Running in

[Didg]

I'm still waiting to pick up my new S10 so thoughts of running it in are on my mind.
I asked on another thread for any tips and whether to follow the book or not and Rasher kindly posted this link http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I have run in aero engines in a similar way to this and it makes a lot of sense to me so I contacted the dealership and spoke to the sales manager about it (I didn't go into too much detail). His initial reaction was as expected. He said it could affect my warranty and that he had many happy S10 customers who ran their bikes in "by the book" and their bikes ran fine.
However he said he would look into it and called me back sounding surprised saying that it would not affect the warranty (provided I didn't seize the engine ofc) and that the service manager was happy to use mineral oil at the 600 mile service rather than the normal (semi synthetic?) oil.
He said that Yamaha supply the bikes new with a "special running in oil that is not available for sale" and that the service manager thought I was mad to consider an oil change after only 20 miles. His view was that it would be a waste of money and that he could not replace the "special running in oil" which is intend to stay in the engine for the first 600 miles. He would of course be happy to take my money if that is what I wanted to do.

My suspicion is that the "special running in oil" is a fairly standard 10 w 40 mineral motor oil, however if it's not, or I can't find out then I will get the first oil change at 600 miles and change to mineral oil until 1500 miles.

Obviously there will be some of you who would prefer to run in "by the book" which is fine, but for those who don't I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

 

[longride]

Break-in is like oil. Everyone has a favorite. I just ride mine fairly normally, with some good acceleration runs, always lots of downshifting and shifting through all the gears for the recommended break-in period. There is no 'special running in oil'. That is B.S. If you want to do it the mototune way, knock yourself out. It seems like a bit of a harsh break-in to me, but maybe it works. Since I have broken in 60 or 70 bikes in my life, I KNOW my system works. Have fun!

 

[X5]

Break-in is like oil. Everyone has a favorite. I just ride mine fairly normally, with some good acceleration runs, always lots of downshifting and shifting through all the gears for the recommended break-in period. There is no 'special running in oil'. That is B.S. If you want to do it the mototune way, knock yourself out. It seems like a bit of a harsh break-in to me, but maybe it works. Since I have broken in 60 or 70 bikes in my life, I KNOW my system works. Have fun!

+1 Seat those rings...

 

[num]

I broke mine in by riding it

 

[Mark R.]

I think riding it easy for the first few hundred miles makes a lot of sense, with respect to not revving it real high. Changing oil at 20 miles seems overkill. I changed at 300, then 600. And while I did not rev the engine high, I did open the throttle fully at lower rpms, but not lugging it, to get full pressure in the cylinders to seat the rings, just like the article says to do. YMMV

 

[FlaDave]

I obsess about this kinda stuff.
I did do the mototuneusa procedure for the first 50 miles. Then changed the oil.
After this, I followed the manufacturers break in procedures outlined in the manual.
All subsequent oil changes came at the recommended mileage per the manual.
Good luck and enjoy your Super T.

 

[snakebitten]

I can't recall exactly how I "broke it in".
32,000 miles ago.

I think I'm still doing it!

And if there was ever a bike that it could matter less, it's this one. I don't think you could harm it without extreme effort.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I have run in aero engines in a similar way to this and it makes a lot of sense to me so I contacted the dealership and spoke to the sales manager about it (I didn't go into too much detail).

I only had the chance to break in one Lycoming (0 SMOH) using mineral oil. Did it that way because both the shop and more importantly the manufacture recommended that method. I guess I fall into the category of doing it by the book. That's me, good luck with whatever you decided to do. And congrats on the new bike.

 

[Didg]

Bike ownership is a very personal thing, like Longride said "Break-in is like oil. Everyone has a favorite".
Just thought it would be nice to get peoples opinions so that folks like me who have just bought a new S10 can get some hints and tips.

 

[Boondocker]

I have yet to see anything that even looks like results from a particular break-in method on this bike. This engine is a pretty hearty lump, hard to go wrong unless you're a complete spaz and lug it under load or repeatedly bounce off the rev limiter. You shouldn't do those things regardless of the mileage.

I'm generally a by-the-book sort, but in the end, I just rode it normally when new as I do today, fairly gentle with the occasional spirited acceleration.
at 25,000 miles and according to my recent no-adjustments-necessary valve inspection, it's a happy motor.

The fact that you even care means you'll be fine.