Breaking in a brand new 2011 Street Glide
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 105
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From: Old Bridge, NJ
Breaking in a brand new 2011 Street Glide
Im Breaking in a brand new 2011 Street Glide and have 200 miles so far and finding it very hard not to rev it over 3500 RPMs as told by the stealership. Im so used to riding my FXDL Lowrider 113ci. Whats the correct procedure for break in? and can i do any harm by revving it up to 4500 RPMs when going thru the gears?.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 195
From: Harford Co., Maryland
I tried to follow the break in suggestion, it didn't last. But, I didn't flog the dog **** out of it either.
They say you're not supposed to go over 50mph, use 6th gear, or keep the RPM constant for the first 500 miles. I had mine upto 70mph, used 6th and didn't pay attention to the RPM. But the RPM thing was a given for the way we ride here, there's no superslabs (that bikes can use here) where we would have a constant RPM anyway.
I say break it in the way you plan to ride it, unless that means cranking the throttle wide open in every gear while you go through them.
They say you're not supposed to go over 50mph, use 6th gear, or keep the RPM constant for the first 500 miles. I had mine upto 70mph, used 6th and didn't pay attention to the RPM. But the RPM thing was a given for the way we ride here, there's no superslabs (that bikes can use here) where we would have a constant RPM anyway.
I say break it in the way you plan to ride it, unless that means cranking the throttle wide open in every gear while you go through them.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
It's better to work the throttle more while breaking in a motor for a few reasons. riding in town works well for this because your constantly working the throttle in a positive & negative.
If you were cruising out on the highway for a few hours at a constant speed, your throttle would be held in one position for the most part & the bike would be running lean during that time.
Working the throttle helps seat the rings & keeps the average rpm lower until all moving parts find their happy place.
If you were to rod the crap out of your bike & it decided to grenade for any reason, the computer might store info for Harley warranty like highest rpm or other info that could void warranty!
Hatch.
If you were cruising out on the highway for a few hours at a constant speed, your throttle would be held in one position for the most part & the bike would be running lean during that time.
Working the throttle helps seat the rings & keeps the average rpm lower until all moving parts find their happy place.
If you were to rod the crap out of your bike & it decided to grenade for any reason, the computer might store info for Harley warranty like highest rpm or other info that could void warranty!
Hatch.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 588
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From: Somewhere
I don't really see how not following a "recommended" break in for your bike could void the warranty. Maybe the bikes of yesteryear might have benefitted from doing this but new bikes today just like cars need little or no break in period. Just ride it and have fun!!
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 225
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I break all my bikes in the same way and I'm on my 9th harley and never had a problem. I find an open road and get the bike into 3rd gear--cruising at 30 mph and roll the throttle until 60 mph and roll off throttle back down to 30 mph and then roll on the throttle back to 60 mph and so on. I do this 10-12 times staying in 3rd gear. I ride for 50-70 miles after I do this, change the oil and I'm done. From this point forward I ride the way I ride.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,635
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From: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Im Breaking in a brand new 2011 Street Glide and have 200 miles so far and finding it very hard not to rev it over 3500 RPMs as told by the stealership. Im so used to riding my FXDL Lowrider 113ci. Whats the correct procedure for break in? and can i do any harm by revving it up to 4500 RPMs when going thru the gears?.
Rings are seated as much as they're going to.
First 20-25 are the most important.
