Normal Engine Life
103,000 miles and running like a champ. Motor and trans all original. My set-up is described in sig below.
The only problem I've had is the Compensator. It was just replaced for the third time. In the '09s it was a design flaw so lots of failures on the compensator. They have redesigned the compensator and supposedly now it's been resolved.
The starter was replaced at 75k. Otherwise just routine maintenance.
The only problem I've had is the Compensator. It was just replaced for the third time. In the '09s it was a design flaw so lots of failures on the compensator. They have redesigned the compensator and supposedly now it's been resolved.
The starter was replaced at 75k. Otherwise just routine maintenance.
Had an 09 Road King put 62k miles on it replaced the compensator and had to replace the stator; bike ran just fine.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
What I expected and what I got were MILES apart.
I had my compensator go out at 15,000
I had my counterbalance go out at 16,000
I had/have regular maintenance land oil changes. I don't "hot rod" my bike and don't know why it happened. I'm lucky it's still in warranty.
I had my compensator go out at 15,000
I had my counterbalance go out at 16,000
I had/have regular maintenance land oil changes. I don't "hot rod" my bike and don't know why it happened. I'm lucky it's still in warranty.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
I have 40k trouble free miles so far. I changed the compensator myself because of the 09 issues.
I also had an oil analysis done:
"You have more than doubled your oil change, and your Harley handled the extra miles really
well. We're impressed. This engine has matured nicely, and if you're still interested in running more miles on
the oil, you could likely do 7,500 next time without a problem. Averages show typical wear after 3,900 miles,
so your Twin Cam 96 wears better than most. The only thing we can possibly complain about is the high
viscosity, though without an effect on wear and no harmful contamination to speak of, even this isn't much to
get excited about. Nice engine!"
With results like this, I expect it to go 100k.
I also had an oil analysis done:
"You have more than doubled your oil change, and your Harley handled the extra miles really
well. We're impressed. This engine has matured nicely, and if you're still interested in running more miles on
the oil, you could likely do 7,500 next time without a problem. Averages show typical wear after 3,900 miles,
so your Twin Cam 96 wears better than most. The only thing we can possibly complain about is the high
viscosity, though without an effect on wear and no harmful contamination to speak of, even this isn't much to
get excited about. Nice engine!"
With results like this, I expect it to go 100k.
The '09 and up are outstanding bikes - just that COMPENSATOR is the only real complaint you hear about. My motor is completely stock with a Stage I. It uses about one quart of oil between 5,000 mile oil changes.
I plan to run mine to 200,000 miles and beyond
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 805
Likes: 3
From: Colorado Springs, Colorado
I totally agree. The farthest thing I'm doing and did to my bike is the stage one. Then regular maintenance is the key.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
My 08 RKC with a 96 has over 103,000 miles. I'm thinking of having the cam chain tensioners inspected but have never had a need to open it up. It's running real strong and is an everyday rider. I've had a laundry list of things that had to be replaced, mostly all minor, but it has only left me stranded once. I let the fuel filter go too long and the oring blew out of the filter housing and had no fuel pressure. That was about 99,000 miles, now on third fuel filter. Compensator was changed about 70,000. The only thing I would consider major was a transmission rebuild because of input bearing failure. I hate washing it so it shows the miles a little but I do the preventative maintenance by the manual and it still runs and rides great!!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
The only bike I ever really had problems with was one with very low miles on it. The bike was 5 years old and had 2000 miles on it. It probably had original oil in it, the fuel was all nasty carbs were a mess. A well maintained bike will have some miles on it.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
You guys are all the best. Thanks for all the input. I'm considering an 09 or later EGC, but most have 30-50k miles. I feel a lot better about the miles after everyone's input.
Thanks again for the comments.
Thanks again for the comments.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
102,000 on an 07 SG. SE compensator at 60,000, should have changed it at 10,000. Useing some oil between changes, but no smoke. Thinking to do top end and continue to ride it like I stole it. Not one failure to start, run, or ride me home at the end of the day, not even a flat tire. Primary output bearing changed for being noisy at 60,000 done while in for service and tires (out of town), clutch cable for a leak at 85,000, couple of light bulbs, resealed the stator plug with o-rings and silicon at 65,000, nothing else. Stage 1, true duals. Normal scheduled maintenence done at home (unless I was out of town). Color me a happy camper.
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