Owners Manual
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...... don't know if they've got the '11 edition yet, but these guys DO have a variety
http://www.tradebit.com/G/manuals/45-harley-davidson
http://www.tradebit.com/G/manuals/45-harley-davidson
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When I bought my 2010 a couple of months ago they were out of Owners Manuals. A touring manual is basically a touring manual. If this is your first Harley it will be handy but you won't learn too much if you're familiar with Harley Touring Models. That said, I know how excited you are. I hope the next few days fly by!
Actually, this is my seventh HD, but my first touring model. I'd like see how to operate the cruise control and the radio features and see what the recommended tire and rear shock pressures are. I always check tire pressures before riding off on a new bike from the dealer. It's rare that they're correct.
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Congrats! You're going to love the bike. Since you already purchased the bike, why don't you go buy the dealership and pick up a manual? The finance managers usually have a stack of them sitting next to their desk. BTW, you're going to love having a stereo and cruise control. My friends all tease me about riding a "Geezer Glide" but I'm the one who is riding the better bike. The recommended tire pressure is 40psi in both front and rear. I don't know the recommended specs on the shocks but I keep about 28 lbs in mine. It's a good idea to buy the HD compressor for your air shocks. I think it costs about $40.00. I keep mine on the bike at all times!
Thanks for the info. I'll buy the air pump for the shocks when I pick up the bike.
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IMO: I found 37 lbs front and 40 lbs rear to work well with solo and two up. Also pump up the shocks up to 40 lbs for two up. You can tweak the pressure down and see what feels good for your road conditions and weight load. (35 lbs is the minimum 2 up, unless you have great roads) New England roads are not the best due to wide temp swings and frost heaves and pot holes. I check my shock pressure every time I two up because it does need adjustment over time. I hope this helps!
The bike was delivered two days ago with two copies of the manual. lol. It had 36/40 in the tires and 15 psi in the shocks. Those were factory recommend for solo riding and have felt good over the 250 miles I've logged so far. Today my wife will come along, so I'll try 40 psi in the shocks. Can't wait to get in the saddle!
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There's a big difference between 15 and 40. I once put too much air in my shocks and the bike felt "skitchy". Make sure to bring your compressor so you can adjust it on the road. Just my 2 cents. Have fun riding with your wife!
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I know you are riding with a smile on your face. Still in break in period so keep it under 3000 RPM and under 55 MPH until the 500 mile mark. Its going to be hard to keep it under 55! I set my cruise control when on the highway so I would do it right. Then, Ride it like you stole it! Let us know how your 2 up ride goes.
I got my RGU Aug 26th and have 800 miles on.
ride everyday weather permitting but its 8 miles to the office and work on Saturday. Sad day for me....Winter storage day...The two up ride was great and I now have 430 miles on it. Not bad for three days riding. Tomorrow I should be able to put the hammer down. Yes!
By the way, my owners manual says 3000 rpm up to 50 miles, then 3500 rpm up to 500. Of course, no heavy throttle or steady speeds, but no mention of 55 mph. I've seen 65 and 70 quite a bit with the rpms well within 3500.
By the way, my owners manual says 3000 rpm up to 50 miles, then 3500 rpm up to 500. Of course, no heavy throttle or steady speeds, but no mention of 55 mph. I've seen 65 and 70 quite a bit with the rpms well within 3500.
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My Dealer instructed me to not keep it at one speed, keep it under 3K RPM, not over 55 mph for the first 500 mi. Oh well, I guess it was all for nothing. 98% of my riding was city during the work week. City stop and go is a good break in. I can't understand why my HD dealer gave me the wrong info.
There are different schools of thought regarding break-in, whether it's a bike, car, truck, boat, etc. One says to follow the owners manuals instructions and basically baby it for about 500 miles. The other is to take it to redline at full throttle a couple of times, change the oil immediately after and then ride it without any restrictions.
I've always done it by the book, but I know guys who have taken the other route. And.... I've have never had an engine problem with any bike I've owned (25 in total) and the guys I know who have thrown caution to the wind haven't either.
Automotive/motorcycle engine technology has come a long way. The quality of the bearing surface metals and computer controlled machining almost make break-in unnecessary. A few years ago I bought an AMG Mercedes. The owners manual said the engine needed no break-in. The break-in was strictly because the tranny needed it.
I've always done it by the book, but I know guys who have taken the other route. And.... I've have never had an engine problem with any bike I've owned (25 in total) and the guys I know who have thrown caution to the wind haven't either.
Automotive/motorcycle engine technology has come a long way. The quality of the bearing surface metals and computer controlled machining almost make break-in unnecessary. A few years ago I bought an AMG Mercedes. The owners manual said the engine needed no break-in. The break-in was strictly because the tranny needed it.
Your motor is probably fine, but I have to disagree with you that stop and go traffic is good for break-in. The problem is heat. When you're stopped there is no cooling airflow to the motor and this is not the best thing during break-in. In fact, it's never good for an air-cooled engine. That's why current Harleys are programed to kill the rear cylinder when it gets too hot and the bike is not rolling.My Dealer instructed me to not keep it at one speed, keep it under 3K RPM, not over 55 mph for the first 500 mi. Oh well, I guess it was all for nothing. 98% of my riding was city during the work week. City stop and go is a good break in. I can't understand why my HD dealer gave me the wrong info.
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My City is "suburban" stop and go. It's waiting for a traffic light only a few minutes except when everyone is rushing home from work. I drive the coastal road to work every day to work. There is no traffic when the sun was coming up over the Atlantic, only joggers and dog walkers. I would give it the throttle from 2k RPM to 3K RPM on and off. Still have a stock exhaust that won't wake anyone up. I think that was good enough break in style.
I've had the rear cylinder shut down waiting for a traffic light a half dozen times but only when the temps were in the 80's F
I must have turned it on when backing my scoot into my driveway. First time it kicked in ...WTF?? I thought I was running out of gas! lol On another note. The 103 feels 100% cooler then my 96B Heritage! That 96 was really hot in traffic. If I still owned it, the wife and I would own chaps by now!!!
I don't feel the heat close to what the 96 was giving out. With that said, my 96B was broken in the same way as the RGU without any engine issues until trading. I am having my HD dealer do the 1K mile service and fill the holes with Synthetic oil. Stage one for the RG during the winter nap but not sure what to put on. I want low rumble and hear the radio. I had Rush with 1 3/4" baffle, SE tuner and Air breather on the Heritage. The Rush chrome and sound was sweet. A bit to loud on weekend interstate trips. Before the RGU caught my eye...A quieter baffle was going to be installed. I was thinking about Vance and Hinds headers and mufflers. Maybe a coated pipe to make it cooler? Any RG exhaust tips out there? Sorry for the long long posting.... "this is what happens when the scoot goes into Winter storage" Withdrawal is tough.
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