| Author | Message | ||
     Dbf |
Hey fellas, I've been lurking in the shadows of BWB's for a couple months now while I tried to decide what to buy. This morning I put a deposit down on a 12Ss. It should hopefully arrive next week. Although this will be my first Buell, I've been riding on and off for close to 30 years. I cut my teeth on a CanAm 250 at the age of 11 and drove pretty much everything out there, including Ducs, Japanese, English and, of course, American made bikes. I have a question regarding the engine break-in. As I understand, it is a very gradual and regimented process. Unfortunately the sales dude couldn’t really explain in great detail the procedure, and I am trying to gauge the length of time this will take. Could one of you explain the process? Thanks, Dan | ||
| Cdallen |
Welcome, I have only been on this board for a couple months myself but I can assure you that you are about to receive every answer from strictly following the owners manual to "ride it like you stole it..."  Although very entertaining, it is probably only second in debatable motorcycling topics to "which tires" and/or engine oil brands  This may get you started:  break in thread 1 "Easy break in???" break in thread 2 "Buell break in period" break in thread 3 "Another noob question: Break-in" break in thread 4 "Beakin in a 12" break in thread 5 "Break-in period for an XB12?" And I only stopped there because I actually wanted to get something posted... today. Good luck with your new bike, I am really interested in hearing how you like the Ss model. | ||
| Wambo |
Me Too! I want to hear about your experience also!  | ||
| Dbf |
Thanks for that Cdallan. I'll post my feelings on the bike when I get it home and get a few miles under it. Dan | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Dan, I have broken in many bikes...some by the book, some like I stole it. I broke in my XB9S by the book...runs good. With less than 500 miles I broke in a Sporty canyon racing...riding it like I stole it. Still runs good and does not use oil. I would do the 500 mile thing if given the choice...was tempted by my fellow bros on the Sporty, and I just did not have the fortitude to hold it back. I cannot tell a difference with the newer bikes, but I believe in the olden days it definitely meant the difference between a loose, oil burning engine and a good engine. Mi dos centavos...Cyko Bob | ||
| Daves |
Congrats on the new bike. Don't ride it hard til at least 500 miles. | ||
| Tpoppa |
My XB9S was broken in strictly by the book. It now has over 13,000 miles and had never had an issue. It makes excellent power, consumes NO oil, and the oil still looks extremely clean ater 2,500 miles. This all means that the rings are sealed properly, which is the goal of the break in period. You could break it in hard, and might not have any problems. However, my advice is listen to the manual, the Buell engineers know what they are talking about. | ||
| Butch_xb9r |
I've been wanting to check out a 12Ss so I went to my dealership on Saturday. The salesman thought they had one 06 in and wasn't sure which one it was. He didn't really know anything about Buells at all. He also said they might not be carrying the Buell line, parts, or service in the future. Disappointing news to say the least. Anyway, we go out back and they have a black 12Ss. He lets me sit on it and stuff. I ask to ride it and he goes to get the OK from his Boss. The Boss lets me ride and sets me up. The bike started fine and ran to the end of the parking lot. Once I went to pull out onto the road it started to miss...etc. as I went to accellerate. It stalled when I pulled the clutch. I turned it around and sputtered back to the shop. Open the gas cap and its bone dry. I went inside and ask if I can get some gas and the sales boss tells me I'd have to wait as he's working on closing a sale. I say thanks but I'll come back later. As for the bike: I really liked the feel of it. I felt more comfortable on the wider frame and more upright position over my 9r; I'm 6 ft, 200 lbs. Once I got back on my 9 it felt tiny by comparison. | ||
| 45_degrees |
Here’s the system I used for my XB9S. It worked pretty good for me. I think the break-in on motorcycles is so arbitrary anyways... but I do like to take it easy for the first few hundred miles. It didn’t make much sense to me to only be able to go to 3000 rpm for the first 500 miles, then all of the sudden you’re done and you can go to redline. I gradually took mine up there, making nice smooth sweeps with the tach... not really yankin’ the throttle a lot. Miles........RPM 0-50.........2500 50-100.......3000 100-150......3500 150-200......4000 200-250......4500 250-300......5000 300-350......5500 350-400......6000 400-450......6500 450-500......7000 500+...........7500 (done, change oil & filter & trans fluid) Of course... the 12's rpm scale would have to be modified for this system. Or I mean... this system would have to be modified for the 12's rpm scale. (Message edited by 45 degrees on August 22, 2005) (Message edited by 45 degrees on August 22, 2005) | ||
| Light_keeper |
Well I went down to check out the New Ss. No demo ride yet. It was parked between a cityX and a CG. The seat sort of reminds me of the Blast seat for room. Walking up to it the intake behind the fuel cap is the first sign it is different. At closer glance the seat is way bigger looking. Lets see if I can find the way to justify it this year. I have already tried the "It will be alot more comfortable for you to ride along with me" line. It just gets a (ya right) stare.  | ||
| Xlcr |
I rode one at Sturgis, it felt great! Most important, there is now room for a passenger, or my soft bags and pack. I'm trying to figure out how to come up with the money now. | ||
| Sleez |
i sat on one saturday, feels great, still not quite enough room to really consider it a 2 up bike for full grown adults however. i was offered a ride, but not a full demo ride, just a low rpm putt, no thanks i said, i'll wait for the Uly to come in early next month. i sat on a 2004 XB12R they have sitting right next to the 12SS, boy, what a huge difference in seat comfort, not considering riding position at all, just the seat on the R is hard as a brick compared to the SS! |
