Motorcycle Engine Running-in | How important is it?

[@alvindavenport5657]

I’ve owned several bikes over my 40 years of riding. Many of these were purchased new. I follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the break-in period when possible. There may be instances where I accelerate a little harder than I’d like in order to merge or pass a slower vehicle, but I don’t ride at higher rpms unless I feel it necessary. Modern materials and manufacturing techniques have reduced engine failures and oil consumption greatly over the past few decades, but I still try to break in bikes per the manufacturer’s Instructions. I’ve never had an engine failure or oil consumption issue, so I see no reason to change my pattern now. There’s a good likelihood I wouldn’t have damaged an engine regardless, but I can wait 600 miles to run a bike hard. I believe regular oil changes make more of a difference than how you break in a bike. I change mine after the break in and every 3000 miles after. Again, this works for me , and as they say, your mileage may vary.

[@bigbearbangalore]

Well said. Thanks for sharing.

[@andrewmarks3551]

Couldn’t agree more 👍 When Cosworth used to break in their DFV engines, on a Dyno, in my home town of Northampton UK, mild ‘scouring powder’ was sprinkled into the intake trumpets! As you say, modern materials, manufacturing tolerances, and accurate fuelling/heat control render the old process obsolete. It’s only the rings to bores and that’s why Cosworth did what they did! Good video 👍

[@bigbearbangalore]

Thanks for the interesting bit of information on the legendary DFV. The DFV V8s utterly dominated F1 for many many years. Cheers!

[@andrewmarks3551]

@@bigbearbangalore Interesting article here 👍

[@Vasishta_]

Well said, manufacturing has evolved a lot, so as the fuel.

[@bigbearbangalore]

Indeed!

[@ruudknoester6104]

Thank you just bought my new bike today, and i follow your advise thank you soo much

[@bigbearbangalore]

Congrats!

[@NightFury_Rider]

Watching this great video in 2024... As Bosky motioned, my knowledge on Run-in used to be on slower side. But somehow, I never followed this instruction diligently... seems my way of doing is slightly sensible now after watching this. This channel deserve 10 times more subscriber.... I will be happy to meet Bosky shortly as we both are Bengalooreans..

[@bigbearbangalore]

🙏🙏🙏

[@julianrose810]

I remember you reviewed an old friend, a Meteor 350 loaned to you by a dealer who claimed 500? customers had been loaned the bike after your initial review. You said it was much improved and that says it all really....

[@bigbearbangalore]

Yes, this engine felt smoother after many kms than when it was new.

[@supradeepnemani1937]

Hey buddy, So good to see you here. We met @ Kundapura RM. 😎😎😎 you’re bang on about the Run-In thingy. I’ve applied the same RunIn technique on my 2007 MACHISMO 500, 2014 Conti GT & 2019 Ducati M821. And I still have all three running smooth and trouble free. I want to add something here. That’s to ensure the minimal use of clutch and brakes. So was crazy enough to choose the time of delivery of the motorcycles and the road was pre determined 😀😀😀

[@bigbearbangalore]

Hi! How are you? Running in is a bit overrated. So like I said, there is no need to sweat over it and lose sleep. Ride free and enjoy the ride. Cheers!

[@muriuwangai3617]

Am amazed at how youve elaborated this controversial matter and i agree. No babying engine anymore. I own a serow Thanks from kenya.

[@bigbearbangalore]

🙏👍

[@jeevanrajb]

As per my experience you are right.. Drove about 1Lakhs km car / bike.. got fantastic mileage / performance even though I didn't pamper the engine after few hundred kms..

[@bigbearbangalore]

Good to hear. Cheers!

[@balabodhiy730]

That’s absolutely correct science.. super, well explained

[@bigbearbangalore]

Glad you liked it!

[@KaizerBillimoria]

Hi Sir, My thoughts exactly. 👍🏾

[@bigbearbangalore]

Cheers!

[@DCSPORTSTER]

I agree with you totally. don’t drive it like you stole it but don’t baby it either. Being a mechanic I’ve seen lots of engines were people have baby them, warm them up, and driven easy, and they usually have valve problems and burn oil long before they get too many km’s on them. You can let the engine run for a minute if you want, but warming up your engine is a really bad idea, causes a lot of unnecessary wear. I always tell people don’t exceed half red line till the engine is totally warmed up then drive it anyway you like. I’ve been doing that for 40 years and I’ve never had an engine yet go south on me and always get lots of kilometers out of them.

[@bigbearbangalore]

👍

[@Linkon7]

where is this.... such wonderful roads. is it Norway ?

[@bigbearbangalore]

Yes! Norway.

[@sajidquadri3046]

Invaluable information, thank you.

[@bigbearbangalore]

Thank you.

[@jimmydickson8854]

Thankyou for the honest tutorial taken on board

[@bigbearbangalore]

🙏

[@nikhilchettri4301]

Shout out to the old man I bought a ray zr three days ago and I have done 115km now I'm gonna chnage oil today and ride a bit more freely

[@bigbearbangalore]

Enjoy the ride.

