2023 HD Road Glide Limited. HPL V-Twin 20w-50. 7400 mile analysis.

[Panda87]

It's embarrassing that I only have 24K miles on her (she's a cream puff), but she shares duties with a 1200GS and a Honda Forza 300... and a sports car and a boat and... you get the idea ;-)

It’s all good man! Life is about choices and you’re spoiled! I bet that GS is a blast too!

 

[maineiac]

Tough choice between them (GW, GS) for long rides... sofa or Recaro? Spoiled for sure and appreciative of my blessings.

Had a Road King once upon a time - nice bike but traded it after it seared my right inner thigh in traffic on a hot day up at the Americade Rally in NY. Opposite of you, the "leg forward" position created some serious sit bone hot spots with all the leg weight unsupported except by my rear end.

I've got a Roadcrafter (2 piece) also, but prefer the versatility and fit of my BMW gear (liner, venting, etc) so the Roadcrafter (blue and gray) mostly just hangs in the closet.

Headed on a random ride out west in Sept and still not sure which ride I'll take...

 

[RevRider]

Did someone say, "“pinnacle of touring supremacy” ?

View attachment 236191

Love the color, beautiful bike, thanks for sharing.

 

[Panda87]

Update: Bike has 12,000 miles on it. Changed with another run of HPL V-Twin 20w-50 at 10,000.

Im currently down hard after a surprise emergency shoulder surgery August 26th (day after my bday). The VA did an MRI of my left shoulder after physical therapy failed to improve my pain and limitations. They found a full thickness, partial width tear of my supraspinatus tendon and bicep tendinitis and sent me to community care for a referral. Fast forward 6 or so weeks and I’m in the local ortho’s office and the doc looks at my MRI, looks back at me and goes, “you need surgery ASAP”. I said “can it wait until October? I have motorcycle training to attend at the end of September.” Doc looks at me serious and says “Look, your shoulder likely won’t make it to October, there’s so little of that tendon holding it on, that one wrong move tears it entirely off the bone. The recovery is 30 days and you can make your training IF you get this done immediately.” I plan to attend Lock and Lean’s LL101 class September 28-30, so I’m doing all I can to recover as best I can to get this shoulder ready. They found that the arthritis in my acromion and clavicle had caused the bones in each to grow down onto the supraspinatus. They “resectioned” (aka, ground the excess bone off) my AC area to open up space for things (my left hand is no longer going numb all the time post surgery!), had to do extensive arthritic debridement of the entire shoulder, bore anchors into my humerus and sutured the torn supraspinatus tendon back down to it, and some other things I can’t remember from the report.

Let me tell you, I’ve broken my leg, had my split open face sewn shut without anesthesia, torn MANY ligaments in my legs, been hurt in many ways and NONE of it compares to the pain I felt the night I got home from surgery. I metabolized the nerve block before I even had my first dose of pain medication. It was horrendous and took a nearly double dose of pain medication to get me out of the pain fog I was automating in. I’m better now and healing very quickly, but wow was it the most painful event of my life.

 

[DirectRejection]

Hey all,
I tested my HPL V-Twin 20w-50 engine oil at 7400 miles to get an idea of how far out I could run it. Standard oil and filter interval for these is 5000 miles. This engine has liquid cooling around the exhaust ports, but this oil sample saw some pretty hellacious stop and go interstate traffic jam time in 95+ degree humid ambient temperatures. I’m a part time motorcycle safety instructor so I spend a lot of time doing low speed maneuvers at 2k rpm and a lot of time blasting 80 down the interstate to coach at sites around the state. This bike is my daily driver, rain or shine.

The oil held up well and I have full confidence in running it to 10k, doubling the OCI.

View attachment 229655

I am not the least bit surprised.

Thank you for sharing.

 

[maineiac]

I hope your recovery proceeds quickly - tough surgery, but you're tougher

 

[Panda87]

I hope your recovery proceeds quickly - tough surgery, but you're tougher

Thanks a lot man. It’s proceeding well. I talked with the owner of Lock and Lean and he suggested I take the training at a later date. The nearest date after the Pensacola one is October 18-20 in PA. Having spent my youth in a nearby state and visited Philly a few times, I decided to train then/there instead to ensure I’ll be more adequately healed up. I appreciate your kindness

 

[loneryder]

Update: Bike has 12,000 miles on it. Changed with another run of HPL V-Twin 20w-50 at 10,000.

