I agree with all of your points about the Pan America. I really wanted to like it but the reliability has been horrible. Also, the bike looks good from 10ft away but when you are in the cockpit everything just looks and feels cheap as hell. The bars and clamp look like something from a Walmart bicycle. It is hard to compete with the fit & finish of the BMW. The Multistrada was a strong consideration, but the chain drive was a drawback. I have visited my local Ducati dealer (Reno, NV) a few times and I just didn't enjoy my interactions. My experiences with my local BMW have been very positive. So, I have decided to buy a 2022 GS to add to my 2022 RT. I am trading in my Road Glide
I currently have a 2022 HD Pan America Special. I will be trading in the Pan America Special for the Ducati Multi Strata Rally. On a side note I do like the new 1300 GSA.
When I bought my GSA, there was never an alternative. I own a Harley FatBoy S. Nice bike. But that’s what they are known for. I’ve driven KTMs! Great bikes! Really great. I drove a Triumph Tiger! It was used with like 2000 miles and the price was fantastic but there was zero comparison to the GSA. I never drove the Honda AT but it was never in my mind as a choice. I’ve been wanting an adventure bike since the early 2000s. Finally found one that I could make a reasonable deal on. Happened to be a brand new 2023 Triple Black. Love it!
About Ducati's multistratus in the shop all the time is not true at all! And waiting on parts is another false claim. Now sport bike I can't speak on them but my multistrada had 21k miles and i never has one single issue with it! And i had my big 18k mile service (MS 950s) I cut you some slack because you haven't experienced them over time. You have made a good choice with the GSA tho 👍🏽
The “service campaign” was for the drive shaft not the FD. I think the final drive failures have been addressed a long time ago. My drive shaft was replaced at 58 thousand miles by BMW and it was fine. I have put 50 to 90 thousand miles on GS’ with no failures. A ‘92 airhead 95 thousand, a 2002 GSA 93 thousand , a 2009 50 thousand, and my current 2015 has 60 thousand miles on it now and it runs like new.
A couple things on the Pan America. It still has major widespread issues beyond the error codes. It has several mechanical issues, fuel pumps, poor radiator hose routing, a few engine cam chain are popping up, battery issues etc. Also, there are no heated seats or an option for and also, the quick shifter is an option. Also other dumb design choices like plastic rear grab handles. Such a cheap design. If you drop the bike they are useless for uprighting the bike. It rides nice but that where the ownership experience ends. The HD dealers are still trying to mark up the PA $4000. The part issue with Ducati are the same for all bike manufacturers . I follow several Ducati forums and very few issues across the model lineup. One negative I do see with the Multistrada is having to perform repairs. It’s a very complicated bike and having to do any work on it appears like it would be tough. Dealer network is 146 for BMW and 126 for Ducati so both are weak. You made a great choice. I think you should have also looked at the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Adventure.
Thanks for watching. I didn't realize that the Pan America had even more issues than I realized. I do like the Ducati Diavel V4. If I was to get a Ducati, I would probably gravitate towards that. Have fun and ride safe!
Why I picked the Pan Am over the BMW GS. Mostly because I think the R1250 GS is just ugly. I have the Army Green Pan Am 2022 Special. If I had been looking now, and the R1300 was out, that may have changed my mind. I don't have quick shifter, don't see the point, I'm not on a race bike. I don't have a problem with the kick stand, although I added a larger pad. I had some error codes at the start, then updated the software and had no problem since.
A comment on terminology - you refer to the GS as having a "final drive", of being final drive driven. It certainly does have a final drive, all motorcycles do - the final drive in the case of the BMW is shaft drive, whereas the final drive on the Multi is chain. Final drive simply refers to what transfers the power from the gearbox to the back wheel.
Nice separation of the wheat from the chaff Craig. This is an interesting category of motorcycles. I hope it continues to develop. BMW has always exuded a beautiful fit and finish across all products. Almost Guggenheim’ish. Dealerships for most motorcycles can be a hit or miss. It’s a wonderful thing when you find one that “gets it” with customer service and technical prowess. Agree these companies take notes from the legendary GS/GSA series. The globally presented GS Trophy Series competition has also got to be a useful test bed for BMW. Moving forward we might see some of what you mentioned as needing refinement being addressed with the long overdue platform which continues to draw so much passion for this particular motorcycle. I might also include in there the Africa Twin 1100 and KTM 1290 just for conversation. I mean at least if you’re having a cup of coffee with some mates. Good stuff coming out of the Hanesworth camp.
Thanks for watching. I like the KTM. That was a possibility. I think the Honda quality is top notch also. I just preferred the looks and f the other bikes better. I hope with the new BMW R1300 we see some of the improvements that others have made. Better quick shifter. Adaptive cruise control and lane warning. That would be awesome. Ride safe!
I'm curious about your comment of only $300.00 difference between your cost and what Harley is asking for the Pan America. With military incentive etc, applied to both brands, my out the door price for the R1250 GSA is $3580.02 higher than the Pan America Special. I'm still in the shopping mode and would definitely purchase the BMW for such a small difference as the one you stated. Perhaps HD is offering me one hell of a deal and I just don't know it.
Mark, that definitely could be the case. I purchased my GSA this past winter. The dealer did give me something off the MSRP. My local Harley dealer is selling the Pan America at list price. Also, since we are now in the summer months the demand usually rises for motorcycles so that can effect prices
The thing that I don’t like about the Honda is valve checks/adjustments. Even though they are 16,000 miles. It’s a pain to just get to them. And if you have to adjust the intakes you have to pull all the rockers out through the left side of the engine. I bet it would cost a thousand dollars to pay a dealer to do it.
The BMW is able to have shaft drive because of its boxer engine. You'll only see shaft drives where the engine crankshaft is oriented inline with the bike. With most parallel and v-twin engines the crank shaft is sideways, or perpendicular to the bike. You won't see shaft drives on these engines because mechanically it's much more challenging and less efficient.
Agreed. Harley and Indian made special edition 45 c.i.d. horizontally opposed twin cylinder motorcycles with enclosed shaft drive for the Allies in the African war effort during mid to late WW2. Their reasoning was due to the fact that the machine would be travelling off road through sand a good majority of the time. Sand sticks to an oiled chain very well and snaps it in no time. Not a good situation during a live battle. However, a chain delivers torque transfer very quickly but requires regular maintenance for dirt/mud, water and sand adventure riding. I have heard that some machines have a rubber boot encasing the chain on certain adventure bikes? I can’t remember which ones and how effective they are. Anyone know?
HD and BMW...not a realistic comparison...don't get me wrong...HD...did an OK job for their 1st attempt...but..not in the league as a GSA.....next on the list would be the KTM 1290R or Ducati.
