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[f35074]

I am currently overseas, I will have a 2013 FLTRXSE2 waiting for me when I get back.  I am looking at doing Rolling Thunder in 26 May 13, I will get there a day or 2 prior to the event although I would like to have the initial 500 miles on her, it will most likely not happen prior to the ride.  I am concerned about the ride, heat, and break in issues in this time frame.  Are there any suggestions, concerns or comments for that I need to be aware of?

And no you cannot come over and break her in why I am gone!!

Thanks

Will

[HD Street Performance]

If it is not broke in after the dealer does his PDI and maybe another 20 miles then it will never break in right in my humble opinion.
Just ride it normally and don't worry.

[ultrafxr]

If it is not broke in after the dealer does his PDI and maybe another 20 miles then it will never break in right in my humble opinion.
Just ride it normally and don't worry.

I agree.  Those rings will seat (or not) very quickly and that is what is really important. 

[GregKhougaz]

Will, 

 Highly recommend that you read this article :  Break In Secrets.

[krypto2011]

Thats a great article. I was told long ago to ride it like you stole it on break in. I always have. My '06 SG has 50,000 miles and the only time the engine was opened was to change chain tensioners at 30k and I rode it like I stole it from day 1!!!!

[muddypaws]

When I pick up my bike I let her warm up and drive slow out of the dealers parking lot ten give her hell....

[prodrag1320]

the biggest issue will be with heat,try to get at least 100 miles of slower (45-55 mph)on back roads,verying RPM`s.try to break it up into 3 rides about 30 miles each,letting the bike cool down between rides.after that,like dewey said,ride in normally (as long as your normal isnt "balls to wall")but still take your time on the trip,stopping to let it cool.ide do a oil change @ 500 miles too.stay away from the "ride like you stole it" stuff,a crap shoot at best!!

[HILLSIDECYCLE.COM]

I am in agreement with both Don, and Kirby.
We DO NOT take a client's fresh build out on the tarmac, and touch them off! OUCH!(nor would our clients want that either)
Gentle heat cycles, and short rides, riding in a normal fashion, gradually increasing the length of the ride, but ridden like your hair is on fire, can result in loss of ring tension, from being subjected to overheating, as the fresh ring is in a raw friction environment, but once the top of the crosshatch is smoothed off, then the temps come down, and more liberal throttle can be applied, for the conditions.
Wouldn't do it with a new automobile, or even a new lawnmower for that matter!!
Why would a $25,000-30,000.00 motorcycle be any different??
Scott

[cahdbiker]

Hillsidecycle, I remember when I was a kid and my Dad got a new 1955 Pontiac. The method you described pretty much paraphrases what the dealer told him when he asked how to break it in, and that was 57 years ago CAHDBIKER

I am in agreement with both Don, and Kirby.
We DO NOT take a client's fresh build out on the tarmac, and touch them off! OUCH!(nor would our clients want that either)
Gentle heat cycles, and short rides, riding in a normal fashion, gradually increasing the length of the ride, but ridden like your hair is on fire, can result in loss of ring tension, from being subjected to overheating, as the fresh ring is in a raw friction environment, but once the top of the crosshatch is smoothed off, then the temps come down, and more liberal throttle can be applied, for the conditions.
Wouldn't do it with a new automobile, or even a new lawnmower for that matter!!
Why would a $25,000-30,000.00 motorcycle be any different??
Scott

[HILLSIDECYCLE.COM]

Yep.
If you want it to last, and enjoy it for any period of time, why would someone want to beat the snot out of anything when new?
Scott

[JONNIEROCK]

   On a previous bike ( 2009 Ultra ), I rode it way to easy. Nothing over 60 MPH, to low of RPM's Ect. It used oil, no alot but 1 quart in 3500 miles. Before I picked up my 2012 CVO Road Glide, I did some reading about the 30-60-30 breakin. Didn't like it completely, but did it somewhat. What I did was after leaving the HD dealer and warmed it up, a few miles I guess, I put it in 3rd gear, ran her up as far a  I felt comforatable with and then got out of the throttle with the clutch still engauged, till I got back down to 30 MPH, repeated it 7-10 times, then rode it 10 miles, shut her down, let cool. I then repeated the process several times.  Even after 100 miles I alway made sure to run it up in the rpm's every once in awhile and then shut the throttle, while still in gear with the clutch engauged. 3500 mile and doesn't use oil. Really happy with this. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't pound on it, but at least drive it somewhat aggressive or at least how your going to ride it. I also didn't use 6th gear at all during breakin,
                Hope this helps Jonnierock

[f35074]

Thanks for all of the inputs.  I have plenty of time to stew on it and we will see what me schedule looks like when I get home.  I don't usually baby them too much, but this is my 1st bagger and CVO so I maybe a little more cautious!!

[CVODON]

I am suprised by all this mumbo jumbo break-in crap. The engine was ran before it got to you, I have owned over 30 new cars and approx 10 new bikes over the years and the only break-in any of them ever got was to ride out the drive to the side road by the house, aggressive to 3rd gear then wide open to approx 5 grand, ride it down to idle then to redline in the same procedure a couple times. After that I used them as I saw fit until they were sold or traded. I have never had a problem with a engine, and I have owned a few Hi-po bikes and cars, this is 2012 not 1960, break-in just not necessary. IMHO.

[prodrag1320]

I am suprised by all this mumbo jumbo break-in crap. The engine was ran before it got to you, I have owned over 30 new cars and approx 10 new bikes over the years and the only break-in any of them ever got was to ride out the drive to the side road by the house, aggressive to 3rd gear then wide open to approx 5 grand, ride it down to idle then to redline in the same procedure a couple times. After that I used them as I saw fit until they were sold or traded. I have never had a problem with a engine, and I have owned a few Hi-po bikes and cars, this is 2012 not 1960, break-in just not necessary. IMHO.

not true,for one a HD motor is air cooled & a fairly archaic design,not even close to a modern automobile engine or even most asian bike motors.like ive said before,not properly breaking in a HD motor will be a crap shoot,can you get away with not doing it sure,but why take a chance

[HILLSIDECYCLE.COM]

Anyone can do it any way they want, but we WILL NOT take a clients fresh engine, once completed, and thrash it, and damn sure wouldn't want it done to mine either.
Scott