Folks, I just traded up for a new 2015 Ultra Limited – FLHTK and it barely has 50 miles on it. The guys and I are going on a trip in a few weeks throughout Michigan and the Upper part of Michigan. I figure we will put between 1400-1800 miles. So there is my dilemma, will this be an issue for delaying the 1000 mile service to approximately 2000 miles??? Thanks…

 

The mileage isn't really the biggest issue. During the break-in period, you should be varying the RPMs a lot. Going on a long trip like that is going to keep the RPMs at a set rate. Though, I know 1200-1600 miles is perfectly fine for the first service. I can't really say 2000 miles is acceptable. :P

 

I wouldn't have any problem doing that but if you could get a few more miles on the bike before the trip I would replace all oil early just so I could check the magnetic drain plugs for metal etc.

 

In a "few" weeks is still 21 days. Ride the bike and get used to it. Plenty of time to put several hundred miles on it and order the manuals, gather the oil and filter and prepare to do the service.


Congrats on the new bike, have a great trip that's pretty country.

 

Nope!

 

Tsekulow - I completely understand your concerns.

Last year, i got a new bike for my son - I know he was going to ride it back to MA once he came home in May. Bike sat in the garage from Christmas time until riding season.

I decided to put some miles on it before he got home. Only put about 500 or so miles on it - and did so because I wanted to make the first oil change. I did just that - and he and I rode to MA.

The next time I saw the bike was on August - he met me in Sturgis and the bike had over 12,000 miles on it. This took him just one month - he's a teacher so decided to ride from MA to Chicago, across Rt 66 - California, Oregon, Washington, Montana and then met me in Sturgis.

So bottom line, I would change the oil.

Also, which way are you headed - I am in Lake Orion.

 

I'd change it early... Ride the **** out of it, and change before the trip.

I'm from Michigan... What are y'all doing that you're going to put 1800 miles on?

Sounds like fun!

 

Thats what I did, I bought a 2015 Ultra Classic and was going on a trip 2 weeks later, I rode the bike to work and around town, it is important to vary RPM's the first 500 miles or so, I would put at least that many miles on it and change all the fluids before the trip.

 

I would change all 3 before you leave. Won't hurt to change early. When are you heading out? I'm leaving for a ride starting in Benton Harbor in 2 weeks. Doing the west side of the state through tunnel of trees then through the UP to see the falls and pictured rocks. Finally to the museum and WI Dells before completing the loop.

 

There are plenty of people who buy new bikes then go on a trip, just check your oil and as someone else said vary the rpm for at least the first couple hundred miles.
Some shops offer a quick oil change while you wait, call ahead and set something up for the engine oil change and worry about the others when you get back. Having a record of the engine oil change might come in handy just in case....but honestly I would just go.
Might take a quart of oil with you, sometimes new engines might use a little.