Running In advice

[rjsmith26]

About to take delivery of new GSA.

Been a while since I ran in a bike - last one was 15 years ago a VFR.

I have read the manual but would welcome sensible advice from those who have run in WC models of late.

I have a quandary, collecting bike next week and following weekend need to go to see relatives in Preston/Lakes 220 miles there and 220 back.

My thought is i'd love to go on bike but is it such a bad idea to do 450 of the 600 miles running on on motorways??

TIA

 

[Fanum]

Much better to go on back roads where you can vary speed and loads.......I wouldn't imagine a couple of hundred miles at constant(ish) revs would do it much good

Rag it a bit on the A and B roads, don't go potty but use it

PS I've ZERO knowledge about running in a WC, but that's what I'd do EDIT and WANT to do......enjoy it

 

[Matty589]

The late and highly regarded Kevin Ash put an article on his site about running in with input from Castrol: http://ashonbikes.com/content/running
The best advice I was given was not to lug the engine in high gears and spin the engine up and down rapidly. Modern engines don't need exacting running in but doing the whole 600 miles at 65mph in 6th won't kill the engine, it'll just delay running in for lower gears until you use them. I'm on my 3rd GS/GSA but over 30 bikes in total over the years and I believe the boxer engines need about 10,000 miles or so to run in and get nice and smooth. The GS I gave up at 8,500 miles was just starting to feel sweet.

 

[Nutty]

I've run in 3 WC's. I wouldn't ever run a bike in on a motorway, as you need to vary the speed, run it up through the gears regularly, and use a lot of engine braking. I've always taken my bikes up to the redline a few times while running them in, as it does no harm. The thing to do is just ride it normally, but don't go mental, and it will be fine.

 

[JJH]

I've bought a few new bikes in my time and I just ride them. No red lining for a few hundred miles but not molly coddled. JJH

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

I've run in 3 WC's. I wouldn't ever run a bike in on a motorway, as you need to vary the speed, run it up through the gears regularly, and use a lot of engine braking. I've always taken my bikes up to the redline a few times while running them in, as it does no harm. The thing to do is just ride it normally, but don't go mental, and it will be fine.

Agreed ,don't ride loads on the motorway otherwise as nutty says give it the berries but don't cane it

 

[Skid06]

just give it the beans mate, never run a bike in

 

[Engineer]

About to take delivery of new GSA.

Been a while since I ran in a bike - last one was 15 years ago a VFR.

I have read the manual but would welcome sensible advice from those who have run in WC models of late.

I have a quandary, collecting bike next week and following weekend need to go to see relatives in Preston/Lakes 220 miles there and 220 back.

My thought is i'd love to go on bike but is it such a bad idea to do 450 of the 600 miles running on on motorways??

TIA

Follow the procedure in the manual - I have done this with 3 1200GSs without issue.

 

[Giles]

Sensibly thrash it. You'll get a good seal on yer piston rings and you'll have a bike that will always go like a train ....

 

[Oilcracker]

The thrash it option could backfire in the event of a warranty claim if BMW have the ability to read engine revs off the ECU. Possibly? I'm sure someone will know if this is true? I just stuck to back roads and revved the bike through its full range.

 

[Toddmeister]

just give it the beans mate, never run a bike in

Yep a couple of my bikes have been "run in" down the pit lane

My WC was, of course, run in exactly as is recommended in the manual

 

[Godzilla]

Have a read of this:

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

 

[roadrider]

Ride it like you Stole It.

 

[Wreford Miles]

It's a perfect trip to run the bike in, just throw in a few back roads - don't load it but let it spin out when it feels right.

 

[Wrinkly]

Have a read of this:

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

+1 for this method. I've run several bikes in this way. Performance has always been good and never burnt oil.

 

[CPJS]

+1 for this method. I've run several bikes in this way. Performance has always been good and never burnt oil.

+ 2 usually give good torque.

 

[dave hendy]

I am realy careful for the 1st 100 miles max 4-5000 rpm then ride as normal without thrashing it works for me

 

[Weatherald]

Wise to go easy braking for first 50 miles or so to bed in if possible..!!


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[Godzilla]

Don't forget the engine was thrashed by BMW on a bench before it was even put in your bike.

 

[CPJS]

I went to the Ducati factory a couple of years ago, we watched them put a brand new bike on the dyno, fire it up, give a couple of minutes to make sure the pistons were in the right way up and then red line it through the gears several times to check things.
All factories do this sort of testing, so your shiny new GS has been caned by BMW for you.
I think the running in period is for the rider. I can imagine the carnage if the hand book said start your new bike and thrash through the gears on your first outing, the lawyers won't allow it regardless of what is best for your bike.
I am a thrash from the off type and it has worked with excellent results through the years.