| Author | Message | ||
     Crazyhawk99 |
I am curious to know how many have used the Mototune or similar break-in procedure and how you think it worked for you. Resulting power, oil consumption, etc... I am sure this topic will result in replies varying from "rode her hard and put away wet", "followed the owner's manual" to "whatever you feel comfortable with". | ||
| Ponti1 |
I think this thread goes the same route as oil preference threads. Lots of opinion, with little concrete evidence of one method proving empirically better than another. For my last bike, I broke it in by just riding it like I would normally ride, and didn't worry too much about anything except avoiding long periods of sustained RPM. For this bike, same thing, except I have abided by the maximum RPM thresholds specified for break-in. | ||
| Crazyhawk99 |
Ponti, I was actually thinking about how crazy oil threads can get when I posted this. Appreciate your input! | ||
| Skratch |
I abide by max rpm specs, but I run it up quickly to those rpms in the first 50-100 miles. I've done it for cars and motorcycles for 20 years. I don't know that I have increases in power because of it. But thats how I learned how to break in vehicles and it doesn't seem to have hurt anything. | ||
| Jdugger |
Based on what I've see extolled here, almost any methodology works well. Of course *YOU* are the biggest performance delta on the bike, not little things like a couple of HP. | ||
| Mountainstorm |
My advice is do not lug the engine during break in and let it rip. One thing that seems to help is to vary your RPMs within the specified range for the initial break in. I also think letting the engine decelerate with the throttle shut helps seat the rings. Could be superstition...but it's what I do. | ||
| Kirb |
I try to keep to the manual only because of the grief I had with the dealer on my 99M2's oil consumption. The first question they had for me was "did you break it in like the manual says?". You could always lie, but I try to be on higher ground in this situation. | ||
| Mountainstorm |
Not that my mechanic is the final word on Buell but he is an active racer and when his Dad bought an 1125r he advised him to not ride below 4K during break in and as soon as the break in miles were done to wring it's little neck. That was the 1125r he ended up racing last season and he did well. Bike dynoed at 132 RWHP stock. | ||
| Nivek |
I think i will have to agree with mountainstorm on this one, you should probably ride within break in rpm for the initial break in, not meaning you can give it some juice here and there, just dont be revving the engine, this should break things in thermally, get things adjusted a little, then after those miles are put on, i would ride hard, not meaning red lining all day long but make use of the RPM band and power. | ||
| Illbuell |
Read your manual.....Break in is in there.But basicly there isn't any just don't lug it. | ||
| Dannybuell |
great thread! dannybuell | ||
| Jules |
Well so far I have managed to put the grand total of 150 miles on my R. The first 100 were moderately gentle (Hell it was snowing!) but the last 50 have been a little less gentle, I still keep to the 6K limit for "cruising" (varying the revs frequently though) but I have had a couple of excursions up towards the red line but only after the bike's lovely and warm. I did a quick 50 mile ride on Saturday, did a very naughty 150MPH on the way back but only for about 30 seconds, after which I dropped back to around 100 varying up and down between 80 and 120 for 15 mins or so.. That's about as close to "running it in" as I can force myself to get, I am making allowances though... a bit.. | ||
| Tpoppa |
Can open...worms everywhere  | ||
| Sknight |
If you want to believe a guy with zero real info on his website except wild claims, links to beer and bikini pics then go ahead. Afterall, it is your bike. Motoman doesn't even know how rings actually work, he believes the static tension has nothing to do with sealing. And the Buell OM doesn't say anything about how hard you get there, just don't exceed X RPM. Guess that shoots the "They're protecting us" line out. Copied from the online OM from Buell.com \quote} | ||
| Skratch |
No, it doesn't say anything about how hard you get there. But alot of people will pussyfoot around on it...which there is nothing wrong with that. I never read that article until someone posted it above. I've broken in 4 new bikes and probably 10 new cars. Thats just how I've always done it. Altho I don't slam on the brakes. I will use the transmission for accel/decel. | ||
| Kaotikevo |
to me, if you buy a new bike, you're an idiot if you don't follow the manufacturer's guidelines. Why would they have you break in a new bike in a less than favorable manner??? If you think you know more than they do, you start building them, and you can write whatever you want for a break in schedule. | ||
| Syonyk |
