SuzukiSavage.com - Break In Period

Savage_Greg

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Re: Break In Period
Reply #15 - 05/22/07 at 11:23:56

mornhm - FSO wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:

mY .02

I've broken in quite a few new engines over the years. My theory is be real smooth, don't fall in love with a certain rpm, and baby them for enough miles 500 hardly seems like much, (one weekend or one week) to break an engine in completely. However, if that's what the manufacturer says, they probably know best from a big picture standpoint.

With my practice, I've only had one engine die on me, and that was a design problem. Once I break a vehicle in, I'll run it hard, but I still try for smooth and not getting stuck at a certain rpm.

Good practice, actually. Allows even heating and cooling of the entire engine without working any parts too hard.

Just got to try not to sound too emphatic when suggesting techniques. Certain people reject authority. In fact, with teenagers you sometimes even need to use reverse psychology.

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drharveys - FSO

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Re: Break In Period
Reply #16 - 05/22/07 at 12:31:21

Basicly, just ride it and take it easy. Varying your speed is a good idea, don't just cruise at a constant throttle. Also taking it easy is a good idea for the rider on a new bike. Unless you constantly change bikes, there's a learning curve for your body to adapt to the handling characteristics of your new ride.

My suggestion:

Spend some quality time bonding with your bike. Go out on some suburban roads and country byways. Hit a few twisties, but don't go 100% all out -- stay in the 75 -80% range. Don't forget to stop to smell the roses, drink the coffee and eat the barbeque! And oh yeah, take some photos to share with the rest of us.

In other words, ride for the pure pleasure of it so you and the bike are both ready for those 90% days! (you gotta have 10% reserve for oncoming traffic and/or agricultural machinery -- save the 100% for the track.)

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Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. Thomas Jefferson

When I look fast, I'm not smooth and I am going slowly. And when I look slow, I am smooth and going fast. Alain Pros

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vroom1776 Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 2110 Gender:	Re: Break In Period Reply #17 - 05/22/07 at 12:44:41 I think some of greg's comments were aimed at me, some not... but I have a whole mine of (not sea) salt... at any rate, just pointing out that there are other theories out there... so many different opinions
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Reelthing Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Fish or ride that is the question Posts: 5397 Houston,Tx Gender:	Re: Break In Period Reply #18 - 05/22/07 at 12:51:24 Alright a tiff - where's the popcorn and beer!
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Savage_Greg

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Re: Break In Period
Reply #19 - 05/22/07 at 12:54:52

drharveys - FSO wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:

Unless you constantly change bikes, there's a learning curve for your body to adapt to the handling characteristics of your new ride.

That would be me, too, after I rolled a GSX-R750 out of the garage for a test ride last week. First time I ever rode a crotch rocket...and one with a whole pucker full of power and brakes, too. Yeehaw.

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Savage_Greg

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Re: Break In Period
Reply #20 - 05/22/07 at 12:56:48

vroom1776 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:

I think some of greg's comments were aimed at me, some not... but I have a whole mine of (not sea) salt...

at any rate, just pointing out that there are other theories out there...

so many different opinions Tongue

Do you still have that message written in pink on the side of your clutch cover?
Grin

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Savage_Greg Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Don't go around your ass to reach your elbow... Posts: 7844 SW Washington State Gender:	Re: Break In Period Reply #21 - 05/22/07 at 12:58:07 Reelthing wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05: Alright a tiff - where's the popcorn and beer! WHile you're just sittin' there, why don't you box up that head and send it to me?
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firsts40

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Re: Break In Period
Reply #22 - 05/22/07 at 13:12:04

When I broke in my 06 S40, I stayed within what the owners manual said. The first 500 miles were road anywhere from 45 on country roads to 60 on the superslab for no more than 10-15 miles. After that, I took it up to around 65-70 on the superslab. I have 5300 miles on mine so far, and no leaks, no problems, no complaints, just all good things to say about it. Now I can run the superslabs at 65-70 all day, as long as my butt can stand it, and not use a drop of oil, or have any problems.
The bottom line, go by what the book says to be safe and protect the bike. Depending on your dealership, if they think you abused it by running it HARD to break it in, it could cost you money.

Ride safe and enjoy Grin

8)

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Dana from Misissippi
Riding with Respect

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vroom1776

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Re: Break In Period
Reply #23 - 05/22/07 at 13:28:58

Savage_Greg wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:

Do you still have that message written in pink on the side of your clutch cover?
Grin

This one?

a little more faded now than above! Grin

Reelthing wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:

Alright a tiff - where's the popcorn and beer!

and one thing I really like about this forum is there is very little drama. for me, it's water off a duck's back. 8)

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Savage_Greg Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Don't go around your ass to reach your elbow... Posts: 7844 SW Washington State Gender:	Re: Break In Period Reply #24 - 05/22/07 at 14:16:56 That's the one....let's all go out to the dumpster now
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LANCER

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Re: Break In Period
Reply #25 - 05/22/07 at 14:19:14

OK, we're having some fun now !! Wink

Some time back I ran across this idea being discussed by an automotive engineer ... BS & MS in mechanical engineering if I remember correctly, and according to him it went like this .........
during the breakin period you want to avoid sustained high speed riding, but you do want to crank the throttle periodically (though not wide open). During the hard acceleration the cylinder pressure is high which will force the rings out against the cylinder wall, thus helping the seating process. The acceleration is a quick thing, say 10-20 seconds, after which you return to normal riding. Then, 5-10-15 minutes later you do it again. The short bursts of power will do the ring-seat thing but do not build excessive heat which may cause damage if this were an extended high power run.
When going through his explanation it all made very good mechanical sense to me. I wish I had save the material, it was very well written.

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Savage_Greg

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Re: Break In Period
Reply #26 - 05/22/07 at 14:31:42

LANCER wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:

OK, we're having some fun now !! Wink

Some time back I ran across this idea being discussed by an automotive engineer ... BS & MS in mechanical engineering if I remember correctly, and according to him it went like this .........
during the breakin period you want to avoid sustained high speed riding, but you do want to crank the throttle periodically (though not wide open). During the hard acceleration the cylinder pressure is high which will force the rings out against the cylinder wall, thus helping the seating process. The acceleration is a quick thing, say 10-20 seconds, after which you return to normal riding. Then, 5-10-15 minutes later you do it again. The short bursts of power will do the ring-seat thing but do not build excessive heat which may cause damage if this were an extended high power run.
When going through his explanation it all made very good mechanical sense to me. I wish I had save the material, it was very well written.

Ah, finally someone brought sanity back to this discussion Tongue

That's it. No running WOT or cruising down the interstate for miles and miles...

The Savage 40 is air cooled, so it isn't like a new car that is water cooled and runs at a constant temp. Have to think about it differently.

As it was said, a break in period can be done in a week...

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28908 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Break In Period Reply #27 - 05/22/07 at 14:33:27 That's what I've been talking about... I thought I read it in a separate web page.
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Reelthing Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Fish or ride that is the question Posts: 5397 Houston,Tx Gender:	Re: Break In Period Reply #28 - 05/22/07 at 14:56:22 Savage_Greg wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05: WHile you're just sittin' there, why don't you box up that head and send it to me? I swear I'm a gonna - already boxed - just sitting in the garage - I need one of those automatic spring loaded boots that kick me in the arse now and then!
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vroom1776 Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 2110 Gender:	Re: Break In Period Reply #29 - 05/22/07 at 15:54:48 "A Controversial Toipc" possible drama = why I had a disclaimer in my first post in this thread.
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