me. Rain mode is also the only thing you have to actively switch on yourself; all other systems work hidden in the background and intervene automatically when requested by the sensors.
Especially when driving on a ferry, which happens very often in Norway, the rain mode is active for me. With the torque of 168Nm you have to be on your toes when you get on the ship on the steel plates that are actually always wet. The torque is its real strength and it responds immediately from below anyway. It has all the requirements you would expect from a good tourer, there are many options for upgrading it and that's a good thing.
I had a lot of fun with it on my tours, you can certainly hear my enthusiasm in the video, although the difference to a Street Glide ST is more of a matter of opinion, they're both really fun, which can make things complicated in the end.
131ci Street Glide Special Tuning at Harley-Davidson Lübeck
The 131ci kit in a Street Glide Special and the Wilbers Nivomat suspension change everything!
I still remember when I went on a big tour with the first Milwaukee-Eight Motor 107ci in 2017. It was one of the first Harleys with the Milwaukee-Eight engine and I wasn't sure whether my plan to drive it straight to the North Cape was a good idea.
In the end, I drove 30,000 kilometers with it in that year and, apart from an accident on a mountain passage in Norway, where a bus tipped me into the stone wall, it carried me across Europe. Today we know how much potential the Milwaukee-Eight still has; I wouldn't have expected that from Harley-Davidson back then.
The Milwaukee-Eight engine has enormous potential
The engine was designed in such a way that it can cope with the increasingly strict European standards. You have to ask yourself why it is even necessary that vehicles that are used 80% only for leisure purposes have to comply with such strict regulations.
We are currently using the Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight engines with up to 117ci in the series and they are driving really well. The tuning has now gone up to 144ci, which is very intense. In Oxford / England, HD technicians got well over 200 hp out of it and are driving it with the original gearbox. I still have an invitation in my pocket, at some point I have to see it live.
131ci Street Glide Harley-Davidson Lübeck rides with the Wilbers Nivomat like it's on rails!
131ci Street Glide with Wilbers Nivomat suspension
At Harley-Davidson in Lübeck, which also has a very good reputation in the scene for DynoJet mapping, the 131ci has now been installed based on a Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special from 2020 in the color Zephyr Blue / Black Sunglo. DynoJet mapping tailored to the vehicle turns it into a real monster. All assistance systems continue to work and there are no indicator lights flashing, which indicates good tuning.
What you should never forget when tuning is to also keep an eye on the chassis; on the 131ci Street Glide Special they installed the Nivomat chassis from Wilbers. The corresponding spring elements at the front and rear were replaced with Wilbers. If you're traveling without a lot of luggage or tuning, you'll certainly be able to use the original chassis as long as everything is set up correctly. However, if you have more plans, you should definitely look into the subject of the chassis.
In order to find the right basic setting, the driver takes the weight into account; this is the basis for everything that the Nivomat system adjusts to if the conditions change. This means that as soon as a passenger is on board or there is a lot of luggage on the Harley-Davidson, everything changes. The Nivomat system regulates itself after a journey of approx. 300 meters and automatically adapts to the new conditions. You get a tremendous amount of stiffness in the Street Glide, which prevents it from swaying at higher speeds.
200km/h on the Street Glide Special 131ci
In the series, the Street Glide Special is limited to 178 km/h. With the 131ci and after DynoJet mapping it is open. This means that it can reach speeds of up to 220km/h and rides like it's on rails, no comparison to the original chassis. The 131ci puts a lot of pressure, it's not always just about the high speeds, it should also stay on track when the torque is called upon and you accelerate out of the curve.
It's a powerful combination, the engine pulls continuously from the bottom, even in 6 gear it pushes hard. The 131ci are the equivalent of 2146ccm³, which now build up the pressure in the Milwaukee-Eight V2 to produce an incredible 200Nm of torque.
The price of the projectile is 50,000 euros.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special model year 2020 - color Zephyr Blue / Black Sunglo. 131ci Milwaukee-Eight engine with 160 hp and 200 Nm torque. Rebuilt at Harley-Davidson House of Thunder Lübeck.
