Sorry, had to do it!!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 6
From: Greenfield, Massachusetts
RE: Sorry, had to do it!!
I babied my Nightster somewhat for the first 500 miles, varying speeds, not going over 50, 55(well, I did ONCE, but just for a brief moment, honest). That is what I was told to do.(It is also what I did when I got my 883, and what my hubby did when he got his new Night Train). Once I hit 500, I didn't hesitate to get it up on the highway and go! Our mechanic said yes, everyone tells you something different. HE said he likes to ride it a bit harder than some the first 50 miles to get everything seated. Go figure. But anyway, the 500 mile thing seems to be the most popular practice with everyone we know and have talked to.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: Grosse Ile, Mi
RE: Sorry, had to do it!!
I will second Perch's opinion as well. Engine tolerances are much closer than they used to be however, with mass production, a few parts will get into the equation that require a little time to "get in the groove". I also agree that opinions vary on the subject. Trust your judgement. Ride safe.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Sorry, had to do it!!
My owners manual says 500 miles vary speed and nothing over 5000 rpm it didn't give a speed. I have run mine up to 75 or so a few times. At that speed it sounded like it was ideling to me. It also said not to lug the engine to high a gear for speed, I have done that once or twice but try not to. I think that is harder on it than running it 70 down the highway. I have about 400 miles on mine and for another 100 I will vary my speed and not lug it down but will run the highway at 75.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 0
From: Bristol UK
RE: Sorry, had to do it!!
I dont think there is an exact science to this.
The reasons for breaking in have already been expained more eliquently by Thumper26 than I could have done.
During this breaking in period tiny particles of metal will have come off the rings and cylinders and these will be mixed up with your oil. Therefore personally I would (as others have already suggested) change the fluidsat 500 miles (to get the majority of the abrassives out).
Personally I would then still be varying speedfrom here on butnot restricting it a max of 50mph.
At 1000 miles I would again change the fluids and hopefully the vast majority of abbrassives would be removed by now. This is purely from my experience with much smallermainly 2 stroke machines and many years ago. People with specific Harley experience will probably be able to give better advice but I think the basic principles remain the same.
Oils relatively cheap compared to engine parts so I dont think you can change it too often, particularly early in the bikes life. Replacement of gasgets may increase the cost a little. The main problem over here (the UK) these days if you do this yourself is how and where to get rid of the old oil.
The reasons for breaking in have already been expained more eliquently by Thumper26 than I could have done.
During this breaking in period tiny particles of metal will have come off the rings and cylinders and these will be mixed up with your oil. Therefore personally I would (as others have already suggested) change the fluidsat 500 miles (to get the majority of the abrassives out).
Personally I would then still be varying speedfrom here on butnot restricting it a max of 50mph.
At 1000 miles I would again change the fluids and hopefully the vast majority of abbrassives would be removed by now. This is purely from my experience with much smallermainly 2 stroke machines and many years ago. People with specific Harley experience will probably be able to give better advice but I think the basic principles remain the same.
Oils relatively cheap compared to engine parts so I dont think you can change it too often, particularly early in the bikes life. Replacement of gasgets may increase the cost a little. The main problem over here (the UK) these days if you do this yourself is how and where to get rid of the old oil.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 356
Likes: 1
From: Leicestershire, UK
RE: Sorry, had to do it!!
I find the Sportster owners manual particularly unhelpful on this. It specifies maximum RPM for the first 50 then 500 miles. This would be great, if all Sportsters were actually equipped with tachometers, but the vast majority only have a speedometer. Surely it would make more sense to quote maximum speed rather than maximum revs. I did enquire about adding a tachometer to my 883R but list price for the tacho kit in the UK is 298 Pounds (600 US Dollars), including taxes but not including labour to fit the thing, which is far more than I was willing to spend on it.
I've been trying to vary the speed and not lug the engine. Didn't go over 50 mph for the first 50 miles and am (almost always) keeping it below 60 mph for the first 500 miles. It hasn't been above 65 mph. Once it's done 500 milesthat'll be it. The owners manual doesn't say that any further break-in is necessary after that point so I'll ride it as fast or as slow asI want to and cruise for extended periods at constant speeds if going long distance. Oil will be changed at the 1000 mile check as recommended in the manual.
I've been trying to vary the speed and not lug the engine. Didn't go over 50 mph for the first 50 miles and am (almost always) keeping it below 60 mph for the first 500 miles. It hasn't been above 65 mph. Once it's done 500 milesthat'll be it. The owners manual doesn't say that any further break-in is necessary after that point so I'll ride it as fast or as slow asI want to and cruise for extended periods at constant speeds if going long distance. Oil will be changed at the 1000 mile check as recommended in the manual.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Sorry, had to do it!!
ORIGINAL: Simon UK
I find the Sportster owners manual particularly unhelpful on this. It specifies maximum RPM for the first 50 then 500 miles. This would be great, if all Sportsters were actually equipped with tachometers, but the vast majority only have a speedometer. Surely it would make more sense to quote maximum speed rather than maximum revs. I did enquire about adding a tachometer to my 883R but list price for the tacho kit in the UK is 298 Pounds (600 US Dollars), including taxes but not including labour to fit the thing, which is far more than I was willing to spend on it.
I've been trying to vary the speed and not lug the engine. Didn't go over 50 mph for the first 50 miles and am (almost always) keeping it below 60 mph for the first 500 miles. It hasn't been above 65 mph. Once it's done 500 milesthat'll be it. The owners manual doesn't say that any further break-in is necessary after that point so I'll ride it as fast or as slow asI want to and cruise for extended periods at constant speeds if going long distance. Oil will be changed at the 1000 mile check as recommended in the manual.
I find the Sportster owners manual particularly unhelpful on this. It specifies maximum RPM for the first 50 then 500 miles. This would be great, if all Sportsters were actually equipped with tachometers, but the vast majority only have a speedometer. Surely it would make more sense to quote maximum speed rather than maximum revs. I did enquire about adding a tachometer to my 883R but list price for the tacho kit in the UK is 298 Pounds (600 US Dollars), including taxes but not including labour to fit the thing, which is far more than I was willing to spend on it.
I've been trying to vary the speed and not lug the engine. Didn't go over 50 mph for the first 50 miles and am (almost always) keeping it below 60 mph for the first 500 miles. It hasn't been above 65 mph. Once it's done 500 milesthat'll be it. The owners manual doesn't say that any further break-in is necessary after that point so I'll ride it as fast or as slow asI want to and cruise for extended periods at constant speeds if going long distance. Oil will be changed at the 1000 mile check as recommended in the manual.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: bendigo, vic Australia
RE: Sorry, had to do it!!
Two year warranty? this means ride it like it belongs to someone else, cheers Bretho.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Sorry, had to do it!!
500 miles is what I was told...that seems like many miles ago now..I used to post on here when I first got my bike, but then I really started riding more and more, added a few things, my favorite being my Bub Jug Huggers and Screaming Eagle Upgrade, and that baby PURRRRRRRS!
I had some problems at first with oil leaks, but no problems after working those things out, and now I have to say she runs like a dream. It only takes a few miles of riding for my endorphins to kick in after a hard day at the office, then it seems like my life gets back to being mine.
I had some problems at first with oil leaks, but no problems after working those things out, and now I have to say she runs like a dream. It only takes a few miles of riding for my endorphins to kick in after a hard day at the office, then it seems like my life gets back to being mine.
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