Im currently down hard after a surprise emergency shoulder surgery August 26th (day after my bday). The VA did an MRI of my left shoulder after physical therapy failed to improve my pain and limitations. They found a full thickness, partial width tear of my supraspinatus tendon and bicep tendinitis and sent me to community care for a referral. Fast forward 6 or so weeks and I’m in the local ortho’s office and the doc looks at my MRI, looks back at me and goes, “you need surgery ASAP”. I said “can it wait until October? I have motorcycle training to attend at the end of September.” Doc looks at me serious and says “Look, your shoulder likely won’t make it to October, there’s so little of that tendon holding it on, that one wrong move tears it entirely off the bone. The recovery is 30 days and you can make your training IF you get this done immediately.” I plan to attend Lock and Lean’s LL101 class September 28-30, so I’m doing all I can to recover as best I can to get this shoulder ready. They found that the arthritis in my acromion and clavicle had caused the bones in each to grow down onto the supraspinatus. They “resectioned” (aka, ground the excess bone off) my AC area to open up space for things (my left hand is no longer going numb all the time post surgery!), had to do extensive arthritic debridement of the entire shoulder, bore anchors into my humerus and sutured the torn supraspinatus tendon back down to it, and some other things I can’t remember from the report.

Let me tell you, I’ve broken my leg, had my split open face sewn shut without anesthesia, torn MANY ligaments in my legs, been hurt in many ways and NONE of it compares to the pain I felt the night I got home from surgery. I metabolized the nerve block before I even had my first dose of pain medication. It was horrendous and took a nearly double dose of pain medication to get me out of the pain fog I was automating in. I’m better now and healing very quickly, but wow was it the most painful event of my life.

Sorry to hear. Sounds like you got an experienced mechanic. 4 months ago I had a partial knee replacement. The nerve block did not work at all and I woke up with the worst pain in my life. They maxed me out on Fentanyl and oxycontin and it didn't do much. I went home and suffered for 2 days until I got ahold of a Dr. who changed the amount and time spread of one of the opioids . It finally settled down. The block is suppose to get you home and started on pain pills before the pain ever gets established. I had a DEI anesthesiologist. The doc did a good surgery though.

 

[Panda87]

Sorry to hear. Sounds like you got an experienced mechanic. 4 months ago I had a partial knee replacement. The nerve block did not work at all and I woke up with the worst pain in my life. They maxed me out on Fentanyl and oxycontin and it didn't do much. I went home and suffered for 2 days until I got ahold of a Dr. who changed the amount and time spread of one of the opioids . It finally settled down. The block is suppose to get you home and started on pain pills before the pain ever gets established. I had a DEI anesthesiologist. The doc did a good surgery though.

Man I hate to hear that. I feel your pain though. My doc did a fantastic job and the anesthesiologist did as well, I’m just a very fast metabolizer of medications/alcohol/etc. How are you healing up now?

 

[loneryder]

Man I hate to hear that. I feel your pain though. My doc did a fantastic job and the anesthesiologist did as well, I’m just a very fast metabolizer of medications/alcohol/etc. How are you healing up now?

Doing well thanks.

 

[blueglide88]

Update: Bike has 12,000 miles on it. Changed with another run of HPL V-Twin 20w-50 at 10,000.

