running in a new bike

[steveg]

never owned a new bike before

Manual states max revs 5k for 500 miles , what approx speed does this relate to in top gear?
Also will it do much harm if I did 100 miles at a constant 5k ? or is it better to vary the speeds ?

cheers

[Scoobs]

From memory 5k = 70ish! (I think)

Best to vary revs rather than keep constant.

[Iansv]

Go up and down the gears and vary the revs as much as possible...

various schools of thought on it, some say thrash it some say stick to it... :roll:

[Carsick]

It says in the manual to vary it.
There are many schools of thought on this, as Ian says, but the manual seems to be a good compromise. It doesn't suggest you baby it, by any means, but also doesn't say to thrash it.

[The Basket]

The engine at 5000rpm is 70mph

The main issue is the gearbox...plenty of cog swapping.
Needs running in to.


The engine is free revving so keeping at 5000 is very difficult...just go gently and that should do.

The thrash or gentle approach depends on whether u want to keep it or not. :D

[Carsick]

The main issue is the gearbox...plenty of cog swapping.

I'm reasonably certain the main issue is bedding in the piston rings to the bore.

[Jelster]

A controversial word of advice....

The slower you ride it the slower it will be after the running in period.

.

[The Basket]

That is true...
But also the gearbox too. The gearbox was very stiff on my new bike.

The running in period has been the same since Adam was a lad. Whether you really really need to follow a set procedure is open to question. Doesn't take in better materials or finer engineering quality. But since a motorcycle is a large slice of cash then it's up to the individual owners to decide.

I suppose.

[Carsick]

Here's a post by somebody who should know a fair bit about engines http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.php?p=365390&highlight=running#365390

[Peter Henry]

Never over strain and never over rev...simple advice for running in. Up and down the gearbox as much as possible also will see her eased in a treat. After a couple of hundred miles dont be afraid to go an extra 1'000rpm or two over the specified limits....on say a few short sharp brief acceleration runs. 8)

[Toypop]

Some people say screw it, others say follow the book.

I followed the book up til about 300 miles. Didn't load it up too heavily, kept to 5000rpm and tried to vary the revs a lot.

After 300 though I did allow it to go up to 6000 once or twice and maybe even 7000 on one occassion. After 600 I generally kept it to 5000 but went over that occassionaly and even up to 10k once.

I doubt that doing this did it any harm at all.

Mine does not use a single drop of oil and neither have any of my new cars and I have always run them in just slightly harder than the book states but not in a way that could be described as remotely hard.

Yet I hear of people topping up cars like mine with a litre every thousand miles and being told by the manufacturer that this is within acceptable tolerances. :?

[diamond]

I followed the book up til about 300 miles. Didn't load it up too heavily, kept to 5000rpm and tried to vary the revs a lot.

After 300 though I did allow it to go up to 6000 once or twice and maybe even 7000 on one occassion. After 600 I generally kept it to 5000 but went over that occassionaly and even up to 10k once.



This is pretty much what i did with my K5, i'm at nearly 9000 miles now and Apart from the oil changes at the service intervals i've never put a drop in. :D

[Cloggsy]

Manual states max revs 5k for 500 miles , what approx speed does this relate to in top gear?

65mph :roll: Tedium itself... :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Mike1234]

Cobblers to that lot :D

We follow these guidelines for our race bikes...

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[andyaikido]

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Very interesting link and it all makes sense but why on earth would the manufacturers tell you run and engine in gently if it actually does it harm. Conspiracy theories please...