The Pan America presentation at a historic location, in the Westerburger Land!
HARLEY-DAVIDSONPAN AMERICA RIDING REPORT - Harley-Davidson flew 25 of the new Harley-Davidson Adventure models to the European presentation of the Pan America. Those responsible have emphasized several times that this is the first official international Pan America presentation and will give German and Austrian journalists the first opportunity to test the standard and special models in suitable terrain.
Harley-Davidson has set the priority of the two important markets high. The fact that Pan America was the first to be officially presented in Germany was intended to show how important the German-speaking customers are to them, for whom we report at the end. I found this statement very interesting.
The Pan America celebrates its official premiere in the Stöffel-Park industrial adventure park
Harley-Davidson has located Stöffel Park in Westerburger Land, an ideal place to test the Pan America. At first glance, the 140-hectare industrial adventure park is probably intended more for geologists, but as it later turned out, there is hardly a better place than the historic basalt quarry. In my imagination I can see the connections directly, a historic company from Milwaukee is essentially letting the boiling magma shoot up from the inner volcano on which we will ride the new Pan America.
Stöffel Park Pan America Adventure area. Photo credit: Harley-Davidson
The area is full of basalt, which was formed during a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. And that's exactly how they imagined it, they're launching the new Pan America into a new segment like a volcanic eruption, destroying everything that came before it and when the volcanic ash has settled, the competitors are wondering what happened now.
The admission numbers will tell us at the end of the year whether that will remain my fantasy. The 2021 contingent is limited, but Pan America will get its market share and its success will only be slowed down by low production numbers. Harley-Davidson is also addressing a completely new target group in addition to its existing customers, which will change a lot in the future.
What once started on a blank sheet of paper will cause quite a stir this year, I am very sure of this statement.
Harleysite
The new Revolution Max engine in reality
I'm starting now with the new Revolution Max engine , because that's the heart of the Pan America , around which everything else has been built. In addition, he will play a very important role Harley-Davidson This will also have an impact on the community and events; sometimes I already have the feeling that two different worlds are meeting here.
The new Harley-Davidson Revolution Max engine
A very big topic is variable valve control , they haven't reinvented it, but they have implemented it very well. The engine has an incredible all-rounder quality, I wouldn't have expected that. The Revolution Max can run smoothly in rain mode and gets really angry in sport mode.
Harley-Davidson has placed emphasis on smoothly realizing low-end torque delivery at low speeds and off-road driving through throttle control. In the appropriate driving modes, the Pan America knows exactly what is required.
The Revolution Max Motor is adaptable!
And it was exactly this situation that I noticed immediately and positively in the field. This is one of the most important features of the engine, especially off-road. When off-road mode is activated, the driving behavior is completely different than, for example, in sport mode. From now on, a performance evaluation of the engine is only possible in combination with the specified driving mode, because that can change everything.
In any case, despite the cool temperatures, there were plenty of tarnished manifolds. Harley-Davidson has moved the second cylinder a little further to the left, so the rear manifold has better exhaust gas behavior and does not build up directly at the exhaust when the gases are transported away. Nowadays, engine temperatures can also be controlled by software. The more you can regulate in advance mechanically, the better, you might have thought.
The Revolution Max motor is water-cooled, so I won't be able to find out whether heat is a problem for it until the summer months.
Harley-Davidson Pan America Revolution Max engine
The Revolution Max engine is a completely new development and cannot be compared with the Milwaukee-Eight. It is not a typical long-stroke engine, revs much higher, has less cubic capacity and adjustable engine management via the driving modes. There are hardly any noticeable vibrations, which was intended with the Milwaukee-Eight.
What is extremely noticeable is how smooth it runs and that it is very quiet, there is no clattering or rattling. I would never have expected Harley-Davidson to build something like that, whether they think it's good is another piece of paper, but they can definitely do it.
