What's high mileage for a Harley?
#22
05-29-2009, 05:55 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
150k on mine and I just got back from a 1400 mile ride to Rolling Thuder with no problems at all. BTW, I run castrol GTX 20W50 CAR oil and change it every 2500 miles. No smoke, no compression loss and still running smooth. Buddy had his EVO remanned at 238k because it smoked a little on startup when cold.
Ride safe
Bubba
Ride safe
Bubba
#23
05-29-2009, 06:29 PM
Club Member
You should get at least 100K on a top-end so long as you aren't out there drag racing or beating the crap out of your bike. The bottom end should last longer. It all comes down to your maintenance. Take care of your bike and it will last. Do your basic oil/filter/trans fluid/primary oil changes on a regular basis and you can ride for some serious miles. Beat on it and you will do repairs regularly.
#24
05-30-2009, 01:10 PM
Wow this was an old thread - a year and a half ago and my response to it back then was that my '05 EGC had 66k on it and was running great. That bike got totalled one year later almost to the day with 92k on it and was still running great.
I'm now on the '09 RK and am approaching 13k without a single hiccup. These bikes will run and run and run if you keep after the maintenance... 100-150k+ on top end and 200k or more on bottom end before a tear-down.
I'm now on the '09 RK and am approaching 13k without a single hiccup. These bikes will run and run and run if you keep after the maintenance... 100-150k+ on top end and 200k or more on bottom end before a tear-down.
#25
05-30-2009, 02:02 PM
Hopefully I can answer this questions for you, in a few yrs....hopefully with a very high number! I have wondered this myself and always ask around when I'm with a group of Bikers. I don't wanna Rebuild/upgrade mine till it got at least 50-75K on it. This seems like a very reasonable expectation from what I have heard. Mine is an 03 (carb) Heritage. I wanted a carb but I have heard that when you rapid-decel a carb'ed motor it runs rich for a second and wipes much of the oil off the cylinders, hence less miles than with a fuel injected motor? Fact vs Myth...damn if I know. I run Amsoil in all 3 holes and don't really driver hard, but I don't baby it either!
Harley should give out Medalions whenever you reach milestones 50,75,100K miles with a stock motor. My 1988 Benzo Diesel has nearly 300k, I have a Medalion on my grill with 250,000 miles engraved on it from Mercedes.
Harley should give out Medalions whenever you reach milestones 50,75,100K miles with a stock motor. My 1988 Benzo Diesel has nearly 300k, I have a Medalion on my grill with 250,000 miles engraved on it from Mercedes.
#26
12-28-2012, 12:39 PM
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I bought my '97 Heritage Springer new and have ran Mobil 1 20w-50 since 5,000. miles. I recently rode up to the Dealer where I purchased it and turned over 100,000. miles. Bone stock Evo except for a K&N breather kit and Kerker pipes that were installed when new. I never run over 70mph except to pass or temporarily to 'stay with traffic'. Been to all 48 states, 15 Sturgis'. Doesn't smoke or make any weird engine noises, knock on chrome haha. Original stator, drive belt. Only repairs in 16 years have been a voltage regulator and two starter clutches besides normal wear items. When the time comes I plan to send the motor back to Harley for a remanufacture and skip the 'band aid' top end rebuild. I figure the reman cost is still less than sales tax on a new one.
#27
12-28-2012, 12:52 PM
I bought my '97 Heritage Springer new and have ran Mobil 1 20w-50 since 5,000. miles. I recently rode up to the Dealer where I purchased it and turned over 100,000. miles. Bone stock Evo except for a K&N breather kit and Kerker pipes that were installed when new. I never run over 70mph except to pass or temporarily to 'stay with traffic'. Been to all 48 states, 15 Sturgis'. Doesn't smoke or make any weird engine noises, knock on chrome haha. Original stator, drive belt. Only repairs in 16 years have been a voltage regulator and two starter clutches besides normal wear items. When the time comes I plan to send the motor back to Harley for a remanufacture and skip the 'band aid' top end rebuild. I figure the reman cost is still less than sales tax on a new one.
#28
12-28-2012, 12:57 PM
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haha no oil at all?
#29
12-28-2012, 01:05 PM
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1999 electra glide, currently with 95K miles.
The only engine work was upgrade to 95ci, cylinders and pistons at 45K (because I wanted more power) and replacement of throttle, crank, cam position sensors.
Bike runs as strong today, as when I installed the 95ci kit (50K miles ago).
The only engine work was upgrade to 95ci, cylinders and pistons at 45K (because I wanted more power) and replacement of throttle, crank, cam position sensors.
Bike runs as strong today, as when I installed the 95ci kit (50K miles ago).
#30
08-04-2013, 12:12 PM
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What is too low??
Hey guys, I am looking to buy a Ultra Classic, a 1998 95th Anniv. addition. the guy told me that he has 11000 miles on it, and he is the second owner. He has added "A LOT" of chrome to it and it looks pretty good, sounds good as well, but how do I know that the 11000 is not actually 111000? I mean is there any real way to tell what the actual miles are? I did a VIN check and the only thing on it was the mileage when it was purchased in 1998. 3 Miles, everything else reads "EXEMPT" which I didn't know some states do not require you to document the mileage when you purchase or buy a used bike. Any suggestions or comments on this would be very helpful.