Opinions needed RE: 500m break-in
Opinions needed RE: 500m break-in
I just got the 2014 Street Glide Special last week and have only had time to logged 172 miles so far. I just spoke with a customer of mine that it looks like I will have to do an onsite service call. He is 400 miles away from me so I am looking at an 800 mile round trip 
My question is: Why exactly do we need to break-in motorcycles for the first 500 miles. Is it really that critical on new bikes? I've never had to do a break in on a car but then a bike is much different so will I cause any serious damage riding 400 miles at roughly 70-85mph non-stop for most of the ride and of course the other 400 mile return trip.
I've heard of dealerships that will fly customers out to their facility to ride their new Harley home so there obviously is not a 500 mile break-in in that situation so I question how important it is. But before I make this trip and potentially cause serious damage I would like to get some input from the HDForums members. Thanks much.
My question is: Why exactly do we need to break-in motorcycles for the first 500 miles. Is it really that critical on new bikes? I've never had to do a break in on a car but then a bike is much different so will I cause any serious damage riding 400 miles at roughly 70-85mph non-stop for most of the ride and of course the other 400 mile return trip.
I've heard of dealerships that will fly customers out to their facility to ride their new Harley home so there obviously is not a 500 mile break-in in that situation so I question how important it is. But before I make this trip and potentially cause serious damage I would like to get some input from the HDForums members. Thanks much.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
some guys just hammer a new motor.
our motors are still predominantly air cooled and the parts expand and contract and different rates
the break in wears in the piston rings to the cylinders.
by varying rpms and loads, the rings get the best fit...a good fit retains compression...a poor fit and the expanding gasses leak past the piston into the crank case. lost power and corrupted oil.
the oil pump gears are mating...all the rotating parts are meshing.
many of the parts in a motor use a soft metal part and against a harder metal, these parts wear in and mate so that they will live and play together with proper tolerances.
and the break in period has you closer to home if there is a problem with the new machine
some Guys "know" what they are doing and hammer the motor, those are the guys who will later complain about build quality and unreliability.
I keep my stuff for a long time, and take care of it.
I gotta new car the other day- I'll be taking it easy this week and running up casual miles as next week we have a 1000 mile trip planned
Mike
our motors are still predominantly air cooled and the parts expand and contract and different rates
the break in wears in the piston rings to the cylinders.
by varying rpms and loads, the rings get the best fit...a good fit retains compression...a poor fit and the expanding gasses leak past the piston into the crank case. lost power and corrupted oil.
the oil pump gears are mating...all the rotating parts are meshing.
many of the parts in a motor use a soft metal part and against a harder metal, these parts wear in and mate so that they will live and play together with proper tolerances.
and the break in period has you closer to home if there is a problem with the new machine
some Guys "know" what they are doing and hammer the motor, those are the guys who will later complain about build quality and unreliability.
I keep my stuff for a long time, and take care of it.
I gotta new car the other day- I'll be taking it easy this week and running up casual miles as next week we have a 1000 mile trip planned
Mike
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12,359
Likes: 74
From: WI
And vary your speed a little bit if you want up to around 500 total miles. After that, ride it like normal. And when you get some, change the fluids and do the 1000 mile checkup.
I personally wouldn't hesitate to take an 800 mile trip on a new bike.
IMO, a long trip would be a good situation for breaking in a motor. I have tried to break an engine in using 100-200 mile, non stop runs. Keeping the engine in the 2500-2800 rpm range, but using different gears and speeds and never lug the motor. Run at 65mph for awhile, then 75mph for awhile, whatever. It has worked well and never had a issue down the road like compression loss or piston slap.
Good Luck and congrats
Good Luck and congrats
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,896
From: Oklahoma
It has been 5 years since I broke in my machine so my memory might not be 100%. As I recall, all it says is to avoid high rpm, vary your speed and remain below 50 or 60 for the first 500 miles. If there is more, I don't remember it. There is nothing that I remember that says you can't do it all in one very long day. You have a little over 300 miles to go. Can you select back roads for that 300 miles which will let you operate according to the book? If you are "forced" to use interstates, perhaps it is best to use something else for this trip. If you can get that 300 miles on back roads then you should be able to finish the trip without restrictions.
Re-read your manual, evaluate your routing and make your decision. Have a good trip.
Re-read your manual, evaluate your routing and make your decision. Have a good trip.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 6
From: Arkansas
IMO, a long trip would be a good situation for breaking in a motor. I have tried to break an engine in using 100-200 mile, non stop runs. Keeping the engine in the 2500-2800 rpm range, but using different gears and speeds and never lug the motor. Run at 65mph for awhile, then 75mph for awhile, whatever. It has worked well and never had a issue down the road like compression loss or piston slap.
Good Luck and congrats
Good Luck and congrats
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 3
From: Moline, IL
i bought my RG last monday, rode it to my parents that night lil over 100 miles doing the proper break in stuff. next morning i rode it almost 800 miles home just like i normally would. no issues at all. just over its first week it now has 1500 miles on it and everything seems fine, just make sure to dump you fliuds around 1000 miles.
i did my 2011 SG pretty much same way and had 30K when i traded and never touched the motor
i did my 2011 SG pretty much same way and had 30K when i traded and never touched the motor
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
Please explain.
what i have seen at Capitol Drive Plant is that a new assembled motor test run is about 3 minutes.
the motor(s) are then shipped to York to be mated with bikes.
Once assembled, the bike is run on rollers for a few more minutes- less than 5 I would estimate.
Mike
what i have seen at Capitol Drive Plant is that a new assembled motor test run is about 3 minutes.
the motor(s) are then shipped to York to be mated with bikes.
Once assembled, the bike is run on rollers for a few more minutes- less than 5 I would estimate.
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Sep 4, 2013 at 12:34 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 553
Likes: 49
From: illinois
While on vacation this last June, I was in a Harley dealership in Alabama and fell in love with a 2013 Ultra Classic. Traded in my 08 for it and it had 10 miles on the bike. Continued my ride on the back roads varying the rpm's until I had 250 miles. Then I just rode it like I would have my 08. I don't try and bury the tach so I didn't have any problem. When I got home I had 974 miles on it. Just ride it like you have a brain and you won't have any problem.