Running in question.

Just done my first 600 miles on my new SV650S - great fun!

I have finally dug out the user manual from under the pillion seat and see that I was supposed to run the thing in! Nobody said and you dont seem to need to do that with modern cars.

I have just ridden it normally, generally pottering around, but with a few rather quick episodes with rpm spinning up to 9-10 k and one run up to Brum and back at around 6000 rpm.

Do you think I will have damaged it?

[Biker Biggles]

No it will be fine,but it now needs a running in service-----Oil and filter change and check.That is very important.

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

No it will be fine,but it now needs a running in service-----Oil and filter change and check.That is very important.

Thanks.

[yorkie_chris]

Nah, be reet. They don't run in right if you ride like a ponce anyway, end up down on power and use oil.

[Paul the 6th]

Yeah I read this a while ago on a site, apparently the best way to run an engine in is varying loads upto top revs & back down again as the compression @ different revs & throttle openings helps the piston rings to seal all the way through the range & varying loads..

Riding slowly doesn't really help the sealing & bedding in process.

[Red Herring]

I heard the best way was a fair few miles of gentle running up and down the rev range, then strip it, hone the bores, new rings and thrash it..... Of course your local dealers don't go along with this suggestion! Apparently the gentle miles are good for the gearbox and all the bearings, the thrashing from new is good for the rings and bores to stop them glazing. I know with my race engines they used to build them, run them through a couple of heat cycles, then they were good to go. I'm sure your SV will be fine.

running in these days with modern oils, materials and manufacturing tolerances aint realy necassary,alright take it easy for the first 100 miles to get used to the bike and scrub the tyres in,and then ride it ,when it comes to large diesel engines(something i have had a lot of experience with)120 to 350hp then they more often then not they will run at max revs from the day they are comissioned till the day they die(which on a stationary engine is normaly when they run out of oil or water and the safty cut outs dont work)which might be 20.000 or as much as 50.000 hours whether it be a tractor or irrigation pump,running in is never a option in this line of work

[Sid Squid]

Good 'running in' process: Just ride it.

No excesses, no labouring, just ride it.

Your bike will probably last longer than most.

I have done around 2,500 miles now. I am not convinced the bike ran properly at low revs when new - say below 5000 rpm and felt a bit lumpy but this seems to be improving as it wears in. I feels like it is running quite lean, and the downpipe has lost all its chrome. I have taken it on a few rideouts now with periods of maximum throttle and approaching 11,000 rpm with no issues. It does not seem to have used any oil at all so far. Generally happy, though wonder if it could do with a few more hp (100 would be nice).

Now over 3000 miles
Just runs better and better
Oil looks out the tin and not going down
Happy bunny!
Thanks for reassurance.