How Far to Go?
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 9
From: Toledo, Ohio
I had my evo checked out by a reputable indy when I bought it 4 years ago. I have a service manual and do the things that are within my abilities ( limited). Now I only concern myself with proper maintenance, not replacing what isn't broken ( like someone said). That being said, I realize my bike is 23+ years old. I made sure I had towing included on my motorcycle insurance....cheaper for peace of mind than spending time/money replacing perfectly good parts ( which fail too). My only concern is that my bike would be properly handled if I ever did break down and I got stranded. I ain't no Dr. Hess.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
I had my evo checked out by a reputable indy when I bought it 4 years ago. I have a service manual and do the things that are within my abilities ( limited). Now I only concern myself with proper maintenance, not replacing what isn't broken ( like someone said). That being said, I realize my bike is 23+ years old. I made sure I had towing included on my motorcycle insurance....cheaper for peace of mind than spending time/money replacing perfectly good parts ( which fail too). My only concern is that my bike would be properly handled if I ever did break down and I got stranded. I ain't no Dr. Hess.
My independent mechanic is great about talking me out of unnecessary repairs. But I like the idea of preventative maintenance to minimize the risk of breaking down on the road.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Yes, I have a similar concern. I would like to ride the Harley up to Tuscaloosa to see my son. But I am concerned about breaking down on the way and not being able to get the bike repaired along the way.
My independent mechanic is great about talking me out of unnecessary repairs. But I like the idea of preventative maintenance to minimize the risk of breaking down on the road.
My independent mechanic is great about talking me out of unnecessary repairs. But I like the idea of preventative maintenance to minimize the risk of breaking down on the road.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 9
From: Toledo, Ohio
For some of us who have limited wrenching skills, an honest and reputable indy is invaluable. I found out that HD calls my guy when they can't figure something out. Anyways, I took my 95 to him when I was planning my Ohio to California ( and back) trip. I told him my plans and my concerns about breaking down....specifically I asked him to check what needed to be replaced before I set out on my journey. I think my bike had about 30k on it at the time and was pretty much all original . I will say, however, that my bike is pristine and has always been properly maintained. That being said, I was still surprised that the tab when I picked her up was minimal...nothing replaced, just basic minor adjustments here and there. I asked him if it were his bike, would he ride it out to the west coast. Without hesitation, he said yes.That was good enough for me, and I have still not had an issue with it to this day. It really meant something to me when this old seasoned dude said the evo is the best motor Harley ever produced. For what it's worth, like others on here, I love my evo more than all the previous twinkies I've had...and will probably never part with it.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
For some of us who have limited wrenching skills, an honest and reputable indy is invaluable. I found out that HD calls my guy when they can't figure something out. Anyways, I took my 95 to him when I was planning my Ohio to California ( and back) trip. I told him my plans and my concerns about breaking down....specifically I asked him to check what needed to be replaced before I set out on my journey. I think my bike had about 30k on it at the time and was pretty much all original . I will say, however, that my bike is pristine and has always been properly maintained. That being said, I was still surprised that the tab when I picked her up was minimal...nothing replaced, just basic minor adjustments here and there. I asked him if it were his bike, would he ride it out to the west coast. Without hesitation, he said yes.That was good enough for me, and I have still not had an issue with it to this day. It really meant something to me when this old seasoned dude said the evo is the best motor Harley ever produced. For what it's worth, like others on here, I love my evo more than all the previous twinkies I've had...and will probably never part with it.
I think my bike is solid mechanically. My Indy has done a lot to it. It has about 50K miles on it. My principle concern at the moment is the electrical system. When I got it, the turn signals did not work. My mechanic replaced the turn signal control module. It now works fine in the garage when cold. But it works intermittently once it warms up. And the neutral light sometimes works and sometimes does not.
I have confidence in the engine and drive train. Worried about and electrical failure. My Indy says that is the one weak link in the EVOs.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 9
From: Toledo, Ohio
Sounds like you just have a few bugs you need to work out. I knew the history of my bike and previous owner was meticulous ( keeping records) just like I am. Like anything, a lot has to do with how it's taken care of. I can only speak for myself when I say I haven't had any major headache with a 23+ year old bike. Everything I've had to do has been relatively minor. I do need to replace the petcock ( I'll do) this spring, as I have virtually no reserve. Parts here and there I've always been able to locate through different sources. HD actually has in stock the petcock I need, it's an upgraded version of the stock, and less expensive than aftermarket. Hopefully your wiring issue you can figure out, electrical can be a real headache, especially an inconsistent problem. The guys on the forum ( not me) will be able to guide you through just about anything. I'm basically a sponge on here soaking up all the information and learning from the issues of others.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
Thanks MJHJEA. I am trying to be a sponge too.
