First Harley - please sirs, tips
First Harley - please sirs, tips
I have been lurking for a few days.
Since I was out of high school I have been riding.
2001 Honda ACE
2004 Yamaha Road Star
2006 Yamaha Royal Star
When I moved from Alaska to San Diego I rode my bike full time, rain or shine (unless it was a torrential downpour which rarely happened)
Sold the Royal back in 2010 to pay for my daughters car when she went to college.
My wife really missed riding so she pressured me into getting a new bike (salesman couldn't believe it) and it didn't take much
I always wanted to get into a touring Harley but never had the cash until now, so we got the Ultra Limited. Almost have 500 miles on it but I was wondering if you guys had any upkeep tips. I have had a chain and 2 shaft drives but have never dealt with a belt.
Whatever advice I can get is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Since I was out of high school I have been riding.
2001 Honda ACE
2004 Yamaha Road Star
2006 Yamaha Royal Star
When I moved from Alaska to San Diego I rode my bike full time, rain or shine (unless it was a torrential downpour which rarely happened)
Sold the Royal back in 2010 to pay for my daughters car when she went to college.
My wife really missed riding so she pressured me into getting a new bike (salesman couldn't believe it) and it didn't take much
I always wanted to get into a touring Harley but never had the cash until now, so we got the Ultra Limited. Almost have 500 miles on it but I was wondering if you guys had any upkeep tips. I have had a chain and 2 shaft drives but have never dealt with a belt.
Whatever advice I can get is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
No upkeep on the belt to worry about. The bike itself is easy, the new radio on the other hand, that could use some reading time. I had a Royal Star Venture back in the day, nice bike, but the Limited is mles ahead of it. Enjoy.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 84
From: New Jersey
I have been lurking for a few days. Since I was out of high school I have been riding. 2001 Honda ACE 2004 Yamaha Road Star 2006 Yamaha Royal Star When I moved from Alaska to San Diego I rode my bike full time, rain or shine (unless it was a torrential downpour which rarely happened) Sold the Royal back in 2010 to pay for my daughters car when she went to college. My wife really missed riding so she pressured me into getting a new bike (salesman couldn't believe it) and it didn't take much I always wanted to get into a touring Harley but never had the cash until now, so we got the Ultra Limited. Almost have 500 miles on it but I was wondering if you guys had any upkeep tips. I have had a chain and 2 shaft drives but have never dealt with a belt. Whatever advice I can get is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
The belt requires no routine maintenance. MUCH better than a chain.
Nice choice on the Limited.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: kansas
the new Harleys are pretty tight and upkeep is pretty simple really. ever since the evo engine came out a decade ago Harleys have been pretty good.
The Yamaha you had was a basically bulletproof bike so its not like that for sure, heavier and more spooky at first at low speeds so get use to that and give yourself room to turn at low speeds and don't be afraid to put your feet down........
The 1000 mile service is where you should have the dealer do probably (altho its pretty basic might want to err on the cautious side) and after that its oil changes for awhile. The belts don't have any issues except getting a little lose but even then its not a big deal,,,, not like its gonna break or anything.
Check out the manual for easy checks and ride the shi* out of it my friend,,,, its an experience that is equal to none to be hammering down the highway in the wind with the tunes jamming on a Harley!!!! bet the wife loves it to.... you will be hooked for life brother. ride safe, paul
The Yamaha you had was a basically bulletproof bike so its not like that for sure, heavier and more spooky at first at low speeds so get use to that and give yourself room to turn at low speeds and don't be afraid to put your feet down........
The 1000 mile service is where you should have the dealer do probably (altho its pretty basic might want to err on the cautious side) and after that its oil changes for awhile. The belts don't have any issues except getting a little lose but even then its not a big deal,,,, not like its gonna break or anything.
Check out the manual for easy checks and ride the shi* out of it my friend,,,, its an experience that is equal to none to be hammering down the highway in the wind with the tunes jamming on a Harley!!!! bet the wife loves it to.... you will be hooked for life brother. ride safe, paul
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 528
Likes: 14
From: pittsburgh
I'm new to Harley and bought a Limited as my starter bike too.
Folks in other posts strongly suggested buying the shop manuals for the bike. I just order the service, electrical, and parts manual from Kutter. They were cheap costing $134 for all three.
I plan on having the 1k service performed at the dealership and doing the rest myself. I had a mechanic strongly suggest having the first one done at a harley dealer and then keeping receipts & records for all the other services. He said that way there is no question that service was performed properly.
Folks in other posts strongly suggested buying the shop manuals for the bike. I just order the service, electrical, and parts manual from Kutter. They were cheap costing $134 for all three.
I plan on having the 1k service performed at the dealership and doing the rest myself. I had a mechanic strongly suggest having the first one done at a harley dealer and then keeping receipts & records for all the other services. He said that way there is no question that service was performed properly.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 153
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton
The only real caveat I've seen to the belt is a gravel road. The belt or sprocket can pick up a rock and that can punch a hole in a belt. Mine has a divet in it, didn't penetrate all the way through and has been running that way for over 20k miles. I was fortunate, it hit right in the center. I've been told if they hit on the side the belt can begin to tear and come apart. Short of this its a pretty tough system.
Like anything else, a bike can break something but I don't think there is any one thing just waiting to getcha.
Like anything else, a bike can break something but I don't think there is any one thing just waiting to getcha.
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 59
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From: rapid city
I always cary a tube of poly lube in my bags for the belt. Twice a year imput a finger tip or two worth of it on my belt and no issues. My bike is a 2002 heritage 40k miles and the only issue ive ever had with it is i broke a throttle cable once.