Pan America sports fashion – only flying is more beautiful
The engine and this whole system fit very well with the Pan America, the possible differences are really stark. I went up the highway in sport mode, you really have to hold on tight, I immediately felt my abdominal muscles again, especially the day after.
My colleague from Reitwagen in Austria measured about 6.6 seconds from 100km/h to 200km/h using GPS. That's really intense, according to the speedometer, the end was only announced for me at 227km/h. The Michelin studded tires are only permitted at 170 km/h, they are not intended for more than that, although I can attribute very good driving behavior to both tire versions. I was particularly impressed with the road version on wet roads, which I usually am not with the Michelin Scorcher. The tire performed well on dry roads anyway, although the outside temperature was only between 2 and 5 degrees. It will be interesting to see how this combination of power and grip performs in long-term testing.
Pan America spoke wheel
The spoked wheel would be my favorite, the individual spokes can be changed without removing the wheel.
The different driving modes work tremendously
It would be too easy to just look at the performance data of the engine; those days are over with the Pan America. The driver now has the opportunity to configure the character of the engine itself and can copy and reconfigure a driving mode, there are 5 settings, Road, Sport, Rain, Off-Road and Off-Road Plus. In the standard version one mode can be customized, in the special version there are two. Even the engine braking effect is taken into account here, and the cornering ABS and cornering traction control adapt to the required situation in the same way. These options are new in the Harley world and they were absolutely convincing in the off-road and on-road test drives.
Harley-Davidson Pan America riding modes
Lots of questions in the community
A reader asked me whether the Pan America would be suitable for a driving school. I would clearly say yes, because the driving mode configuration gives the driving instructor the opportunity to either set up a tame house cat for the student or for an advanced one Students a wild tiger to prepare him for anything. The Pan America only has full performance in Sport mode, which is hot and in this mode something really happens.
The Pan America is at home everywhere and is a corner chaser in sport mode.
In rain mode you have plenty of safety reserves, so if you can't cope with that, you should probably reconsider riding a motorbike. Furthermore, the rain mode is ideal for novice drivers, even on dry roads; in this mode the Pan America is more in control. The new technology is amazing, but it will cause malice among purists, but it has always been that way.
Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements
This is a package of electronic assistance systems that makes driving very safe. A sophisticated sensor system that even has the lean angle under control. During the test drive on the road we had everything you could have, from rain, sleet and dry roads, everything was there. In rain mode, it is really tame, but it still starts moving without losing contact with the road and gives the driver a very safe driving experience even in the rain, which is where the sensors come into their own. It has cornering-optimized electronic brake force distribution, a cornering anti-lock braking system, cornering traction control and cornering traction control.
Off-road with the Pan America
I drove on the Basalt terrain on the first day and the maximum I could do was second gear. I didn't even get to use the real power because it was already moving so fast in the lower gears that I couldn't even do it as a driver I came along. We had two professionals with us who showed us around the area. When you saw how Busty Wolter and Tobi Weiser rode the Pan America, I really still had room for improvement. The two of them got us on track, I last went off-road 35 years ago, but that made me want more! I can only recommend such training with professionals to everyone, it really puts you in a good mood.
A terrain where she had to endure water and rockfalls.
Great handling off-road, it can do something!
My first concern was weight distribution and handling. In first gear you can stop easily and slowly start moving again after a few seconds of standing still. When you do balance exercises or balance yourself to go up a hill, the Pan America shows itself at its best. The Pan America weighs around 258 kilos when ready to drive, but you don't really notice much of it off-road. Their weight distribution is perfect; the word “mass centralization” is heard more and more in the development of new motorcycles.
Harley Davidson Pan America
The foot brake lever can be adjusted without tools! The footrest rubber was removed for off-road use. Part of the standard scope.
On the stony basalt terrain, I give her spurs!
Basically, the first two gears are easily enough here, if I turn the second gear up to 9000 rpm, flying is even nicer. It is brutal and tame at the same time, as soon as I turn off the accelerator, it immediately makes its power available and when I juggle it downhill between stones, I work with the engine brake and the easy-to-adjust Brembo brake.