My reserve is about 15 miles. I bought a 2 gallon gas can and put it in the saddle bag so that I could test the reserve.
I am not getting great gas mileage on my bike. Around 33 MPG. But that is in part due to the fact that I am mostly taking short trips around town so I have a lot of starting and stopping and warming up.
I would hope I would get closer to 40 MPG cruising a longer trip and that would push the reserve closer to 20 miles. But, when it hits reserve, I head to the nearest gas station. And I usually gas up before it hits reserve since I have a pretty good idea when I am getting close.
I am happy with my 15 mile reserve since I base my re-fueling on the miles and the reserve is just a safety mechanism in case I make a mistake.
I actually wish all my vehicles, including my cars had a reserve since it is a more accurate range alert than the fuel gauge.
I find fuel gauges to be set too conservatively to protect people from running out of gas. I would prefer that the fuel gauge be as accurate as possible and let me set my own level of conservatism.
I forgot my wallet once when out in my car. Went miles past empty. Did not run out of gas and when I filled up, I put in a gallon less than the stated fuel capacity of the car.
By designing it some conservatively, they have reduced the useable range for sensible people since I put my own conservatism on top of theirs.
Give me as accurate information as possible and let me determine my own level of conservatism and allowance for the inaccuracy of the information provided.
My reserve is about 15 miles. I bought a 2 gallon gas can and put it in the saddle bag so that I could test the reserve.
I am not getting great gas mileage on my bike. Around 33 MPG. But that is in part due to the fact that I am mostly taking short trips around town so I have a lot of starting and stopping and warming up.
I would hope I would get closer to 40 MPG cruising a longer trip and that would push the reserve closer to 20 miles. But, when it hits reserve, I head to the nearest gas station. And I usually gas up before it hits reserve since I have a pretty good idea when I am getting close.
I am happy with my 15 mile reserve since I base my re-fueling on the miles and the reserve is just a safety mechanism in case I make a mistake.
I actually wish all my vehicles, including my cars had a reserve since it is a more accurate range alert than the fuel gauge.
I find fuel gauges to be set too conservatively to protect people from running out of gas. I would prefer that the fuel gauge be as accurate as possible and let me set my own level of conservatism.
I forgot my wallet once when out in my car. Went miles past empty. Did not run out of gas and when I filled up, I put in a gallon less than the stated fuel capacity of the car.
By designing it some conservatively, they have reduced the useable range for sensible people since I put my own conservatism on top of theirs.
Give me as accurate information as possible and let me determine my own level of conservatism and allowance for the inaccuracy of the information provided.
Last edited by Sorg67; Mar 20, 2017 at 10:30 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 9
From: Toledo, Ohio
Mpg sounds about right. I've seen that low, but normally I'm in the 36-38 mpg range...highway or not, wifey or not. Mine has an EV-27 cam, otherwise stock. I use higher octane because I was told better for motor, but gas mileage doesn't seem to differ much from when I used to run 87.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
Mpg sounds about right. I've seen that low, but normally I'm in the 36-38 mpg range...highway or not, wifey or not. Mine has an EV-27 cam, otherwise stock. I use higher octane because I was told better for motor, but gas mileage doesn't seem to differ much from when I used to run 87.
I run mostly non-ethanol 89 octane. 89 is the only choice for non-ethanol at the station nearby that carries non-ethanol. I use non-ethanol on all my carbureted bikes. But I run 87 octane on my Versys 650 which is fuel injected since the owners manual says to use 87.
I do not think the owner's manual on my FLSTC says anything about octane.
My Indy says that it is important to use the correct octane since the engine is designed for a particular octane and more octane is not better. You need the correct octane. But at the time he was talking about my 2013 Versys EFI so I am not sure the same applies to older bikes.
I will ask.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
I run mostly non-ethanol 89 octane. 89 is the only choice for non-ethanol at the station nearby that carries non-ethanol. I use non-ethanol on all my carbureted bikes. But I run 87 octane on my Versys 650 which is fuel injected since the owners manual says to use 87.
I do not think the owner's manual on my FLSTC says anything about octane.
My Indy says that it is important to use the correct octane since the engine is designed for a particular octane and more octane is not better. You need the correct octane. But at the time he was talking about my 2013 Versys EFI so I am not sure the same applies to older bikes.
I will ask.
I do not think the owner's manual on my FLSTC says anything about octane.
My Indy says that it is important to use the correct octane since the engine is designed for a particular octane and more octane is not better. You need the correct octane. But at the time he was talking about my 2013 Versys EFI so I am not sure the same applies to older bikes.
I will ask.
On my bike if I use regular (what the book calls for) then the motor diesels.
If I use super then everything is fine.