THE UGLY TREE BEARS FRUIT

Power: 148bhp » Weight: 258kg » Engine: 1252cc 8v DOHC V-twin » Price: £15,500

Harley-davidson have been teasing the Pan America since the Milan show in autumn 2019 so, when the production bike arrived this year, seeing it in the flesh, and then riding it, shouldn’t have been a shock. But it was. Yes, H-D have actually made an adventure bike. Yes, it really is this ugly. And yes, it really is very, very good. If there was a Bike of the Year category for Bravest Bike of 2021, the Pan America would be the walkaway winner.

This is a big, fast, comfortable and well-equipped road bike. On the M6, the A40 or the B660 it really tramps along and the new 1252cc engine is at the heart of that ability. High compression, variable valve timing, clever design and sophisticated electronics deliver a rich mid-range and effortless wallop. The numbers are good, a claimed 148bhp and 94 lb.ft of torque at 6750rpm, but the way that translates to flexibility and driveability on the road is most impressive.

And the chassis is good too. Whatever the surface, from dual carriageway to pockmarked B-road the Panam feels planted and

secure, the steering neutral and balanced. It’s a very confidence inspiring ride. Off-road? You’d be nuts, but it’d cope if asked.

So, H-D have arrived, with a bang, in one of the most challenging market segments with a bike that is dynamically competitive. But this part of the market is interested in bells and whistles too. And you get them: cornering ABS and TC; heated grips; tyre pressure monitoring; connectivity, etc. etc. And, as a £600 extra, adaptive ride height that lowers the bike at walking pace to put the ground within re-assuring reach of shorter legs. That is really clever. It’s competitive on price too, because although £15,500 is a decent amount of wedge, its spec list at that price eclipses most rivals.

H-D need to be applauded for how good the Pan America is, and for being brave enough to make a bike with its own distinctive look. It’s an amazing first effort,and while it lacks the polish and finesse of Honda, KTM, Ducati and BMW adventure machines it really deserves to find its own niche in this market.

‘It really is ugly. And yes, it really is very, very good’