Gravel, jumps, water and always full of energy!
There was a full program, going through the water, up the hill and back down again. There was gravel in the form of basalt everywhere, which immediately raised a few questions from some users who follow me on Facebook. The cooling fins are visually completely in the endangered area. When asked by the developers at Harley-Davidson, they tested it extensively and, just like with the battery, which is also housed there, they discovered no problems.
The battery is still easy to access, but protected from water. I can't really say that about the battery, we had two models that are registered in the Netherlands where the battery was discharged twice, that could have been due to the batteries, or because they were simply not charged enough and had been drained the others did not have this problem. It feels like it needs a strong battery, which will become apparent in a longer test window.
Pan America cooling fins and the battery – underrun protection item no.: 49000191 €454
The cooling fins really can withstand a lot; none of the machines suffered any damage, which speaks for a good material. Harley-Davidson offers underbody protection in its range of accessories, so you can drive on the safe side and it visually rounds off the design.
There are plenty of accessories for the cross area
You can definitely improve the look of it, there are some accessories that you can make, but there are also some that you have to make. On the Harleysite Facebook page I gave the tank pad a must-have recommendation, you wouldn't believe what was going on there. Anyone who drives off-road and is annoyed about scratches, etc., I don't want to go into it any further.
Pan America tank paditem no.:57300291/ approx. €65.00
It's all about preserving the value as much as possible, and the tank pad contributes to that, because it's exactly at this point that I saw the paint starting to become matt and dull. This is because as a driver you build up stability there and you can do that particularly well when these pads are on. That's actually it, you can of course also use 3M film, but at some point it becomes unsightly at the edges and doesn't provide any support.
Pan America Exhausts - The size ratio in the photo isn't quite right, but this is what they look like after a decent ride through the terrain.Above: The approved Screamin Eagle exhaust, it is 42% lighter than the original silencer (accessory)Item number: 65600389 approx. €1199
Main stand, radiator guard and lamp grille
If you really want to go off-road often, the radiator guard and the lamp grille certainly make sense; they look quite good. If you have the Pan America Standard on your bill, you should definitely order the main stand as well, as the Pan America can be set up very quickly and safely, which is particularly beneficial on unsafe surfaces. Quickly grease the chain, on ferry crossings or when tensioning the chain and assembling the wheel, the main stand always pays off. You can find more information about accessories in this article on the Harley site.
The Pan America lighting concept
LED lighting is very important on the Pan America, and on the Special there is even additional cornering light. The Adaptive Daymaker Signature headlight includes three additional LED lighting elements per side above the Daymaker main headlight. The system works, I tried it out a little in the field in the evening. The topic comes later in the long-term test.
You get full illumination with the additional Auxiliary LED Forward Light Set. Installed as a pair, each light performs three functions in one housing: fog lights, additional low beam and off-road lights. The lights were developed together with the machine, which is why they are easy and precise to install.
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Daymaker LED Forward additional headlight Art. No.: 68000340 approx. 650.-€
The indicators are pure indicators and no additional lights. Overall, the lighting provides very good illumination, although the standard does not have cornering lights.
Pan America 1250 Special with adaptive seat height and semi-active chassis
To understand the whole thing, you have to know that there are actually two systems, only the Pan America Special has the semi-active chassis and that can also be upgraded with the Adaptive Ride Height System.
Harley-Davidson and the Showa chassis
The semi-active chassis consists of a complex system that receives information from various sensors. The damping at the front and rear is electronically adjusted to the respective ground and road conditions. Here Harley-Davidson worked in cooperation with the renowned chassis manufacturer Showa, with the control software being from Harley-Davidson itself.
It has 191 mm of suspension travel at the front and rear, and a Showa upside-down fork with a 47 mm standpipe diameter and semi-active damper control is installed at the front. The rear spring element is a Showa (Balanced Free Rear Cushion-lite) central spring strut with electronically controlled preload and semi-active damping control.
