New Harley Questions
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Novice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 19
Likes: 5
From: New Mexico
I have full insurance with gap. We lead the nation in auto thefts so they basically engrave markings on all your parts in case they find a chop shop the police can run those numbers to find out who it is. Also they give you $5000 to replace your bike if its stolen. Its a weird thing I didnt want but apparently its a dealer thing thats locked in on every sale.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 3,392
From: Seattle
Hey guys just for my Low Rider S today. First Harley but used to ride street bikes. I have a couple questions if you all could help me out.
I know they sell alarm as for these bikes, is it worth it? I have gap and the mandatory theft protection from the dealer. Crotch rockets they will just pick up and throw in the bed of a truck but these are heavier.
Detailing products, any brand recommendations for this? I like to keep my vehicles clean so this will probably be the same.
Last but probably most important. Dealer said break in was 500 miles, I could have sworn research said 1000. All I was told was keep it under 4000 rpm for 500 miles. Is that it?
Any feedback would be huge as I am a newb to this side of riding.
I know they sell alarm as for these bikes, is it worth it? I have gap and the mandatory theft protection from the dealer. Crotch rockets they will just pick up and throw in the bed of a truck but these are heavier.
Detailing products, any brand recommendations for this? I like to keep my vehicles clean so this will probably be the same.
Last but probably most important. Dealer said break in was 500 miles, I could have sworn research said 1000. All I was told was keep it under 4000 rpm for 500 miles. Is that it?
Any feedback would be huge as I am a newb to this side of riding.
These bikes have Keyless security, so they "disable" when your keyfob moves too far away.
Instead get an Alarm Lock that goes over your Brake Discs, like an Oxford Boss or ABUS Detecto. They will work just as good as any alarm system installed into the bike, but with the added detail that they legitimately immobilize the bike, and quite literally install in seconds.
And if you want extra anti-theft protection, get a generic as **** looking cover and keep the bike under the cover if it's outside.
Want Even more? Get a MoniMoto or other GPS tracker dot that you can put on the bike. you can usually doublesided tape one to your battery or something place similar.
Alarm Locked, GPS Tracked, Covered. All much easier to do and safer than trying to put the harley alarm system on the bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 1,880
From: SF Bay Area
My two cents:
If you are parking your bike outside on the street or driveway (as in not in a garage) overnight, then I would invest in the audible alarm AND the lock like Franbunny suggested. These bikes while not being able to pickup easily, can be dragged onto a flatbed tow truck in seconds. If you store you bike in a garage and are just parking your bike at a watering hole while you eat or just outside while dropping into a store, then probably not necessary. I have never locked my bikes while on day trips.
If you go the disk brake lock route, get one with the strap that clips onto your throttle or clutch lever. I have a buddy that used a disk brake lock and one time forgot it was on. Found out quick it was still on. lol
For break in, 500 miles shifting through all the gears keeping the RPM under 4000 and varying the throttle (not keeping it at the same RPM for long periods of time) is what I'm doing.
Mine will go into the shop for the first 1000 service at 500 miles for oil change and once over. Peace of mind for me.
Good luck and where is the pic!
If you are parking your bike outside on the street or driveway (as in not in a garage) overnight, then I would invest in the audible alarm AND the lock like Franbunny suggested. These bikes while not being able to pickup easily, can be dragged onto a flatbed tow truck in seconds. If you store you bike in a garage and are just parking your bike at a watering hole while you eat or just outside while dropping into a store, then probably not necessary. I have never locked my bikes while on day trips.
If you go the disk brake lock route, get one with the strap that clips onto your throttle or clutch lever. I have a buddy that used a disk brake lock and one time forgot it was on. Found out quick it was still on. lol
For break in, 500 miles shifting through all the gears keeping the RPM under 4000 and varying the throttle (not keeping it at the same RPM for long periods of time) is what I'm doing.
Mine will go into the shop for the first 1000 service at 500 miles for oil change and once over. Peace of mind for me.
Good luck and where is the pic!
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,538
Likes: 542
From: MN
I have also read of engine makers going to two hone cylinder finishes, but not sure if they're all doing it. Being retired, I don't get as much industry inside info anymore.
Two step honing does the initial rough hone as always, then a partial fine hone to shorten the owner break in run time, just as this article alludes to.
Maybe the engine maker break in instructions of yore are out of date? But yes, 500 mile break in to be safe on most any engine, then dump oil and new filter. I didn't wait until 1,000 miles to get all the metal shavings out.
Two step honing does the initial rough hone as always, then a partial fine hone to shorten the owner break in run time, just as this article alludes to.
