Thanks for reminding me why I only buy new bikes.

 

on my third HD...followed manufacturers recommendations....never a problem...those guys know more than me about the bike anyhow. Is that why there are no problems?, no idea, but will continue those guidlines on future rides.

 

Yep, I definitely won't honor your warranty so follow the book. Not that the dealer would know if you did anything differently. I should have said that I break mine in like my earlier "ride it like you stole it" post not tell you what to do. Make your own decision. I'll break mine in like I have done the 50+ bikes I have owned including race bikes both road and dirt, 4 stroke and 2 stroke. I have had a couple of bikes over 100,000 miles with no issues with oil burning, blow by, or excessive wear. I had them apart to do performance mods or normal wear items. I grew up working in a bike shop and do my own work on my bikes as I always have so I'll take care of any issues I have if I have them. I'll ride mine hard with acceleration and engine deceleration runs, never lugging it or keeping it at constant throttle even up to red line and watch the engine temps. Good luck making a decision. Just remember, on these boards you will get both ends of the spectrum and everything in between for advice.

 

I went conservative for the first 1K, and like some others changed the oil 3 times in that period.

How I rode it wasn't as important, however, as changing out the oil/filter. Microscopic particles ARE present in that new engine, as evidenced by an issue GM had with their early 4.2's. They were tripping cam DTC's, and we found that changing oil stopped it. GM came out with a bulletin advising us to do just that for that problem. The amount present was enough to affect what the position sensor was seeing, and fresh oil cleared it up.

If particulate is present in one engine during breakin, it's safe to assume it's present in any engine.

 

I'm a firm believer that the rings must have high cylinder pressure for a good break in. I think a timid rider can achieve that riding in normal down town traffic if they use the engine to slow down.

No expert agrees that synthetic oil is a good oil during break in, so I don't know why manufacturers put it in new vehicles. That being said, I own a corvette and some drivers complain about oil burn. I've heard this from CVO owners as well. Most corvette owners are mildly aggressive enough to provide the cylinder pressure required for a proper break in. But if they don't, I think they are more likely to not break in the rings. CVO riders are not more aggressive, which is why so many burn oil. I will change the oil of my CVO before I break it in. (if I ever get one)

Most of my cars in my life have been standards. Standards by their nature have better break ins because of engine braking when letting off throttle. I've have owned two cars that burn some oil, both were my wife's automatics that she drove thru the cars (minivan) break in. I now do the break ins on her cars and we don't have the burning oil problem. No, she doesn't know why it took me so long when I took her new suburban to get milk.

I don't add synthetic in our cars for about 25 thousand miles. Except the vette, but I drive it in a style that I'm confident the rings are seated. Don't get me wrong, I don't drive the vette like I stole it, it's my daily driver and traffic prevents it. But I do enjoy the advantages a vette gives it's drivers.

I don't think a timid rider has to ride their new Harley like James Bond chasing after his next Bond girl to seat the rings, but I do think that if one rides like they are afraid the engine will come apart with any kind of aggressive turn of the throttle, they will have an engine that burns oil and lower engine hp. Normal riding is ok if they do it in town because the rider has to shift a lot and slow down a lot. But I don't think normal cruising is a good way to break in a Harley. Unless the rider drove a series of on-ramps and off-ramps. And, I would suggest never letting my beautiful wife break in your bike or even your lawn mower.

Beary

 

Agree 100%

 

You have a 2 year warranty on your bike. If anything goes wrong within that period then it is covered. Unless you put some engine work on it then you are screwed.

I broke in my bike briskly and redlined it a few times. No problems yet. Just ride the damn thing.

 

Then I guess that makes me a poser.

 

I don't think I was calling anyone a poser. That's not something I would do. I was stating my experience relative to breaking in a motorcycle. Not to project that I know more than you or anyone else but that it has worked well for me with a lot of bikes over a lot of time. Posts 33, 34, and 50 specifically referenced my comment. I have no problem with anyone disagreeing with me. Do what you want. I'll do the same.

 

I would like to see more input from riders to form some kind of
pattern to determine if incomplete break in has anything to do with why some bikes mist excessively from the AC like 2black is suggesting.