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The vehicle loading control system registers the weight of the driver, front passenger and luggage and automatically adjusts the spring preload of the rear shock absorber. These are cool features, to sum it up, the sensors pass on all the information to the software in order to get the most optimal driving behavior for the driver.
Now to get this whole theory back into practice, everything worked great in my test rides, no bottoming out on the terrain, at high speeds over 200 km/h in a long curve there was no need to commute and want to ride on one bike They only drive if you give full throttle in Sport mode. It is very easy to control.
Adaptive ride height system
And now we come to the Adaptive Ride Height System, the automatic chassis lowering. At first I didn't understand at all how it works and especially why it doesn't do what I expected in certain settings. There is the option to deactivate it via the menu navigation if you are a little taller and don't want to use this feature. But I hadn't deactivated it and had probably activated a driving mode that it doesn't work with. When you come to a stop, it goes down very smoothly and goes back up again when you start.
When I want to turn it off, I'm in lowered mode, when I get off and come back after a short while, it's up. Only when I sit on it and start the engine does it shut down again. This is the point where I would have liked an additional switch to manually intervene in this system. This may change in the future via a software update, because in my opinion it would otherwise be contradictory.
This basically only affects smaller drivers, because you have to sit on it, otherwise nothing happens. I don't want to rule out that I did everything right. Otherwise it works very well and taller drivers get an even better feeling of standing, especially when stationary. You have to say that Harley-Davidson is really ahead of the game here; I never knew of a system like that before. And as soon as the name Showa was mentioned, I was amazed at the price announcement, which I still do today.
In the following photo, I am standing in lowered mode. I'm 1.83cm tall, from the floor to the top of my trousers it's 1.07m with boots on. The lowering is 25 to 50 millimeters, depending on the automatically adjusted spring preload on the rear wheel. In addition, the seat is height-adjustable in two levels on both models.
In lowered mode - I'm 1.83cm tall, from the floor to the top waistband I'm 1.07m with boots on.
The 6.8 inch touch screen display
Pan America Adventure helmets and clothing
What's a little lacking now is the 6.8-inch touchscreen display; it can be swiveled and is easy to read. The first difference to the Boom!Box is that the touchscreen cannot be operated by touch while driving and there are no speakers. At Pan America everything is done via a headset, which is recommended anyway. There are already helmets from Harley-Davidson for adventure bikes that are prepared for a headset with a recess inside.
I personally am using the Harley-Davidson Bluetooth Helmet Boom! Audio N02 Full-Face - 98208-20EX has been on the road, a system from Sena is already integrated here. Harley-Davidson is probably planning to release another cross helmet in the future, also with a similar system to the full face helmet. But I'm very happy with what I have, it has the mesh system to communicate with other drivers and can do everything you need, it just doesn't look like a crosser.
Now the Harley-Davidson Pan America driving report 2021 220
There's so much going on inside the touchscreen that I can't fit it all into this report. It should be mentioned that the driver can easily connect his cell phone to the Harley-Davidson system via Bluetooth; this requires the HD Connect APP. Navigation is activated via the cell phone, it does not require any map updates, the infotainment system gets this information via the cell phone and even saves the maps offline in the HD Connect APP.
HD Pan America infotainment system
And if you have a cell phone on board, you may also need some power! What I discovered almost knocked my socks off. What many manufacturers in the electronics industry have not been able to achieve to date, I now find at Harley-Davidson. They have installed a USB-C plug, which is hard to believe, so you are really up to date, so you can stay in the German language. I installed my system straight away and it worked great.
On the road with the Pan America
Now I've gotten to know her with a completely different character, for the first time I'm driving in street and sport mode. It's hard to believe, now it's time to hold on tight, the music starts playing at just 2000 revolutions and it only stops at an incredible 9000 revolutions. When driving on winding roads, road mode is sufficient, so the safety systems are fully active if necessary.
Sport mode also means sport for the driver!
