When purchasing a new bike...?

Question

When purchasing a new bike, they tell you not to go over 50mph for the first 500 miles, do you do this or do you just full throttle it?

Answer 1

There is a general rule for car or motorcycle break in. If you want a fast vehicle, drive it like you stole it from day one. If you want a long lasting vehicle, follow the break in. There are two side to the break in procedure as well. You need to pay attention to the part that says don't drive too long at one RPM setting. Drive in different RPM ranges, different gears, and let the engine seat it's parts. If you baby it too much, the rings never seat properly, and gears and bearing never seat or mate properly. The vehicle will always seem stiff, and may burn oil for a LONG time before settling down. Down get anal about it.  

Answer 2

I always babied mine for the first 100 miles or so. Then I ride them like I ride them. I never come close to wringing it out.

Answer 3

Snoop has the best answer in my opinion. While I don't have the experience in modifieds and bikes, I have built engines for the eighth mile drag strips and quarters. I never would have suggested a racer run an engine any other way than the way he/she planned to use it. I built for General Motors and independents. I built several for my own use and many for retired people traveling here and there with camper trailers. Big block and small block,  both Chevy and Ford. I never had an engine come unglued from break in. Service is the key to engine life. While I didn't particularly follow manufacturer's suggestions for break in, I did ride my bike like I intend to ride it (slower than most riders) but I still stretch it out now and again. Just change the oil and keep a check on everything. Valve adjustment is crucial at the intervals the manufacturer suggests because of "run in" on the seats and cam but speeds or rpm shouldn't be a real issue. Just try to keep it off the red line.

Answer 4

Its because the engine is new going over will put strain on the engine before it has got used to the work load.

plus if i remember correctly its not 50mph its usually your not allowed to go over a certain rev-count.

And yes i would stick to it, giving it the one off throttle won't kill it but if you race it around you will have no engine in 20,000 miles time =]

Answer 5

yes i follow the manual to break it in but mine instructed to not to get too high on the rpms

Answer 6

I break it in like I was taught.

That's not too different from the manufacturer's method.

I run it through the range, gently at first, then harder.

The last time I found the rev limiter, I blew the exhaust off the front jug.

Answer 7

Follow the break in directions as written. Even then I would  not "full throttle" for another 500 miles. Break in is important and not commonly understood. In the old days it required 3000 miles to break in a Harley according to the manual. The first 500 miles were at 30 mph!

Break in properly and your motor will last much longer.

Answer 8

I just picked up my '09 Street Glide Friday and was told just to keep it under 4000 RPM's which really allows me to go almost any speed I want with the 6 speed. I only have a couple hundred miles so far and I'm just trying not to lug it or stay at a constant speed for extended periods. On my race bikes it is a totally different story. After about 5 laps I turn them loose and break them in the way I would race it. This is a highly debatable subject amongst racers.

Answer 9

I've never had a brand new bike:( Some day maybe? I just have a hard time with spending that type of money on something I will only ride 5 months out of the year when I have perfectly good used ones to ride.

Answer 10

i've kept a wrench on an engine from the time i was about 12, from industrial and ag inline engines to automotive gas/diesel engines to small engines to bike/atv engines, marine, and i've built race engines for imca modified stock cars.

you break them in like you want them to perform.  if you want them to perform best poking along, then break them in like an old f**t... if you want them to perform through a wide range of uses, you break them in through a wide range of uses.

simple

but i do not believe in high detergent break in oils, normal every day oils are best for break in and frequent maintenance.  if you're into all the synthetics (I'm not, I think routine maintenance is a good thing and don't need to put them off) then don't switch to synthetics until after the engine is all broken in properly

what'd you buy?

Answer 11

I've been able to follow recommended break in procedures for about the first two miles, then it's time to see what it'll do!  Actually, for about the first 500 miles, I just try to vary my rpm's as much as possible and change gears frequently.