Are you tired of looking for answers to how many miles your Harley-Davidson bike’s engine will last? Don’t worry, most Harley-Davidson riders have such questions. By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll have all the answers.
Harley engines are good for anywhere between 75,000 and 80,000 miles. If it is maintained properly, the engine could potentially last more than 100,000 miles.
In this article, you’ll get to know all about Harley-Davidson engines, how many miles is a Harley engine good for, and how you can make the engine last longer among others. Continue reading to get the answers you’ve been looking for.
How many miles is a Harley engine good for?
The engine on your Harley-Davidson bike is built with a guarantee of long durability and stunning performance. It is important to consider that Harley-Davidson engines will not perform the same way after a few years. Each engine will come with its expiration date and the number of miles it lasts. It will depend on a number of factors. The Harley-Davidson engines are generally very reliable. But they must be taken care of properly ad maintained so that they’re in a good shape. You could either do it properly yourself or get them serviced by an expert.
The engine on your Harley-Davidson bike will last between 75,000 and 80,000 miles with ease. However, if you get your bike’s engine serviced regularly, the fluids are rotated regularly, and if it is stored and maintained properly, it’ll be able to last more than 100,000 miles. Harley-Davidson bikes are heavy-duty bikes with a powerful engine that lasts for many years.
It isn’t unusual for a Harley-Davidson engine to last for more than 150,000 miles. As mentioned before, these are heavy-duty bikes that are built for lasting a long time. In some cases, your Harley engine can run for more than 150,000 miles. There are many factors that will be involved when it comes to determining the lifespan of your Harley-Davidson bike’s engine. Those factors range from the age of your bike to the riding style, and more.
Factors that will determine and boost the lifespan of your bike’s engine
There are many different types of Harley-Davidson bikes out there. The engines of two different models will deliver different performance and different life expectancies. One type of bike engine might not last the same number of miles as the other one. There are a number of factors that will help you determine the lifespan of your bike’s engine. Through these factors, you will be able to take efforts and boost the engine’s lifespan.
Harley-Davidson Sports bikes have engines that run fast and die young
If you’ve bought a Harley-Davidson sports bike, it is likely that its engine won’t last as long as touring bikes. These bikes have engines that help in accelerating quickly and reaching high-end top speeds. The faster your bike is, the quicker it will die out.
The reality is that if you’re driving fast, the engine has to do a lot of work. As a result, the engine temps will start dying out a lot more quickly as compared to heavy-duty bikes that might coast at slower speeds. Therefore, smaller Harley-Davidson sports bikes have engines that last around 25,000 to 30,000 miles.
Your driving style
Finally, another important factor that you must keep in mind is your driving style. It will play a key role in determining how long your Harley-Davidson engine will last. The less work your bike’s engine has to do, the longer it will last. If you’re a biker who is constantly flooring the gas, the engine will have to work a lot harder to get the bike up to the top speed. Rapid acceleration will put a lot of stress on the engine, ultimately shortening its lifespan.
Similarly, if you slam the brakes constantly, it will force the engine to decelerate quickly. This puts additional stress on the engine. For getting as many miles out of their bike’s engine as possible, it’ll be important to maintain a constant speed. You should try to maintain it as much as you can. This will keep the engine in your bike comfortable while also preventing it from breaking down early.
The engine’s maintenance will play a pivotal role
Across all Harley-Davidson bike engines, they will last much longer if they’re maintained properly on a consistent basis. This will be true for not just Harley-Davidson bikes, but all vehicles in general.
If you get your Harley-Davidson bike maintained regularly, then you will end up with a bike that will last much longer. There are several important maintenance tasks that need to be completed regularly. The transmission fluid must be flushed out. The oil needs to be changed on a timely basis. The tires should be changed when necessary. The brakes should be changed when they have to be changed. You will also need to change the drive belts from time to time. If any of these tasks are neglected, the bike will likely break down sooner than expected.
