New Motorcycle Running-in

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I've just bought a splendid F4 1+1 EV03, i need somebody that has experience with this wonderful motorcycle to give me some hints on how should i make the first couple of hundreds mile (how many RPM should i not exceed, which speed, how to utilize the brakes, etc) during the running-in period. I already have the motorcycle owner manual procedure, but for my experience usually the engine remain sluggish after the running in advised by the consturctor.

Any hints?

-- Paolo (v_boost@hotmail.com), January 24, 2003

Answers

Hi Paolo,

I have three bikes: '02 Hayabusa, '02 Triumph Daytona 955i, and an '02 MV Agusta (Evo II).

All three bikes run incredibly strong (even friends that I have that have some of the same bikes notice). I don't do anything special, just this:

I follow the break-in by the book, 99% of the time (I'll explain the 1% exception later). One thing I especially take care to do is vary the RPM. I'm really a stickler about that. I vary it [literally] by the mile (or by the minute using the clock). I watch my ODO (or clock), when it clicks to the next mile (or minute), I change the RPM by 1000 to 2000 WITHIN THE BREAK-IN PARAMETERS. For example at 50 miles on the ODO, I'm holding the RPM at 3,000 and then at 51 miles I hold the RPM at 6,000, at mile 52 I hold the RPM at 4,000, and I just keep cycling it at different RPM's throughout the break in. After the first 100 miles, I increase the intervals (i.e. Change the RPM every 2 miles). I don't go past that -- in my opinion (whether true or not) the change in RPM shouldn't be after long intervals.

Now for the 1% of the time that I go outside the book. Every ONCE in a while, and after 500 MILES, I'll take the engine up to 1000 - 1500k past break in recommendations.

All of this is not scientific, it's anecdotal in nature, so you'll have to keep that in mind. All that I know, is that I purchased all of my bikes brand new, and they all run very, very strong. For example, my MV will hang with my buddy's Hayabusa through the first 2 gears, and then he starts walking away in third. In case you don't know, the Hayabusa is a 1300cc motorcycle and is the world's fastest production bike. His bike isn't slow, and he knows what he's doing. Another thing, I'm only running up to 11k on my tach (still in break- in). Even he was shocked as to how fast my bike is (the MV).

Hope this helps,

- Steve

-- Steven Gonzales (steven_gonzales@intuit.com), January 24, 2003.


Oh yeah -- I almost forgot. It's a really good idea to put the engine through THREE heat cycles right away (as close to 0 miles as possible). Bring the bike up to full operating tempurature (this can take a while on the MV) and then ride around for 20 minutes or so, then shut the bike down and let it cool off COMPLETELY (so it's obviously a good idea to ride near your house). Repeat two more times.

- Steve

-- Steven Gonzales (steven_gonzales@intuit.com), January 24, 2003.


Dear Paolo, where did you get the EV03? I didn't know it is already available. Did MV start the production again? Giacomo

-- Giacomo Savini (giacomo.savini@fastwebenet.it), January 24, 2003.

Thanks Steven for your informations, they doesn't sound wrong to me, i think i'll follow them quite litterally.

Giacomo, the EV03 will be in my hands around the first half of February (not so far indeed). Mv Agusta have just re-started production, and starts delivering the new EVO3 in few weeks! (at least here in Italy, i really don't know in other countryes)

Bye, Paolo

-- Paolo (v_boost@hotmail.com), January 24, 2003.


Run it to redline once in a very long while. Do it once while it is new, within the first hundred or so miles. Then do it rarely after that maybe for the first 500 miles. The advice about heat cycles seems good.

What you are trying to do is to get all metal parts worn in properly. Not too quickly, not too slowly. Either one will cause problems.

Probably one of the best things you can do to get long term use out of your engine after break in then is proper warm up.

-- Andy Ruhl (quadreverb@yahoo.com), January 25, 2003.



Hi Paolo I would agree with whats been said. In the early stages it is very important to keep those revs moving about and at no time find yourself labouring the engine especially as the mv is a revvy lump by nature. As a point of interest. My Senna was out of sync on the injectors from the crate and at the first service we found one shim out. I know some guys have said that a valve clearance check as specified by the manufacturer at the first service is not needed but i dont agree. As you put the miles on, your MV will get smoother and faster, improving like a bottle of wine. The early days are hard work but keep with it the rewards latter down the line are worth it. Have fun Tony b

-- tony b (mcbeck709@blueyonder.co.uk), January 25, 2003.

Hope for you you will get a proper 2003 check the VIN number when you get it. Because how much 2002 are still around? I have the feeling you will not get it in time, would surprise me very much! I know people that have waited for the SPR now for two years, but hey a 1+1 migtht be more common, good luck

-- hb (not@vailable.com), January 26, 2003.

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