Best Way To Run-in Your New Engine

[Dibbs]

There seems to be some conflicting advice on how to run-in a new motorbike. The old way, take it easy, keep the revs down below 3000 rpm and gradually increase after a certain distance (varies depending on your bike). The new way, just burn it, rev hard, treat it mean and the piston rings will sit-in better.......this way goes against the advice in the Triumph manual.

I'm old school and maybe I'm getting old so I tend to take it easy way and keep my revs down. Does anyone have any suggestions on this? Which way is best or does it not matter?

I also learnt that you should ask for a new new oil filter at your first service, don't just except an oil change. Are there any other tips or alerts one should consider with a new bike.

 

[Rocky]

I'm old school too. I tend to not carry the revs above 4000 during the first 1000 km's (600 miles), but a short burst once in a while doesn't hurt. I vary the speeds a lot rather than hold the revs at a constant level so I ride a lot of rural roads and stay off the four-lane roads - but that's where I do most of my riding anyway.
Once the first service has been done with fresh oil and filter then I turn up the wick and ride normally.
The owners manual that came with my 2006 T100 went into great detail about this running-in method, but the owners manual for the 2104 H***a I bought this year doesn't say a word about running-in. (?)
Even so, I still did it my way.

 

[DaveM]

There does seem to be conflicting advice when it comes to this. I tend to think just ride it as you normally would as the motors are built different to how it was way back. This is not to say thrash it but just in a normal to spirited fashion. As it gets more miles or KM under it you could turn it up a notch or two.

 

[hemibee]

When I bought my Tiger it was from a dealer that spends an extended amount of time with each purchaser. We spent more time going over the break-in of the engine than any dealer has every done with me. He went on and on about the Triumph recommended procedure and how it must be followed to the letter. He had my owners manual open and was pointing out everything that was in the manual and then again the sticker that was on the fuel tank.

After going thru this he closed the manual and said this is the real world, use the manual as a guide. Try not to over rev the engine and do not go to the redline. Run the bike at the speed of the traffic around you. After some highway/freeway runs, take some side streets to run the engine at slower speeds. Just don't set into one speed, fast or slow and you will have a well run in engine.

So I followed his advice. Ran the bike at highway speeds and lower speeds, alternating the speed frequently.

Another dealer had a different take on the break-in. . . I heard him say to never run the bike in any fashion other than exactly as the manual says. When I test rode a bike at his shop he sent a mechanic to ride with me to make sure I kept the engine speed down and I only rode their proscribed route.

 

[CarlS]

Tony, that is exactly what I did with both my 03 T100 and my 2012 Tiger 800 XC.

 

[Dibbs]

I'm old school too. I tend to not carry the revs above 4000 during the first 1000 km's (600 miles), but a short burst once in a while doesn't hurt. I vary the speeds a lot rather than hold the revs at a constant level so I ride a lot of rural roads and stay off the four-lane roads - but that's where I do most of my riding anyway.
Once the first service has been done with fresh oil and filter then I turn up the wick and ride normally.
The owners manual that came with my 2006 T100 went into great detail about this running-in method, but the owners manual for the 2104 H***a I bought this year doesn't say a word about running-in. (?)
Even so, I still did it my way.

Thanks Rocky, going with this as well. Bike due for first service (800km) this Thursday, after that will increase to 4000rpm for another 800km and keep off the highway until 20ookm mark is up (another good excuse to avoid e-tolls in Johannesburg. Cheers

 

[Dibbs]

There does seem to be conflicting advice when it comes to this. I tend to think just ride it as you normally would as the motors are built different to how it was way back. This is not to say thrash it but just in a normal to spirited fashion. As it gets more miles or KM under it you could turn it up a notch or two.

Thanks DaveM. I tend to be a little cautious with new bikes, and will turn up the notch after 2000km as suggested. I was also told that you should avoid taking a passanger during the run-in. Anyway, thanks for your advice. Cheers

 

[Dibbs]

When I bought my Tiger it was from a dealer that spends an extended amount of time with each purchaser. We spent more time going over the break-in of the engine than any dealer has every done with me. He went on and on about the Triumph recommended procedure and how it must be followed to the letter. He had my owners manual open and was pointing out everything that was in the manual and then again the sticker that was on the fuel tank.

After going thru this he closed the manual and said this is the real world, use the manual as a guide. Try not to over rev the engine and do not go to the redline. Run the bike at the speed of the traffic around you. After some highway/freeway runs, take some side streets to run the engine at slower speeds. Just don't set into one speed, fast or slow and you will have a well run in engine.

So I followed his advice. Ran the bike at highway speeds and lower speeds, alternating the speed frequently.

