Road Trip Maintenance?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,161
Likes: 11,252
From: San Diego, CA
As many have said.....
It's not imperative that you get an oil change while on the trip... it won't hurt to wait until you get back.. especially if you are using a good synthetic oil..
And, I've also met/dealt with some incredible dealerships while on-the-road... I wish I received that kind of treatment from my hometown dealers...
FWIW... not sure where in Illinois you'll be... but I can give a big thumbs up to Workman HD in Rock Falls, IL.... just off I-88....
Back in 2012, I was leaving upstate NY (where I bought my new bike) to ride the 3 week old, just broken in, 2012 Limited home to San Diego ..... The day I left, the info about replacing the troubled regulators was released. Several days into my journey, I was in Milwaukee to visit the HD museum.. I contacted 4 HD dealerships in the area.. three claimed they did not know of the regulator issue/replacement yet, and one said the replacement regs from HD hadn't shipped out to the dealers yet.... I continued on my journey..
The next day, while jumping off the interstate to get gas, I accidentally found Workman HD in Rock Falls, IL.... For the hell of it I stopped by to see if they had been informed about the regulator replacement and could handle the replacement on my 2012 Limited...They told me they got their first batch of replacement regulators that morning.... I pulled into the dealership at about 11am, was treated like family, and was on my way by 1:30PM... They even apologized for the delay because when I pulled in, their tech had just left for lunch....!!! Incredible experience...
Wait until you get home, or find a dealer to do the service while on-the-road, both will be acceptable... let your timeline and sense of adventure be your guide....!
Enjoy the trip..
It's not imperative that you get an oil change while on the trip... it won't hurt to wait until you get back.. especially if you are using a good synthetic oil..
And, I've also met/dealt with some incredible dealerships while on-the-road... I wish I received that kind of treatment from my hometown dealers...
FWIW... not sure where in Illinois you'll be... but I can give a big thumbs up to Workman HD in Rock Falls, IL.... just off I-88....
Back in 2012, I was leaving upstate NY (where I bought my new bike) to ride the 3 week old, just broken in, 2012 Limited home to San Diego ..... The day I left, the info about replacing the troubled regulators was released. Several days into my journey, I was in Milwaukee to visit the HD museum.. I contacted 4 HD dealerships in the area.. three claimed they did not know of the regulator issue/replacement yet, and one said the replacement regs from HD hadn't shipped out to the dealers yet.... I continued on my journey..
The next day, while jumping off the interstate to get gas, I accidentally found Workman HD in Rock Falls, IL.... For the hell of it I stopped by to see if they had been informed about the regulator replacement and could handle the replacement on my 2012 Limited...They told me they got their first batch of replacement regulators that morning.... I pulled into the dealership at about 11am, was treated like family, and was on my way by 1:30PM... They even apologized for the delay because when I pulled in, their tech had just left for lunch....!!! Incredible experience...
Wait until you get home, or find a dealer to do the service while on-the-road, both will be acceptable... let your timeline and sense of adventure be your guide....!
Enjoy the trip..
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 342
From: Virginia Beach
https://timpharley.com/
very cool dealer in UTAH!
I too, used to be the maintenance ****. LOL. The Navy drilled that in my head. ( I just read your signature! ) For what its worth, you can go 10K between services on synthetic oil. Extended oil changes are a thing I have practiced for more than a few years. Your tranny can go 20k, your engine and primary 10k. I don't think I have ever drained my tranny and its been dirty. Unless your riding in the country its like your air filter never gets dirty and can go 50k. I have let the primary go for 15k but that was too long. While I didn't lose any functionality, the primary fluid (Amsoil) looked like pepper soup. Anyway, make sure your axle bolts and belt are tight and ride. While the forums do a good job of slaying HD, they are a great motorcycle. ride ride ride...
very cool dealer in UTAH!
I too, used to be the maintenance ****. LOL. The Navy drilled that in my head. ( I just read your signature! ) For what its worth, you can go 10K between services on synthetic oil. Extended oil changes are a thing I have practiced for more than a few years. Your tranny can go 20k, your engine and primary 10k. I don't think I have ever drained my tranny and its been dirty. Unless your riding in the country its like your air filter never gets dirty and can go 50k. I have let the primary go for 15k but that was too long. While I didn't lose any functionality, the primary fluid (Amsoil) looked like pepper soup. Anyway, make sure your axle bolts and belt are tight and ride. While the forums do a good job of slaying HD, they are a great motorcycle. ride ride ride...
Last edited by jammerx; Feb 15, 2021 at 06:54 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 1,001
From: Winnipeg
id take you up on it and bring a few cold beverages to boot!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,576
Likes: 7,953
From: Long Island, New York
I have had many oil change performed at Dealerships out of state during road trips. Zero reason not to go that way. My only suggestion would be to plan the stop and call at least a week in advance and make an appointment. Tell them you are "on the road" and are looking to come and and go, not drop the bike off for an entire day etc, etc, etc. Many great experiences out of state getting things fixed or just some needed maintenance. This includes stops in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Montana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky (friends bike) and probably another half a dozen great experiences.
As said previously, HD is excellent with helping riders on the road with all forms of issues. They take some pride in helping travelers out, give it a shot. I think you will be back with a good story or at least a positive experience. Good luck.
As said previously, HD is excellent with helping riders on the road with all forms of issues. They take some pride in helping travelers out, give it a shot. I think you will be back with a good story or at least a positive experience. Good luck.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 267
From: New England
You are way overthinking this, just do your normal service before you start your trip.
6,500 miles is nothing - believe me there are thousands upon thousands of bikes out there that have ridden many more miles than that between fluid swaps.
6,500 miles is nothing - believe me there are thousands upon thousands of bikes out there that have ridden many more miles than that between fluid swaps.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
I don't recall how many miles you have gone so far, but if it's over 30k I strongly recommend that you jack up the rear, lay on the ground, and look at the outer and inner surfaces of your drive belt for cracks or missing treads while rotating the wheel.
I have had to do a tire because I'm too cheap to not use it to the recommended limit, I have had to do a front neck bearing because it was improperly installed at the factory and was full of grit, and I have had to do a compensator, and a battery. No complaints from any of those issues other than the fact that I can do the work for 1/5 the cost (except for tires... I don't do tires). I did my own drive belt, for example, after discovering missing teeth before a long trip. Not a simple thing, particularly, but I sure saved some bucks... especially if I had had to use my HOG "free" tow to a dealer <arrggghhhhh>.
I have ridden bikes long enough to appreciate such things as chains... easier and more compact to carry with you!
I have had to do a tire because I'm too cheap to not use it to the recommended limit, I have had to do a front neck bearing because it was improperly installed at the factory and was full of grit, and I have had to do a compensator, and a battery. No complaints from any of those issues other than the fact that I can do the work for 1/5 the cost (except for tires... I don't do tires). I did my own drive belt, for example, after discovering missing teeth before a long trip. Not a simple thing, particularly, but I sure saved some bucks... especially if I had had to use my HOG "free" tow to a dealer <arrggghhhhh>.
I have ridden bikes long enough to appreciate such things as chains... easier and more compact to carry with you!
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Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 282
From: Long Island NY
FWIW- going 1500-miles over on your oil change wont destroy your ride. I would just roll into a dealer or indy and get it done. Or do it in an auto parts store lot. Theyll take in the used oil. Toss the funnel. Youll still be ahead.
I think youre afraid to go to a dealer because you may exit with a 6-7 year newer HD!
I think youre afraid to go to a dealer because you may exit with a 6-7 year newer HD!
