Running in R1150GS

[Cheesy Mike]

I get my new R1150GS this week (hopefully).

I'm sure the dealer will tell me, but how do you all think the bike should be run in?

I'm likely to want to keep this bike for the long term and ride it enthusiastically, but don't want to spoil it by not running it in properly.

Regards,

Mike

 

[BBB61]

There should be instructions in the manual. No doubt it will tell you to keep it below a certain RPM for the first 600 miles prior to the first service, and it might allow you to increase the revs a bit after that.

Don't be a slave to the revs. If you exceed them slightly, it will not harm the engine. What will cause more harm is labouring the engine in too high a gear up gradient for example. Better to change to a lower gear with a smaller throttle opening.

Don't get on the motorway and run up the miles either. Go on a varied selection of roads where the speeds will vary and you will have to use the gears. A good variation in speeds will be ideal for running in the new engine.

Triumph recommended the following procedure for my Sprint ST

0-100 miles max revs 3500
101-300 miles max revs 5000
301-500 miles max revs 6000
First service at 500 miles
501-700 miles max revs 7000
701-800 miles max revs 8000
801-1000 miles max revs 9000

A gradual increase of engine revs over a period of miles is, IMO, a good way of running the engine in, combined with making sure you don't labour the engine.

Bob

 

[City Slicker]

First 600 miles - keep below 4,000 rpm and no fast acceleration, keep it gentle. Don't lug the engine - keep the revs under load above 2500 preferrably 3000 and higher. Vary the throttle opening and avoid runs with steady speed.

Once you have had the 600 mile service where the engine is re-torqued, valve adjustments are made and other components are checked you can start to have some fun. Don't forget to book this service when you collect the bike if the lead time for servicing is more than a week - 600 miles will go REAL fast, if a little boringly, and if you overshoot the 600 miles dont start to thrash the bike until you've had it checked.

Between 600 and 1200 - increase the max rpm gradually and start to apply more load under acceleration. so that towards the 1200 mark you are running the engine regularly up to 6500 and opening that throttle wide and hard.

After 1200 miles, give the bike it's dinner and ride it hard regularly. This will seat the piston rings and reduce oil consumption. This is vital to minimise carbon buildup, a result of lugging the engine and riding like a pussy.

These engines don't respond well to being ridden gently. Search for this subject on www.advrider.com/forums and you'll find that this is the general concensus. Also search for 'pinging' and 'carbon' if you're interested in why.

Good luck with the new bike.

 

[Steve]

....give the bike it's dinner and ride it hard regularly.

Or, as the Service Manager said to me, "..thrash the nuts off it..."

It's obviously a technical term.

Steve.