Harley Davidson Forums

ewiltgen · Jul 23rd, 2010, 12:07 AM

I have a 2008 e-glide ultra it has been well maintained using a quality syn oil. The only mods are SE stage 1 air breather, Vance & Hines slip ons and stage one download. I have 25k on the bike and was wondering what an average motor life is before it needs major engine work.

walleye · Jul 23rd, 2010, 12:18 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Hobbit View Post

ran a Buell for 50K and never serviced it just to see the wear and they also ran a 4pot Jap equivlent and compared.
the out come was the Buell was carrying its miles very very well as even in Buells tune it was under stressed and the wear at 50K was still well within tolerances and the honing on the barrels could still be seen !!!!!! the 4pot needed quite a few of its bearings replacing and some parts were out side tolerances but again nothing major and easy fixes

So you are saying change oil every 50K and we will be good to go?!?!?! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

(Just kidding of course!)

ewiltgen · Jul 23rd, 2010, 12:26 AM

Thanks for the quick response I'll keep changing mine at 5k or less.

glen073 · Jul 23rd, 2010, 12:31 PM

I have a 103,000 on my 04 Road Glide. Never had a problem with the motor. Put bigger cams in it at 30k. Been using synthetic Red Line 20/60 the whole time, which is changed every 5000 miles. I don't baby it, but don't do burn outs or wheelies. Still on original belt too. It still runs strong and has never left me broken down on the side of the road. Bought a new 2010 and have kept the Glide as a spare now.

ewiltgen · Jul 23rd, 2010, 12:55 PM

103K Thats great I look forward to lots of good riding. Here in iowa we only get to ride about 7 or 8 months. BTW I don't do burnouts or wheelies either it gets ran but not abused.

glen073 · Jul 23rd, 2010, 01:54 PM

I hear ya. Just don't abuse them, but enjoy em. Another friend put 120k on his 01 Road King before trading up in 07.

billnapabill · Jul 23rd, 2010, 04:08 PM

I had 80,000 on my 02 Roadglide when I traded it in on an 07...........The 02 got stolen from the guy who bought it from the dealer. as far as I know the bikes in pieces all over the Bay Area. But he said he had put another 14k on it when it was taken and it still ran strong. It had Andrews 26GD cams, A Thunder Header, SE ignition and Air........I sure do miss that bike..........wait.........give a moment...........uhh, I'm ok now.
Don't see why my 09 won't outlast me and my son's plannin on it!

EnjoyingTheRyde · Jul 23rd, 2010, 09:07 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by billnapabill View Post

Don't see why my 09 won't outlast me and my son's plannin on it!

My son doesn't want the SG... He wants the wifes 1200 custom, but these mileage numbers are nice to hear considering we don't plan on trading anytime soon...

NEWHD74FAN · Jul 24th, 2010, 01:40 AM

Since I average about 7-8k a year, I am feeling pretty good about my Sportster; I would expect 7-8 years is not a bad deal, but I am expecting better...that is why doing your own maintenance, often and right will go a long way to running gear life.

Iceman24 · Jul 24th, 2010, 08:19 AM

M/c engines have definitely improved over the years & easily go 50K+ w/o experiencing major problems. With proper care & maint...you could go over 100K before even cracking it open for major servicing. Sometimes a "lemon" comes along, but not very often...

Jul 23rd, 2010, 12:18 AM	#2
walleye Banned Ride: 2009 Ultra Classic Join Date: Jan 25th, 2009 Location: Oklahoma via North Dakota Posts: 947 My Mood:	Re: Engine Life Quote: Originally Posted by Hobbit View Post ran a Buell for 50K and never serviced it just to see the wear and they also ran a 4pot Jap equivlent and compared. the out come was the Buell was carrying its miles very very well as even in Buells tune it was under stressed and the wear at 50K was still well within tolerances and the honing on the barrels could still be seen !!!!!! the 4pot needed quite a few of its bearings replacing and some parts were out side tolerances but again nothing major and easy fixes So you are saying change oil every 50K and we will be good to go?!?!?! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! (Just kidding of course!)

Jul 23rd, 2010, 12:26 AM	#3
ewiltgen Warming The Wheels Ride: 08 Electraglide ultra classic Join Date: Mar 8th, 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 80	Re: Engine Life Thanks for the quick response I'll keep changing mine at 5k or less.