On the highway, however, the Sportmode makes its appearance, hold on and go. I have to keep telling myself that I'm sitting on an enduro, a Harley one at that, and the digital speedometer is marching with me to 227 km/h. That was really an experience, not really anything new for me, but definitely in connection with the Pan America. At times I felt like I was sitting on a burner. But of course, it has 1250 cubic meters, 128 NM and 152 HP, there's something going on! I don't want to know what's going on with her when she gets an expert mapping.
Whether it can withstand all of this in the long term and what its suitability for long distances is will only be found out with the really longer test. The driving behavior with luggage, the consumption and what happens after 5 hours of motorway driving, how comfortable is the seat really, it was great, but the cards are reshuffled on long journeys.
The Harleysite conclusion!
They always say that first impressions count!
The first WOW effect for me was still the price announcement, nobody expected that it would even end up under 20,000 euros. In that case, I'll immediately forgive her for a few weaknesses that I noticed. The steering damper on the Special, only she has one and it was able to totally irritate me. Off-road I always wanted to let the front wheel go its way and it always pushed back slightly. The developers have said it was built specifically for the site so there would be no harsh setbacks. In talking to colleagues, I found that opinions were actually divided, there were advocates, so it's probably a very individual view.
In the curves on the road it was a similar situation for me, I don't like it, this slight counter pressure irritates me. Unfortunately it is not adjustable, but I can imagine where it will actually find its purpose, namely when traveling at full speed with luggage. If the aluminum case system is installed, I could imagine that it contributes significantly to stable driving behavior. But that's just a guess, the whole case story has to come later, the accessories weren't the focus now, this was mainly about the Pan America itself.
Harley-Davidson Pan America revolver grip
I don't like the large window, it breaks the lines of the road markings, I would replace it, and it's too flimsy for me. The disc adjustment system is ingenious, press the trigger like a revolver and the disc can be easily adjusted with one hand. But the plastic seems too cheap to me; an aluminum concept would have shown much more value here. The only question is, would the price have been able to be maintained?
And now? That's it, there's nothing more to complain about from my side, I think she's hot! The engine and electronics really blow your mind, the set-up even works as intended. For those who have already bought the Standard or Special, you can rest assured, the first impression is great and you are getting a great bike! There is a difference between the standard and the special, but it's better to have the standard than none at all.
The chassis is really great, the standard is not really inferior to the Special, because it has fewer accessories, it weighs less and is a bit purer. My recommendation would still be the Special, it simply convinced me, and I have to mention that I also drove it more. For me, the heated grips, the main stand and the chassis would be important, otherwise I'm sure that both models will be seen on the roads often in the future, because it was a lot of fun!
Thumbs up!
Thumbs up Harley Davidson Pan America Harleysite
The Harleysite Pan America report as a podcast
The live interview about Pan America, with Heinz Christmann from Dream Machines on YouTube
Pan America 1250 (RA 1250) and Pan America 1250 Special (RA 1250S)
Power kW (HP)/rpm:
112 (152)/8.750
Torque Nm/rpm:
128/6.750
Empty weight including operating materials (ready to drive) kg:
245 (RA 1250S: 258)
Fuel consumption l:
approx. 5.5
Guarantee:
four years
Expected to be available in Germany/Austria:
June 2021
Recommended retail prices Germany
Pan America 1250 (RA 1250): from 15,995 euros (plus transport and setup fee of 560 euros)
Pan America 1250 Special (RA 1250S): from 17,995 euros* (plus transport and assembly fee of 560 euros) *Surcharge for cross-spoke wheels: 500 euros, surcharge for Adaptive Ride Height System: 660 euros
Recommended retail prices Austria
Pan America 1250 (RA 1250): from 18,995 euros (including transport and setup fee)
Pan America 1250 Special (RA 1250S): from 21,695 euros* (including transport and assembly fee) *Surcharge for cross-spoke wheels: 505 euros, surcharge for Adaptive Ride Height System: 700 euros
