Proper Break In Method>\?

[joe schmoe]

Next week we will go and pick up my wife's new 2011 RT-S...I will have to ride it back to our house about 600 miles....

What is the best break in method for the Rotax motor?

I have always heard to vary the RPM's and some say to even do heat cycles on the motor...Ride it for a while then let it sit and cool off...

What is the "preferred" method of motor break in?

 

[clueless]

I really like this guys advice and I think that it has helped in keeping my spyder from burning oil. You only have the first 200 miles for break in. after that you can go with the BRP recommended vary RPMs keep speed under what ever is in manual. I could tell when the valves sealed. there was short puff of smoke about 10 miles in and then that was it... probably on the 2nd or 3rd gear pull. Picked an lower traffic open highway and followed behind in a car with flashers on to keep anyone from rear ending during the sudden decelerations... (see below). dont use your brakes, but let off the gas and let the engine brake or decelerate. I say 2 or 3 runs thru the gears should do it ... so warm it up a few miles only then roll thru the gears...

but before that the first 200 read this - http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
bottom line is this part of the website =

On the Street:
Warm the engine up completely:
Because of the wind resistance, you don't need to use higher gears like you would on a dyno machine. The main thing is to load the engine by opening the throttle hard in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear.

Realistically, you won't be able to do full throttle runs even in 2nd gear on most bikes without exceeding 65 mph / 104 kph. The best method is to alternate between short bursts of hard acceleration and deceleration. You don't have to go over 65 mph / 104 kph to properly load the rings. Also, make sure that you're not being followed by another bike or car when you decelerate, most drivers won't expect that you'll suddenly slow down, and we don't want anyone to get hit from behind !!

The biggest problem with breaking your engine in on the street (besides police) is if you ride the bike on the freeway (too little throttle = not enough pressure on the rings) or if you get stuck in slow city traffic. For the first 200 miles or so, get out into the country where you can vary the speed more and run it through the gears !

Be Safe On The Street !
Watch your speed ! When you're not used to the handling of a new vehicle, you should accelerate only on the straightaways, then slow down extra early for the turns. Remember that both hard acceleration and hard engine braking (deceleration) are equally important during the break in process.

 

[ulflyer]

With the beautiful mountain scenery you have in TN, I'd just ride it like you normally would and not worry about it. You're gonna have a lot of RPM fluctuation if you stay off the main roads for awhile. Just don't get out on I40 and sit on one speed. If you see it heat up, do the stop thing for a bit, but I never got any of that on mine. At 2000 miles mine doesnt use a drop of oil, nor does the RT my friend got about the same time. I did my own 600 oil/filters because the dealer couldn't get me in and I had a longish ride coming up the next day. Put Amsoil 10-40 Syn scooter oil in, with dealer blessing, who said the BRP Syn/blend was 10-40 and winter full syn is 5-40. My climate is mild and the RT is garaged, so I may well stay with 10-40 year round. Haven't decided yet.

 

[NancysToy]

You will get as many opinions on this as you will on gasoline octane, which oil is best, what tire to use, or a host of other subjects. Here's whatg BRP says:

1. Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles.
2. Avoid full throttle acceleration for the first 600 miles.
3. Avoid prolonged riding for the first 600 miles.
4. During the first 600 miles, if the cooling fan operates continuously during stop and go traffic, pull over and shut off the engine to let it cool off, or speed up to let the air cool off the engine.

I would add that you avoid high rpm as much as possible, and that you vary the engine speeds, not running at one particular rpm for a long period. Remember that modern engines do not require seating of the rings, or wearing in the cylinders, and motorcycle engines generally do not have plain bearings, so the rings and bearings do not have to be conditioned as in the Model-T days. Just avoid extremes of heat, rpm, or extended operation. Take it easy and take plenty of long breaks to cool things down. As long as you don't hit the Interstate and do 80-90 all the way home in one day, I think you will be fine.

 

[SteveMac]

I agree. Avoid a prolonged constant speed. If you run the twisty back roads back home, open up to 5000 plus a few times, vary your shift rpms etc. By the time you get home you will have a well broken in Spyder. This is the same method I used for my first few hundred and my RT runs great and doesn't have any oil consumption problems.

Just a side note, Be sure the dealer goes over everything with you before you leave for that long ryde. Checking fluids etc. And you should verify with the dealer that all battery connections are tight and correct air pressures in the tires. Better safe than sorry before the long ryde home.

