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[citruscvoguy]

Hi all Just wondering if HD runs the bikes on a dyno at the factory.. My bike had 17 km about 10miles showing when I bought it but the dealer said it has never been out of the showroom. What do ya think BS or fact Wouldn't they set the rings at the factory
Thanks

[spydglide]

Yes, I've personally witnessed that and it scared me to hear that brand new engine going up thru the gears... ...but, not sure the rings were 'seated' at that point.  spyder

[marshall10]

those miles are more than likely done by the dealership after they put everything together, add fluids, and perform a "test ride" to make sure everything is fine. I got my bike with 2 miles on it.

[Twolanerider]

It's both the factory and the dealership.  There's a very short test firing and run through the gears on a load pad at the factory.  Then after setup there is (supposed to be, but it's not always done) a shakedown ride by the selling dealer.

[grc]

The typical mileage after the short run at the assembly plant is between 1 and 2 miles.  As noted above, the dealership is supposed to perform a test ride of approximately 10 miles to get it up to normal operating temp after they "prep" the bike, per Harley's prep checklist.  Since most new bikes I've seen have about 2 miles on the odometers, I'm guessing most dealerships don't do the test ride (or most of the other checks on the list either, for that matter). 

IMHO, the 10 miles is a good thing, designed to keep you from suffering a failure on the ride home from some obvious defect.  The place that sold me my SEEG didn't do that, and I had multiple failures on the ride home.


Jerry

[Twolanerider]

The typical mileage after the short run at the assembly plant is between 1 and 2 miles.  As noted above, the dealership is supposed to perform a test ride of approximately 10 miles to get it up to normal operating temp after they "prep" the bike, per Harley's prep checklist.  Since most new bikes I've seen have about 2 miles on the odometers, I'm guessing most dealerships don't do the test ride (or most of the other checks on the list either, for that matter). 

IMHO, the 10 miles is a good thing, designed to keep you from suffering a failure on the ride home from some obvious defect.  The place that sold me my SEEG didn't do that, and I had multiple failures on the ride home.


Jerry

At least you got a ride home Jerry.  Mine had .7 when I rolled out of the dealership.  First I ran out of gas before getting less than a mile to the nearest fuel stop than had a clutch master cylinder leak DOT4 all over the left side of the bike.  Speed shifting a new bike while wrapping a bandana around the grip was the other traffic's entertainment.

[spydglide]

At least you got a ride home Jerry.  Mine had .7 when I rolled out of the dealership.  First I ran out of gas before getting less than a mile to the nearest fuel stop than had a clutch master cylinder leak DOT4 all over the left side of the bike.  Speed shifting a new bike while wrapping a bandana around the grip was the other traffic's entertainment.

And true 'bonding' occurs......a love affair begins  har.  spyder

[Twolanerider]

And true 'bonding' occurs......a love affair begins  har.  spyder

It's true Spyder.  That bike tried to kick my ass that first afternoon and I've been kicking back ever since.

[citruscvoguy]

Hi all Just wondering if HD runs the bikes on a dyno at the factory.. My bike had 17 km about 10miles showing when I bought it but the dealer said it has never been out of the showroom. What do ya think BS or fact Wouldn't they set the rings at the factory
Thanks

Thanks for the info guy's

[tennisman]

Factory runs the touring bikes (and maybe others, too) up to 100 mph after assembly.  Wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes last summer in York on a factory tour.  Makes ya wonder about the recommended break-in process now, don't it?
T

[ultrafxr]

Factory runs the touring bikes (and maybe others, too) up to 100 mph after assembly.  Wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes last summer in York on a factory tour.  Makes ya wonder about the recommended break-in process now, don't it?
T

Break in?  We don't need no stinkin' break in.   

[BigLew55]

They also used to state during the tour that a few bikes per day were pulled and taken on a short loop outside for QA.  That could explain your miles too?

[Dan_Lockwood]

Factory runs the touring bikes (and maybe others, too) up to 100 mph after assembly.  Wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes last summer in York on a factory tour.  Makes ya wonder about the recommended break-in process now, don't it?
T

Not to be funny, but break in is really about keeping down the heat and the seating of parts.  A quick burst like that will probably not do anything negative to the bike.  It really is like a smoke test.  If it makes it through the gears without breaking up, it's good to go.  I bet they do have a bike now and then that something happens when they run them up like that.

[Occam]

I catch occasional episodes of a television series called "Twist The Throttle".
Each episode focuses on one maker, and so far I have seen Honda, Yamaha or Suzuki (whichever is "green"), BMW and Ducati.
Each and every one of them does a quick post-assembly blast like that as the last step on the assembly line. I cannot help but believe that it's minimally harmful at worst as it appears to be an industry standard practice.

Better to have failure on a stationary platform in a controlled environment, rather than with your butt in the saddle, eh?

[HOGMIKE]

Hi all Just wondering if HD runs the bikes on a dyno at the factory.. My bike had 17 km about 10miles showing when I bought it but the dealer said it has never been out of the showroom. What do ya think BS or fact Wouldn't they set the rings at the factory
Thanks

Not really a dyno, but, rollers that they can run through the gears, download the ECM program and check for leaks, etc. They hook up a few leads, gas and start 'em up.
They also run the trikes there also, but, before they put the box and rear wheels on. Looks pretty funny to see a Harley with a skinny rear wheel, and no fender rolling onto the dock!