Calling all techs! New Engine Break In - How to?

[MelodicMetalGod]

I've always taken owners manuals at their word - take it easy until [x] number of miles. Recently, I've come across a completely contrary concept:
Example1: http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/NewBike.html
Example2: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Example3: http://www.dansmc.com/engine_breakin.htm

According to the above, it's the first 20-50 miles that sets the scene for the life of the engine, so you pretty much have to commit one way or another as your driving out of the dealer.

So, what is your opinion on the matter? Baby it like per the manufacturer, Run it hard per the "new" technique or something in between?

I'm looking forward to the exchange of ideas on this from the collective expertise of TheGSResources. Thanks!

[chef1366]

The first startup I let it run on choke or over 2000 RPMs for a good five minutes to get the rings to seat. Then I just ride it. Around 500 miles retourque the head, check valve clearance, change oil and filter.

[Dave8338]

EXACTLY what chef said and I might suggest an additional oil change at the 1000 mile mark, then run it.

[tkent02]

Lots of throttle, no steady speeds, lots more throttle. All three of these guys you mentioned are on the same page with me.

[catbed]

to describe sounds in words:

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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no constant throttle position for the first 20 miles. load the rings with hard WOT runs and let it slow down in gear. this puts load on the rings in acceleration and deceleration. just like mototuneusa says.

[tkent02]

If I might modify this sound in words, I prefer this:

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhh
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhh
WAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Auhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhhhhhhhhhh
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhhhhhhhhhh
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAuhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Notice there are no wwwww, aaaaaaaaaa or other half way in between notes.

[Dave8338]

Now here is a thread that could use a little more cowbell! :-D

I suggest the 2000 RPM only to reach the operation temps...then get on it! And no long straight stretches. :?

[tkent02]

The first startup I let it run on choke or over 2000 RPMs for a good five minutes to get the rings to seat. Then I just ride it.

And your last set of rings didn't seat, WHY?

WWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[Nessism]

I'm a believer in loading the rings but don't go to WOT until the bike as 50-100 miles on it, and then only briefly. This technique is my gut instinct based on what I know about engines and is slightly non scientific.

[robertob]

I've always had good luck letting it idle just long enough to warm up and then ride it like it has 40,000 miles on it. I try to avoid long stretches of one speed but I usually forget to do that after a few minutes anyway.

It's worked for me on everything from Nissan Sentras through Corvairs, Mopeds, go Kart engines, etc.

The only thing I will admit to is running a bigger main jet on 2-strokes than I normally would. Just big enough that it will 4-stroke on a long hard pull at moderate load.

On a four stroke I don't bother. The only thing I try to do is not let the engine idle too long after I start it up.

[Mark M]

I've always taken owners manuals at their word - take it easy until [x] number of miles. Recently, I've come across a completely contrary concept:
Example1: http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/NewBike.html
Example2: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Example3: http://www.dansmc.com/engine_breakin.htm

#2 all the way. I did this with my GSXR1K and it runs perfect, no oil use ever and all the power I could ever imagine needing or being able to use.

I rode the bike home from the dealer in moderate traffic, about 30km. Geared up completely and went out onto a local back road and did 6-7 3rd gear roll ons from low revs at full throttle. 1st 2 to 7500rpm, 2nd 2 to 9000rpm, last couple to 11500rpm or so (redline is 13500). Break in done.


Mark

[chef1366]

And your last set of rings didn't seat, WHY?

WWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Two words
Ring Gap. Someone got real busy with the dremel.
If you think I ride my bike at an easy pace at any time you're wrong. \\/
Except when my wifes on the back SSSHHHHH!

[uudfourty]

Except when my wifes on the back SSSHHHHH!

Ain't that just the way it is, too.

I've never heard of anybody that actually worked on any kind of engine following the recommended guidelines for break-in.

For the most part, what kind of fun is it to have a new toy and not get to play with it?

[Mark M]

I've never heard of anybody that actually worked on any kind of engine following the recommended guidelines for break-in.

For the most part, what kind of fun is it to have a new toy and not get to play with it?

So true, the factory break in is for people who don't know different.

It's no fun to have to wait and even less fun when you need to pull the head and re-ring a new engine because the rings failed to seat...

Although, I had second thoughts on the GSXR when I ran it up over 11K rpm in 3rd. That thing pulled through 200kmh the same way most bikes pull through 50kmh in 1st gear... Amazing, really.

Mark

[catbed]

oh yea, i forgot to say to let it warm up completely. dont want to wreck it.