I just bought a new FLTR and it’s going to be at the dealer until winter ends here in Wisconsin. I would like to change out the air cleaner, add some less restrictive slip-ons, and install a Power Commander V. My question is, do I need to (or better yet should I) break the motor in for around a 1,000 miles before making these changes, or am I OK to do it right when I get her home? I want to ride this bike for at least 100,000 miles, so what do you suggest, wait or do it now? What gives me the best chance for a long healthy life with the bike?A: The only way to get the type of mileage you are expecting out of this motorcycle is to leave it just the way it was built. Do not, I repeat do not change anything. The m/c as a unit was designed to run the way it was assembled. Any changes from exhaust to fuel injection control will affect its design and reduce overall mileage.That said; do we all want to customize our rides? Yes. A Stage 1, like on the Bolt-On DVDs will help increase performance. What we are saying, tongue-in-cheek, is that once we customize, we change the original design, specs and outcomes projected for the original motorcycle. Ride it stock for the break in period to see how you like the stock performance. Wrench Safe, FMH Comment from Hogger Keith C: I have to comment on this one. I have a 2006 FLHTCUI bought new and had the dealer install the 95″ Stage II kit before I took delivery. I rode it with stock exhaust for a short time (not happy). I installed a PC and the SE 4″ round slip-ons and had it dyno’d. Still not happy. Was told the pipes were too restrictive. Changed to V&H true duals with V&H ovals. Re-dyno’d. VERY HAPPY! Bike now has 119K, still runs strong. Plan to ride it from VA to Kansas and Texas and back next week. I average 17K miles a year, had 19K miles last year. Love your DVDs. Couldn’t have made it this far without you.
New Bike Engine Break in Period
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If you had the dealer install the new parts, it would already be done with no break in at all.
The bike comes out of the factory in a lean state. That is not good for he engine long term. Hence the crappy pipes they ship them with. My thoughtrs are that a stage 1 with some decent pipes is the least to do and should actually help the engine run cleaner, stronger and healthy for a long time. I also think Syn oil with add life to a bike.