[@bliveinanan2761]

Words of wisdom sir..Thanx for sharing your experience ..🙂

[@bigbearbangalore]

🙏🏻

[@davidkiernan5901]

Buying a brand new Enfield 350 in Thailand. The first thing the dealer said is they idle the new bike for 30 minutes during set up before delivery. What, are they crazy? I put a stop to that, I hope. The Thai's seem to do what they when base on faulty or non existent information. I just hope to get it out of the dealers hands before I start my own service. I now own an interceptor wit 55,000k and no problems. the new Bullet 350 looks like it is built even better. thanks Enfield

[@ridewithbcraja]

Thank you sir

[@bigbearbangalore]

Welcome! Cheers!

[@TheRmoroni]

thank you !

[@bigbearbangalore]

You're welcome! Cheers!

[@syedmohammadumairahmed]

Genius for a reason

[@bigbearbangalore]

🙏🏻

[@sudhansuranjanmohapatra6429]

Nice video. I do not exceed 50kmph speeds upto 500 kms of new Cars/motorcycles that I have owned and change the oils at the prescribed kms instead of the duration. Was surprised to learn that Mahindra prescribes the oil changes upon driving prescribed kms instead of every 6/12 months . Till dt I have only covered around 14000 kms in my Honda WRV which was purchased in May 2017 and have changed engine oil 3 times instead of getting this changed every year . I trust Castrol Magnetec for all my vehicles. I have found that using speed/ premium petrol enhances the mileage ,pick up & smoothness of the engine and is worth paying the premium. Seeking your esteemed opinion pl.

[@bigbearbangalore]

Thanks. Interesting info you've shared. Thanks.

[@TheStig.]

Thanks for sharing! In my opinion, just don't keep revolutions constant. Keep changing the revs so as to make the engine pass through different heat cycles. Contrary to the old belief of going on a gentle highway cruise the minute you pick up the car/bike.

[@bigbearbangalore]

True. Vary the loads and the speeds. Cheers!

[@swaminathannagarajan5782]

Broke a few myths. Thanks bosskey

[@bigbearbangalore]

Thanks!

[@rudyy69137]

Getting my interceptor delivered tomorrow gonna follow this but about oil change company says that we have to get it after 500kms or 1 month what should i do..love your work🙌🏻🤝

[@bigbearbangalore]

Congrats. Follow owners manual instructions.

[@sandeepshankar5226]

Would this apply for traditional 2 strokes such as Yezdis?

[@bigbearbangalore]

Two strokes are finicky and ancient. Technology and development stood still in them hence they likely need to be treated the old school way of running-in in a dozen measured stages for 1000s of kms! Cheers!

[@mohammadaaqibjawedkhan2341]

Sir will this R&D applicable in 2 stroke old engines?

[@bigbearbangalore]

Hi! Old 2-strokes need to be run in the old fashioned way.

[@anuroopvinod]

Sir does your interceptor make tik tik noise from valve area? Mine does. Is it related to bad running in? I'm afraid to give them to re service center as I have experience they make things worse.

[@bigbearbangalore]

It used to do that once in a way and I got it fixed. And that is the valve gap that can vary with engine temperature. Nothing to worry about. If it is constant then just take it to the service centre. They can fix that. Cheers!

[@VivekNa]

Day 1 rev the hell out of it, in short bursts. After 300 km change oil Done same to Bullet, Duke, RC, R15 etc

[@bigbearbangalore]

👍

[@jeevanreigns9955]

Does this even apply to RE 650 engines. A reply would be appreciated ☺️

[@bigbearbangalore]

Hi! I would apply it to all modern engines. Once again, my point it there is no need to baby a new engine for 1000s of kms, rather, I would ride it gently for a 100 km and then ride freely. Of course freely does not mean hitting the rev limiter! Cheers!

[@Thecuriousmind123]

So basically the test results show we don't need a running in period to start with..

[@bigbearbangalore]

Gentle progression is ok. No need to baby the engine.

[@adityaanand2315]

बोस्की सर जिन्दाबाद

[@bigbearbangalore]

🙏🏻

[@dipankardas1760]

Piston rings and cylinder liners are made by different mechanisms and machines. What's wrong in giving them ample time for gentle bedding. The Ari Henning video you mentioned showed more ring end clearence in the thrashed from the start engine. You are not a mechanic that's confirmed.

[@bigbearbangalore]

Hi! Thanks for letting us know what you think about running-in. Cheers!

[@WidleyWesident]

Oh no, another Stuart Fillingham. Please don’t do it as he’s tedious and soporific and you don’t want to make people sleep, do you? 🥲🥲

[@bigbearbangalore]

😃 Oh no!! Hey, I got some videos that are more active and entertaining. Hopefully at least those won’t put you to sleep. Cheers!

[@srinathiyengar.mudgal]

That means go out on the highways to run in......

[@bigbearbangalore]

👍