Moreover, with routine maintenance and check-ups, you will be able to identify the issues with the bike. You will be able to rectify them before they become a big problem. If there are any small issues with your bike and they’re allowed to grow, they could start impacting the engine. Then, the engine could get damaged quicker than expected. With routine checks, such things can be identified and corrected before. This will not only avoid further damage but your bike will have a longer lifespan.
For this reason, if you’re a Harley-Davidson rider, you must schedule regular maintenance check-ups. Always listen to your local dealer and manufacturer and take their help during routine maintenance. Ensure that the oil gets rotated on a regular basis. This is one of the most significant factors that play a key role in the life of an engine.
If the oil isn’t changed from time to time, there will be friction in the engine of the bike. This will lead to the engine overheating while also shortening its lifespan. On the other hand, if the oil gets rotated regularly, then the riders can get the most out of their engine. This will extend the lifespan of your Harley-Davidson bike and its engine.
The average usage of your engine in a given year
Another key factor that will play a major role in determining how many miles is a Harley engine good for will be the average number of miles that your bike travels per year. Mileage isn’t the only thing that impacts the lifespan of your bike’s engine. The age of the parts in your bike will also play an important role.
For instance, most people understand that you cannot let your vehicle sit in the garage for a long time. If you do that, the components will start breaking down even though it isn’t being driven or used. The same will be true for your Harley-Davidson motorcycle and its engine. All bikes are going to experience this, especially if they’re not being ridden on a regular basis.
For instance, your bike’s engine could last for almost 150,000 miles if you are putting in 10,000 miles per year. On the other hand, a driver who is only putting 5,000 miles per year might see his bike start dying down long before it reaches 150,000. This is the case because the bike will start pushing 20 years, and it is a long time for even the best bikes.
On average, a Harley-Davidson rider will drive their bike somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 miles per year. In case your bike is driven on a consistent basis, then the engine will likely last longer. This is the case because the bike’s parts stay fresh, the oil flows better, and the fluids are rotated.
The weather and surroundings play a key role too
Another important factor that will play an important role in the lifespan of your bike’s engine is the weather. The reality is that weather and external surroundings will impact the lifespan of every vehicle, including your Harley-Davidson bike. For instance, Harley-Davidson riders who drive in the Northeast could expose their bikes to rock salt. Rock salt is used for melting ice on the road, preventing any accidents from happening. When you’re riding your bike on top of rock salt, you’ll run the risk of kicking rock salt into the undercarriage of your bike. The rock salt can be quite corrosive and end up damaging the interior of your Harley-Davidson bike.
This will affect the engine in your bike as well. As a result, rock salt will greatly shorten the lifespan of the engine in your Harley-Davidson bike. Further, the temperature and weather in which you drive your bike are important factors too. You should never drive your bike in extreme cold or extreme heat. It could damage the engine in your bike as it’ll have to work extra yard while not getting any rest. The weather could also shorten the lifespan of your bike’s engine.
The history of engine repairs
It’s important that you should keep track of the history of your engine’s repairs when it comes to its lifespan. For instance, there are some riders who have more problems with their bike’s engines than others. There might be an occasion when you’re involved in an accident. There might be a recall issue for any part in the engine. The more frequently an engine goes into the shop, the shorter will be its overall lifespan.
For Harley-Davidson riders, you need to look at the history of your bike’s engine and its repairs. It’ll allow you to anticipate how long it is going to last. If the engine has to be continuously taken for repairs, it’s a big hint that it’s on its last legs.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading. Hopefully, now you know a lot more about Harley-Davidson engines, how many miles is a Harley engine good for, and the factors that determine the engine’s lifespan. Generally, the Harley-Davidson engine in your bike lasts between 75,000 to 80,000. However, if you give your bike special attention and maintain it properly, the engine might last more than 100,000 miles. Incredibly, there are some rare cases where the engine can last as much as 150,000 miles. Ultimately, it’ll depend on you and how you take care of your bike’s engine.
