How-to Break In Your KTM/HQV 4 Stroke

This video is about How-to Break In Your KTM/HQV 4 Stroke

[@yz125rider209]

I’m a ktm tech and just got back from ktm training. They actually recommend to go 3-5 hours for the first oil change to really seat the rings in. They come with mineral oil from the factory. They also said to put motorex after. Another thing they mentioned was using mineral oil when you rebuild the top end. I typically see over 200 hours for sure on a well maintained unit before it needs a top end.

[@Ridevenice]

Where did you go to do this training? I'm interested!

[@yz125rider209]

Ride! Venice - Bike Rentals In murrieta, ca at ktm hq. Must be a tech at a ktm dealership to go

[@Good-Life34010]

So they recommend running the factory break in oil 3-5 hrs before first oil change? Then ok to go synthetic?

[@yz125rider209]

@@Good-Life34010 yea so after your first oil change put in motorex 10w50 or 10w60 whichever your manual recommends. (Same shit) and happy trails brotha 💪🏻

[@chrisoffersen]

I’m wondering why KTM insists on Motorex. I went and got Motul 7100 on a recommendation (but haven’t put it in yet) before I realized what the big “Motorex” sticker on the engine meant 😂 Is this just a kind of team-marketing these companies are doing, or does it actually matter?

[@GJCOrado]

Aaron Steinmann and others, myself included, are using 450/500's for adventure bikes and 70 hours would be a month on the road. I have not seen the RTW riders rebuilding motors on these bikes every month or so. I guess I will need to become more intimate with shock rebuilding at home. Great video.

[@adambatchelder4121]

So my old 12 ktm 250xcw went 1140 hours on the stock crank and cylinder. The cylinder was definitely out of spec by 800 hours. The crank never failed, just changed it out of guilt. I am a shop owner and always do meticulous air filter maintenance and this bike is ridden on very technical high mountain single track so it doesn't see a lot of rpm. It's always amazing to see customers bikes trashed at one or two or three hundred hours because of no maintenance.

[@slaverace1]

1140 is impressive. You get a free Slavens T. Send me your information to [e-mail]

[@jne232]

Thank you so much for the information at 11:45 in! I am at 125 hours (3500 miles) now on my 2016 FE450 and I didn't think I was anywhere near a rebuild. Valves in spec still.

[@neonalon]

My old husaberg 70 degree was at 300 hours and the engines was never open except for checking valve clearance. I did not ride it to its full potential by any stretch however but every time I rode it was obvious that the bike had so much life left in the original engine.

[@ddacaro]

I wanted to thank you for sharing your experience with us, it's valuable and much appreciated! Ride on and ride safe brother.

[@hockinmatt]

Just ordered my GET ECU for my 22 500 from you yesterday! So glad I didn't do my first oil change yet. I'm going to do 5 hours or 300ish miles like you said. Thanks!

[@slaverace1]

The GET, with our proprietary maps, will make it rip! Glad you are putting on some miles. It will pay big dividends.

[@MrDylan1064]

Glad I'm not the only one who thought there rebuild interval was bit crazy. Especially on a 4 Stroke

[@lyndonewright330]

Thank you for the video ive just bought a new Husqvarna FX350 im new to four strokes always have rode 2strokes my bike did not come with a owners manual I have ordered one have bn wondering how to break it in your video has helped me if I ever get a chance to ride it

[@carls.2071]

Damit.... I wish saw this video when I bought my '21 501s. The service department did the 1-hour service and put replaced the break-in oil with Motorex 4T.

[@mikerasmussen7367]

Thanks for the information! I’ll definitely go with break in oil after my first hour. Was going to just use Motorex like manual says so glad I watched this video.

[@patrickmatthews1272]

Thanks Jeff gr8 info as always just about done 10 hrs on my new 350exc so gr8 tips for me, thank you stay safe wishes from the uk 👍

[@Ridevenice]

Nice tips! And respect to all grand-mas still riding :)

[@paulvanhout9695]

What, read the manual?? As we always said in my 11 years of military service: "RTFM- Read the F'n Manual" And as always excellent advice!

[@slaverace1]

Paul Van Hout Thank you.

[@bboness713]

You would think more people would actually read them. I keep a digital copy on my phone so I have it all the time.

[@rogercrier9115]

So i get not using synthetic oil at the one hour oil change, but i missed you saying when you should make the switch.

