2018+ Softail Models Breakout

New Harley Questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 23, 2023 | 07:48 PM
  #1  
TJ21's Avatar
TJ21
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 19
Likes: 5
From: New Mexico
Default New Harley Questions

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.
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2023 | 08:08 PM
  #2  
Y2K's Avatar
Y2K
Grand HDF Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
Default

500 miles is fine,rings seat in after about 50 miles. Change the oil and ride it like you stole it at 500.
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2023 | 08:20 PM
  #3  
702's Avatar
702
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,145
From: Las Vegas
Default

Mandatory theft protection? Isn't that a part of full coverage insurance, or are you not required to have insurance in NM?
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2023 | 08:26 PM
  #4  
stormin08's Avatar
stormin08
Road Master
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 802
Likes: 394
From: Missouri
Default

i hit the rev limiter day one on my new LRS...couldnt hear the motor and rolled into the throttle...smacked the limiter several times before 500.

rode it like i owned it up to the 1000 mile service...

use your favorite cleaning brands, only special area is the black motor fins...you dont want anything that creates build up or dries white
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2023 | 09:26 PM
  #5  
Bob Z.'s Avatar
Bob Z.
Road Master
Veteran: Navy
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 309
From: Marineland Florida
Default

Better to be safe and treat it gently when new - let the oil warm before rolling on the throttle...just a few miles and it will be over.

There is a forum here on cleaning and detailing - enjoy.
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2023 | 04:58 AM
  #6  
supernac's Avatar
supernac
Tourer
5 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 398
Likes: 240
From: Merica
Default

The “alarm” that comes stock will just flash the lights, you can buy an add-on siren though.
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2023 | 05:47 AM
  #7  
Durham man's Avatar
Durham man
Stellar HDF Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,321
Likes: 1,884
Default

I bought an Indian motorcycle cover with the big logo on it . I cover it at every stop. It’s the perfect anti theft protection. I leave the fob and all!
 
Old Feb 24, 2023 | 06:05 AM
  #8  
Iceman24's Avatar
Iceman24
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Air Force
15 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,306
Likes: 2,443
From: Eastern NE
Default

See below, for my $,02.

Originally Posted by TJ21
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. Yes, you can install HD's alarm kit, or go aftermarket. FYI, if your LR is like my 2017, getting the siren/kit behind battery was a PITA. Another option is buying a decent throttle, or wheel lock (brake caliper).

Detailing products, any brand recommendations for this? I like to keep my vehicles clean so this will probably be the same. Anything you use for cars works...especially the ceramics on black bike (if yours is the "fastest" color.

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? 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

Any feedback would be huge as I am a newb to this side of riding.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 24, 2023 | 06:19 AM
  #9  
Glenn Gorman's Avatar
Glenn Gorman
Stellar HDF Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 1,811
From: space
Default

Originally Posted by Durham man
I bought an Indian motorcycle cover with the big logo on it . I cover it at every stop. It’s the perfect anti theft protection. I leave the fob and all!
Heard that Honda Gullwing covers work just as goo, if not better.
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2023 | 08:35 AM
  #10  
dbarbee's Avatar
dbarbee
Supporter
Veteran: Navy
Photogenic
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 565
Likes: 471
From: Sapulpa, OKlahoma
Supporter
Default

The manuals for both my 2021 Ultra-Limited 114 and my wife's 2022 Heritage Classic 114 say the break-in period is 500 miles and first oil change should be at 1,000 miles.

I'm sure some riders prefer to go ahead and change the oil at 500 miles, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that, but the manuals for at least the bikes I own say it's not required until 1,000 miles.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:59 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE