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[Chains]

From day one I have always driven any type of new vehicle like I intended to drive it the entire time I owned it.  Never had any motor issues.  Have purchased used vehicles that were babied and blew the motors. 

[05CVOfatty]

Exactly how I am doing the break in. Thanks all!

[mrmagloo]

Imho, the biggest issues are, don't ride in congested areas - Get out to the countryside.  Make sure you stay above 2,000 and don't lug it.  Do a good number of increasing acceleration sprints, in mid-gears.  Start at 3/4 throttle a few times going up to ~3,500, working your way up to full throttle up to ~4,000 to 4,500 a few times.  Then just vary the rpms and keep giving it some sprints every now and then for the first 500 miles. It's all about building cylinder pressures to seat the rings properly.  You don't need to be going full redline or banging gears to do a good break in. Actually moderate full throttle roll ons from 2,500 to 4,000 in 3rd and 4th gear are great.

[HUBBARD]

WFO!  Change gears when the Motor changes tunes!  Run it up on the chip in the first 5.  On the chip in 6th gear is definitely carrying the mail, however I can't say I've been there.  Yet.  There endeth the lesson.  Later--HUBBARD

[ultrarider123]

Had an old harley guy tell me to ride it like you would normally do so (as most have already stated) but in the first few hundred miles, get on some hills and on the down side, let the motor slow you (engine compression braking) to allow the valves to seat in properly.  My "first" harley was already broken in (by somebody that followed the above advice).  That '89 is still going strong with over 100K on the clock and no major issues (motor wise).  Every HD I've had since I've followed the same brake in routine.  Seems to fair well for me. 

Oh, the old harley guy was someone I'd trust...he had 4 patents registered with the MoCo over the years.  He's also the one that said in all the motors he had worked on over the decades, he could tell the ones that used HD oil and the ones that did not.  According to Mr. Poole, the HD motors were always cleaner inside during tear-down....one reason I still stick with HD oil.  Larry has gone on to be with the Lord but his advice has stuck and has proven well with me. 

[Dr.D]

an old harley guy

Older than you?

[ultrarider123]

Older than you?

yep, but not by much...

[phantomxrt]

My last two bikes have been brand new Harleys. I subscribe to the "ride it like you stole it' school of thought.
I sit around 3000 rpm and the bikes have been problem-free.

[ONE2BAJA]

Bakon is right on! I go thur each gear and ride it steady for a small duration from time to time during brake in.   I didn't crack the wick until I had 1000+ miles on it and not looking back!

[Cross threaded]

I had my bike in for it's first service at 501 miles. Sounds crazy but, I took advantage of the cheaper winter service rates and no waiting in the service department.