If you don't have time to get 600 in before your first trip just get the service done in between the two. I got my Bird one month before going to Deal's Gap, put 600 on it in 3 weekends, did the service and went on my trip a week after. I don't know the weather where you are, but I easily got 600 on mine in a month and you don't have to be exactly at 600 to get it done. There are many different thoughts on break-in, so I'm not going to open that can, but I know plenty of people who buy bikes out of state and do the break-in on the trip home.

 

I broke in a few of the demo bikes that are now on the Triumph "demo" truck this year. I do it every year. I can generally get the 500 miles done in a weekend. Basically, keep the speed to less than around 60 for the first 100 miles and under 80 after that. Of course, vary the mph (never hold a steady speed for long). Pretty easy really...

 

Basically, keep the speed to less than around 60 for the first 100 miles and under 80 after that. Of course, vary the mph (never hold a steady speed for long). Pretty easy really...

Sounds like a good plan. No doubt I will feel the motor loosening up as the miles come on. With good weather maybe I can get the 500miles in a weekend.

Thanks guys, good to get your thoughts.

The only question is "Can I resist the throttle twist temptation long enough to do it?"

 

There are 2 schools of thought about the best way, one to baby it and the other to beat the **** out of it. But one thing both agree on is to vary your speed/RPM's a lot, never staying at a particular speed for any length of time. So personally i just stayed away from doing that and from revving the pi$$ out of it. I don't think you can go wrong just riding it as normal but not redlining it or close, and varying the speed.

 

Congrats on your new 'Bird. The manual shows the first oil change at 500 miles or one month. Break in oil is claimed to contain cutting agents to help metal parts mate to each other. At 250 miles my oil is clean as a whistle so the filter must be catching all of the metal filings. I think the most important thing is to keep the filter from filling up and the oil from bypassing it.

The manual agrees with what has already been said. Avoid long periods of constant speed for the first 500 miles. When I can I try to ride for 5 minutes at a time in each gear 2 to 6. Not too hard to do since my neighborhood limit is 20, the road to town is 60 for 4.5 miles and 50 for the last mile. In town the speed limits are 30, 35 and 45. On the open road I run in 5th and 6th at 60. This changes the RPM while keeping the speed the same. I also plan my stops using engine braking to slow down before a stop. This varies the RPM too.

Happy Motoring,

56R

 

Congrats on your new 'Bird. The manual shows the first oil change at 500 miles or one month. Break in oil is claimed to contain cutting agents to help metal parts mate to each other. At 250 miles my oil is clean as a whistle so the filter must be catching all of the metal filings. I think the most important thing is to keep the filter from filling up and the oil from bypassing it.

The manual agrees with what has already been said. Avoid long periods of constant speed for the first 500 miles. When I can I try to ride for 5 minutes at a time in each gear 2 to 6. Not too hard to do since my neighborhood limit is 20, the road to town is 60 for 4.5 miles and 50 for the last mile. In town the speed limits are 30, 35 and 45. On the open road I run in 5th and 6th at 60. This changes the RPM while keeping the speed the same. I also plan my stops using engine braking to slow down before a stop. This varies the RPM too.

Happy Motoring,

56R

+1. Thats how i do my cars and bikes. I agree totally.

 

This is what the owner's Manual says:

Breaking-in is the name given to the process that occurs during the first hours of a new vehicle's operation.

In particular, internal friction in the engine will be higher when components are new. Later on, when continued operation of the engine has ensured that the components have 'bedded in', this internal friction will be greatly reduced.

A period of careful running-in will ensure lower exhaust emissions, and will optimize performance, fuel economy and longevity of the engine and other motorcycle components.

During the first 500 miles (800 kms):

• Do not use full throttle;
• Avoid high engine speeds at all times;
• Avoid riding at one constant engine speed, whether fast or slow, for a long period of time;
• Avoid aggressive starts, stops, and rapid accelerations, except in an emergency;
• Do not ride at speeds greater than 3/4 of maximum speed.

From 500 to 1000 miles (800 to 1500 kms):

• Engine speed can gradually be increased to the rev limit for short periods.

Both during and after breaking-in has been completed:

• Do not over-rev the engine when cold;
• Do not lug the engine. Always downshift before the engine begins to 'struggle';
• Do not ride with engine speeds unnecessarily high. Changing up a gear helps reduce fuel consumption, reduces noise and helps to protect the environment.

 

Just to add a bit more to the discussion, I elected to have my oil and oil filter changed at 500kms and again both at 1,500kms approx. I know this may sound a bit over the top but I just figured that I wanted to get all the early nasty stuff cleaned out of the system as soon as I could. I see the extra cost as an investment in longer engine life.

The engine revs stuff recommended above is spot on but I also remember an old adage from back when you had to be very careful about the break in process. And that was to treat it like you want it to perform - once the initial break in period is completed that is. What that meant was that if you eventually wanted to have a bike that you could flog, don't baby it too much before you introduce a bit of flogging. I believe that this had to do with where the rings bedded in in the cylinder. It wouldn't surprise me if this is no longer valid given the better manufacturing processes and materials used these days, but I did it anyway. If nothing else it is a good talking point over a beer.