How to Break in a New Motorcycle

It is a basic human psychology. Whenever we buy a new thing or a machine, we use it with extreme care and caution. We don’t roughly use it. We do the same thing with motorcycles. However, they deserve to be treated like this throughout their life.

Breaking in a motorcycle, especially a new one, is a concept that still some riders don’t know about. As we can see on the internet, there are riders who still keep asking the following questions:

• What is a motorcycle engine break in period?

• How to break in a motorcycle?

• How long is the motorcycle engine break in period for a new motorcycle?

• Is there a break-in period for a bike with a rebuilt engine?

All of these questions are valid and required to be answered properly to clear the confusion of riders. If someone doesn’t follow the proper break in period of a motorcycle and the guidelines, they are likely to harm their bike’s engine.

So, it is wise to know everything about the motorcycle break-in period and how long it is. Continue reading this article to learn everything about the motorcycle engine break in.

The motorcycle break in period is the initial period of a new motorbike during which it is run slowly and smoothly. The pressure or stress is gradually increased or kept at a minimum level to ensure the components last longer and settle in properly.

The motorcycle engine break-in is a crucial phase of either a new motorcycle or one with a rebuilt engine. The bike is gently ridden in this phase. It may sound less important to many riders, but it is quite critical. Your motorbike’s performance, fuel mileage, and longevity depend on its engine break in period.

It is important to break in a motorcycle when it is newly bought or even if you have rebuilt its engine. IT is done because the engine parts are quite new and rough. Also, as we all know, there are many parts moving against or rubbing with each other. As these rough surfaces rub against each other, they create metal dust, and it happens during the first few hundred to one thousand miles. Riders are expected to ride within a specific slow speed range and not to cross the redline.

The break-in period of a bike allows these engine parts to settle in and get smooth and polished. The rubbing or friction movement against the surfaces is reduced during this break in period. Hence, improving the bike’s performance, fuel mileage, and longevity.

The most important engine parts that are likely to get damaged and impact the bike’s performance are the seals installed between the engine cylinder walls and piston rings. The piston ring seals may sound less crucial, but they perform some of the most important tasks in the engine, including:

• The piston ring seals maintain optimal lubrication in a motorbike engine.

• They ensure proper compression of gases in an engine.

• They seal the combustible gases inside the engine and prevent them from escaping.

Riding the motorcycle at high speeds during the break in period must be avoided as it can overwhelm the engine.

Riders should limit the rpms to a safe level as recommended by the manufacturer. Do not rev your bike at high rpms.

Also, other than going fast, avoid sudden accelerating and braking.

Do not delay the service intervals, especially the oil change, as the oil likely includes the metal dust of parts and debris.

Avoid riding your bike at a constant speed for a longer period, as it can put stress on the engine and cause uneven wear.

Another important thing to avoid during the motorcycle break-in period is excessive load. This also put immense stress on the motorcycle engine. Do not ride with a passenger. Also, there is no need to install luggage bags or carry luggage on your bike.

Avoid riding your motorcycle in high/extreme temperatures during its break in period. This makes the engine run at extreme temperatures and puts stress on it.

Engine lugging must be avoided during the break-in period of a new bike or one with a rebuilt engine. For those who don’t know, engine lugging is riding your bike at a low rpm when the bike is under excessive load. This means to put excessive stress on the motorbike’s engine by riding it in high gears and trying to accelerate harder. This is known as engine lugging, and it must be avoided during the break in a motorcycle.

It is not only about the motorcycle engine; almost every part of the bike, including the motorcycle tires, also has a break-in period. It takes time for the bike tires to attain the optimal grip and wear off the mold release compound.

Other components, including the transmission, clutch, brakes, and final drive, all have a break-in period. So, don’t let anything go through the torture in the break-in phase of the bike.

There are always some specific guidelines or recommendations to follow, which are provided by your manufacturer during the bike break-in period. This usually includes running the bike below a particular speed, changing the engine oil after a certain duration, and going for servicing after a particular number of miles or duration. So, these guidelines must be followed closely.

Make sure to warm up the engine of the bike before going for a ride by idling. It is important to do a few minutes of idling before putting the bike in gear. Idling the bike helps the engine reach the optimal temperature before you start riding it. It distributes the oil well. Idling the bike also helps you find any issues with the bike. However, it must not be overdone.

Do not ride your bike hard and too much. Give it a break. Let the engine cool down when it is in the break-in period. Do not let the engine reach high temperatures during this phase, as it can cause damage to the engine.

The break-in period of motorcycles may vary, but it normally lasts somewhere between 500 and 1,500 miles. This makes 800-2,400 kms. To confirm, check the motorcycle owner's manual, as some manufacturers have their own recommended limit for the break in period.

The break-in period of a motorcycle doesn’t depend on the time after the purchase; it depends on the number of miles. Make sure to adhere to the recommended break-in period limits before you start riding your bike at its fullest.

The bike break-in period is sometimes either mentioned in the owner's manual or on a sticker pasted on the bike. You can either find the sticker with the bike’s break-in period mentioned on it on the gas tank or on some other part.

Those riders who don’t take breaking in their bikes seriously are missing a crucial process. It primarily impacts the performance, longevity, and fuel efficiency of your bike. You must, therefore, take it seriously. Learning how to break in a new motorcycle and the important things that you must avoid during this phase can help you keep your bike running smoothly throughout its life.

Break-in period is not only a process for new motorbikes, but it applies to those bikes with rebuilt engines as well. Also, the break-in period doesn’t only apply to the bike’s engine, it also applies to the motorcycle tires, transmission, chassis, and almost the whole bike. It allows every part, including the small components of the engine, to settle in.

Above all, it lets the new parts inside the engine that rub against each other with rough surfaces get smoother over time. In the end, let your bike break in before you start riding it fast and to its fullest.