I know that Howard says Ohlins need a break-in period, so I wondered what is the result after breaking in after a thousand miles or so. Any noticeable difference? Mine are new 2-2Bs with few miles on them. I do have them adjusted reasonably well. I have no clue how shocks break-in and would appreciate anyone who either notices or does not notice any difference.

Thank you.

 

springs will settle some, Recheck the SAG and reset if needed. Good Times!

 

They’ll settle in some. But the difference isn’t gonna be noticeable. It’ll happen slowly over the next few hundred miles. It won’t be like an instant change.

 

I've had mine for many years now, but do recall they did improve over the first few hundred miles. They are precision mechanical devices, like so much of our bikes, so will 'bed in' after a short while. It only takes a weekend to do those first 500 miles.....

 

I honestly have no clue about this but I'll chime in anyway. I always wonder when we hear people say 'Give it time it'll break in' (like with shocks or seats etc.) the actual item really doesn't 'break in' but it's actually us breaking in? Does this make sense? I find it hard to believe a seat or shocks would break in enough to really make a noticeable difference....especially shocks. Will they a little bit? Maybe?, but I would think that they are designed to not really break in to the point where we notice it. I think it's more us getting used to it. I could be very wrong but it makes sense.....to me at least.

 

I've had both seats and shocks which have improved over a short period of use. Makes perfect sense to me! A seat adapts to the shape of our backside, especially if made using some of the firmer types of upholstery. As for shocks, as already mentioned, they are precision items of engineering and 'run in' just like an engine does, although much more quickly. Try some!

 

Kingface's opinion sounds reasonable to me.

 

They will break in a bit. They'll become a bit softer and stick less. You might need to adjust your preload by a bit to get the same sag you got when you first put them on.

 

I had 2-2bs,they never did break in to suit me

 

While the springs will “set” and seals and bushings will “wear in”, It is more about getting them adjusted properly than them “breaking in”.