Break-In Advice
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 101
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From: NJ
Break-In Advice
Dealer told me for 1,000 miles I should follow the below:
1) Don't go over 3500 RPM (I confirmed this is in the owners manual).
2) Do not go over 60 miles an hour (this is not in the owners manual).
3) Do not go into 6th gear (this is not in the owners manual).
I'm 200 miles into the break-in period. Driving 60 MPH on a highway is just not safe in NJ. Have others here been given the same instructions as I have? Thoughts?
1) Don't go over 3500 RPM (I confirmed this is in the owners manual).
2) Do not go over 60 miles an hour (this is not in the owners manual).
3) Do not go into 6th gear (this is not in the owners manual).
I'm 200 miles into the break-in period. Driving 60 MPH on a highway is just not safe in NJ. Have others here been given the same instructions as I have? Thoughts?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Dont lug it and dont rape it. Ride hard but not too hard. Its good to have some acceleration and deceleration on it. After the first 50 miles the rings are broke in so just dont get too crazy with it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 142
From: Sioux Center, Iowa
Rolled our '12 Ultra out the dealer's door in the rain and left for the Black Hills. Followed the book for break in and had it taken care of the first day. The bike still runs great and doesn't take any oil.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 101
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From: NJ
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
The 60 mph is incase something wasn't put together quite right at the factory and might fall off during the ride. I thought the manual set that limit for only 50 miles. I personally vary the RPMs between 2500 and 4500 for the first 500 miles to make sure the cylinder is broke-in in the full length. It's a small thing, but something I was taught a long time ago. Heat and cool cycles are good, but that is generally finished after the first three cool downs.
The problem with break-ins is they really should be done to the engines full range. But the manufacturers have to protect themselves from the ignorant riders who push the red line every chance they get and burn up the valves and rings. A concervative break-in is safer, even though it might not get the engine its best performance. A lot of folks end up with engines that burn oil and typically it's from an over concervative break-in. The 3500 limit for a 1000 miles just seem crazy to me.
Beary
The problem with break-ins is they really should be done to the engines full range. But the manufacturers have to protect themselves from the ignorant riders who push the red line every chance they get and burn up the valves and rings. A concervative break-in is safer, even though it might not get the engine its best performance. A lot of folks end up with engines that burn oil and typically it's from an over concervative break-in. The 3500 limit for a 1000 miles just seem crazy to me.
Beary
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 6
From: Arkansas
Maybe flat highway or down-hill.
The 60 mph is incase something wasn't put together quite right at the factory and might fall off during the ride
Last edited by FXDWG12; Aug 14, 2013 at 08:37 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12,359
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From: WI
Yep, 6th gear is fine. Just don't race the engine or lug it. And not lugging it is just as important - in any gear.
And when you hit a 1k miles, change the fluids, perform the 1k maintenance, and then ride the **** out of it and have fun.
Congrats on your new ride.
And when you hit a 1k miles, change the fluids, perform the 1k maintenance, and then ride the **** out of it and have fun.
Congrats on your new ride.