Maybe the engine maker break in instructions of yore are out of date? But yes, 500 mile break in to be safe on most any engine, then dump oil and new filter. I didn't wait until 1,000 miles to get all the metal shavings out.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 3,392
From: Seattle
My two cents:
If you are parking your bike outside on the street or driveway (as in not in a garage) overnight, then I would invest in the audible alarm AND the lock like Franbunny suggested. These bikes while not being able to pickup easily, can be dragged onto a flatbed tow truck in seconds. If you store you bike in a garage and are just parking your bike at a watering hole while you eat or just outside while dropping into a store, then probably not necessary. I have never locked my bikes while on day trips.
If you go the disk brake lock route, get one with the strap that clips onto your throttle or clutch lever. I have a buddy that used a disk brake lock and one time forgot it was on. Found out quick it was still on. lol
For break in, 500 miles shifting through all the gears keeping the RPM under 4000 and varying the throttle (not keeping it at the same RPM for long periods of time) is what I'm doing.
Mine will go into the shop for the first 1000 service at 500 miles for oil change and once over. Peace of mind for me.
Good luck and where is the pic!
If you are parking your bike outside on the street or driveway (as in not in a garage) overnight, then I would invest in the audible alarm AND the lock like Franbunny suggested. These bikes while not being able to pickup easily, can be dragged onto a flatbed tow truck in seconds. If you store you bike in a garage and are just parking your bike at a watering hole while you eat or just outside while dropping into a store, then probably not necessary. I have never locked my bikes while on day trips.
If you go the disk brake lock route, get one with the strap that clips onto your throttle or clutch lever. I have a buddy that used a disk brake lock and one time forgot it was on. Found out quick it was still on. lol
For break in, 500 miles shifting through all the gears keeping the RPM under 4000 and varying the throttle (not keeping it at the same RPM for long periods of time) is what I'm doing.
Mine will go into the shop for the first 1000 service at 500 miles for oil change and once over. Peace of mind for me.
Good luck and where is the pic!
That's where all these reminder queue things fail, they dont account for the fact that i fyou make it something you have to remember to do... peopel with bad memory will not do them because they cant remember to do them.
It's like Neville in harry potter with that rememberall sphere, "Ive forgotten something, but I cant remember what I've forgotten"
Teh alarm locks however... you put it on the bike and if you try to roll at all with it on or bump the bike enough it'll scream at ya.
So you'll never forget to take it off before leaving because it reminds but going off on you without you have to remember to setup the reminder.
One thing a lot of people dont realize is just how important having your bike covered is to detering theives.
Get the most generic *** cover you can, and always cover the bike. Even pro bike thieves tend to look over covered bikes because they can't "Window shop" those kinds of bikes.
This is advice came from a pro bike thief who stole bikes for a chopshop for a long time. Covers are important, so long as the cover doesn't broadcast your bike brand.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 952
Likes: 528
From: Richmond TX
Be sure to seat the rings in the early miles. And, heavy HD's get taken every day. Four guys,, two 2x4's and a cube van and it's gone. Go with the blank cover and choose where you park. Many motels/hotels let you park right at the front door if you ask.
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See below, for my $,02. 
Probably too late, but I ALWAYS to the MotoTune new engine break-in, while riding off dealer lot...got to set those rings. Here's the link: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Probably too late, but I ALWAYS to the MotoTune new engine break-in, while riding off dealer lot...got to set those rings. Here's the link: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm Back in the nineties, when I built a motor, I would set them up dry, no oil on the cylinder walls. I did this because I came across an article by a NASCAR mechanic that said they did it this way because the rings would set almost immediately. He stated that oiling the walls created an oil film under the rings that would keep the rings from setting. I did my set up this way to several engines and always had success with it. I think I asked a builder that was doing an engine for me to do it this way and I was told it could cause the rings to get too hot and score the cylinders, but like I said, I never had a problem. The NASCAR mechanic said that the cylinder walls were splashed with oil almost immediately (piston oilers and crankcase), so it basically just kept the rings from floating on oil.
I have two top ends that I'm planning on doing this year. I will use Total Seal's Quickseat and I will follow this MOTO TUNE method for break in. I don't see a problem with it, except I will have to do it on the street, so it could be a little hard to get it done without upsetting the authorities.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 1,880
From: SF Bay Area
I'm curious why anyone would deviate from the Harley recommended break in? I assume it would be in Harley's best interest to give guidance on how to break-in their motors to ensure long life. If "riding it like you stole it" was best to seat rings and for the motor, I would think they would say that in the manual. Here we are second guessing Harley Engine Engineers. I bet the best of us have had what 25 Harleys over the years. HD has made 100s of thousand engines over the years. Comparing these modern V-Twins to motors back in the 80s or 90s the technology has come a long way.
I will second guess Harley on almost anything they do, but break in on motor is not one of them. Your mileage may vary.
I will second guess Harley on almost anything they do, but break in on motor is not one of them. Your mileage may vary.
