Must Have Accessories & Upgrades For The Harley Davidson Pan America

If you own a Harley Davidson Pan America or any adventure bike really, you owe it to yourself to add the right accessories and upgrade your bike to adapt to the type of riding you will be doing, especially if you are going to be riding off-road! Today, we’re taking a look at the new upgrades and accessories I’ve been adding to my Pan America to be better prepared for on and off-road adventures!
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THE BIKES:
2023 DUCATI DesertX
2021 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE SPECIAL
2021 HARLEY DAVIDSON PAN AMERICA SPECIAL
🚀 THE GEAR:
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[@timahrndt2496]

One word on windshields...Wunderlich upgrade. Bought it and had them install it at Sturgis last summer. It is a brilliant design, looks great, works better, and is rock solid - even at triple digit speeds as tested on ride home on I-90. Plus it keeps all of the adjustment of the OEM, cost sucks big time, but totally worth it on long trips.

[@stevejones3180]

The quick shifter is brilliant. Smooth. Forward pegs from Aeedea are fantastic for touring, one of the best additions. Also fender extenders front and back and very importantly for off road, the muffler guard. I have the things you mentioned too but didn’t get on with the tank bag.

[@TheSteveFreeman]

I like that they put the quick shifter on at the factory for the CVO! Definitely gonna put on a set of forward legs, I’ve got some Long trips coming up!!

[@B_Ritt70]

Good video and fellow PAS lover here. I added the Klock Werks windshield, Screamin’ Eagle Street Cannon exhaust, foot pegs, tank bag and top & side cases and it’s awesome.

[@TheSteveFreeman]

NICE!!! What do you think about the Street Cannon?? I just ordered my cases today!

[@B_Ritt70]

@@TheSteveFreeman it’s much better than stock. It is a lot lighter, a smaller profile and sounds great for the type of bike. And, it looks good also.

[@LawrenceBroussard]

I did not have a tender on my bike and life happens and you go to ride and click. A awesome decision was to put a tender on just to not have to be concerned about it. I agree on gear. If you know what gear you need it pretty easy to watch for last year stock and get awesome gear at very reasonable cost.

[@TheSteveFreeman]

They really are a no brainer, peace of mind is very valuable!

[@Eds_PanAm]

also, along with the windshield if you really want it sturdy you need some type of aftermarket brace with gps mount, i went with the wunderlich mount but the touratech one looks good also...mine works great!

[@TheSteveFreeman]

I just got the touratech mount for my Zumo XT! Putting that on this week!!!

[@Eds_PanAm]

@@TheSteveFreeman right on!🤘🏻

[@jacobgibson9814]

My must haves for the pan america : 2"up 1"back risers, bark busters, upgraded skid plate, wider foot pegs, luggage, and lastly auxiliary lighting. Riding the pan america in the dark is a nightmare, visibility is awful.

[@TheSteveFreeman]

Totally agree!!! I just ordered some Denali lights that I can’t wait to get in the bike! Wider foot pegs are a must as well, I keep forgetting about them, thanks for reminding me!!!!

[@captslaq]

Make sure the headlight is adjusted properly. It's actually really good, but it seems to be a common complaint that is fixed by angling it up a bit.

[@HashAssett]

Maybe I'm just too tall, but the 2" up 1" back made me feel like I was riding a swoop-back bicycle. One of the worst mods I had done, I actually switched back to the stock risers because of that. They also don't mention that those risers put all of the wiring and cables in a massive bind when you turn the bars. people should really exercise caution with that particular mod. I also don't notice the visibility problems, I think the lighting on the PA is fantastic compared to any other bike I've had.

[@Diabeekei]

Me watching this to prepare for my trade in this coming thursday., going from ‘23 Sportster S to ‘23 Pan Am Special for more touring capabilities and off roading optionsb

[@TheSteveFreeman]

@@Diabeekei that’s a good trade! You’re gonna love the PA!!!

[@dlmyrs]

Mosko Moto tank bag Black Dog Cycle Works foot pegs (includes a bottle opener on the bottom) Wunderlich Brake lever (shorty, but extendable) Auto shift….a necessary convenience Rox Pivoting risers. Black Dog CW skid plate

[@karolynfrench8098]

If you go anywhere, be prepared. No matter what you ride, don't make it miserable. I'm an old-school guy. Toughed it out all my life. Still don't have the gear but that's what I'm used to. You don't have to suffer anymore. The gear is available. Make that ride the ride of a lifetime.

[@TheSteveFreeman]

100% agree!!!

