151,000 miles on my bagger
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 457
From: Littleton CO
I read the thread you posted the link for and I am not ashamed to admit I had tears in my eyes! I know that I will never reach the level they did, but I am riding as fast as I can! LOL. I have logged 200,000 on several different Harleys!
OP congratulations! Always nice to see someone really use and get their money's worth. I have a friend with almost as many miles on a 2009 Ultra but he did rebuild the motor and update to a 103 kit around 80K.
However i have the ultimate story for all you guys. Here is a link to a thread I started back in 2009. It does not get any better than this. I have lost touch with this guy adn my fear is he probably is not riding any longer.
Enjoy
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...ing-miles.html
However i have the ultimate story for all you guys. Here is a link to a thread I started back in 2009. It does not get any better than this. I have lost touch with this guy adn my fear is he probably is not riding any longer.
Enjoy
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...ing-miles.html
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 9,605
Likes: 20,752
From: Globe AZ
I've got just under 104k on my 2000 FLHTCUI. Still with the original fuel injection working. Only time been into the motor was pulling the front head due to a bad exhaust stud (no access on bike). Cam tensioner at 65k, changed to hydraulic, replaced lifters at 100k. Still going strong with no plans to replace.
Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 444
Likes: 78
From: Xenia OH
I think that many folks but a Harley and then keep 'upgrading' instead of riding. A basically stock Harley will easily run over 100k with routine maintenance. TwinCams need the shoes replaced. But other than that just replace what breaks.
For many years, my friends that own inde shops said that they live the folks who run the Harley's consistently below 2500 RPM. Those are the folks who have engine issues and need "rebuilds" every 40k. They like talking about how much money they spend on their bikes. But they have few stories about traveling on those same bikes.
I was once asked if I rode all those miles because I could afford a trailer.
For many years, my friends that own inde shops said that they live the folks who run the Harley's consistently below 2500 RPM. Those are the folks who have engine issues and need "rebuilds" every 40k. They like talking about how much money they spend on their bikes. But they have few stories about traveling on those same bikes.
I was once asked if I rode all those miles because I could afford a trailer.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,627
Likes: 1,348
From:
Ddieselsmoke, you are right.
Sure there's less duty cycles at lower RPM but harmonics that the engine may not like. In certain piston engine aircraft, there are specific RPM ranges that the engine is NOT to be operated at for any extended periods of time.
Yamaha Marine's 300 hp outboards actually have the ECM programmed to alert when the engine has been operated for a designated number of hours in a certain verboten RPM range. When that occurs - the flywheel has to be replaced. I kid you not; look it up. Side note: Flywheels on engines have been used for, what, since before gasoline???
Having ridden motorcycles (mostly Harleys) for about 300,000 miles and operated construction machinery, flying aircraft, lots of hours on a variety of boats I can tell an engine's sweet spot - or at least where the engine sounds and feels like it happy depending on load. On the M8 engines, 2,750 rpm is only half its redline. I certainly do not advocate continuous operation at (or near) redline but 50-55% of redline (2,750 - 3,000) seems pretty reasonable to me. Depending on load (including grade, acceleration demand, etc.) the bikes seem pretty darned happy there (or even slightly higher) too.
Sure there's less duty cycles at lower RPM but harmonics that the engine may not like. In certain piston engine aircraft, there are specific RPM ranges that the engine is NOT to be operated at for any extended periods of time.
Yamaha Marine's 300 hp outboards actually have the ECM programmed to alert when the engine has been operated for a designated number of hours in a certain verboten RPM range. When that occurs - the flywheel has to be replaced. I kid you not; look it up. Side note: Flywheels on engines have been used for, what, since before gasoline???
Having ridden motorcycles (mostly Harleys) for about 300,000 miles and operated construction machinery, flying aircraft, lots of hours on a variety of boats I can tell an engine's sweet spot - or at least where the engine sounds and feels like it happy depending on load. On the M8 engines, 2,750 rpm is only half its redline. I certainly do not advocate continuous operation at (or near) redline but 50-55% of redline (2,750 - 3,000) seems pretty reasonable to me. Depending on load (including grade, acceleration demand, etc.) the bikes seem pretty darned happy there (or even slightly higher) too.
Last edited by Jehu; Jul 13, 2019 at 05:05 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 1,040
From: Seabrook, NH
The OP asked about trusting his high mileage engine on long trips. I say go for it if your engine is running well and all maintenance has been performed on the entire motorcycle.
I usually hear a new noise or notice a change in sound letting me know something such as a wheel bearing needs replacement. I also keep my bike extremely clean. Cleaning is when I find loose bolts or other issues that need attention.
The sweet spot in RPM's for my 103 is 2,300 to 2,500 but that may have something to do with my 551 cams and tune. Currently I have just over 97,000 miles and I swear my engine runs better than when it was new.
I usually hear a new noise or notice a change in sound letting me know something such as a wheel bearing needs replacement. I also keep my bike extremely clean. Cleaning is when I find loose bolts or other issues that need attention.
The sweet spot in RPM's for my 103 is 2,300 to 2,500 but that may have something to do with my 551 cams and tune. Currently I have just over 97,000 miles and I swear my engine runs better than when it was new.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,983
Likes: 2,144
From: Ohio
Have run my bike for thousands of miles..... currently 67,349.......cruising at 2200 rpm.....no problems.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 17
From: Southeastern Kentucky
My 05' 88 had 158K on it then I was getting a loud popping noise from the lower end. The Transmission was making some weird noises too.
I decided to keep the bike and did a long block (entire engine) replacement. I did the transmission, clutch, stator, wheels, shocks, belt also. Runs like new .. LOL
I decided to keep the bike and did a long block (entire engine) replacement. I did the transmission, clutch, stator, wheels, shocks, belt also. Runs like new .. LOL
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 834
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
I get even less with 6 speed. But my 5 speed does better than 6. Something different, or just cheap bearings now?