Running in period

[Skipssong]

Today I picked up my brand new GSA with all the whistles and bells.

Just have one question at the moment:

1) What's the thoughts on keeping below 4000rpm for the first 600 miles?

Seems very limiting to me but is it necessary? I know the book says but I heard that if the Boxer isn't run 'hard' from the beginning it can become a bit of an oil guzzler.

Ideas?

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

I tried to do so. Succeeded for much of the time, but not all of the time...

Main thing is not to load the engine.

Oh and carry some oil with you on long trips. Mine drank like crazy right from the off until well beyond 10k miles. After about 20k it started easing off.

Kai

 

[John Armstrong]

Did as the book said roughly for the first 600 miles, not over reving, not labouring, and it's not had the oil topped by me in over 6000 miles

 

[motobiker]

Today I picked up my brand new GSA with all the whistles and bells.

Just have one question at the moment:

1) What's the thoughts on keeping below 4000rpm for the first 600 miles?

Seems very limiting to me but is it necessary? I know the book says but I heard that if the Boxer isn't run 'hard' from the beginning it can become a bit of an oil guzzler.

Ideas?

Why is that limiting?

When I had my first GS from new I did that (600m) in 2 days.... and because the dealer was so busy - did the oil and filter change myself. I didn't find the initial running-in limiting at all.. now running in my old speed trip and having to do just 30mph for the first 100 miles. THAT was limiting.

 

[mikepg]

Skipssong - just ride it normally and the 600 mile first service will come around in a a couple of days. I think that they use a thinner old in the engine at first and at the first service, put the normal oil into the engine.

So - 'normal' being, use all of the gears, and don't be afraid to fill its lungs.

You might get through about a litre of oil every 4-5k miles thereafter.

 

[Skipssong]

OK so I bought from Vines (Guildford) and had to do 60 miles on the M4 almost straight away. Kept it at 4k (70 mph) but had to do this for about 1 hour. Is that over doing it. I don't mean to whinge but its my first ever new bike and I really don't want to do anything wrong.

 

[John Armstrong]

Probably about the worst way of running it in

Up and down the gears, up and down hills best way of running it in.

 

[motobiker]

Probably about the worst way of running it in

Up and down the gears, up and down hills best way of running it in.

exactly right... I should've added that for the first 100 miles or so I stayed in manchester city limits and off the dual carriageway.. and then onto the B roads round about.. with a final blast to Huddersfield for the oild change bits and pieces.

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

All you need to do is use a little common sense. It's ok to go up through the revs from time to time just don't go deliberately bouncing it off the limiter or sit on the motorway at 110mph. Vary your riding conditions and don't be afraid to load it up a little without overloading it. The best thing to do it use the torque well and let it pull.

Just my 2p worth

 

[POG]

And..... they change the FD oil at the 600 mile service. They reckon it will last forever after this, but in reality change it after 12k.

For the first 600, drive it around town, twisties etc (this is hwere this bike comes into it's own), don't over rev it but lots of gear changes and make the engine work. They will then do a fluid change which will rid you of any metal fragments etc.

Now drive it like you stole it, up and down the gears giving it handfuls, like you want to. The bores wont glaze and oil consumption will be minimal. If you drive it carefully, your oil consumption will go up as the bike gets older. I hardly ever need to put oil in mine even tho' I check it regularily

 

[mikepg]

OK so I bought from Vines (Guildford) and had to do 60 miles on the M4 almost straight away. Kept it at 4k (70 mph) but had to do this for about 1 hour. Is that over doing it. I don't mean to whinge but its my first ever new bike and I really don't want to do anything wrong.

Oh no Skip!! - you will have for sure caused permanent damage to it and it will not ride properly anymore!!

(you worry too much m8! - it will be fine - take it out on some twisty roads and use all of the gears. Remember that it is only a modified tractor engine and can take (actually prefers) allot of abuse.