Free at last, oh lord free at last...
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 275
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Free at last, oh lord free at last...
I'm pretty sure MLK wasn't celebrating for the same reason, though maybe he was. I am celebrating Memorial Day 2011 and freedom from the stealerships. Yes, that's right finally the warranty on my 110" 2008 FLHX has expired and I am free to be me.
It's an odd thing to celebrate but I bought my bike "used" from a guy with deep pockets who had it built for something just north of $40k. The rub has always been what is and is not covered by the warranty. If I was the original owner I am sure he would have no trouble getting the stealership to do any needed repairs. Fortunately at 6,000 miles nothing mechanical has been an issue and aside from a faulty brake light switch the bike has been problem free.
I changed the oil in this bike at 1,000, 2,500 and now at 6,000. I couldn't wait to finally change 20/50 MOCO dino oil to 20/60 Redline. The 20/50 consistently showed 3-5 pounds of oil pressure on the gauge once warm. The Redline shows 15 psi. I'm sure it will run cooler and last a lot longer as well.
The MOCO gods were smiling on me last time I was in my local stealership and I found a 2008 Touring Power Commander III USB on the sale table for $259. It had been opened but never used and I plugged in the M818-084 advanced map which was closest to my build (except for the SE air cleaner, I used the Big Sucker from Ness). The difference was pretty evident right off the bat. After resetting the throttle position the difference was immediate, the bike idled better and was crisper throughout the spectrum with just a hint of crackle on decel.
I don't know that the PC would have voided the warranty but now I don't have to think about it. Free at last.
It's an odd thing to celebrate but I bought my bike "used" from a guy with deep pockets who had it built for something just north of $40k. The rub has always been what is and is not covered by the warranty. If I was the original owner I am sure he would have no trouble getting the stealership to do any needed repairs. Fortunately at 6,000 miles nothing mechanical has been an issue and aside from a faulty brake light switch the bike has been problem free.
I changed the oil in this bike at 1,000, 2,500 and now at 6,000. I couldn't wait to finally change 20/50 MOCO dino oil to 20/60 Redline. The 20/50 consistently showed 3-5 pounds of oil pressure on the gauge once warm. The Redline shows 15 psi. I'm sure it will run cooler and last a lot longer as well.
The MOCO gods were smiling on me last time I was in my local stealership and I found a 2008 Touring Power Commander III USB on the sale table for $259. It had been opened but never used and I plugged in the M818-084 advanced map which was closest to my build (except for the SE air cleaner, I used the Big Sucker from Ness). The difference was pretty evident right off the bat. After resetting the throttle position the difference was immediate, the bike idled better and was crisper throughout the spectrum with just a hint of crackle on decel.
I don't know that the PC would have voided the warranty but now I don't have to think about it. Free at last.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
and yet the cvos come straight from the factory with synthetic....
the only time i wouldn't go with synthetic is early on, no need to spend big bucks on oil that you are gonna throw away after 1000 miles. but after that, i wouldn't hesitate.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,164
From: Oxford, Nc
True, but Harley's full synthetis is still something like 40 % dino oil. Plesase google it for the article.
I wouldn't run a true full synthetic from scatch, probably at 5,000 mile service.
I wouldn't run a true full synthetic from scatch, probably at 5,000 mile service.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 130
From: Now Western TN
Oh boy here we go on the oil again 
I would say only putting 2K a year on that bike you really don't have to worry too much about warranty
I would say only putting 2K a year on that bike you really don't have to worry too much about warranty
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
From: Midland NC
Synthetic at first service?????
I changed to synthetic on both my 06 Ultra and 2010 Ultra at the first service and never had any problems. CVOs come stock. I wish someone would publish some real data on why you shouldn't change to synthetic as soon as possible. What I mean by real data is from a study or something like that. I had over 25K on my 06 when I traded it in on my 2010 and have 21,600 on my 2010 and just did the fuel moto 107 kit and there was no wear on anything. ?????
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