[

THIS!!

 

stumbled upon this today..interesting read

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money...et/4274741001/

 

If it's got warranty, use it. Call your dealer, explain your concerns. If they can't waylay those concerns over the phone (like: It's normal, don't worry about it), bring it in for a check up. Definitely don't keep riding the bike for another 4,000 miles until the next service. A lot can get destroyed in 4,000 miles if there is a problem, and the problem may have a quick and easy fix.

As to break-in, most of it happens during the first 50 miles, where the piston honing and rings are setting in, so you want to take it easy on the engine during that time. Go through a heat cycle, and let the engine cool. Vary your RPM's, but don't exceed 3,000-3,500. Accelerate and use engine braking so the piston rings go through positive and negative pressure. After 50 miles, the rest of the moving parts continue to set in, like the sprockets, chains, gears, bearings, etc. Continue to vary your RPM's, but keep them below 4,000-4,500 until your first service. Generally speaking, after about 500 miles you're pretty much set.

All that initial wear has resulted in a lot of fine metal dust in your oil. Most of that will get trapped in the oil filter, and on the drain plug magnets, but it's still in the engine, so you don't push the engine to its limits during the first 1,000 miles. That's why the first fluid change is so early, and so important. You'll want to get that stuff out of the motor as early as possible. After that, your engine has broken in, all fluids have been replaced, all nuts and bolts checked, and you're good to go.

The MoCo says first service at 1,000 miles, because it's an easy number to remember, and it'll take most riders at least a month to hit that number. So you get to ride your bike for a good bit before you have to take it back to the dealer.

Me personally, I'll pick up the bike, do the 50 mile break in over 4-5 heat cycles in about 2-3 hours, and bring it back in for a quick oil change. That will get most of the metal filings out of the system. I'll ride the remaining 450 to 950 miles of the break in over the next week, and bring it back in for a complete service. After that just stick to the regular maintenance schedule. Bring it in at least once a year, or every 5,000 miles. While the oil won't go bad from just sitting there, other fluids will. DOT4 is hydrophilic, and needs replacing every two years, whether you ride it or not. Ethanol gas can separate if it sits too long, causing corrosion and/or clogging in the fuel system. Other parts may deteriorate more quickly if they're not lubricated regularly by the oiling system.

When you ride your bike, make sure it goes through a complete heat cycle. Don't hop on it to ride only 4 miles, and then put it back in the garage. This will cause moisture to build up in your engine and exhaust. Make sure you go easy on the engine until it's reached its operating temperature. Don't go doing wheelies or burnouts, or red lining it after you just started it.

 

My question is does it use much oil? My 17 RG has since day one. Engine makes no noise, stage 2- S&S lifters RS 468, SE pushrods. I would trade some engine noise for one that doesn’t use oil.

 

It shouldn't. Also don't see why more oil consumption would mean less noise. I would think it's the other way around. The oiling system is a closed loop. If your bike is using a lot of oil it's either burning it off, which could mean poorly gapped piston rings or too much crankcase pressure (check your throttlebody/manifold if there's a lot of oil collecting there), or it's ejecting it somewhere (bad seals or gaskets).

 

I was just stating my preference. I’ve had TCs that were noisy and some were quiet ( valve train ). I’m just pissed because my 17 likes oil, it does run great and is a quiet engine. I either trade it or put a big bore in it. I had the extra year warranty and took it in several times to show the dealer how much oil I was putting in it.

 

And the dealer had no clue why that was? Time for a different dealer I'd say.

 

That was interesting!

 

Just curious how much oil your bikes using. My 17 is basically down to add in 4500 miles for me that's perfect for some it might be considered to much.

 

My bike used oil, then I stopped overfilling it. some dripped out of the AC and some got sucked into the intake.