First HD First Ride
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 3
First HD First Ride
Over the past 33years (since I was 19) I've had 7 bikes, a couple of Triumphs, several BMW’s including a couple of hacks. I like older bikes, not because they are old, but because they represent that picture in my mind of what motorcycles should be. On the other hand, reliability is important if you want to travel without problems or hassles…that’s why I tried my first BMW. I liked it and tried a number of other different models including a 1967 hack. I've always liked Harleys, the guys I started riding with had Harleys.They fit that picture of what a motorcycle should be, except the reliability part. I've ridden a number of Harleys over the years and every time thought I was ready to buy one, the ride would change my mind...vibrate to much and they had no power.
Well last fall I had enough of working on old bikes (my machanical ability was limited and no dealers within 200 miles), so I decided to sellmy 3 bikesandgetone new bike. I was considering a new Harley because there was a dealer here. I researched a number of bikes over the winter (Triumph, BMW, Road King Classic). The new 96in motor andhaving a dealer here and a lot ofgood comments on the new Harleys pushed me towards the Road King.
I picked it up Saturday morning and put 485 miles on by Sunday night.Cool bike...I was everything I hoped it would be. Plenty of power, smooth, and it fits that picture in my head of what a motorcycle should be...including reliability (according to the reseach I did this winter). It has a lighter feel to it than I expected...being a heavy bike. I changed the handlebars (wild 1's 504) to fit my personal preferences and changed the seat (more comfort for my wife). Fifth gear seemsperfect on two lanes (60-65mph); sixth gear starts at 70 and seems more comfortable at
75-80mph.I have a short trip planned in a couple of weeks and I'm really looking forward to it (8 hours each way...cool).
Well last fall I had enough of working on old bikes (my machanical ability was limited and no dealers within 200 miles), so I decided to sellmy 3 bikesandgetone new bike. I was considering a new Harley because there was a dealer here. I researched a number of bikes over the winter (Triumph, BMW, Road King Classic). The new 96in motor andhaving a dealer here and a lot ofgood comments on the new Harleys pushed me towards the Road King.
I picked it up Saturday morning and put 485 miles on by Sunday night.Cool bike...I was everything I hoped it would be. Plenty of power, smooth, and it fits that picture in my head of what a motorcycle should be...including reliability (according to the reseach I did this winter). It has a lighter feel to it than I expected...being a heavy bike. I changed the handlebars (wild 1's 504) to fit my personal preferences and changed the seat (more comfort for my wife). Fifth gear seemsperfect on two lanes (60-65mph); sixth gear starts at 70 and seems more comfortable at
75-80mph.I have a short trip planned in a couple of weeks and I'm really looking forward to it (8 hours each way...cool).
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 2
RE: First HD First Ride
Perhaps you didn't have as great of a dealer as one would hope. Had you a good dealer they would have STRONGLY advised you to keep your RPMs way down during initial break-in.
I get a little 'scared' when I hear people with < 500 miles cooking up to 70 in 5th gear. That means you are over 3000rpms.
Word and seriously WORD OF CAUTION here...... break 'em in wrong (engines are really tight out of the box) and you will be forever miserable with seeping oil etc.
My friend's brother bought 2 sportsters (1200s). One he just 'rode' the other he broke in ..... only you can guess which one is now seeping oil on his garage floor.
please be careful with your new baby. The speed will come. Keep the RPMs down and from what I understand the bikes love the 'engine breaking' which helps out. I did a lot of engine breaking during my initial breakin and bike now has almost 6k on it and running super sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.
I can't now remember exactly but I was under the assumption that < 500 it shouldn't go like above 2500rpms? Like I said.... can't remember exactly the # of miles to RPMs but it is somehwere around there.
Don't expect you bike to really be broken in till 4k-6k. It still is 'stretching' and wearing in.
Highly recommend synthetics such as amsoil for you fluids.
Welcome to the Harley way of life and congratulations on your new baby!
I get a little 'scared' when I hear people with < 500 miles cooking up to 70 in 5th gear. That means you are over 3000rpms.
Word and seriously WORD OF CAUTION here...... break 'em in wrong (engines are really tight out of the box) and you will be forever miserable with seeping oil etc.
My friend's brother bought 2 sportsters (1200s). One he just 'rode' the other he broke in ..... only you can guess which one is now seeping oil on his garage floor.
please be careful with your new baby. The speed will come. Keep the RPMs down and from what I understand the bikes love the 'engine breaking' which helps out. I did a lot of engine breaking during my initial breakin and bike now has almost 6k on it and running super sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.
I can't now remember exactly but I was under the assumption that < 500 it shouldn't go like above 2500rpms? Like I said.... can't remember exactly the # of miles to RPMs but it is somehwere around there.
Don't expect you bike to really be broken in till 4k-6k. It still is 'stretching' and wearing in.
Highly recommend synthetics such as amsoil for you fluids.
Welcome to the Harley way of life and congratulations on your new baby!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,407
Likes: 3
From: Stanwood, WA
RE: First HD First Ride
CONGRATS on the new ride. No mistakes here Dude. I've had my RKC since Feb 10th, have 4K on it without a hick-up.
[IMG]local://upfiles/15240/6669670527464FC79E306E83E90AD8F9.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/15240/6669670527464FC79E306E83E90AD8F9.jpg[/IMG]
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 3
RE: First HD First Ride
That was my impression of how the RC is geared...thats not to say Ihave been doing 75-80 for 480 miles during beak in. First 50 miles under 3000 rpm...50 to 500 keep it under 3500 rpm...according to the dealer.I took it easy and the dealer said to keep it in the correct gear and don't lug themotor.Anything under 70 is to slow for sixth gear.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
RE: First HD First Ride
Congrats to you on your new RK, it's a gorgeous and classy bike to say the least!
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 124
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From: Long Island, NY
RE: First HD First Ride
Congratulations on the RK! I have an '05 with 20,000 miles on it and love it. I've 'only' got 5 gears, but I make do...
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 328
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From: Iron Mountain, Michigan, da U.P., eh?
RE: First HD First Ride
WELCOME to the real world of motorcycles. Once you've had a harley, you'll never go back!
It is THE apriori motorcycle. Period. This from a man who rode for over twenty years with metrics. There's just somethin' about the motor company's products...
It is THE apriori motorcycle. Period. This from a man who rode for over twenty years with metrics. There's just somethin' about the motor company's products...
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 822
Likes: 34
From: Grand Island, Nebraska
RE: First HD First Ride
Don't worry about being too careful during the breakin. Lugging the engine is the worst thing you can do, which is a strong possibility if you are trying to stay under 3000 rpms. During the first 50 miles, don't go about 4000; after 50 miles, 5000 rpms is ok.