[@nevillegreg1]

1. The PAm with hard saddlebags makes a fantastic sports - tourer [but Harley and BMW in respect of the GS won't tell you that, noting that the Multistrada is fitted stock with road tyres so Ducati isn't hiding this fact]. 2. Hepco & Becker hard bags are better quality than HD and you don't need a key everytime you want to open and close them. 2. If your passenger sits a few inches taller than you then they will be blasted at highway speeds. The best solution will kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Install the Madstad windshield system. It is solid as, no more flimsy HD garbage and the wind will go over your head and that of your passenger. 3. Also Madstad has an optional infotainment screen riser so you can see the entire screen when running a tank bag or fitting handlebar risers. 4. Put a touring seat on it, the Sundowner works for me. 4. Fit a removable luggage rack with optional passenger back rest - Aeedea makes them. 5. Wider off road footpegs. 6. Proper MX boots (not Adv boots) for off-roading (these are more for your benefit/protection than the bike).

[@TheSteveFreeman]

Great suggestions!!

[@billyflanagan9657]

Just test drove 2022. Loved it so much i sold my 2023 lowrider ST.

[@TheSteveFreeman]

The PA's are simply the swiss army knives of motorcycles! They will do it all!

[@keystonerider1308]

just traded in my 23 lrst also. the pan am is wayyy better

[@greenrush4313]

Denali horn is awesome. Its there air horn. I just installed it.

[@thedownwardmachine]

“Must have a battery tender” basically means you must own a house and garage to be a moto person. For the rest of us, the Antigravity lithium ion battery with Restart feature lets me let the bike sit for a year or even leave the headlamp on and drain the battery but still start on a reserve. It costs twice as much as a regular battery but it lasts at least twice as long and it weighs nothing.

[@erikjensen6503]

A1 cycles bar risers and rear brake reservoir guard, radiator and headlight guards, wonderlich fan cover and front fender extension, Harley driving lights, hard bags or soft, larger foot pegs (Harley are gtg), screaming eagle exhaust, windshield mount for Garmin with locking plate and probably some I'm missing. Definitely agree on the battery tender and proper riding gear!

[@TheSteveFreeman]

Garmin mount and locking plate already installed, love that thing! I’m doing Denali lights, just waiting on them to come in. More than likely gonna go with the Jeckle & Hyde pipe!!

[@robinmccarty9281]

Just ordered me some A1 bar risers

[@TheSteveFreeman]

@@robinmccarty9281 I’ve got to put some in mine as well!!

[@greenrush4313]

oh and i had the daymaker lights installede also

[@greenrush4313]

i also installed the a1 riser

[@easyfromtnbtw3555]

I’m in Cookeville and Boswells are a bunch of cool guys and ladies lol

[@TheSteveFreeman]

Love my Boswell family!!

[@urbanadventurer5]

Good stuff, thanks. This bike keeps entering my thoughts as a potential modern bagger alternative. I have the Sportster S with the same engine and a lot of the same tech and really like it. My question is knowing what you know now would you recommend it for someone that wasn’t going to do a ton of adventure riding (some, but not a ton) or would you say just get a Low Rider ST or a bagger?

[@TheSteveFreeman]

Honestly, the Pan America is the Swiss Army Knife of motorcycles! I would own one of if I never planned on getting off road. It’s a solid touring motorcycle that is more than capable off-road, it covers all the bases and I bet if you rode one, you’d say it was a more comfortable ride than the Low Rider ST. Don’t sleep on this bike bro!!! I’ve got the Pan America, a Street Glide and a Ducati Desert X. If someone said I could only have 1, I’d keep the Pan America hands down!

[@urbanadventurer5]

@@TheSteveFreeman thanks Steve! This is a huge help and I was really regretting the possibility of moving away from all of the RevMax tech and features that come on those bikes just to get an M8 bike that’s heavier, has less stuff in some cases, and a lot more expensive.

[@Robert509Marquez]

Same motor as the Sportster S but not the same power. The Pan Am is the best bike HD makes. By far the fastest and the most power and the most technologically packed bike. With the ability to add a rack for luggage it can tour around the world.

[@TheSteveFreeman]

@@Robert509Marquez couldn’t agree more!!

[@kencarrcarr3751]

Please bare with me and try this a easy fix for the standard windshield flexing is simply to take a DVD case and push it between the two screen arm mounts, bending slightly in the middle as you fit it,believe me it works. This fixes the torsional movement and helps a little with the top set Ton bending towards the rider simple.

[@brucem8129]

Yep

[@pspez]

Laced wheels or not and why?

[@greenrush4313]

a k-5 splitter reductiner is a MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bengals068]

Newbie here.. i tried googling this.. a kia pulled up. Can i ask what this is and why?

[@LooxJJ]

I like that bag…I like it so much that I’ll get Pan America just to use the bag. (a reasonable justification I’ll be telling my wife).

[@TheSteveFreeman]

Makes all the sense in the world to me bro!

[@greenrush4313]

agreed

[@joshuacatron2]

Well thought out friend.

[@LooxJJ]

@@joshuacatron2 believe it or not, it worked...