Jul 23rd, 2010, 12:31 PM	#4
glen073 Play The Throttle Ride: 2010 Ultra Limited Join Date: Jul 1st, 2010 Location: Brentwood Ca. Posts: 155	Re: Engine Life I have a 103,000 on my 04 Road Glide. Never had a problem with the motor. Put bigger cams in it at 30k. Been using synthetic Red Line 20/60 the whole time, which is changed every 5000 miles. I don't baby it, but don't do burn outs or wheelies. Still on original belt too. It still runs strong and has never left me broken down on the side of the road. Bought a new 2010 and have kept the Glide as a spare now.

Jul 23rd, 2010, 12:55 PM	#5
ewiltgen Warming The Wheels Ride: 08 Electraglide ultra classic Join Date: Mar 8th, 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 80	Re: Engine Life 103K Thats great I look forward to lots of good riding. Here in iowa we only get to ride about 7 or 8 months. BTW I don't do burnouts or wheelies either it gets ran but not abused.

Jul 23rd, 2010, 01:54 PM	#6
glen073 Play The Throttle Ride: 2010 Ultra Limited Join Date: Jul 1st, 2010 Location: Brentwood Ca. Posts: 155	Re: Engine Life I hear ya. Just don't abuse them, but enjoy em. Another friend put 120k on his 01 Road King before trading up in 07.

Harley Davidson Forums

Membership Benefits

Engine Life

Touring Models

Pages

Self Help Tips

Self Help Tips

Resources

Jul 23rd, 2010, 04:08 PM	#7
billnapabill Play The Throttle Ride: FLTRSE3 Join Date: Jun 26th, 2009 Posts: 316	Re: Engine Life I had 80,000 on my 02 Roadglide when I traded it in on an 07...........The 02 got stolen from the guy who bought it from the dealer. as far as I know the bikes in pieces all over the Bay Area. But he said he had put another 14k on it when it was taken and it still ran strong. It had Andrews 26GD cams, A Thunder Header, SE ignition and Air........I sure do miss that bike..........wait.........give a moment...........uhh, I'm ok now. Don't see why my 09 won't outlast me and my son's plannin on it! __________________ "I'm gonna ride till I'm Satisfied" Walter Trout

Jul 23rd, 2010, 09:07 PM	#8
EnjoyingTheRyde Contributor$ Ride: 2013 Spyder ST Limited Join Date: Aug 1st, 2009 Location: Central Maine Posts: 405	Re: Engine Life Quote: Originally Posted by billnapabill View Post Don't see why my 09 won't outlast me and my son's plannin on it! My son doesn't want the SG... He wants the wifes 1200 custom, but these mileage numbers are nice to hear considering we don't plan on trading anytime soon... __________________ If you get confused listen to the music play

Jul 24th, 2010, 01:40 AM	#9
NEWHD74FAN Retired Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200R Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 8,273 My Mood:	Re: Engine Life Since I average about 7-8k a year, I am feeling pretty good about my Sportster; I would expect 7-8 years is not a bad deal, but I am expecting better...that is why doing your own maintenance, often and right will go a long way to running gear life. __________________ * Please click "Self Help Tips" tab for service tips, diagnostic codes & such * ;o) * Please click "Search" tab and keywords to find related threads *

Jul 24th, 2010, 08:19 AM	#10
Iceman24 Community Leader Ride: 09 FLHX Street Glide Join Date: Sep 13th, 2009 Location: Eastern NE Posts: 3,455 My Mood:	Re: Engine Life M/c engines have definitely improved over the years & easily go 50K+ w/o experiencing major problems. With proper care & maint...you could go over 100K before even cracking it open for major servicing. Sometimes a "lemon" comes along, but not very often... __________________ MSgt, USAF (Retired) 09 FLHX - Vivid Black 05 XL1200C - SOLD

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New Life	santoban	New Member Introduction	9	May 13th, 2011 01:58 AM
Best Four Hours of My Life	hogie	General Harley Davidson Topic	7	Sep 16th, 2008 08:48 AM
The Ride of My Life	The White Horse	New Member Introduction	6	Apr 20th, 2008 05:08 PM