Cool Running

[cruzer]

There is a lot of talk out there about how best to run in a new bike! I would appreciate feedback from those who have had the pleasure of purchasing a brand new bike and running it in- what has worked for you?

Personally I have only bought one brand new bike, a CBR900RR fireblade in '95, and I ran it in by the book...the first 2000kms were very boring! My approach on the next new bike I get will be to ride it like I normally would (giving it death at times ) but not redlining it straightaway! I am a firm believer that the more you work a bike the better it goes, regular maintenance & orderly riding practices taken into consideration.



Zed

Have a look at this site as it says "A controversial topic"
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[Hitcher]

There is a lot of talk out there about how best to run in a new bike! I would appreciate feedback from those who have had the pleasure of purchasing a brand new bike and running it in- what has worked for you?

Personally I have only bought one brand new bike, a CBR900RR fireblade in '95, and I ran it in by the book...the first 2000kms were very boring! My approach on the next new bike I get will be to ride it like I normally would (giving it death at times ) but not redlining it straightaway! I am a firm believer that the more you work a bike the better it goes, regular maintenance & orderly riding practices taken into consideration.


Zed

Zed -- what happened to your Kawasaki?

[Lou Girardin]

[QUOTE=Zed][b][color=navy]My concern is that it hasn't been run in properly and may never perform to its full potential? :sneaky2: [b][color=navy]ZedbQUOTE]
If the compressions are normal and it doesn't use oil, relax. It's fine.
Lou

[Posh Tourer :P]

Parents just bought an almost new (300kms) Mazda MX-5. Running in istructions run as follows:

Dont let it run at steady revs for prolonged periods
Do an initial oil change at 100km (or so)

That is the sum total of it. I presume that they havent done a huge amount to the engine to make it usable without running in. Thus I assume this principle can probably be applied to new bikes as well. I think it might be a combination of well fitted parts (better engineering compared to much earlier vehicles that needed to be run in when new), and a change in theories.

[Wenier]

thanks for answering my question WT and celticno6. Yay i dont do that often .
Now i no for when i get a new bike to running it in under normal riding conditions. gotta love doing the prolonged revs bit, go down the motorway speedup to 120 slow down to 90km speed up 120 slow down, then get pulled up by a cop wut r ya doin, Im breaking it in officier really

[Drunken Monkey]

[QUOTE=Coldkiwi]not quite sure why you wouldn't let it warm up really well anyway tho? I wait till its up to 50' before trundling off (and 65 at least before opening the tap much). certainly warm up is crucial to preventing engine wear (and thats something that all parties agree on)
{/QUOTE]

CK - the reasoning behind this is that at idle, the fuel and air mixtures are not ideal for optimum engine running, and the combustion is not is clean as it is at higher revs with fresh air getting into the engine. Letting any (modern) 4 stroke piston engine sit still while it warms up is not as 'easy' on the engine as starting it and moving off straight away.
Suprised me too when I learned it, but this is the general consensus from engineers. Even seemed counter-intuitive when I knew from personal experience that the turbo cars I owned in the past ran more smoothly if they sat for 4 or 5 minutes before I drove off. On the other hand, the 2K Gixxr (and my 2K Diamante) both drive/ride nicely right off ignition - might be something to do with modern fuel injection systems warm up maps?

[Joni]

Just take her (sorry him) out on the road once or twice and get the valves good and open, push her a little, the bike is not new, it will respond well, and up the general performance after that.

[Zed]

Just take her (sorry him) out on the road once or twice and get the valves good and open, push her a little, the bike is not new, it will respond well, and up the general performance after that.

Oh yeah, HE has responded spectacularly!! Quite a reasonable step up in power and speed from my Kawasaki ZX-6R...that's 4 years technology for you!

I'm much looking forward to really opening him up this weekend on a 2-3 hour blast out of Auckland somewhere?


Zed

[Zed]

Zed -- what happened to your Kawasaki?

Traded him in for the Honda. He had 62,000kms on the clock and was fast approaching 70k. I figured that I had better trade him and upgrade now while I can get a good price for him...and I did more or less get my money back!

Was seriously considering another Kawasaki but the dealer put me off when he tried to dumb down my trade-in terms.


Zed

[Wenier]

Even seemed counter-intuitive when I knew from personal experience that the turbo cars I owned in the past ran more smoothly if they sat for 4 or 5 minutes before I drove off. On the other hand, the 2K Gixxr (and my 2K Diamante) both drive/ride nicely right off ignition - might be something to do with modern fuel injection systems warm up maps?

I think you will find that is to do with the turbo, as ya generally dont want to use the turbo at all on boost if the car isnt warm. But drivin it round below the boost area is usually fine and the car responds like normal. Then once the bugas warm hey hey its party time