Folks did not know what to make of Harley-Davidson's Pan America when it was first announced. But after it hit showroom floors soon after that, it was well-regarded as competent both on and off road. The thing still weighs 559 lbs, though, and probably closer to 570 by the time you've fitted the upgrades you want. So, when things go wrong off-road, they tend to go quite wrong.
RideApart's Executive Editor, Jonathon Klein, can attest to just how wrong things can go when you overestimate a Pan America's, or your own riding, ability. A nasty off left him fairly shaken, but the Pan American was in arguably worse shape with its broken windshield, pannier, shifter, and torqued bars. Ultimately, it went into limp mode.
But you don't have to pull a Klein, because a huge selection of Black Dog Cycle Works (BDCW) rugged aftermarket parts for the Pan America has just dropped. This is far from the first pile of tough aftermarket accessories that BDCW has launched for the Pan America, but this latest drop has been torture tested in Baja, Mexico. So I'd say it's fairly safe to assume that the harsh testing, combined with BDCW's experience in manufacturing parts for the Pan America, should mean that these units are rock-solid.
Ultimate Skid Plate
Probably more than any other aftermarket off-road accessory, BDCW is known for its skid plates, and the Ultimate Kit Plate is a beast. It mounts to the bike's frame and protects the undercarriage with 3/16” 5052 aluminum plating and stays as clean-looking as possible with a powder coat finish. It uses countersunk hardware to help the plate glide over obstacles rather than straight-up smack into them.
Version 3 of the Ultimate Skid Plate for the Pan America, retails for $575, is largely the same as the previous iteration. But it now features more vent holes and added space to accommodate the larger battery and rectifier used in 2024 and later models.
Traction Footpegs and Traction Passenger Footpegs
The Traction Footpegs for the Pan America offer exactly what aftermarket footpegs should: a wider and longer platform, combined with sharper teeth. In fact, these footpegs offer twice the surface area of the stock pegs. The new Version 2 of the Traction Footpegs also features expanded voids to allow mud, snow, or other debris to flow through, along with pointy, rather than flat, traction spikes for added grip.
When you're just popping to the supermarket, you can take off the spikes to reduce boot sole wear. The V2s are also compatible with Harley-Davidson’s Off-Road Adjustable Brake Lever Kit and retail for $269.
If you'd like your pillion to have similar levels of grip as you, BDCW's recently-released Traction Passenger Footpegs provide 80% more surface area than the stock pegs and also retails for $269.
Pillion Rack
Better passenger footpegs are great, but some adventures are solo journeys, and for those, you're going to want a Pillion Rack. The Pillion Rack replaces the Pan America's pillion seat and helps you optimize your luggage carrying capability, but now there's a Version 2. The V2 model features more space to strap luggage, such as a large duffel bag, and comes pre-drilled to bolt on a RotoPax container for an extra gallon of liquid.
The rack is made with ¼” aluminum plating with a hard anodized finish, which should help keep it looking fresher fr longer, and its large perimeter holes give riders plenty of options for tie-down points. The V1 retails for $325, and the V2 has an MSRP of $345.
Helo Pad
Some adventures have no definite end, but for those, you definitely need a near-endless supply of gear, and that's what the Black Dog Helo Pad is for. This unit is four inches longer and wider than the Pillion Rack, but like the Pillion Rack, it's made from heavy-gauge ¼” aluminum plating with a hard anodized coating. Again, this unit replaces the passenger seat but has a quick-release function so you can go from solo to two-up quickly.
This unit comes pre-drilled so you can attach a RotoPax container with up to two 1-gallon containers, which will undoubtedly come in handy for anyone who travels long distances in remote areas. The Black Dog Helo Pad retails for $395.
Radiator Guard
This one is fairly obvious, but if your radiator is going down, you're going down pretty soon after it. Black Dog’s new Radiator Guard for the Pan America does exactly what it says, thanks to its heavy-duty aluminum plating with a chip-resistant black powder coat finish. The design is meant to offer a balance between maximum airflow and protection, installs with just three screws, and retails for $160.
Rigid Auxiliary Light Kit
For those of you who get your kicks from riding trails at night, auxiliary lights are a must. At BDCR's website, you can opt for Rigid Industries ultra-bright Dually Side Shooters (7,100 lumens) for off-road travel or the SAE/DOT-approved versions (1,760 lumens) for street use.
To ensure these light systems will fit your Pan America, you'll also receive a pair of BDCW heavy-duty black anodized aluminum crash bar mounts for either 1″ or 7/8″ diameter bars, along with a handlebar switch, wiring harness, and a pair of snap-on covers to improve visibility. The light kit retails for $509.
