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[spepin]

Here's the deal -- picking up a new '08 FLHRSE4 Screamin Eagle Road King next week.  The problem is that I'm picking it up from 400 miles away (I'm in SoCal, and it's in Arizona).  In the past, I've always performed the break-in procedure by the book.  I'm sure with the 6 speed I can keep the revs under 3K (what speed do these run at 3K anyway?), but my concern is not being able to vary the speed along the long trip home.  Should I just run it between 65 and 75 and ride it back, or should I trailer it back and break it in around town?

[hd-dude]

Take it really easy the first 50 miles. Nothing over 3K. After that ride it gently but dont worry too much about speed and RPM. Keep it under 4K and vary the speed on the freeway.

Enjoy the ride home

[SERK3]

2800 RPM is 70 MPH, I think thats right. Use cruise control to run at different speeds on trip back home. I done the first 1,000 mile maintance at about 800 miles, pulled out of dealer and headed to Myrtle Beach (425 miles) and put her in the wind. Knock on wood have had no problems, appox. 10,500 miles on it now.

[Chief]

Here's the deal -- picking up a new '08 FLHRSE4 Screamin Eagle Road King next week.  The problem is that I'm picking it up from 400 miles away (I'm in SoCal, and it's in Arizona).  In the past, I've always performed the break-in procedure by the book.  I'm sure with the 6 speed I can keep the revs under 3K (what speed do these run at 3K anyway?), but my concern is not being able to vary the speed along the long trip home.  Should I just run it between 65 and 75 and ride it back, or should I trailer it back and break it in around town?

just keep thinking heat her up, cool her down, repeat. If it's brand new, I would take surface roads for the first fifty with several stops to let the motor cool down a couple of times. After fifty miles, like Jim said, just baby it. Use all three lanes and look for opportunities to stop and show it off to others, meanwhile the bike is cooling off.

Have a good trip and take pics to post of your maiden voyage.

[BIGDOG]

With the six speed you can shift between 5th and sixth to very rpm's thats what counts. First 50 to 100 go easy then ride her like your going to just very rpm's.

[cuttinhorse]

You may want to not only change rpm often but also run it up to about 4000 after the first 50 miles, and let off the throttle and let it decel back down to create a good backpressure. Do this several times every time you ride it. The off throttle decel creates good ring pressure which helps seat the rings.

Be sure to let it warm up good before applying much load

[mr_magoo]

New break in is by mphj not rpm's

[gunrunner]

I would just noodle around town the first 50 miles, starting and stoping, then drive home with speed changes and frequent stops. 3000 rpm is right at 80 mph

[tmitchellofpg]

New break in is by mphj not rpm's

The RPMs is the important factor. The reason HD calls out for MPH is that most models do not have a tach.
Tom

[spydglide]

just keep thinking heat her up, cool her down, repeat. If it's brand new, I would take surface roads for the first fifty with several stops to let the motor cool down a couple of times. After fifty miles, like Jim said, just baby it. Use all three lanes and look for opportunities to stop and show it off to others, meanwhile the bike is cooling off.

Have a good trip and take pics to post of your maiden voyage.

Totally agree with you Chief... ..and the wizard  :scholar:on Harley V-twins, Joe Minton, does also.  Har!  spyder

[sportygordy]

Here's the deal -- picking up a new '08 FLHRSE4 Screamin Eagle Road King next week.  The problem is that I'm picking it up from 400 miles away (I'm in SoCal, and it's in Arizona).  In the past, I've always performed the break-in procedure by the book.  I'm sure with the 6 speed I can keep the revs under 3K (what speed do these run at 3K anyway?), but my concern is not being able to vary the speed along the long trip home.  Should I just run it between 65 and 75 and ride it back, or should I trailer it back and break it in around town?

Screw the break-in, you're gonna have to put a new motor in it anway. 

[RedDevil]

Here's the verbiage straight out of the '08 FLT Touring Model Owner's Manual, page 136:

BREAK-IN RIDING RULES

The First 500 miles (800 Kilometers)

The sound design, quality materials, and workmanship that are built into your new Harley-Davidson will give you optimum performance right from the start.

To allow your engine to wear in its critical parts, we recommend that you observe the riding rules provided below for the first 500 miles (800 kilometers).  Adherence to these suggestions will help to assure good future durability and performance.

1.  During the first 50 miles (80 kilometers) of riding, keep the engine speed below 4000 RPM in any gear.  Do not lug the engine by running or accelerating at very low RPM, or by running at high RPM longer than needed for shifting or passing. 

                                        NOTE
For models without a tachometer, operate the motorcycle according to the speeds given in Table 29 and Table 30 during motorcycle break-in.

2.  Up to 500 miles (800 kilometers), vary the engine speed and avoid operating at any steady engine speed for long periods.  Engine speed up to 5000 RPM in any gear is permissible.

3.  Drive slowly and avoid fast starts at wide open throttle until the engine has warmed up.

4.  Avoid lugging the engine by not running the engine at very low speeds in higher gears.

5.  Avoid hard braking.  New brakes need to be broken-in by moderate use for the first 200 miles (300 kilometers). 


so there you have it sports fans...that's the MoCo's "approved" break-in method.