Questions from a new HD owner
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Novice
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 24
Likes: 6
From: West Texas
Questions from a new HD owner
So I just bought my first HD! Its a 2020 FLHP with 10k miles. Everything is stock RK except the slip ons which I just changed to make it sound more like a HD. As a new HD owner, I have some questions maybe yall can answer.
- Weight Limits - I've looked up GVWR etc but Ive heard of people going well over that. I am 6'6'' pretty close to 400 and my wife is about 250. Ive taken her for a small ride around the neighborhood with no issues, but would it be safe or possible to do longer distance normal riding? Im having a hard time figuring out if the weight limits in the owners manual are for liability, or for actual mechanical failure such as bending an axle or blowing tires and stuff.
- Service - How much $ do yall save doing the normal Oil/Transmission/Primary fluid changes yourself vs the dealer?
- Oil Cooler - Has anyone else noticed how loud the oil cooler is on the front of the bike is on the M8s? Or just me?
- KickStand - Anyone coming from other bikes feel like HD kickstands dont go out far enough? I always feel like I have to keep my foot on the stand to keep it extended all the way until I dismount and turn the handlebars all the way to the left. I feel like if i dont there is a possibility the bike will/could roll foward and the kickstand will come up and the bike will fall.
Thanks for yalls help
- Weight Limits - I've looked up GVWR etc but Ive heard of people going well over that. I am 6'6'' pretty close to 400 and my wife is about 250. Ive taken her for a small ride around the neighborhood with no issues, but would it be safe or possible to do longer distance normal riding? Im having a hard time figuring out if the weight limits in the owners manual are for liability, or for actual mechanical failure such as bending an axle or blowing tires and stuff.
- Service - How much $ do yall save doing the normal Oil/Transmission/Primary fluid changes yourself vs the dealer?
- Oil Cooler - Has anyone else noticed how loud the oil cooler is on the front of the bike is on the M8s? Or just me?
- KickStand - Anyone coming from other bikes feel like HD kickstands dont go out far enough? I always feel like I have to keep my foot on the stand to keep it extended all the way until I dismount and turn the handlebars all the way to the left. I feel like if i dont there is a possibility the bike will/could roll foward and the kickstand will come up and the bike will fall.
Thanks for yalls help
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,012
Likes: 6,908
From: NC
Unless Harley changed the kickstand, there is a locking tab that slides into the mount that prevents the side stand from folding up. Perhaps removing the cover will allow you to see how it works, and raise your comfort level.
And I've know many folks like y'all who travel on motorcycles.
Last edited by Goose_NC; May 26, 2022 at 07:24 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 2,457
To answer your question about fluid changes. You can save some money doing it all yourself. It's not hard. I would say you can probably do it all for 1/3rd of a cost it would be at the dealer. Plus, you get to chose which fluid brands you want to use, vs. HD branded ones.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 903
From: South Florida (Ft Myers area)
There is more to the services than fluid changes, so really depends on how you value your time and if you can actually do the entire service (not that it's a guaranty the dealer does a good job).
Complete 3 hole in the FXLR runs around $60 or less in filter and fluid, just engine oil and filter is around $40 for 4 quarts and filter depending on what I can get the oil for. Catch a sale and you could save a few $$$.
Complete 3 hole in the FXLR runs around $60 or less in filter and fluid, just engine oil and filter is around $40 for 4 quarts and filter depending on what I can get the oil for. Catch a sale and you could save a few $$$.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 1,811
From: space
As Roadwarrior mentioned, there's a lot more to a service than changing the fluid.
Before I road my Fatboy from Nashville to Philly, I had the local dealer do a full service and tire change.
And then around the 1,100th mile i find that all of my gear is covered in oil. The transmission drain plug had fallen out. Luckily the nearest HD dealer was only 10 miles away. They actually stayed open a few minutes longer to take care of me.
Would I use the same local dealer again,, YES. They took care of me when I stopped in and told them about my experience. They also paid the receipt from the other dealer and made notes in their computer in case I have trouble with the transmission.
Glenn
Before I road my Fatboy from Nashville to Philly, I had the local dealer do a full service and tire change.
And then around the 1,100th mile i find that all of my gear is covered in oil. The transmission drain plug had fallen out. Luckily the nearest HD dealer was only 10 miles away. They actually stayed open a few minutes longer to take care of me.
Would I use the same local dealer again,, YES. They took care of me when I stopped in and told them about my experience. They also paid the receipt from the other dealer and made notes in their computer in case I have trouble with the transmission.
Glenn