New bike - how do I break it in?

[CookMySock]

running in is over rated with new machines...

I read the article in the link a couple of posts above and now I am really confused as to if I am doing the right thing breaking it in.

You worrying way too much. Its not a big thing - really..

0-200km, Just avoid more than half throttle, and avoid going over half revs.
200-1000km, you can use 3/4 throttle and 3/4 revs.
1000-3000km, you can use full throttle, and 90% revs, but not for more than one minute at a time.
3000km up - enjoy !

To put it another way ;

0-200km DONT beat the piss outa it !
200-1000km Beat the piss outa it ten seconds max !
1000-3000km Beat the piss outa it, but not for hours and hours
3000km up - BEAT THE PISS OUTA IT MUTHAH!!!

DB

[Badjelly]

Thanks so much Badjelly and RevDJ!!! I read the article in the link a couple of posts above and now I am really confused as to if I am doing the right thing breaking it in. This advice goes against most of the advice I have been given and the manual as well. What do you think about the article??

The "Break-in Secrets" article was the one I was thinking about when I wrote this...

While I don't discount this theory, I think you are safer following the recommendations in the manual. This is what I did with my Scorpio and it runs fine (at 9 months old, 3000 km) and doesn't burn any oil.

According to "Break-in Secrets", the danger with gentle riding early in the engine's life is that it allows the cylinder bores to form a hard, glazed coating. If this happens, you'll never get a really good seal between the piston rings and the bores. This may be so, but I see no sign of it on my bike. (I haven't stripped the engine down to check, but I do know that it's not burning any oil, as it would if the bores were glazed. And it runs nicely.)

And don't stress about it too much. If, when you die, the only regret you have is that you didn't run the Scorpio in properly, then ... [I'm not sure where I'm going with this sentence, but I think you get my drift].

[dangerous]

You worrying way too much. Its not a big thing - really..

0-200km, Just avoid more than half throttle, and avoid going over half revs.
200-1000km, you can use 3/4 throttle and 3/4 revs.
1000-3000km, you can use full throttle, and 90% revs, but not for more than one minute at a time.
3000km up - enjoy !

DB

na crap... 0-200k I agree with on a big bore engine, change oil at 200 reguardless of size then give it shit you need to SPREAD them rings out hard and fast, bearings metals etc are strong enuff these days to handle it.

[King_Rider]

The advice you have received is all good and correct (what I have read anyway) but if you want the exact run-in procedure I suggest reading the manual that came with the Scorpio Z as this gives you RPM threshholds, throttle position and kms before first service is due. If you want to do it right you cant go wrong reading the manual.

[Irontusk]

Yeah so I've been told that ordinary car engine oil has additives (or lacks the correct additives?) that are bad for your transmission/clutch, because cars don't share their engine oil with their gearbox or have the same clutch system.

[getafix]

Hi
I am an excited owner of my first bike, a Yamaha Scorpio, which will be delivered today or tomorrow. Is there any particular advice regarding how to break in the engine? I did a search before posting this, but could not come up with anything. I am only a very newbie rider, so I am limited as to what I can do really. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I bought a new scorpio in January from Waikato Yamaha. I was told by them to just ride it as I would normaly. The day I bought it I rode to Tauranga doing 100 to 110 kms/h. Even passing a harley going up the Kaimais. I have now done just over 10,000 kms on this bike and its srill running like a dream. No smoke no oil use. I think these days that the reason they tell you to baby these new bikes is so you can get the feel of the way to handle them and not come to grief rather than the fact that it will harm the motor. Probably a bit late for this advise for you as the bikes probably run in by now anyway.
Hope you enjoy the scorpio as much as I have. Cheers

[Howsie]

The "Break-in Secrets" article was the one I was thinking about when I wrote this...



According to "Break-in Secrets", the danger with gentle riding early in the engine's life is that it allows the cylinder bores to form a hard, glazed coating. If this happens, you'll never get a really good seal between the piston rings and the bores. This may be so, but I see no sign of it on my bike. (I haven't stripped the engine down to check, but I do know that it's not burning any oil, as it would if the bores were glazed. And it runs nicely.)

And don't stress about it too much. If, when you die, the only regret you have is that you didn't run the Scorpio in properly, then ... [I'm not sure where I'm going with this sentence, but I think you get my drift].

If you are after proof for breaking in the engine the unconventional way then visit this site http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm as it explains why running in an engine according to the manual can not get the best performance out of it.

The reason why you break in an engine is to seat the rings against the bore of the cylinder, as previously mentioned in this thread.

DB is right. Don't stress - that's dangerous. Bikes are tough. My bike was ex-demo and was thrashed it mercilously from day one (day 2 was a track-day). Its currently stripped and the pistons & bores are still perfect.

As above, thrashed bike from day one and the pistons and bores are perfect!! What does this tell you?

No matter how you decide to do it enjoy the awesome spectacle of riding your new toy!

[fire eyes]

just saying hello

[FJRider]

just saying hello

hello......

[fire eyes]

hello......

[SARGE]

when i did the big-bore kit on Spooky, i filled it with lightweight oil.. let it run in the driveway for 1/2 hour then drove it for another 1/2 hour (like i normally ride).. brought it home, dumped the oil and rode it balls out from then on

not a hiccup in 3 years


just enjoy it and ride safe

[FJRider]

Ride it like you own it... and want it to last forever...

[samgab]

Thanks so much Badjelly and RevDJ!!! I read the article in the link a couple of posts above and now I am really confused as to if I am doing the right thing breaking it in. This advice goes against most of the advice I have been given and the manual as well. What do you think about the article??

I'd say definitely do what the manual advises. The manufacturer is in the best position to know the best way to treat it and break it in.

[Maki]

Ride it like you stole it, but maintain it according to the manual. I have heard of engines that have been destroyed or damaged by running them in too gently. Glazed pistons and rings that fail to seat properly are sometimes caused by running an engine in too gently.

[Maki]

I came across this:

"We asked four top motorcycle engine builders what they do to ensure peak power output and optimum engine life. Here is a capsulation of their responses.
"If the wrong type of oil is used initially, or the break-in is too easy, rings and cylinders could (read will) glaze and never seal properly. A fresh cylinder wall needs some medium to high engine loading to get the piston rings to seat properly for good compression but make sure you don't lug or overheat the engine. "

http://www.ntnoa.org/enginebreakin.htm