Can you ride to hard ?
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 72
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From: Bakersfield, Calif.
Can you ride to hard ?
Just wondering, how tough is the Harley? I don't do burn outs nor do I do quick starts. What I do is run through the gears pretty quick. I love the sound of my Rhinehart duals. I usually cruz at about 70 to 80 on the freeways. I keep up with my maint. sch. So, how much can the Harleys take?
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 236
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From: The A T L
I have a 08 and I run only a little over the average as I don't want to break it. However I have run pretty hard several time and I have 16000 miles now also just got back from the Grand Canyon and road several hundred miles a day. It never missed a lick.
Keep in mind a true Harley rider cruises it's a tourer not a crotch rocket. It's more fun enjoying the ride than not.
He who rides the fastest.. rides alone.
Keep in mind a true Harley rider cruises it's a tourer not a crotch rocket. It's more fun enjoying the ride than not.
He who rides the fastest.. rides alone.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
I've been running the hell out of mine for close to 150,000 miles.
2000 ElectraGlide Classic
Many miles logged traveling 90-100 mph across the desert SW in triple digit temps and I ride hard to work every morning.
These bikes are pretty tough,the worst thing you can do is lug them around or let 'em sit too long without being ridden.
My primary,clutch & trans are still original,did a big bore kit at 40K and at 100K a bump in compression,ported heads and gear drive 570 cams.
All was elective surgery,she's never made me walk yet.
Check this video of me chasing an old two stroke sportbike (Yamaha RD400)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1-IypUQHaQ
2000 ElectraGlide Classic
Many miles logged traveling 90-100 mph across the desert SW in triple digit temps and I ride hard to work every morning.
These bikes are pretty tough,the worst thing you can do is lug them around or let 'em sit too long without being ridden.
My primary,clutch & trans are still original,did a big bore kit at 40K and at 100K a bump in compression,ported heads and gear drive 570 cams.
All was elective surgery,she's never made me walk yet.
Check this video of me chasing an old two stroke sportbike (Yamaha RD400)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1-IypUQHaQ
Last edited by Y2K; Nov 16, 2008 at 07:40 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 1
From: Alabama Gulf Coast
Just wondering, how tough is the Harley? I don't do burn outs nor do I do quick starts. What I do is run through the gears pretty quick. I love the sound of my Rhinehart duals. I usually cruz at about 70 to 80 on the freeways. I keep up with my maint. sch. So, how much can the Harleys take?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
Ride it the way you want to ride it. It won't hurt it to run it hard. Your bike wants to run hard.
Just keep an extra close look on maintenance issues if you push her hard.
Dennis
Just keep an extra close look on maintenance issues if you push her hard.
Dennis
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
My riding buddies ask me, "why do flog that thing like an old rented plow mule?" And I just say, "that's what they're made for." You answered your own question when you mentioned keeping up your maintenance schedule. If you take care of her, she'll take care of you. Keep her serviced, clean, and tight, and you shouldn't have any problems. There's no substitute for clean fluids in your scoot. Once you've learned that, you've learned the key to longevity in your bike. I've got just shy of 70K on this one, and at least 250-300,000K on my other bikes. There's a significant difference in riding hard, and abusing your machine. Just ride hard, take good care of her, and you should be fine. The speeds you've indicated are certainly NOT going to create any problems. And quickly running through the gears? Well, they're made to do that! Ride on.....and ride safe.