Well, the stew is in the oven, and I have some time to describe my purchase experience and first ride on my White Pearl Gold FLHTCU. I've been on this site since October and have gotten a wealth of information from all of you, thanks. It's been really great. I ordered the bike in October. I added quite a few accessories because of you all: oil cooler, SE AC, SE performance Touring Mufflers w/ revolver end-caps, Stage I download, standard back rest (parts guy said the adjustable one was known to flex backwards if pressed against it), fairing mirrors. I also added the ABS, security system, HID headlight, XM radio, heated hand grips, air horn, and tour pack luggage rack. This bike is for touring with my wife, I will also use it for daily commuting to work.

So, I arrived at the dealer's around 3:00, planning on riding the bike home and doing the initial ring seating. While we had rain in the morning, the roads were dry and temps were in the lower 40's. The paperwork was ready for me to sign. The person explaining the bike to me , while likable and knowledgeable of many aspects of the bike, didn't know much about the audio system ("never had a bike this sophisticated") or the break-in RPMs. Interestingly, he started the bike up in the show room and even demonstrated the horn, which got the attention, and confused, some of the other customers.

What I got for "free": 20% off all of the above accessories (except for the ABS and security system) but I had to pay for installation ($1,095), two keys and key fobs, T-shirt, Battery Tender hook-up, luggage, tool kit, cigar lighter, 1,000 mi service, a coupon book for various things at the dealership (which actually isn't a bad thing), and something that really impressed me: a pamphlet containing the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.

While signing all of the paperwork, I examined the owner's manual. It turns out the break-in procedure is to keep RPMs below 4,000 RPM for the first 50 miles. This sounded great to me as I planned on doing the 30 to 60 MPH procedure to seat the rings. After letting the bike warm up: I was told to routinely let the bike warm up until the cylinders were warm to the touch. This is what I was told for my '93 FLHS. I was surprised about this; I expected fuel injected bikes to be ready to ride after the bike was started up. After getting my picture taken, , I left the dealership. Fortunately, this dealership is in a rural area, so, it was relatively easy to to the break-in procedure I wanted to do. I was impressed by the sound. Normally I wear ear plugs while riding, but I wanted to hear how the bike sounded, so I didn't wear them this time. The bike sounded awesome when accelerating to 60 mph at wot. I did the 30 to 4,000 rpm ten times then rode home. After getting home, I made some Guinness stew for dinner.

This bike is really, really nice. I can't wait until riding it more; but unfortunately, tomorrow it is suppose to rain and snow.

 

congrats on the new ride

 

Hope the weather gets better for you. It's a real pain getting a new ride and can't do anything with it but sit in the garage.

 

Great ride, aint it?? If you need or want the instuctions to add the radio shack alarm for $5.79, just let me know. I just did mine two weeks ago and it was real easy. Best 6 bucks I ever spent.