Enjoy the ryde home and let us know how it goes!

With the beautiful mountain scenery you have in TN, I'd just ride it like you normally would and not worry about it. You're gonna have a lot of RPM fluctuation if you stay off the main roads for awhile. Just don't get out on I40 and sit on one speed. If you see it heat up, do the stop thing for a bit, but I never got any of that on mine. At 2000 miles mine doesnt use a drop of oil, nor does the RT my friend got about the same time. I did my own 600 oil/filters because the dealer couldn't get me in and I had a longish ride coming up the next day. Put Amsoil 10-40 Syn scooter oil in, with dealer blessing, who said the BRP Syn/blend was 10-40 and winter full syn is 5-40. My climate is mild and the RT is garaged, so I may well stay with 10-40 year round. Haven't decided yet.

 

[Leslee]

I'll add to make sure headlights are properly adjusted by dealer. First time I rode at night, headlights were so low I couldn't see anything more than about 15 feet in front of me. Luckily I was with a group so I could use their lights. Used the manual's adjusting instructions to get them right.

 

[ulflyer]

Another thought: having just read about a relatively new throttlebottle software up.....2011-7 I think its called.....have them verify yours has all the latest computer updates done.

 

[joe schmoe]

I agree. Avoid a prolonged constant speed. If you run the twisty back roads back home, open up to 5000 plus a few times, vary your shift rpms etc. By the time you get home you will have a well broken in Spyder. This is the same method I used for my first few hundred and my RT runs great and doesn't have any oil consumption problems.

Just a side note, Be sure the dealer goes over everything with you before you leave for that long ryde. Checking fluids etc. And you should verify with the dealer that all battery connections are tight and correct air pressures in the tires. Better safe than sorry before the long ryde home.

Enjoy the ryde home and let us know how it goes!

She bought her Spyder from Cowtown....Should she worry???

Len said he would go over everything and then someone from Cowtown would take her out to ride several times and then come back to the dealership and cover any questions that might come up...This will be a all day thing and then the next day we will be heading home...Maybe she will get a few good cycles on the motor whiel she an dLen go over everything???

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: it looks like you have been given good advice.

Enjoy your new :spyder2:

 

[napper39]

you biying from cow town is a smart thing there by far the best dealer for spyders,thats where ill buy my rt when i get ready to trade my rs mr blue.ride and have fun.:welcome::congrats::chat:

 

[clueless]

I would add that you avoid high rpm as much as possible, and that you vary the engine speeds, not running at one particular rpm for a long period. Remember that modern engines do not require seating of the rings, or wearing in the cylinders, and motorcycle engines generally do not have plain bearings, so the rings and bearings do not have to be conditioned as in the Model-T days. Just avoid extremes of heat, rpm, or extended operation. Take it easy and take plenty of long breaks to cool things down. As long as you don't hit the Interstate and do 80-90 all the way home in one day, I think you will be fine.

Scotty I do think the rings seat on a new motor ... I saw the exact same thing happen when breaking in my modified Harley engine I had done when I went to 103 cu in. that was done on a DYNO but you can see the engine just kind of spits out a small but noticable puff of smoke out exhaust after maybe the first 15 mins of running it... You dont need to rev the rpms totally high but 3/4 throttle then roll off quickly no brakes and then next gear and so on... but I agree after that just take it easy like you say.

I was following behind our spyder when the valves seated... it was almost instant after a short trip to the on ramp of the freeway *had 2 miles on the guage to start with*riding very slowly to warm up the engine.. then go onto the freeway and by the time the person I had riding my spyder hit 3rd gear roll on there was a single puff of smoke out the exhaust and that was it... never did that again.

 

[SteveMac]

LOL. :2thumbs: I didn't know that, but I still think the advice is prudent.
I am postive that CowTown will get her off to an excellent start!
Cowtown is an A++ dealer. None better. But I still think my advice is good!

I check everything before heading out on a long trip!! nojoke

She bought her Spyder from Cowtown....Should she worry???

Len said he would go over everything and then someone from Cowtown would take her out to ride several times and then come back to the dealership and cover any questions that might come up...This will be a all day thing and then the next day we will be heading home...Maybe she will get a few good cycles on the motor whiel she an dLen go over everything???