As much as I think Harley-Davidson's Softail is a good bike, it's still not the Harley I'd pick if I were forking over my own cash. And until that RMCR concept becomes reality, there's really only one motorcycle from the Motor Co. that I'd even think of buying, and that's the Pan America adventure tourer.
I had a Pan America test bike ages ago. And though that story never went live—I crashed and broke the bike pretty badly on a particularly treacherous section of sandy rocks—the time I did spend with the motorcycle was endearing. The powerband was monumental, the suspension was slick, the controls were solid, and even though it weighed about as much as a baby elephant, when you were just out for a ride, it hid that heft well.
Plus, it's probably the best-looking Harley in recent memory. At least, that's what I think.
But as much as I liked the Pan America, and as much as everyone adored it those first few years since its debut in 2019, the take-rate on the motorcycle hasn't been the barn-burner Harley's brass likely would've wanted it to be. Part of that is likely due to the cost, as a brand-new Pan America starts at $19,999. And that's before you put a single personal touch on the motorcycle.
Luckily, however, you can pick up a lightly-used Pan America for what has to be one of the best motorcycle deals of the century. How does half off or more sound?
According to J.D. Power, a 2022 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 can now be had on the used market, in great condition, mind you, for around $9,995. And if you aren't afraid of maybe doing a bit of work or if you don't care about a few scratches here and there, an OK condition Pan America could likely be picked up for just under $8,000. That, folks, is a stupid deal. Like the sort of deal you send to your buddy and follow up with the Inglorious Basterds damn-good deal clip.
And that pricing is across the board for used Pan Americas, though the newer ones are somewhat retaining their values slightly better. But that's also likely because they're newer, duh. Why then are they going for so little? Well, there are forum threads across the internet started by both Pan America owners and would-be buyers alike, and they boil down to a few different theories.
First and foremost, it's a brand-new line for Harley-Davidson, and there were a handful of issues that plagued the motorcycle when it was first introduced. Most have been fixed through a multitude of recalls, but many point to those issues as depressing used pricing, as folks are hesitant to buy something that could break. Secondly, they point to the lackluster dealership and corporate support for the model, which has become a pattern for Harley-Davidson.
When LiveWire first broke, it got some initial dealer and brand support, and then after a few months, it just withered away. The same, apparently, is true for the Pan America. I was at a Harley-Davidson dealership not too long ago to pick up a bike from Eagle Rider, and thinking about it now, I recall seeing the only Pan America stashed in the back of the dealership. I remember thinking that was odd, given how good the bike is. That lack of support speaks to those would-be customers as "Harley might kill this in a year or so, and then I'm out of parts if something breaks."
While that could be a concern, Harley-Davidson's RMCR concept, along with new management that seems to be looking toward a future that's less bagger and cruiser heavy, seems to point to the Pan America being around for a bit longer. And that, dear friends, should give you some semblance of calm when considering a used Pan America.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to peruse the classifieds.
