Dropping the Pan America (Bruce)

So, I have only owned my ’25 Pan America 1250 Special (named Bruce, my wife has the honor of naming all my motorcycles) since mid-October 2025.  As of today, I only have just under 500 miles on the bike.  Yet, I have managed to drop it 3 times thus far (twice today).  All are knuckle head moments from myself and getting used to this bike (which I love but dang, 3 drops already).  For comparison, I used to own a 2005 HD Ultra Classic (Dexter) which I have also dropped 3 times, but in a span of 8 years, not just over 3 months lol).

Bruce – Full Alaska Loadout

Drop One – January 31, 2026

Pan America on Center stand, just starting some test loading / packing of the bike for future long distance touring trips (mainly Alaska in 2028). I load my tools, electronics and tools into the right (muffler side) panier. Total weight was about 35 pounds including panier. Rest of the bike’s luggage was empty. I went to take it off the center stand with myself on the left side of the bike. I was surprised that it quickly and aggressively pulled away as I brought the bike down. It was a slow fall over to the right with the bike in neutral. It took me a couple of attempts to realize that it is hard to stand the bike up in neutral. I applied the front brake while lifting and was able to pick up it easily. Lessons learned 1. Balanced load is important. 2. Don’t take the bike off center stand loaded.

For chain maintenance on long touring trips, my plan is to have my camp dry bag off and paniers off the bike to minimize mayhem. LOL

Drop Two – February 07, 2026
Today with my full Alaska loadout (40 days roundtrip – includes 7 days of not riding) So, a heavy load. After not riding for about a month, I wanted to test the load, new riding gear, and put some more miles on the bike for break in. Well, it was cool today (40’s) and I really did not warm up the engine. Went to take off from a stop sign in my neighborhood while making a left turn and I stalled the bike (good job LOL) instant stop and tip to the left and in slow motion laid it down on the left side as I was unable to recover from the stop with the wheel turned left and already partly engaged into the left turn. I did not try to catch the bike (did that the first time and tweaked my back a little that time). With the bike fully loaded (and in gear) I was able to pick it up without too much effort.

After this 2nd drop, I noticed the check engine light was on.  I pulled into a parking lot and tried to figure out how to clear the code (P065700P).  There was no option to clear the code.  So, I decided to ride to Atlanta Harley Davidson and ask the service department (assuming it would be a simple thing like hey dummy, do this).  While waiting for an opening at the service department, I discovered that since 2005’s latest firmware update, HD does not allow codes to be cleared anymore.  So, HD service Dept cleared the code and I rode home……where I dropped it again in my driveway……GOOD GRIEF!! LOL

Drop Three – Also February 07, 2026

While dismounting the bike (right side dismount), my newish boots caught the seat, and I was stuck half a bunny hop off the bike and over it fell as I pulled my foot off the seat at the same time.  The bike fell hard to the right this time and scuffed up the crash bars but no other damage other than to my ego.

Back story, I had a high side crash back in August 2017 on my 2004 Honda VTX 1300C (Jolene), broke my leg, toe, and a lot of soft tissue damage. Fast forward to present, my right hip still has issues and has limited mobility. I was doing the bunny hop method to mount and dismount the bike from the left but have seen many videos of people mounting and dismounting their adventure bikes from the right by standing on the peg, leaning over the bike and stepping through the seat with the left leg. This had been working for me with my Daytona Road Star GTX boots.

My new boots are Alpine Stars Toucan GTX boots and are larger than my Daytona Road Star GTX Boots that I have used since 2018. For some reason, the Alpine Star boots really like to grip the Pan America seat. I am not flexible enough to step through without the boots scraping the seat and the Alpine Stars boot don’t just scrape on the seat, they grip it.

After picking up the bike from today’s second drop and now frustrated, I proceeded to test mounting and dismounting from the right. Well even mounting with the new boots from the right was going sketchy to say the least.

So, I am now back to bunny hopping with my right leg up and over the seat from the left. I tested this method a few times, then went back out and rode some more, and also more test mounting and dismounting from the left with the “bunny hop” method and for me, is much safer. I am 6’0 but with my not great flexibly, I absolutely have to do the bunny hop. Not graceful, not cool but now with 3 stationery drops on pavement (two being at home)….THIS IS THE WAY LOL 🙂

P.S.  Ticked off that I came home from Harley having them reset the check engine light (P065700P code) to drop the bike immediately afterwards at home, Sigh LOL.  I will have them reset it again at the 1000-mile service visit.