Harley-Davidson | Techs Around A Table | How to Break In a New Engine 

Totally agree with warming up the bike. I compare it to the human body. Nobody gets up from a deep sleep and starts to run. Start the bike on the kickstand, walk around the bike and check the tires, lights, etc..Tclocs. Then, take it easy for the first few miles

Thanks for the insights I'm 56 and a new rider and for my first motorcycle at my age I thought a Harley was to big and a bit scary. Even the local Harley dealer told me, "If you're not comfortable you'll not ride it." So I went with a 650 Suzuki and maybe I'll bump up to a larger Harley once I build my confidence up I appreciate hearing about the breaking process from actual mechanics and not some bubba out in the back woods.

I purchased my brand new 2023 Road Glide Limited from my son’s dealership in FL and broke it in on the interstate during the 580 mile ride back to Texas. I constantly varied the throttle and did roll-on’s in 4th gear from 40-70mph and in 5-6th gear from 60-90mph. I did that for the first 150 miles. After that, (because however your cross-hatch and rings mate during the first 150 miles is what you’re stuck with) I rode it normally. My compression on both cyl is on the high-side of the spec and after adding an S&S 475c and replacing all cam chest components with S&S upgrades, high-flow air cleaner/breather mod and Khrome Werks full system - it was dyno-tuned with a custom-built map and puts out 121hp and 129 TQ. It runs strong and flawlessly.

Thanks Guys , I have owned 4 evo engines , Im still on my last evo 1995 road king , case of bad luck 2010 a backyard bike shop did a oil change tire breaks forgot the oil , my bad I should of checked it before I left the shop, cooked my engine over labor day weekend went back he was out of business maybe he did it intentionally but I will never know , So I do my own work , went to a guy that bores with Plates went 5 over , rings seated but cam bearing went out ate the case . Went to a guy that does case work flywheels he only did a half ass job only used half the case and did not flush or remove the flywheels and all the crap from the cam bearing went through my engine ate it up in 4000 miles , I got a new S&S case had my flywheels redone by a guy in Wisconsin Top Notch work he did the crank pin and reused my rods replaced my valve seats and guides along with new valves, had my Jugs punched out to 010 over all i did was stick everything together New Rocker arms pistons rings cam pushrods breather , but my rings did not seat in 1800 miles I was getting blowby . was thinking a valve guide or cracked head sent the heads back to be checked , nope it was the rings , I had 165 psi compression at 1000 miles and 5% leak down . 1800 miles had 170 psi and 3 % leakdown , but oil was building up fouling plugs and top of the piston was covered in crud. I just did fast hone yesterday install new rings . I live in Rule Missouri hard to find a good shop Harley no longer dose rebuild , If It don't seat this time , going to go with Forged flat tops 020 over pistons. maybe I was not running the RPM the first 50 to 100 miles I was babying it a lot . If it Blows up its on me . but im not letting no one else do anything around my area . I will Use the Shop in Wisconsin if I need head work or flywheels . Im not set up for that . Guess I find out Monday first 50 miles 3000 to 4000 RPM not 2500 to 3500

Picked up the new HD and rode it 1100 miles home before its first oil change. Seems happy.

I will be happy to learn?,, Thank you

I literally just watched MCs video and came to this video for some clarification, so glad I did thanks guys

Great video!

Respect.

Lugging is also hard on lower end bearings.

Man , I hope I didn't hurt my less than 500 miles bike. I twisted the throttle a lot over the weekend. Not for long periods,but I did get up into pretty good. Pray for me guys. Probably wont know for sometime, not smoking, or noise etc. Fingers crossed.

I cringe SOOO hard everytime I'm at the dealer (or anywhere) and I see someone rev an engine to the moon the second combustion occurs.

Any photos to show the differences you’re seeing?

So, hopefully within the next couple of weeks I’ll be getting a 2022 lowrider st. The ride home is going to be a pretty straight ride on a highway. What’s the best way to break in the motor? Should I Just speed up and slow down at random intervals?

Is it ok to run a steady speed after 500 miles

Can I add a slip on while breaking in the engine ?

How long should i warm up my bike for. Ive got a low rider s 2021.

11 minutes long and NO real specifics! What about changing oil and filter after 50 miles when trace amounts of metal materials are breaking down and in the oil? Then doin again at say 200 miles,etc?