Newbie needs help
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Stage I
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Newbie needs help
I don't own a HD yet, still looking for the right one, but I am becoming a little concerned when I see adds like " 5500 miles new rear tire and battery" I have to ask like how long do tires and batteries last and how often do you need to change oil & filters, as I have only a small pension.
Any useful info would be appreciated...
Any useful info would be appreciated...
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,453
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
Welcome from central Indiana! I know that a battery tender will greatly increase battery life. I believe that oil changes yearly or 5000 miles with smaller shops being cheaper that HD. Just rationalze and substract the dollars saved by higher mileage.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: florida
many shops recommend oil and filter change every 2500 miles along with services that involve adjustments and inspections. I always recommend a service manual so that you know just what to expect at the bare minimum when you have your bike worked on.
tires have a "shelf life," so, if the tires were old and starting to show signs of aging, it's possible that's why the tires were changed at 5500 miles. riding habbits also effect the life of tire - anything from where to when: where could be anyplace there's a lot of bad or course roads; when could be if the riding is done in the hottest part of the day where it's very hot.
other factors are braking and starting and how aggressive these things are done, and the compound of the tire and the overall weight of the bike and rider.
i run avon venoms which are considered a softer compound, and usually most riders don't get much more that 5-6k miles on the rear. i tend to get about 7500 miles on the rear, consistently. i changed my last front tire at 14k. i ride a dyna and unless i'm taking on a challenge, i'm easy on my starts and stops.
roll on
-L
tires have a "shelf life," so, if the tires were old and starting to show signs of aging, it's possible that's why the tires were changed at 5500 miles. riding habbits also effect the life of tire - anything from where to when: where could be anyplace there's a lot of bad or course roads; when could be if the riding is done in the hottest part of the day where it's very hot.
other factors are braking and starting and how aggressive these things are done, and the compound of the tire and the overall weight of the bike and rider.
i run avon venoms which are considered a softer compound, and usually most riders don't get much more that 5-6k miles on the rear. i tend to get about 7500 miles on the rear, consistently. i changed my last front tire at 14k. i ride a dyna and unless i'm taking on a challenge, i'm easy on my starts and stops.
roll on
-L
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,639
Likes: 2
From: Scottsboro
could be more about age than miles??
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
tires 5k-15k, service every 5k or sooner if U want to....
Welcome to the forum.
From central Ind.
Welcome to the forum.
From central Ind.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 0
From: Bristol UK
Welcome from Bristol, England.
I would expect to get an average mileage of 10,000 + miles from the tyres.
I suspect the bikes your seeing have done a low annual mileage and spent most of their time parked in a garage without being moved and withou a battery tender. If the bike has remained parked on the same small portion of tyre (without the wheels being turned a little periodically) this can cause undue wear due to the weight ofthe bike.
Similarly without a battery tender having been used the battery is likely to go flat if left for extended periods. With modern batteries, ones theyve been allowed to go flat a couple of times they can be damaged and wont recharge properly.
I would expect to get an average mileage of 10,000 + miles from the tyres.
I suspect the bikes your seeing have done a low annual mileage and spent most of their time parked in a garage without being moved and withou a battery tender. If the bike has remained parked on the same small portion of tyre (without the wheels being turned a little periodically) this can cause undue wear due to the weight ofthe bike.
Similarly without a battery tender having been used the battery is likely to go flat if left for extended periods. With modern batteries, ones theyve been allowed to go flat a couple of times they can be damaged and wont recharge properly.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 392
Likes: 2
From: Southeastern Wisconsin
Welcome from Bristol, England.
I would expect to get an average mileage of 10,000 + miles from the tyres.
I suspect the bikes your seeing have done a low annual mileage and spent most of their time parked in a garage without being moved and withou a battery tender. If the bike has remained parked on the same small portion of tyre (without the wheels being turned a little periodically) this can cause undue wear due to the weight ofthe bike.
Similarly without a battery tender having been used the battery is likely to go flat if left for extended periods. With modern batteries, ones theyve been allowed to go flat a couple of times they can be damaged and wont recharge properly.
I would expect to get an average mileage of 10,000 + miles from the tyres.
I suspect the bikes your seeing have done a low annual mileage and spent most of their time parked in a garage without being moved and withou a battery tender. If the bike has remained parked on the same small portion of tyre (without the wheels being turned a little periodically) this can cause undue wear due to the weight ofthe bike.
Similarly without a battery tender having been used the battery is likely to go flat if left for extended periods. With modern batteries, ones theyve been allowed to go flat a couple of times they can be damaged and wont recharge properly.