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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through March 13, 2004 » Buell break in period « Previous Next »

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Tpoppa
Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 10:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I just got a brand new 2003 Black XB9S. I have had many motorcycle over the years. But this is my first Buell, first American Bike for that matter. I guy I ride with mentioned this board, so I figured I would join.

...anyway the manual say to keep it under 3,000 rpm for the first 500 miles. Any opinions on this? I have heard a few different theories on breaking in a new motor. Some say baby it, others say if your going to ride it hard then break it in hard.

What has been your experience breaking in Buell motors.
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M1combat
Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 10:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I pretty much went by the book for the warrantied break-in but once it's nallinized I'll break it in more aggressively (Unless Aaron recommends something else).
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Daves
Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 10:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Be gentle!
Welcome!

Ride to the edge!
Dave
Iowa HD/Buell (Buell Cycle Center)
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Fed
Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 01:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

When i bought mine i was told to just ride the thing, and try to stay under 3,000 for the first 500 mi. then ride it like you stole it........
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Tpoppa
Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 02:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I did steal it so that works for me (just kidding).

Thanks for the advice. I wasn't sure if 'keep it under 3,000 rpm' was written by the engineers or the lawyers. It sounded a little like, "be overly cautious so you don't crash & sue us."

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M1combat
Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 03:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well, I don't know about the "don't crash and sue us" line, but if you break in an engine according to their specs it will allow an overly tight engine to still work itself into being broken in as opposed to broken. It probably saves a little bit of money on lunched engines that weren't built perfectly to spec at the factory. IMO though, the warranty is important enough to me that I just went by the book for this go-round and when I rebuild the engine I'll break it in as I see fit (which would be ride it like I stole it as soon as I'm sure the oil is circulating...). I've heard that the time you take to seal the rings is crucial and that you want to do it quickly for the most power.

Also, this being a public forum it IS browsed by Buell employees (including Erik)...
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Buellny
Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 04:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My dealer told me not to go above 55 mph for the 1st 50 miles. It wasn't until I got it home that I saw the little Buell video in which it tells you not to go above 3000 rpms for 500 miles. That was really hard for me to do! For the most part I did as told.
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Xb9grl
Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 09:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Tpoppa, Charlieboy and I have broken in two firebolts - both done by the book with no regrets. Have to agree with Buellny, though ... Definitely hard to keep it under 55 and 3k!
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Darthane
Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 09:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If you do it by the book and keep it under 3000rpms for the first 500 miles, be careful the first time you really whack it.

XB9 motors come to life at ~4500rpms, and on a stock or race setup the kick in the torque curve there is VERY noticeable. Guaranteed to put an enormous stupid grin on your face though!

Welcome to the club.
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M1combat
Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 10:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah... Stupid grin induced daily : ). Even just cruising through my neighborhood at 2K RPM's in second and that nice V2 rumble...

3rd gear on the twelve is just plain the SHTUFF! Frickin awesome bikes.
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Kaese
Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 12:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

On my way home from the dealer , about 10 miles, 55 MPH at less than 3K RPM is a hard thing to accomplish. The very next weekend I varied the RPM and did the entire 500 Mile break-in so I could drive it like I stole it. The break-in was pretty lame and drove me crazy. 10K later it seems as I did it right!
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Opto
Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 02:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The service dept manager told me not to ride the XB12 UNDER 2500rpm and don't snap the throttle open, other than that just ride normal. So I did.
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Tpoppa
Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 08:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It takes will power to keep it under 3,000 rpm, but it sounds like its the right thing to do.

I have had a V-four, parallel twin, I4's, but this is my first Vtwin. Even at 3,000 rpm I can tell there is alot more low end 'grunt' than I have had before. I really want to see what this engine can do.
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M1combat
Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 11:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Be careful going from first to second... On my twelve (should happen on a 9 also) I can rev it to 6K, let COMPLETELY off the throttle while pulling in the clutch, pop it into second and dump the clutch and the front jumps off the ground still with NO throttle. I've heard that you can do this with a little throttle on the way into third as well...
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Jerseyguy
Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 12:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You guys are probably going to think I'm pretty stupid and I probably am, but I've always had the philosophy "If your going to ride it hard, break it in hard". My 9 is my 17th bike and I've always pretty much ignored the break in procedures. I guess I've been lucky because I've never had a problem. Back in the day when I was an AMA "A" enduro rider most of my enduro bikes lost their cherry on an enduro. Don't get me wrong, I have always maintained my bikes better and much more frequently than the specs. called for, I just never really broke them in by the book. I have to confess, I've been especially brutal on my 9. I got it in November and with the weather so bad here, I basically just ran it up and down the drive here at my business. I bet out of the first 50 miles a quarter of the time one of the tires was off the ground! I'm sorry Erik, but the damn thing is just so much fun to ride, I couldn't help myself. I don't know how many times I bounced off the rev limiter in the first 200 miles just because I'm used to high revving engines. I'll keep you posted on any problems. I can't wait to switch to Amsoil at 1K so I can see how big the pieces on the drain plug are.

M1 - I noticed that "jump" when I test rode both the 9 and the 12. It was one of the things that sold me on the bike. I would characterize it as more of a "leap" forward than a "jump" though. It makes me smile every time it happens in second or third.
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M1combat
Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 12:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah, I've been trying to get to the point where I can consistently bring the front off the ground about eight to ten inches and get as much distance as possible going into second. I'm not really comfortable with wheelies though so I haven't tried it too many times.
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Charlieboy6649
Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 01:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yea M1, I don't like wheelies either. But under hard acceleration when the front is 8-10 in. off the ground, that's my favorite place to be!

Isn't that still technically a wheelie??? So maybe I do...

OK thread relevance, I'm not a by the letter break in guy, but definitely not giving her any hard starts or bouncing off the rev limiter either!
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