Owning a Harley-Davidson comes with costs that go beyond basic motorcycle upkeep. In addition to general maintenance, there are Harley-specific services and recurring expenses riders need to plan for. Taking proper care of your bike isn’t just about performance, it protects its value, too. In the motorcycle world, condition often matters more than mileage, so investing in regular maintenance can pay off when it’s time to sell or trade.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Harley-Davidson and from my experience as a certified Harley-Davidson mechanic. The information given is current as of the time of this writing. It is a general overview of maintenance costs and is not strictly for any particular model. Always follow the maintenance schedule for your bike.
Harley-Davidson Routine Maintenance Costs
Annual service runs $300 to $1,000 (depending on model and mileage)
The most obvious, and probably the largest upkeep expense, is the routine maintenance schedule. H-D sets a service interval of 2,500 miles, with a distinct set of checks and procedures at the 2,500-mile mark, 5,000-mile mark, and 10,000-mile mark. Plus, if you bought your H-D new, you can add the initial 1,000-mile checkup, which is fairly involved and priced similarly to the 10,000-mile service. In general, you’ll pay something between $300 and $1,000 a year for the basics, which I will define as changes of all the lubricants, oil filter, brake pad checks, etc. Naturally, Big Twin models will be more expensive to service than a Sportster, for instance, so there’s some wiggle room within that price range based on what you ride.
Routine Service Interval Costs
|
Service Interval |
Sportster Cost |
Big Twin Cost |
|
1,000 miles |
$250–$275 |
$365–$390 |
|
2,500/7,500 |
$125–$145 |
$150–$175 |
|
5,000 miles |
$330–$410 |
$390–$410 |
|
10,000 miles |
$315–$325 |
$375–$400 |
When Routine Service Gets Expensive
Worn brakes, tires, or a clutch can push costs well past the basics
However, these services aren’t just about the basics; they are to look for damage and wear, and, once found, should be dealt with, and in the case of a safety-related issue, must be dealt with. In fact, the shop will likely either insist on dealing with safety issues or force you to sign a liability release if you opt not to. A little 5,000-mile service can turn into a real beast if your brake pads are worn.
This can cost as much as $100 an axle. Bald tires can run up to $500 each, and a toasted clutch pack which will set you back between $850 and $2,000. Labor prices will vary from shop to shop and area to area, but expect $100 to $150 per hour for basic services and $150 to $200+ for complex work.
Individual Service Costs
|
Oil change |
$60–$120 at dealerships, depending on oil type and location. |
|
Engine tune-up |
$150–$300; complex repairs may reach $300–$700. Diagnostic fees: $50–$100. |
|
Brake pad replacement |
$47–$100 per axle, full brake system service up to $500+ |
|
Tires |
$150–$500 each. |
|
Major repairs (e.g., engine or transmission) |
$1,500–$3,500+ |
|
Engine rebuild |
Typically around $1,800–$4,000, including 24 hours of labor |
Protecting Your Harley Off The Road
Covers, chargers, and locks add small but smart upkeep costs
The internals are important, no doubt about it, but the outside matters too. If you’re very fortunate, you’ll have a climate-controlled garage in which to park your ride. Most of the rest of us have to settle for non-climate-controlled parking. At the bottom of the food chain is the rest of us that keep it under a cover, because, of course, you have it at least under a cover and not out in the weather, right? I recommend a mid-price cover at around $85. Sure, the really expensive ones are nice, but no matter how nice they are, the sun and weather will eventually get to it, which turns the bike cover into a recurring expense as needed. Naturally, the closer to the equator you live, the more pronounced the solar degradation. I’m lucky to get a year and a half out of mine.
|
Motorcycle Cover |
Estimated Cost |
|
Waterproof Dustcover |
$20-$40 |
|
All-Weather / UV-Protective / Lockable |
$50-$100 |
|
Heavy-Duty (indoor + outdoor, heat-resistant) |
$80–$150 |
|
Battery Tender |
Estimated Cost |
|
Basic 12V Tender Jr. (Battery Tender, NOCO, etc.): |
$25-$40 |
|
Smart Tender w/ Auto Shutoff & Float Mode |
$40-$70 |
|
Lithium-Specific or Dual-System Chargers |
$70-$120+ |
There may be some one-time expenses such as a good charger, and for that I recommend the Battery Tender® for fifty bucks. If you use it religiously, even if you think you don’t need it, it can extend the service life of your battery significantly and very quickly pay for itself. A good bike lock is another good one-time expenditure to make, with prices as low as $50 for a brake-disc lock, and up to $350-plus for a heavy-duty wheel lock that will resist grinders and other non-thermal cutting methods.
Keeping Chrome And Leather Looking New
Polishes, cleaners, and dressings add another layer of upkeep costs
Now, let’s say your ride has all the chrome and the latest H-D do-dads bolted up. Protecting it from the weather is just the beginning. If you have leather furniture, it will require regular upkeep with some sort of leather dressing at $20 a tub or more, or dry-rot will quickly turn the leather fibers into dust. You’ll need a $20-or-more microfiber cloth to wipe it down after washing, and those must be trashed frequently to prevent embedded grit from scratching the finish on the sheet metal and all that valuable chrome.
Said chrome needs to be polished and protected with some sort of product, but I have some good news here. Mothers® Chrome Polish and Protectant has long been regarded as the product for chromework, and it’s reasonably priced at $9.99 for a bottle of the stuff. Hard to say how long it will last. It depends on your fastidiousness, how much chrome you actually have, and how often you ride. Set aside at least another tenspot for products to clean and protect your painted parts, and this includes blackout paint, so some of you will burn through that supply pretty fast. A gallon of Armor All will set you back about $23, and depending on how much pleather you have and how shiny you like your tires, that may not last as long as you might expect.