Im currently down hard after a surprise emergency shoulder surgery August 26th (day after my bday). The VA did an MRI of my left shoulder after physical therapy failed to improve my pain and limitations. They found a full thickness, partial width tear of my supraspinatus tendon and bicep tendinitis and sent me to community care for a referral. Fast forward 6 or so weeks and I’m in the local ortho’s office and the doc looks at my MRI, looks back at me and goes, “you need surgery ASAP”. I said “can it wait until October? I have motorcycle training to attend at the end of September.” Doc looks at me serious and says “Look, your shoulder likely won’t make it to October, there’s so little of that tendon holding it on, that one wrong move tears it entirely off the bone. The recovery is 30 days and you can make your training IF you get this done immediately.” I plan to attend Lock and Lean’s LL101 class September 28-30, so I’m doing all I can to recover as best I can to get this shoulder ready. They found that the arthritis in my acromion and clavicle had caused the bones in each to grow down onto the supraspinatus. They “resectioned” (aka, ground the excess bone off) my AC area to open up space for things (my left hand is no longer going numb all the time post surgery!), had to do extensive arthritic debridement of the entire shoulder, bore anchors into my humerus and sutured the torn supraspinatus tendon back down to it, and some other things I can’t remember from the report.

Let me tell you, I’ve broken my leg, had my split open face sewn shut without anesthesia, torn MANY ligaments in my legs, been hurt in many ways and NONE of it compares to the pain I felt the night I got home from surgery. I metabolized the nerve block before I even had my first dose of pain medication. It was horrendous and took a nearly double dose of pain medication to get me out of the pain fog I was automating in. I’m better now and healing very quickly, but wow was it the most painful event of my life.

Hope you heal quick, but don't push it. If you have to wait till next spring to ride, that's better than re-injuring your shoulder and going thru another surgery. Remember you're dealing with a LOT of weight. A simple parking lot mistake and dump can put a lot of strain on that shoulder.

I recently knocked over my bagger in the garage. Guess what I learned? The bike has gotten a lot heavier than it was 10 years ago

 

[Panda87]

Hope you heal quick, but don't push it. If you have to wait till next spring to ride, that's better than re-injuring your shoulder and going thru another surgery. Remember you're dealing with a LOT of weight. A simple parking lot mistake and dump can put a lot of strain on that shoulder.

I recently knocked over my bagger in the garage. Guess what I learned? The bike has gotten a lot heavier than it was 10 years ago

You’re far too right. I was thinking “you know, I should be good to go by then! I’m at 2 weeks post surgery today and have almost my entire range of motion back already!” after thinking for a while I had an epiphany and thought “sure I can ride, but if I drop that behemoth, I don’t think I’d be able to get her upright again without hurting myself.”

About it being heavier, you ain’t kidding!

 

[Majsmith]

Yeah, agreed. If you peep my post here of the UOA of the primary (mine has the breather tube from the factory), you’ll see that my experience definitely points to 5k service on the primary due to dirt ingestion at that tube.

Yeah, it’s my first HD. I was a “never Harley” Guy for years for the same reason I dislike football…the fanaticism. I had a ‘21 Goldwing and due to combat injuries, the mid mount foot position made my knees and back scream. I needed something with forward foot positioning to get my feet forward of my knees for pain relief. That pretty much landed me between the RGL and the Indian Pursuit. The pursuit is a better motorcycle out of the gate, hands down…but they charge for that too. An 8k price premium versus the RGL made the HD choice a begrudging no brainer.

I traded my Goldwing and got the RGL at a dealership 2 hours away. The Goldwing had me aching and wanting off in 40 minutes riding to the dealership. In completely stock form, I didn’t have a single ache or inkling of one over the 2 hour trip home on the RGL. When I test rode the bike, I told my wife “I really hate to admit this…but this HD is supremely comfortable…I hate this.” My wife was even questioning me like “Are you REALLY sure you want to ride a Harley…?”. In the end, I’m very happy with the comfort. I added the HD adjustable backrest and some highway pegs and I can ride from one end of Alabama to the other (~6 hours) without a single ache. It’s been a great bike!

I know this a really late reply, but if you're doing the riding it sounds like you're doing. Do yourself a favor and buy some Ohlins for front and rear. Made my Ultra Limited a completely different machine, and the comfort was SO much better.

 

[Panda87]

I know this a really late reply, but if you're doing the riding it sounds like you're doing. Do yourself a favor and buy some Ohlins for front and rear. Made my Ultra Limited a completely different machine, and the comfort was SO much better.

That was done at about 3500 miles my brother . I agree, it’s a WORLD of difference

 

[NOTEVIL81]

Ohlins the only way I roll