Owners Manual - Harley Forum

Buzz Kanter · #1 06-19-2007, 08:16 PM

Curious how many people actually read the owners manual for the bike. And if so, how often?

I'll admit for new models I'll read it once when I buy the bike and seldom read it again. On the older ones I read them regularly and usually carry one on the bike in the tool kit "just in case." Although after so many years of riding the old stuff I am getting to know my way around them pretty well without having to refer to the manual.

How about you?

#2 06-19-2007, 08:59 PM

I read twice or until I understand it pretty good. I then go back to it when needed.

fxst04 · #3 06-20-2007, 09:07 PM

I read the manual a couple of times and I buy the service manuals and read about the motor and trans.

fxst-rider · #4 06-29-2007, 05:52 PM

I read the service manual for my bike on a regular basis. The manual is now full of notes and comments, part numbers, guidelines I've found, you name it. The manual also has all the service records for work I've done. So the short answer to your question is yes.

Majicbringer · #5 06-30-2007, 02:56 AM

I always read it a couple of times. Ya' never know when, as much as you think you know after years of riding and wrenching, what you don't know - Especially about a bike you haven't been on before. Had a few "Oh, that explains it" times after I couldn't figure out why something didn't seem right and I checked it in the book after the fact, and some "that's new/different" from what I was used to with another bike I would have never known (and god knows what I'd have screwed up) if I hadn't checked the manual before-hand.

#6 06-30-2007, 10:04 PM

The differences between my 87 and the fuel injected 06 were so great that I read the manual 3 or 4 times, as well as the service manual, a couple of times. The security system alone takes what seems like half the owners manual...

#7 07-01-2007, 09:10 AM

On a model I haven't had before I read quite thoroughly. If I have owned the model before I read the new information. I then use the manual as a reference tool.

Mbeardo · #8 08-07-2007, 09:29 AM

I read it when I first get a bike and then when needed for reference afterward.

#9 08-07-2007, 03:54 PM

I read it thoroughly when I first buy the bike and refer back to it or the repair manual when servicing the bike. I have 2 other Harleys to keep up and don't trust my memory that well when it comes to fluid capacities and such.

94flhtcu · #10 08-08-2007, 11:12 AM

I've spent more time in the repair manual, but still use the owners now and then. I ain't big on reading stuff that ain't fun.

Owner's manual is a must with the new security systems. I read that section on the '03 heritage, and still had trouble. Since then, I've figured it out. I felt the owner's manual did a better job of explaining than the repair manual did.