My hits and misses after 12,820 miles riding a Harley-Davidson CVO Pan America in the UK last year

I embraced the H-D CVO Pan America with an open mind and was rewarded with six months of trouble-free adventuring. From gravel passes in the Alps to sandy trails in Suffolk, a regular 100-mile commute and lashings of tarmac, I’ve found very little to complain about. Not one for wallflowers, it has masses of presence, but proved to have the prowess to back it up. I’m really going to miss it.

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• Update one: First impressions and running in
• Update two: Racking up miles on a European tour
• Update three: Green laning on a £24k, 280kg Harley-Davidson
• Update four: Thousands of commuter miles
• Update five: 1025 miles in under 24hrs
• Update six: Joining a HOG chapter for a ride

1. Milwaukee Muscle – Hit

It’s impossible not to love the bare-chested brute force of the 1250cc Revolution Max V-twin. Every twist of the right grip has brought a smile to my face, and it’s not just about the buckets of grunt off the bottom end, it spins up surprisingly quickly and stays flexible right to the red line. Engine braking can be dialled in as required, so you can take advantage of the reciprocating mass off throttle as desired. And it sounds great on the pipe!

2. Superb Suspension – Hit

From the Adaptive Ride Height system, that allows the Pan Am to curtsey conveniently at standstill, to the various programmable riding modes and semi-active rear shock, the big Harley is a class act. Taught and sporty on road, soft and pliable off it, the clever electronics give it genuine all-round ability and kept it in check for every surface I encountered. The menu is easy to navigate, and custom settings can be saved for a swift transition between favourite set ups.

3. Club Class Comfort – Hit

I love clocking up big miles, and the lairy CVO has been a stalwart companion for hundreds of them at a stretch, including one monster marathon of 1025 miles in 23h 40m. The broad, flat seat made endurance effortless for my posterior, and there’s enough protection offered by the generous front end and hand guards to keep the effects of weather at bay. The adjustable screen doesn’t offer the same cosy cocoon as a BMW GS, but does the job adequately.

4. Opinion-splitting looks – Hit

Let’s talk about looks. I’ve not met anyone with an on-the-fence opinion about the Pan America’s appearance, but love it or hate it, you can’t deny that it’s an eyeful, especially in the CVO livery. I had one of those lingering lookback moments after a particularly spirited ride and it really clicked with me – I see ‘60s muscle car, rather than ‘70s Hoover, in that distinctive fairing and the whole package just projects purposefulness.

5. There are a few misses

Although it has a USB-C port, Harley failed to fit a universal 12V accessory point, so for heated kit you either have to find an adaptor or wire direct to battery, which sits inconveniently behind the lower bash plate.

The kick stand takes a bit of a knack, essentially rolling the bike right as you flick it down, then back and left to rest it on the stand. Most annoying is the occasional drop out of fourth gear when accelerating hard. It’s so rare and random that I couldn’t manage to recreate it, but a fly in the ointment nonetheless.