[@slaverace1]

Hello: I don't have time to review the video. I change it out between 300 and 400 miles.

[@jra1753]

How long would you wait for your first oil change if you intend to put synthetic in right away? 2-3 hours? great vid btw!

[@slaverace1]

That 1guy Hard to say. I do a lot of things by feel. I would wait for the engine to loosen up and pull hard. Probably 4 to 5 hours. Don’t get in a big hurry. The filtration system works well.

[@chrisoffersen]

What’s your reasoning for why you’d want to put in synthetic right away?

[@davecummings3335]

@@chrisoffersen Because the owner's manual says to ONLY use full synthetic 10W50. They are pretty adamant about it.

[@chrisoffersen]

@@davecummings3335 ah. Thanks

[@mototrailz]

good video that we see rarely. I have a 2019 KTM 500 EXC with 320 H / 16,500km bike runs fine and starts perfectly. I changed suspension, brake, clutch fluids. Do you think i should think about redoing the top end or should i push it more. I checked valves at 220 hours and there were in specs. Not sure why people complain about KTM being not reliable. I love so much that bike. Thanks for your reply when you have a chance.

[@slaverace1]

Oli M Ride it

[@garthlundquist8316]

Oli M Jeff is right. The 500’s are very durable. I have similar hours/ miles on my 2016 501 and it runs great. The valves never need adjustment. Some guys get 700 hours out of these motors. The 500’s make tons of power at lower revs. Lower revs equals less wear. Just keep the oil and filters clean, don’t overheat or submerge it. If you have hard starting, smoke, low power, or excess vibration then it is time to rebuild.

[@espenlangnes8664]

thanks Jeff, good information.

[@madman432000]

I does say 70 hours when used for motorsports, I assume that will mean racing of some kind.

[@markpotter6509]

Hey Jeff, how do you feel about the KTM stating check valves at 1 hr after break in?

[@slaverace1]

That is absolutely absurd. Ride it about 50 hours, check them and they will very likely be perfect.

[@markpotter6509]

Jeff Slavens that’s exactly my thought. I was like what!?

[@paulsantiago4136]

Just purchased a ktm and was told by the experts at the dealer to make sure I checked valves after 1 hour and every 6 hours after that. After a couple sleepless nights thinking about my subpar mechanic skills I will sleep like a baby after watching this vid

[@YUNOWILLY]

When or how many hours do you recommend you have until you switch to a full synthetic oil ?

[@weyderwarr]

So I put full synthetic after 1 hour on my 21 FE501. I'm now at 2 hours and my question is would it be too late for me to put break in oil in there at this point?

[@shawnmeiman]

Same question

[@weyderwarr]

@@shawnmeiman I ended up throwing 10w60 in it, figured it would be a good middle ground for breaking it in. And I ride in the desert so the thicker oil was needed anyway. Worked well for me. Enjoy the new bike!

[@jimbro389]

Great video 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@slaverace1]

Thank you!!

[@map900]

Hey Jeff, I did my first oil change at 1 hour over to motorex full synthetic. I have 450 miles/48 hours on her now. 2018 ktm500exc. Should I switch back to regular oil for sometime? Thanks

[@RandomNamedOne]

Maybe you should start the video over and listen to what he is saying, one more time...

[@map900]

I have already. What did I miss?

[@madman432000]

Don't bother, probably won't make a difference now. It's fine.

[@gerardosullivan7126]

Mario Percoco , I see what you are asking there. I did exactly what the manual on my 350 exc-f said, change the oil to the motorex full syn after 1 Hour, so I did just that. Now i'm thinking i might have done it prematurely and not let the full break-in happen as Jeff explained.Why wouldn't the manual just say to break in for 3-5 hours. Next time i'll do a longer break-in.

[@map900]

Do you sell an exhaust heat shield that covers the section of exhaust pipe closest to the rear shock? Would that help keep rear shock oil cooler? Last longer?

[@slaverace1]

No. Possibly.

[@map900]

Thanks.

[@Xaziva]

My mate here in Sweden has 800h on his ktm 500 excf- 2012 without any rebuild and im on 300h+ with my ktm 450excf 2017 without opening the engine...

[@rockymelvin7566]

pro trick : you can watch series on flixzone. Me and my gf have been using it for watching loads of movies these days.