Because if you are new to high power bikes, and go break it in with the mototune method on public roads (hard WOT pulls), you stand a good chance of injuring/killing yourself. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
I've purchased several new bikes and with the exception of the 1125R (since it would be irresponsible to admit doing something that could void the warranty of a vehicle still covered by the factory), have always broken them in using the Mototune method. I broke in my '03 GSX-R1000 and my '03 Kawasaki Z1000 on the dyno, changed the oil immediately afterward, then changed it at 600 miles, and then switched to synthetic at 1500 miles. I only had the Z1000 for 6000 miles, but in the 4500 miles I went on the oil since the 1500-mile change, it didn't burn or leak a drop. The GSX-R1000, I kept for nearly 20K miles, and one of my brothers now owns it. I went 7,500 miles on one oil change, and it currently has had the same oil in it for about 10K miles. It's about due for a change, but the oil level is just as high in the sight glass now as it was when I changed it. It will be sent off to Blackstone Labs for analysis too, but considering that the analysis came back good after the 7500 mile interval, I am sure it will be fine this time as well. | ||
| Poppinsexz |
I followed the manual but had fun at the same time, just tried to keep the RPMs down below the limits. There is a lot more to break-in than just the rings. However that is all the motoman seems to address. With all the new technologies in microgrooving and machining I doubt that ring seating is any real problem like in years past. However you just got what you paid for. | ||
| Cheddarheads4erik |
I used the motoman method on my 1125R and several other bikes with oil/filter changes @ approximately 50-100 miles, 300 miles, and then 600 miles. He knows what he's talkin about for ring seating, compression, and performance. This method improves ring seating and therefore decreases oil blow-by, keeping oil where it should be. YMMV. | ||
| Jules |
to me, if you buy a new bike, you're an idiot if you don't follow the manufacturer's guidelines. Why would they have you break in a new bike in a less than favorable manner??? No - really don't hold back, you should really say what's on your mind LOL TBH it's up to the owner of the bike how they want to treat their bikes, I wouldn't consider someone an idiot for breaking the bike in more gently than I would - that's their choice. I think this is another of the topics where opinion is divided and it should just be down to personal choice how they break in their bikes.. It would be interesting to know what info is available through the data logger if there was a warranty claim though...probably a bit more info than I'd be comfortable with.. | ||
| Jules |
Actually - come to think of it they are "recommendations" and "suggestions" so i doubt they'd have a legal basis to dispute a claim if the letter of the guidelines was not adhered to... (Message edited by Jules on February 09, 2010) | ||
| Kaotikevo |
if someone came to your house and poured a brand new concrete driveway, and made RECOMMENDATIONS or SUGGESTIONS on how to properly care for it, and a person chooses not to follow those suggestions or guidelines for whatever reason, you are the only one to blame when a problem arises, or the product fails to live up to your expectations.My point being, who better to follow advice from??? MOTOMAN or the people who built and may be servicing the bike later on? | ||
| Kaotikevo |
hey, i could be cracked too, maybe the mailman knows more than my doctor huh? | ||
| Kaotikevo |
cheddarheads, how many have you broke in with the other method that have not had good results? | ||
| Cheddarheads4erik |
..."good results" is a subjective phrase. Using a manufacturer's general guidelines always leaves the ring seating for a much later mileage-in the 15K-30K miles range. (Which is not too detrimental of a situation with an I-4 that is for regular street duty.) However, with a twin cylinder used on the track I want the full compression, before I want the oil savings. Follow Motoman's guidelines and you'll be a happy camper; that means read the entire guidelines he prescribes and do the proper fluids changes. Pouring a driveway? Your Doctor's advice vs. medical opinion from your mailman? With reasoning and logic skills like that you had better stick with the FOM suggestions, please. The 1125R is the 4th Motoman success I've had for the break-in process. Minimal oil consumption and great compression. The first oil change is the hardest as it comes so soon in that first 50-100 mile window. The closer to 50 the better. | ||
| Poppinsexz |
"Using a manufacturer's general guidelines always leaves the ring seating for a much later mileage-in the 15K-30K miles range" Where-ever did you get that bit of information? And the manufacture is supposed to be the mailman? OOOOOOOOKaaaaaay |
