Triumphrat

Isa · 10-20-2005

I'm bringing my 04 Sprint RS home tomorrow (Lord willing) but I was wondering what stratigy you all had used to bring you brand new bike home? How do I keep the revs down, and not run the bike at a constant RPM? Something like varying my speed every couple of miles, and then complete stops about every 50 miles?

jefftarlton · 10-20-2005

I bought mine 390 miles from here and rode it home.
The first 100 miles all you can do is ride along at 55mph.
Then you can gradually start using a little more revs. At first just open the throttle a third of the way for a few seconds. Then decellerate. Gradually increase the throttle opening, duration, and revs.
This is almost exactly what Triumph advises and it's what I did.
Mine never needs oil between changes, runs really smooth, and has 27,000 on it now.
Drain that oil at around 500 miles. Use non synthetic and let it run about another 1500 miles. Then use good synthetic.
Make yourself wait to experience redline until about 1,000 miles. It's worth it to break in an engine the right way.

monochrome_boy · 10-20-2005

There are a lot of different views on breaking a bike in. Triumph seem have very fixed rules about rpm mileage intervals. When I got my BMW I was told ride it as normal don’t live at the top of the range or at the bottom, just use common sense.

Ideally you need to be using the gears and avoiding long runs in the same gear or speed. If forced you can do this on the motorway just by varying your speed (when traffic allows) and changing down and then up, or going off the motorway and then coming back on.

I have read some people swear by working the engine hard then letting it cool and working it hard again. Personally while I like the sound of the idea I was never brave enough to try it.

It is a very controversial topic, out of interest this guy is for the 'run it hard' school.
click me!

welshrob · 10-20-2005

There are plenty of past postings about this, I`d suggest you do a search. Triumph build their engines with narrower tolerances than other manufacturers (apparently) so it`s far more important to follow the running in instructions. I`ve run all my new Trumpys in by the book, so why take the risk?

flyingsprint · 10-20-2005

My mechanic said be nice to it for 50/75 miles or so, then ride the living sh-t out of it. It was a full rebuild- pistons, rings, sleeves, top end. I've never been anything but cruel to all my vehicles. If they can't take it, I'll get one that will!!! Sold the beemer with 80K and it burned no oil what so ever.

I've heard from lots of mechanics to break it in like you'll ride it. I've also heard that the break in issues these days are relative to break in oils. Not full synthetic or partial in the begining.

my 2 cent. :-D

garry · 10-20-2005

The main thing to do is work the engine up and down through the allowable rev range (and maybe a bit above) as much as possible. Speed up, slow down. Use as much engine braking and acceleration as you can. Steady speed droning on the highway is to be avoided. Finding a nice twisty road where you can accelerate out of corners and use engine braking to slow for the next one would be perfect. I wouldn't be afraid to rev it to 5000 RPM right off the bat either which makes the break-in period a lot less annoying.

katrider · 10-20-2005

OK, all good advice, but no mention of those new tires!!!!!!!!

Be aware that new tires, for about 500 miles, are extremely slippery due to uncured slovents in the compunds and mold release used in the manufacturing process. For the life of me I don't know why the mfg companies don't 'fix' this problem! But, just be careful rolling the throttle on in corners and be especially tender in the rain/slick.

Congrats on the new bike!! :-D

pushr0d · 10-20-2005

I've always heard to NOT engine brake during break-in. Something about the need to keep pressure on the rings.

I just followed the break-in described on the little decal on the tank. The first few miles really sucked.

bwhip · 10-20-2005

I had to ride mine home about 350 miles - all freeway, as there was really no other option. I did mostly what has been described above, varying speeds, gears, rev ranges, but all the while staying within (or really close to) the RPM limits on the tank sticker. It was really tough for the first 100 miles especially. I definitely emphasized not keeping the revs at the same level for vary long, and the very experienced Triumph mechanic here said that is the key.

vorpal · 10-20-2005

Take back roads home rather than freeways, you'll definitely run the bike through all the rev. ranges and speed and engine load will not be constant. I brought my Sprint home in August 1300 km (800 or so miles) and found every back paved highway I could. Way more fun, too.

Regards,