HD VTwin broken in????

Question

at what point is the HarleyDavidson VTwin motor broken in? and when is it getting too worn out? are they supposed to get noisier as they get older????

this time i really think i'm in love.....

Answer 1

I was told by the dealer when I bought my 08 in May to keep it under 3k rpms for 500 miles.  After that, I should ride it normal and have my first oil change at 1000 miles.  I did the break in ride in 1 day.

Answer 2

dave k is right, the industry has been using chrome-moly rings for years. they are done breaking in 50 miles. the old cast iron rings needed 500-1000 miles.

Answer 3

car guy is a little off... the new rings today (used by most everyone) have cut in by 50 miles. 50 to 100 is reccomended oil change by all aftermarket motor mfgs... then 500. We will dyno after 500. How you ride that first 50/100 is very important... vary rpm, no lugging or over revving, slow backdowns...  

Answer 4

They are supposed to get louder as they get older but you are supposed to not hear as well as you get older. Harleys and wives have a lot in common that way. My wife complains alot but I can't hear her anymore. It is great.

Answer 5

The break-in period for the Harley engine is about the same as for most engines.  It takes about 500 miles of riding for the piston rings to wear in, then you change the oil just in case there are any metal shavings in it from the break-in.  How long they last depends on how well the engine is maintained.  I have seen Harleys with up to 200,000 miles without being rebuilt.  I had mine torn down at 50,000 miles due to a blown base gasket.  All the tolerances were checked and the engine was in like-new condition.  The engine is actually pretty tough.  It was the electrical system that caused frequent breakdowns, and eventually, I sold the bike for that reason.