Got 2 different opinions at the dealer. HD officially says to go slow for 500 miles. But the techs say to "RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT" just vary the RPM's for the first 500 miles.

What's the correct way to break in the new Fat Boy Lo?

 

Ride it like you stole it at different rpms!!! It's under warranty!!!!

 

Alot of hocus pocus about break in. Have no idea which is true.

I have always broke in a motor the way I'm gonna drive it so the rings set right.

Dont stay at constant RPMs for toooo long, DONT chug out the motor with RPMs too low, and warm it up till the rocker boxes are warm to the touch.

After 500 miles have a nut and at 1000, throw it on a dyno if you get a fuel controller.
Not a Harley mechanic, just what I've always done.

It's not made of glass, so as long as you dont really do something freaky you'll be fine.

Ride safe and have fun!

 

bingo!!!!!

 

"RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT" just vary the RPM's for the first 500 miles.

i have 51,000 miles and it does not use oil and no metal on the drain plugs.

I also kept the rpm down as best as i could tell, below 65 mph in 5th

 

whoa whoa whoa guys. Its a Fatboy Low. Special consideration there.

Ok, just kidding. Production vehicle engines are engines are engines; Harley, Honda, Ford...

I won't suggest I know the "right" answer but I've broke in 6 bikes from new and all of them I simply rode. I admit I tried to not hotrod too much for the first 500 or so but truth be told I kicked 'em in the ribs once in a while.

As long as you don't dog it out too much during the first few miles you'll be fine.

 

keep the rubber side down!

....couldn't help myself.

 

I've broken in several bikes. The only one I broke in exactly as the manual stated, including not going over 45mph (which makes absolutely no sense) seemed to have less torque and horsepower than other Harleys. So, aside from varying the rpms, I break the bikes in the way I ride and have had no problems. One thing I do, however, is change the fluids by 100 miles rather then the 500 recommended. Then I change them again at a 1000 miles and every 3000 thereafter.

 

Thanks guys! That's what I thought. Nobody ever does it the "by the book" method. But you know how it is with a brand new toy...you want to make sure you don't hurt her too much...by riding her too hard...to quickly. =-)

 

Warm it up and get hard on the gas 3x, then ride it normal without hitting rev limiter for 500 miles and change the oil. Mine keeps getting stronger 15k and counting....