When I picked up my brand new 2003 FXD, my intention was to break it in gently as suggested in the owners manual. I hadn't gotten two blocks from the dealer when I did my first burn-out. I've ridden it hard ever since and now it has over 30,000 miles on it and no burning of oil and no engine problems. I would not give a second thought to buying a used HD. They are pretty tough. I'd maybe run a finger into the tailpipe looking for signs of oil burning, but other than that, I'd just look it over to make sure it hasn't been crashed hard.

 

Yup.

 

OK, thanks. I appreciate all the replies, even the ones relegating me to the scum of the earth simply because I can't take apart and reassemble my engine in under an hour. At least I think I know where the engine is. Hmmm.

Came accross this in another forum. Anyone ever heard of this? Makes sense to me but again, I'm a dumbarse!!

This is my advice for breaking in a new motor.

Find a road where there is no traffic and get it up to third gear. Accelerate from 30-60 using a substantial amount of throttle (around 3/4 + ) and coast back down to 30 again letting the engine do the breaking for the bike.
Do this 10 times and your rings are seated. Keep speed to a reasonable limit and vary it on the parkways with no lugging and no high RPM's. Then enjoy it.

What this does is to load both the top and the bottom of the rings forcing them out against the cylinder so that they seat evenly all around the circumference.

 

I think the article is WAY over complicating it.

Just ride the damn thing.

 

Well, see if you feel the same way after reading the whole article:

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Takes 10 minutes or so but it was really interesting!

 

Yes, I feel the same way.

Look, I am 42 years old, I have been around farm equipement, cars, bikes, motorcycles, lawnmotors, and so on...

Over all these years I have never "blown a motor" or have had any major engine damage.

Why? Cause I don't abuse the machine (too much) and I change the oil on a regular basis.

SO I think I got this whole "breaking in a motor thing down"

It ain't comoplicated...just change the oil and don't abuse the **** outa the bike.


These things ain't made by Mattel ya know.

 

Sorry Kolni. I didn't mean to try and teach an old dog a new trick. Oil changes and non-abuse of the machine are important but I'm not going to be as quick as you to ignore this guy's advce. Of course, I guess I'm screwed if I buy anything with over 20 miles on it!!

 

If you would do a poll, you would get about 50/50 on how to break in a bike. Half would say ride it like you stole it, and, the other half would say to baby it and not exceed 30 miles per hour. Yet probably not one person would have an engine problem due to an "incorrect" break-in. Like others have said just ride it and if your THAT worried about it buy a new bike.

 

Someoneat the dealer put the first 20 miles on mine. I think that's their policy. I figured that way theycan find any issues.
The first few miles are most important and within 50-100 its pretty much broke in (90%).
With most engines what is recommended is pretty straight forward. No high RPMs, jackrabbit starts and no long steady speeds.
I think itsthe normal routine for most riders, especially on the purchase day. No plans just get the bike and enjoy a leisurely ride.

 

Ditto that. Too much hand wringing...