Running In advice

[edwgordon]

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.

Totally agree about engine needing 6000-10000 miles for it to hit sweet spot.. I've run in 2 LC's and my second 2014 LC had the engine replaced with the 2015 so in truth Ive done 3 LC's in the last 2 years. Use back roads with as many hills and bends as possible and USE it. Don't go beyond 6000 RPM and you will be fine....Enjoy !!!!

 

[matchbox]

I think continuous running at high rpm could cause a problem with overheating etc.. Regular running up and down thru the gears without thrashing and especially overloading is the best. Just normal riding really!?

 

[agcstoat]

Ride it like you stole it, it's the only language they understand. My '14 GSA got spanked pretty comprehensively from the minute it left the showroom and sings...

 

[roundincircles]

I have had 4 GS 1200 including 2 WC but 5 new engines. They seem to run in better if worked hard but get the oil warm before you thrash it........ie as you exit your garage.

By the way synthetic oil pretty much stops the running in process , according to Castrol blue print engine research , hence the recommendation to run engines hard once warmed up.