Of us didn’t know what to make of Harley-Davidson’s Pan America when it was first introduced. However after it hit showroom flooring quickly after that, it was well-regarded as competent each on and off street. The factor nonetheless weighs 559 lbs, although, and possibly nearer to 570 by the point you’ve got fitted the upgrades you need. So, when issues go mistaken off-road, they have a tendency to go fairly mistaken.
RideApart’s Govt Editor, Jonathon Klein, can attest to only how mistaken issues can go while you overestimate a Pan America’s, or your personal driving, means. A nasty off left him pretty shaken, however the Pan American was in arguably worse form with its damaged windshield, pannier, shifter, and torqued bars. Finally, it went into limp mode.
However you do not have to tug a Klein, as a result of an enormous number of Black Dog Cycle Works (BDCW) rugged aftermarket components for the Pan America has simply dropped. That is removed from the primary pile of robust aftermarket equipment that BDCW has launched for the Pan America, however this newest drop has been torture examined in Baja, Mexico. So I might say it is pretty secure to imagine that the tough testing, mixed with BDCW’s expertise in manufacturing components for the Pan America, ought to imply that these items are rock-solid.
In all probability greater than every other aftermarket off-road accent, BDCW is understood for its skid plates, and the Final Equipment Plate is a beast. It mounts to the bike’s body and protects the undercarriage with 3/16” 5052 aluminum plating and stays as clean-looking as potential with a powder coat end. It makes use of countersunk {hardware} to assist the plate glide over obstacles fairly than straight-up smack into them.
Model 3 of the Ultimate Skid Plate for the Pan America, retails for $575, is essentially the identical because the earlier iteration. Nevertheless it now options extra vent holes and added house to accommodate the bigger battery and rectifier utilized in 2024 and later fashions.
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The Traction Footpegs for the Pan America supply precisely what aftermarket footpegs ought to: a wider and longer platform, mixed with sharper tooth. The truth is, these footpegs supply twice the floor space of the inventory pegs. The brand new Model 2 of the Traction Footpegs additionally options expanded voids to permit mud, snow, or different particles to circulate by, together with pointy, fairly than flat, traction spikes for added grip.
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Whenever you’re simply popping to the grocery store, you may take off the spikes to scale back boot sole put on. The V2s are additionally appropriate with Harley-Davidson’s Off-Highway Adjustable Brake Lever Equipment and retail for $269.
If you would like your pillion to have comparable ranges of grip as you, BDCW’s recently-released Traction Passenger Footpegs present 80% extra floor space than the inventory pegs and in addition retails for $269.
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Higher passenger footpegs are nice, however some adventures are solo journeys, and for these, you are going to desire a Pillion Rack. The Pillion Rack replaces the Pan America’s pillion seat and helps you optimize your baggage carrying functionality, however now there is a Model 2. The V2 mannequin options more room to strap baggage, resembling a big duffel bag, and comes pre-drilled to bolt on a RotoPax container for an additional gallon of liquid.
The rack is made with ¼” aluminum plating with a tough anodized end, which ought to assist maintain it wanting more energizing fr longer, and its giant perimeter holes give riders loads of choices for tie-down factors. The V1 retails for $325, and the V2 has an MSRP of $345.
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Some adventures don’t have any particular finish, however for these, you positively want a near-endless provide of substances, and that is what the Black Dog Helo Pad is for. This unit is 4 inches longer and wider than the Pillion Rack, however just like the Pillion Rack, it is made out of heavy-gauge ¼” aluminum plating with a tough anodized coating. Once more, this unit replaces the passenger seat however has a quick-release perform so you may go from solo to two-up rapidly.
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This unit comes pre-drilled so you may connect a RotoPax container with as much as two 1-gallon containers, which is able to undoubtedly come in useful for anybody who travels lengthy distances in distant areas. The Black Canine Helo Pad retails for $395.
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This one is pretty apparent, but when your radiator goes down, you are happening fairly quickly after it. Black Canine’s new Radiator Guard for the Pan America does precisely what it says, because of its heavy-duty aluminum plating with a chip-resistant black powder coat end. The design is supposed to supply a steadiness between most airflow and safety, installs with simply three screws, and retails for $160.
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For these of you who get your kicks from driving trails at night time, auxiliary lights are a should. At BDCR’s web site, you may go for Inflexible Industries ultra-bright Dually Facet Shooters (7,100 lumens) for off-road journey or the SAE/DOT-approved variations (1,760 lumens) for avenue use.
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To make sure these mild techniques will suit your Pan America, you may additionally obtain a pair of BDCW heavy-duty black anodized aluminum crash bar mounts for both 1″ or 7/8″ diameter bars, together with a handlebar change, wiring harness, and a pair of snap-on covers to enhance visibility. The light kit retails for $509.
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