F650 Break-in FAQ

by Sean #807, Trevor George.
compiled &edited by Kristian #562
Please read the Disclaimer before attempting any work in this FAQ.
Last Updated: 16 July 2006, by Winter #1935

You may also like to read the Riding Tips FAQ


Break-In

What the manual attempts to get you to do, but doesn't tell you why, is to limit the amount of heat applied to the various reciprocating/rotating components for any long period of time.

You have two opposite functions to perform at break-in:

  1. Apply enough pressure to the piston rings (via high-load) to have them expand and match the cylinder bore (in fact, they both wear a bit and fit each other). This also applies to valve to valve-seat interfaces and all plain bearings.
  2. Avoid excessive heat that would cause distortion that will prevent these parts from mating.

So how do we do this?

Understand, this is a two part process:

Comments:

Refer also:

Alternative Break-In Method

I spent hours going over a wealth of information on this site last night - maybe it's been posted before but I missed it. The site contains a procedure for breaking in an engine:

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/NewBike.html#BreakIn

It's contrary to what the manufacturers recommend, but apparently the author has been doing it his way for a long time with great success. I am interested what others think of it. BMWconfused

Another Method

A friend of mine sent me this link on how to break-in the new bike. Would this void the warranty? http://www.peterverdonedesigns.com/breakin.htm. Flash Gordon