Running in - beginners guide?

[yambabe]

I know it's been cobvered a million times before, but I really need your advice on running in a new bike.

I have asked Himself and he has very helpfully ( ) said "just keep it to about half throttle for the first 500 miles or so". That's not going to be easy when the very first ride is 50-odd miles up the M6........ I rang the dealer and he said they will give me a "basics" talk when I go to pick it up but that will only be for about 5 minutes apparently!

Having done a search I am seeing lots of different advice given re amount of throttle to use, how long for etc etc.

I really want to get this right so I am asking for the benefit of your collective experience.

The bike is an 805cc v-twin cruiser, 5-speed, carbs, shaft drive, not sure of revs/power/torque/speed yet.

I have several free weekends/evenings after I have collected it and am aiming for at least 200-250 miles a week for the first month or so to get this sorted.
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[_Will_]

I go by, half revs 500miles then another 1/4 till 1000 and it seems to do the trick.
Vary the throttle usage dont just sit at one speed for long periods.
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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[thegubner]

The dealer will tell you.

I don't think the rev limit on running in is the same for every bike, your best bit is to listen to them, 5 mins should be plenty of time for them to tell you what revs not to exceed for however many miles on your particular bike.

[mr.z]

Yes, the wrong thing to be doing is a motorway journey first, it'll do it but its not good for it, imo take the scenic route even its its very out of the way

+Got to be careful not to labour the engine either, i.e. low revs, high gear, a friend rebuilt one for somebody and it transpired he'd been doing this (because it sounds cool, and it does) and it'd killed it, twice (from new)

imo as long as its being used at varying speeds carefully, being warmed up propperly e.t.c. it should be fine, some say spang the tats off it and have had good results that way (in fact ive hered not giveing it the odd burst can leave it unable to produce max power later on down the line)

Good luck, what bike is it btw?
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[yambabe]

It's a VS800 Intruder. Please don't laugh at the blurry pic, I reckon it's cos Himself is crap at photos whereas he says it's cos I was so excited I was bouncing...........

https://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/Yambabe/03022007013.jpg

https://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/Yambabe/09062007097.jpg
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[Pete.]

Use middle-of-the-range revs and varying load is my advice.

Avoid thrashing it up the revs range or labouring it down low.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[tonshar]

Hi Babyyam,

as you know I have just got mine and have been told by several different people and the salesman to ride it normally but not to strain the engine, eg. going up hills keep it in a low gear, if in towns use the low gears and not the higher gears and make it struggle. I haven't gone too fast as yet because of running it in but was also told to keep it to the speed limits until its first service and it will be fine. First service should be between 500 and 600 miles.

I think its a great bike and I am loving every minute and I think you will be the same
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CBT Passed, Theory Passed - Practical Passed 9/6/07
Suzuki Intruder C800 & Suzuki Bandit 650
I am a female biker

[G]

The usual manufacturers guidelines generally seem to be something like 1/2 revs for the first 500 miles, then increasing to full revs gradually over the next 500.
Just be pleased it's not a brand new 125cc 4 stroke .

As mentioned, also to not keep the engine at constant revs and not to 'strain' the engine.

Guidelines should be in your owners manual.

Some people now recommend a much harsher running procedure which may give tighter tolerances. For instance my 675 was run in on a dyno in 38 miles!
Details about more intense running in:
https://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
These usually talk about sports bikes, but then sports bikers are more likely to be worried about such things .

[MarJay]

The key is to not hold it at constant revs at all.

A ride down the M6 is probably about the worst thing you can do, unless its stop start traffic.

However I'm sure a short ride won't hurt.

Get it home quickly and then don't hold it at constant revs.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Jull]

I was told no more than 5000 revs for the first 500 miles,then up it a 1000 revs each 100 miles after (600 miles - 6000 revs, 700 miles - 7000 revs etc)

Enjoy

[Finglonga]

[veeeffarr]

[JonB]

I don't think the M6 would shaft it.

Actually, could actually be quite fun, do loads of overtakes, just come off the throttle and back on often.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[veeeffarr]

[st3v3]

I just went no higher than half the redline for about 500 miles, then took it weasy for another 150ish, then used it like normal, after a month or so, ragged it a bit and it's pretty much ok. (can't say if it will die out soon tho..*touches wood it don't*
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Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[dabigginger]

Totally agree with everyone else, avoid the motorway. Go on the normal streets, avoid labouring the engine. Keep at roughly half the maximum revs for the running in period with no more than half throttle (most of the time).

But, don't be afraid to open it up from time to time. The engine will still be tight, but once you feel it doesn't really want to go any further (use your sixth sense here), change up.

This is how I ran the engine in for my project car (small, high revving (for a car) supercharged engine), and it's been fine. Okay, it's a car engine, but an engine is an engine at the end of the day.

[tristan]

I dont know what the revs go to on that thing, but i didnt eexceed 7,000 out of possible 12,000rpm redline if that helps.

[Robby]

I used to have a vx800, which uses the same engine, gearbox, shaft drive etc.

Mine was torquey and quite free revving, nice engine.

So as a guideline, keep below half redline, vary the revs, don't strain the engine, basically ride in the correct gear and don't thrash it.

[mistergixer]

[doggone]

Has anyone actually experienced an issue caused by 'not running in'?
I'm inclined to think its a load of BS.

There's a website somewhere advocates running the engine as hot as possible first time out for maximum power in later life.

Pussying around gently might be a good idea until you get the feel of the new one - maybe that's why they still recommend it, to avoid losing repeat customers

[geordiecbrblo...]

Let it warm up and ride it normally and it will be fine i.e. don't thrash it and don't let it labour / bog down

Easy peasy