[@romeozaire174]

@Rocky Melvin Definitely, have been using Flixzone for years myself :)

[@Scummy_shovel]

How many hours did you end up getting out of that 450? I bought a 2020 fx350 just to have an extra “loaner/beater” type bike. Figured I’d experiment with it. 280 hours before I ever even did the valves. Even at that it still started quick and easy and they wasn’t that far off. This same bike now has just shy of 400 hours and aside from that first valve adjustment I haven’t done a thing to it but oil and filter every 6-10 hours. This bike has been literally used and abused. I feel silly rebuilding my race engine so often because these newer model ktm/husky’s are dang good engines.

[@jonnybashaw]

dang i read in manual 3 hrs was the break in period and now im reading have to change oil after 1 hr. Im at 2.2 hours how bad is this . that im just now going to drain and change oil at 2.2 hours

[@slaverace1]

2.2 hours is ok, but I run my bikes longer on the break in fluid.

[@mornepetersen7003]

I change the oil on my 250 every 20hrs, the oil has a healthy texture but has a bit of a fuel smell - is that normal?

[@ktmdays]

Im getting the 2020 500 excf soon the book.said to do valve's soon what do.u think about that i have seen some videos on adjusting them and they check them and most the time there ok nice video only.one i have seen going over owners manual 👍

[@slaverace1]

Billy Butthole Do whatever makes you feel good. I’ll ride mine for several thousand miles before thinking about it.

[@jase1911]

@@slaverace1 I know you are a KTM guy but I just bought a new 2019 KX450 and only have 4ish very very easy hours on it but the other day I started it up (cold) and it was smoking blue for the first 5-10 minutes. Haven't noticed it since but what causes that? Still original oil Haven't changed it yet ....just wanted your opinion and advice

[@steffenmichler5204]

Hi Jeff, which kind of break in petroleum based oil (brand/specifics like 10w50) would you recommend for the second period of breaking in after the firts oil change after one hour riding the 2020 KTM 500 EXC? Im not able to find a petroleum based from motorex for example. Im from Germany and cant find the right one from maximaThanks a lot. Perhaps you can tell me the exact brand and specifics of the oil you used. Steffen

[@slaverace1]

Hello: I'm sorry, I don't know what is available in Germany. Maxima slavensracing.com/shop/maxum-4-break-in-oil-by-maxima-racing-oils/ is popular in the USA. I rode hard (normal gnarly trails) my 500 with the O.E.M. break-in oil for 350 miles then switched to Motul 300V slavensracing.com/shop/300v-factory-line-off-road-motor-oil-motul/ .

[@steffenmichler5204]

@@slaverace1 Thanks a lot for the response. I just ordered nice parts at your shop:) also the Maxima oil for breaking in my EXCF 500 out of the year 2020. I was wondering about the 10w30. Isnt it a problem for the exc motor, ktm recommends 10w50 right? Does the Maxima break in oil also exist in 10w50?

[@norbertibarra9029]

@@steffenmichler5204 Just stumbled on this and your question is exactly what I'm wondering. Did you ever get your answer? Thanks in advance.

[@200xcBruce]

I always believed those warnings like the major overhaul at 70 hours is a lawyer developed statement. In case of an engine failure at say 75 hours you better have receipts to prove you did exactly as stated, or your out of luck.

[@jrago6228]

I know you must have but can't find your sag video. Have 2 new 300 xcw 2021. Want to check sag before even get dirty. Loosen nut(let spring expand)will increase my MM #s and 1 rotation is about 2 or 3mm ?

[@slaverace1]

I have a sag video in the queue, coming soon. If your weight with gear is 165-187lbs, you can set the sag with the stock spring. If your weight is beyond those boundaries, you are wasting time. Install the correct spring for your weight THEN set the sag and install the correct fork springs to keep it balanced.

[@pinnedit]

I put 1.5 hours on my bike on original oil. Did some hard pulls and revved it out here and there, never noticed any smoke, . Swapped to motorex 15-50 which was recommended to me . Now it smokes when I rev it . Kinda annoyed after watching this my bike might be ruined . Can I try to run non syn oil again? It has about .5 hours on synthetic oil

[@slaverace1]

Hello: 1.5 hours is not enough time for the rings to seat. You jumped the gun. Go back to a petroleum based oil slavensracing.com/shop/maxum-4-break-in-oil-by-maxima-racing-oils/ and ride it hard.

[@patatewz]

@@slaverace1 its ok running 10w30 breaking oil? no 10w50 like ktm want? Thansk!