After doing some searching, there seems to be two completely opposite ways of breaking in a new motor. Did you follow the manual or ride it like you stole it? If I choose the latter, should the oil be changed sooner than 20 hours? This is for an '07 Wolvie 350 if that matters.

Thanks, Dave

 

From what i have read online you should ride it how you are alway's going to ride it so if you plan on riding hard ride her hard!!!!Im not saying im rite wait around hear others out.But when i got my raptor i got on hit the gas hard as if i would after it was broke and i bought mine brand new now year + latter runs great really it runs better since ive got it good and broke in. So if i was you just ride it as you want......

 

i just broke in mt 2002 motor today, it has a 13:1 686 piston, and hot cam stage two, after trouble getting it started cause of the hight comp, i ran it like i stole it, i figure i would break soon so i might as well really get at least one ride in. it held up and ran stupid fast! however as soon as i was done (after like 30 min) I flushed out the oil and the oil filter, tomorrow i race my friends yfz 480 then i find out how much power this machine has.

 

when i broke my 700 raptor in i didnt goose it that much but i did go though all the gears and hit the gas a couple of times pretty good. seems to be running good and fast.

 

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After reading his article, I've broken in all my new vehicles/atvs this way.
Makes sense the way he explains it. Don't know if this applies to 2-strokes or not. He only states 4-strokes.

 

RTFM!!!
Always read the manual.. I would go with the manufacturers suggested break-in procedure.
Even though the other readers may have had pretty good luck with their break-ins they wont warrantee it if something does go wrong.
RTFM!!!

 

everything that i have ever bought new or rebuilt i always rode it like i stole it. and they have always been great running motors everytime. so i would ride it like you stole it. but its all opinio. everyone has a different way of breaking in motors.

 

ride it hard... don't beat on it.. but don't baby it everywhere

 

You can actually follow both the manufacturers instructions and the one found on that site. Once you get the rings seated as per the web site you can still follow the manufacturers instructions. At least I was able to follow the instructions on the site and still stay within what my owners manual wanted. If I am totally wrong please chime in.

One thing I'd never do is keep my oil in as long as the owners manual suggested. I'd get the initial oil out after the first ride. Changing your oil is one of the cheapest, easiest and most beneficial maintenance things you can do. Do it often!

 

I think its a combination of both things.

1) Let it warm up completely
2) Then take it out for a blast lots of short accelerations in second and 3rd, using nearly full throttle, but not letting it rev out, just ysing the power.
3) Repeat above next few days
4) Complete about 3 to 4 hours on the Engine and change the oil and filter , mineral only
5) Start riding the bike normal, the odd flat out ride wont hurt !
6) Change oil again at about 20 Hours.
7) Its run in so do what you like for another 20 Hours
8) Change oil and filter for Synthetic (Jobs a good!)


New engines are far better now, for tolerance and some new bore linings it's a must.