Another dealer had a different take on the break-in. . . I heard him say to never run the bike in any fashion other than exactly as the manual says. When I test rode a bike at his shop he sent a mechanic to ride with me to make sure I kept the engine speed down and I only rode their proscribed route.

Thanks Henibee, although you mentioned the real world advice as well as go with the manual, I dont suspect either are wrong. I'm going to stick with the manual approach, no red-line, avoid highways, go through the gears and run the engine at various speeds. Its good to get feedback, dont want to stuff up a new bike. Thanks again.

 

[Mad On Triumphs]

Another thing to think about, if you thrash the crap out of the engine, you could have issues with any warranty claims that might come up as a direct result of you not respecting the manufacturers advice. All great advice above so stick with whats been said and you'll have years of trouble free riding.
Now your next task is to show us your new bike
Enjoy your new bike.

 

[DaveM]

Thanks DaveM. I tend to be a little cautious with new bikes, and will turn up the notch after 2000km as suggested. I was also told that you should avoid taking a passanger during the run-in. Anyway, thanks for your advice. Cheers

Where did you purchase your bike BTW

 

[shanered6]

I'm old school too , I like to do it the old way not revving the engine hard for the first 500 - 600 miles then service , then a bit more throttle say three quarters till 1000 - 1200 miles and then a full throttle burst now again till. 2000 miles then ride as normal .....but I still keep my eye on the temps till 5000 miles .
It's a bit over the top I know but when your spending anything up to £10.000 on a bike I like to give it the best chance possible of longevity .

 

[Dibbs]

Where did you purchase your bike BTW

Triumph / Kawasaki Fourways in Jhb.

I'm old school too , I like to do it the old way not revving the engine hard for the first 500 - 600 miles then service , then a bit more throttle say three quarters till 1000 - 1200 miles and then a full throttle burst now again till. 2000 miles then ride as normal .....but I still keep my eye on the temps till 5000 miles .
It's a bit over the top I know but when your spending anything up to £10.000 on a bike I like to give it the best chance possible of longevity .

Thanks Shanered6, makes sense, going in for my 800km service (500miles) this week, I've kept my revs below 4000rpm, will venture past 4000rpm after this service and open up a little more after 1000miles (1500km).

 

[Mad On Triumphs]

Dibbs you sure have a good looking Scrambler there. Very nice, thanks for posting a picture of your bike.

 

[DaveM]

Triumph / Kawasaki Fourways in Jhb.

I only deal with Traditional Triumph and have found their service and advice to be top notch over the years

 

[Rocky]

Great looking bike

 

[shanered6]

Damn !! I'm realy starting to find it hard to resist owning one of these scramblers , they look realy comfy .

 

[NORTY]

Very impressed with the attitude and service of your selling dealerships. For them to take the time to educate a rider is superb. Imagine, a salesperson, sitting down with a new buyer, and going over the owner's manual. Just superb. Around here, it's "Here you go, buddy!"

Here's how my "Tiger test ride" went. (In San Diego, Ca)

The Tiger (800 roadie) had about 4500 miles on it, when I test rode it. I asked the salesman, "How much levity are you giving me?" He said, "Don't get arrested." I took the bike out and rode it sanely on the bouleverd, warming it up. Nice and easy. Getting used to the bike's differences. I rode my Harley there, so I knew it would be different. Anyway, it was "GO" time. I was at the top of the (I-5) freeway onramp and went thru the gears. Moved onto an empty freeway (5 lanes) kept it pinned, just to see what it would do. Rock steady at a buck-thirty. I had to have one. Those bastards at the dealership knew exactly what they were doing! Made me buy an 800 XC 2 or 3 weeks later. 22,000 miles later, I still love riding this bike!

Odd side note~ The owner of the dealership, was going home late on a Monday from the dealership, and a SDPD pulled a U-turn right in front of him at an intersection. On the very bike I test rode. Saw his face on the news. Yes, he was wearing a fullface helmet. The news cameraman had his camera on Mark's lifeless face. Kinda bothered me, seeing a dead guys face in living (dead?) color on the news. Later reports, showed his face pixelated.

Here's how Mark was.

I was on my way down to teach a BRC (I'm a RiderCoach), and stopped by to have them remove my service spanner symbol on my clock. Mark dropped what he was doing, and had me on my way in 5 minutes.

His widow and kids run the shop now...

 

[Rocky]

Terrible story about the owner. This stuff should never happen.

 

[NORTY]

You're right.

He was the original Triumph dealership in San Diego. Highly ranked for customer satisfaction regularly, and still are.

When I attended Mark's funeral, I really got to see what kind of positive impact he made, not only to his family and close friends, but the community as well. I bet there was a thousand bikes at the small funeral home. Bikes parked down the street as the parking lot was FULL...

Sorry for the threadjack.

 

[CarlS]

I am sorry to read this very sad news.