[@markh.harris9271]

These are the must have upgrades on the Pan America Special (mine is 2023) 1. HD skid plate 2. HD radiator guard 3. HD quick shifter 4. Sundowner seat & pillion (two separate part numbers) 5. HD side cases & liner bags, with straps (not the boxes) 6. tank bag 7. tail bag 8. windscreen (smoked third party) 9. USB charge adapter (two port, plugs into heated gear port, makes it switched) 10. engine guard mounted water bottle holder 11. optional : HD engine medallions marcus

[@terryreid9170]

Halfway through your video, and can’t disagree with your ideas but way too much talking just to hear your head roar. 19:24

[@TheSteveFreeman]

Did I miss where I asked for your production notes and opinions on my delivery? If you don’t like it then move on! I make videos my way, not yours or anyone else’s.

[@Daniel-v5y1c]

Had a recent accident on a county road hit some mud, lost control and went off the motorcycle side ways. Hit on my face lost half of my teeth. I was wearing a helmet but not full face. Ended up in a ditch a farmer found me took me to the ER. Don't know how long I was there. ER cleaned me up and put me in a bed with heating pads. Also I didn't have the best hearing but cold water in my ears made it worse. Scheduled for dentures or a partial. Wearing hearing aids now. Have been riding for decades worse accident I've been in. See so many Haley riders riding with out safety gear. It only takes one accident to mess up your life.

[@codyrinehart5479]

What kind of bike were you on? I’m so sorry to hear about your accident dude and I hope your spirits are high, God bless man

[@Daniel-v5y1c]

@@codyrinehart5479 Ural

[@chancha1916ks]

Steve, where’s the review of the OA4 and mic 2?

[@TheSteveFreeman]

It s coming, believe me!! I wanted to really get some time with it before I did the video and I’m getting together now! Stay tuned!!!

[@Glib2]

Before you upgrade the skid plate & handgrip protection, you need to upgrade the tires…you’re not doing any real off-road riding on the stock Scorchers.

[@TheSteveFreeman]

I upgraded to the Anakee Wild tires and love them

[@EmoryWood]

Note the HD tank bag is water resistant, not waterproof.

[@TheSteveFreeman]

I hope not to get into any situation where I need protection beyond resistant! LOL

[@bobcob3362]

​@TheSteveFreeman the harley tank bag comes with a rain cover. It located in a small pouch inside the front of the bag.

[@Carlisho]

@@bobcob3362what i do is put my things inside ziplock bags, if some water gets thru my stuff will stay dry

[@johnsheltonsheltonsteadfar9737]

80k miles on my Vstrom, 60 on my super tenere and never had a battery tender....

[@jameswhittington2318]

Raise them down?

[@AJZ-fr6ik]

To much talking losing interest

[@TheSteveFreeman]

Then move on. Go to Tik Tok where the content fits your attention span

[@waynebernard1224]

If you baby it and never take it off road it will last even longer because it’s built to dump and ride hard.

[@TheSteveFreeman]

Mine spends 80% of it's life off-road. These bikes are built very solid!

[@greenrush4313]

pan america CVO

[@TheSteveFreeman]

It's coming! I've seen the images, it look interesting, but waiting to see what the MSRP is... Wondering if will be more than buying a Special and rigging it out.

[@greenrush4313]

I have the GI version and now have put way more then the cvo. Plus it is a limited edition .@@TheSteveFreeman

[@greenrush4313]

quick shifter, daymaker , black dog skid.aaeeda heel shifter and ehaust heat shied. Heat deflector from harley for fan. all the guards for light and radiator. 80 grit pegs.harley back cargo.I want to find a louder horn?

[@greenrush4313]

oh also vance and hines high output exhaust

[@greenrush4313]

also hwy pegs from adventure bike pegs

[@maicomasherlarry6106]

Carbon Fiber Klim Helmets are miserable on long rides.

[@TheSteveFreeman]

Agreed!

[@courtneyc2600]

Can we see the bike with all your must haves on it?

[@TheSteveFreeman]

Coming this week!

[@markmc9229]

Really dude … 5 min on a battery tender?

[@TheSteveFreeman]

@@markmc9229 you really took time out of your day to make that comment?

[@johnswanson3741]

Tank bag don't look cool? There is NOTHING "cool" about Adventure bikes. They are totally utilitarian machines for a special group of riders! If you are afraid of the dirt, like almost everyone I ride with, you would never even think about an Adventure bike. I am seriously thinking about a PanAm, just trying to justify the cost and possibly the poor resale value of this format.

[@TheSteveFreeman]

The pan am is my 3rd adventure bike and the second I own right now! Trust me, you won’t regret it! It however, is not a dirt bike. It’s big and heavy. And, I disagree, I think adv bikes are cool!

[@PublicSafetyInc]

I was a big twin HD guy all my life. Not the yuppy class but the MC heart and soul biker. I have a 1290 Super Adventure S and a Pan American. I have evolved my riding style to road, trails and technical challenges. Riding Adventure bikes the way they’re designed to be ridden has recaptured the heart and soul of the freedom of motorcycles for me. There’s nothing but cool about that.

[@TheSteveFreeman]

@@PublicSafetyInc couldn’t agree more!!!