Breaking in. - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

hammersfan · 01-19-2006, 10:10 PM

Has anybody got any advise on breaking in a new bike ? I have heard some say to ignore the factory recommendations , others say to heed the manufacturers advise.

**inspiron** · 01-20-2006, 04:08 AM

Asking how to break in a new bike is like asking people about their favorite motor oil. Everyone you talk to will tell you something different, and everyone is sure that they are right.

There are two schools of thought on the matter:

1) Follow the manufacturer's recommendations - don't push the engine hard over the first 1000 miles, ride it through all RPM ranges (don't ride for hours in 5th gear on the highway, just to get get through the 1000 miles). Make sure that the engine goes through several heat cycles - get it up to operating temperature, then park the bike overnight to let it cool down, then ride it up to operating temperature again. [Repeat]. Change the oil and filter after the initial 1000, then slowly start stressing the engine more.

2) Romp it from the very beginning - if something's going to fail, make sure it fails during the warranty period. Push it hard through all kinds of riding - high-speed (high-rpm), high-stress (mountain passes, twisties), and highway crusing. Get it hot, let it cool, get it hot again, ... Change the oil and filter at 1000 miles, and enjoy.

There are arguements for and against both of these "religions", and a quick search in Google "motorcycle engine break-in" will provide you with about 239,000 articles - more information then you really want to know.

Personally, I prefer to take it easy during the initial 1000 miles, because of several reasons: I need to get to know the bike, so I am careful about twisting the throttle too much at the beginning. Plus the fact that the tires are also new, and the first few hundred miles need to be ridden carefully until the tread has been scrubbed. And, since I plan on keeping the bike for many years, I assume that the guys who designed the engine know best how it should be broken-in and maintained. But, as the saying goes ... "Your mileage may vary".

**Clint** · 01-20-2006, 07:59 AM

http://www.suzuki-bikes.com/forum/se...earchid=152141

01-19-2006, 10:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
hammersfan U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 2008 C90 SE Location: Ajax ,Ontario ,Canada Posts: 1,233	Breaking in. Has anybody got any advise on breaking in a new bike ? I have heard some say to ignore the factory recommendations , others say to heed the manufacturers advise.

01-20-2006, 04:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,068	Asking how to break in a new bike is like asking people about their favorite motor oil. Everyone you talk to will tell you something different, and everyone is sure that they are right. There are two schools of thought on the matter: 1) Follow the manufacturer's recommendations - don't push the engine hard over the first 1000 miles, ride it through all RPM ranges (don't ride for hours in 5th gear on the highway, just to get get through the 1000 miles). Make sure that the engine goes through several heat cycles - get it up to operating temperature, then park the bike overnight to let it cool down, then ride it up to operating temperature again. [Repeat]. Change the oil and filter after the initial 1000, then slowly start stressing the engine more. 2) Romp it from the very beginning - if something's going to fail, make sure it fails during the warranty period. Push it hard through all kinds of riding - high-speed (high-rpm), high-stress (mountain passes, twisties), and highway crusing. Get it hot, let it cool, get it hot again, ... Change the oil and filter at 1000 miles, and enjoy. There are arguements for and against both of these "religions", and a quick search in Google "motorcycle engine break-in" will provide you with about 239,000 articles - more information then you really want to know. Personally, I prefer to take it easy during the initial 1000 miles, because of several reasons: I need to get to know the bike, so I am careful about twisting the throttle too much at the beginning. Plus the fact that the tires are also new, and the first few hundred miles need to be ridden carefully until the tread has been scrubbed. And, since I plan on keeping the bike for many years, I assume that the guys who designed the engine know best how it should be broken-in and maintained. But, as the saying goes ... "Your mileage may vary". __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

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