M8 Break In
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 141
Likes: 17
From: New York
Isn't it interesting that in 2018 we still wonder how to treat a new cycle ? Probably a majority of us don't think this much about a new car motor . I figure under 3500 rpms , don't kill it and don't baby it . As with most things in life I go with what seems reasonable 🇱🇷
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Delray Beach
I believe what a lot of you guys are forgetting, Is the engineers aren’t writing the owners manual, at least not the final version. The final version has gone through several lawyers hands before it ever makes it to ours. Once it’s in a public format, then it’s something that can be used against them in a court of law.
break the bike in how you want to, follow the manual if you desire, don’t if you know better.
personaly, I let things warm up, not by idling, but by riding (including tires and brakes) and then ride it like I plan on riding it! I’ve purchased plenty of new vehicles, and test drive them every day, personally I’ve never had an issue one way or another because of how it was broken in. I. Believe the only way you’ll know a difference is if you put 4 stock bikes on a dyno, and measure their output, 2 broken in per the manufacture and 2 the hard way. 4 bikes so you get an average and eliminate variations from one bike vs another.
if it wasn’t for the crappy rain we’ve had the past 2 weeks I’d be out Riding instead of making this post right now.... just enjoy your life, it’s too short to argue!
break the bike in how you want to, follow the manual if you desire, don’t if you know better.
personaly, I let things warm up, not by idling, but by riding (including tires and brakes) and then ride it like I plan on riding it! I’ve purchased plenty of new vehicles, and test drive them every day, personally I’ve never had an issue one way or another because of how it was broken in. I. Believe the only way you’ll know a difference is if you put 4 stock bikes on a dyno, and measure their output, 2 broken in per the manufacture and 2 the hard way. 4 bikes so you get an average and eliminate variations from one bike vs another.
if it wasn’t for the crappy rain we’ve had the past 2 weeks I’d be out Riding instead of making this post right now.... just enjoy your life, it’s too short to argue!
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,215
Likes: 595
From: Living in a van down by the river
I'm on my 5th Harley and have broken every one of 'em in by the owners manual. Current is an '18 FXLR. < 3K for first 50 miles, < 3500 up to 500 miles and vary the speed. It's worked for me. Big thing is don't lug the motor. That's just me.
-j
-j
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,681
Likes: 11,473
From: State of Confusion
post is almost 4 years old but the advice shouldn't change..follow the break in instructions in your Owners Manual and you can't go wrong..it really is that simple
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 666
With respect to the recommended breaki-in speeds and throttle position It is much less likely you will crash staying within the break-in speeds recommended by the MOCO than more aggressive methods that purposely cause higher acceleration rates and speeds, which increases exposure and liability for the MOCO.
The following link will take you to the best explanation Ive ever read and is used by virtually every racing engine builder.
Bob
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,003
Likes: 11,441
Or pay the dyno guy to break it in on the dyno best $500 you will ever waste.
Yea just ride the darn thing.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,681
Likes: 11,473
From: State of Confusion
IME there are two reasons for these type recommendations…oil cost, and product/vehicle operation liability. Cheapest oil that meets the MOCO’s minimum requirements is the only concern, which increases profit.
With respect to the recommended breaki-in speeds and throttle position It is much less likely you will crash staying within the break-in speeds recommended by the MOCO than more aggressive methods that purposely cause higher acceleration rates and speeds, which increases exposure and liability for the MOCO.
The following link will take you to the best explanation I’ve ever read and is used by virtually every racing engine builder.
Bob
With respect to the recommended breaki-in speeds and throttle position It is much less likely you will crash staying within the break-in speeds recommended by the MOCO than more aggressive methods that purposely cause higher acceleration rates and speeds, which increases exposure and liability for the MOCO.
The following link will take you to the best explanation I’ve ever read and is used by virtually every racing engine builder.
Bob
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 71
Likes: 31
From: South Jersey
Just bought my 21' RKS, first ride was only 27miles....I did the keep it under 3k/no jack rabbit start. Hard to do actually because my brother has a 18' HC with stage two so you go past manufacturers recommendation keeping up. Second ride was with a group of five buddies....I went harley easy till the bike was good and warmed up, after that initial sixteen or so miles at the next stop light I shut the traction control off AND LET THIS BIG GIRL RIP! Didn't red line the motor but I drove it the way I'm gonna run it forever. Took a quick ride today by myself and went by Harleys specs this time....this weekend we have a small group going out. I'll be easy first twenty or forty miles the I'll let her eat, then I'll go easy again.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,505
Likes: 380
From: Florida
I always run my new/rebuilt cars/bikes in real hard actually. After a good warm up.
They always seem to go better than my mates who might run them in gently or not as hard, I get better mileage, higher compression, last longer and use less oil as they get a few years old than bikes run in gently.
They are blasted at the factory every bike or car built gets a full tilt dyno type run before it leaves the factory.
They always seem to go better than my mates who might run them in gently or not as hard, I get better mileage, higher compression, last longer and use less oil as they get a few years old than bikes run in gently.
They are blasted at the factory every bike or car built gets a full tilt dyno type run before it leaves the factory.
