New user, first post. Been doing my research for a couple weeks and decided on the 2008 650 H1 that I picked up as model year close out. So far I see that there is osme issues with the battery and winter starting. Will plan on a new battery. any other tips/tricks I need to know with breaking it in? Thanks

 

For breaking it in, id just recommend doing as the manual says.Take it kinda easy for the first 10 hrs/100 miles. Dont pull any heavy loads and dont hammer down on it right away,but everyonce in a while slowly get it to WOT then let off and cruise at a decent speed. You dont have to do exactly as it says,but in some similar way. Everyones going to break theirs in different but doing what the manual says will ensure you that if there is a problem shortly after, then they cant say it was your fault. Some will say hammer down and drive it how ever you want right away,can if you want, but i wouldnt. welcome to the forum!

 

For winter use I did the following on my '08 TRV 650H1:

1. buy a 1.5amp battery maintainer ($20). Leave in ON when not using the CAT, that way your BAT is always charged.

2. If you storing in a cold environment - I installed an in-line block/hose htr from AC ($40) and put in on a timer. Works great.

3. TAKE OFF the RIGHT side panel - and leave it off till spring - so you have access to the carburator PRIMER. It's not easy to find, it's the ONLY small FLAT piece of aluminum ON the carb. It's up tight on the front of the carb. To prime it YOU have to push down/lift up on it about 2-3 times. Hit the starter and away it goes.

4. RUN SYNTHETIC oil in the engine - I use AMSOIL 0W40. - less chance of popping a seal.

5. CHANGE YOUR DIFFERENTIAL OIL - I use AMSOIL 75-90 Synthetic.

6. Drop your tire pressure to 3-4lbs. Any more an your a "spin-o-matic" especially if you install a plow.

7. CHANGE YOUR SPARKPLUG. Dump the Champion and get a NGK!! Starts better.

Basically use common sense. Let 'r warm up a good 3-5 min BEFORE you take it out for a romp in the snow.

You'll luv the 650! Good luck

MY TRV

 

thanks for the heads-up. A few follow-up ?'s: (in order)
1. OK, will plan to. Winter only, I assume?
2. in-line hose/block heater on a timer? wouldn't it be the same just pluging it in a whie prior to start?
3. That may take some hunting, I haven't been a mechanic for about 20 yrs.
4. Amsoil 0W40. got it. Year round or are ther seasonal recommendations?
5 same as #4
6. makes sense but what about the tires themselves?
7. not a clue what the differences might even be between the two. please elaborate for us beginners who are also curious. Costs too.

Lastly an addition of my own. Around my neck of the woods (duluth MN) Gander Mtn is the only advertised AC dealer in town. AC.com doesn't list anyone close either. Anjyone local have any suggestions? I'm going about 70 miles just to pick it up this weekend and would like to have some closer service than that.

Thanks!

 

i broke my o7 a/c in the way i was gonna ride it hard and fast no problems yet 3000 hard miles

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Moverlie

thanks for the heads-up. A few follow-up ?'s: (in order)

1. OK, will plan to. Winter only, I assume?

2. in-line hose/block heater on a timer? wouldn't it be the same just pluging it in a whie prior to start?

3. That may take some hunting, I haven't been a mechanic for about 20 yrs.

4. Amsoil 0W40. got it. Year round or are ther seasonal recommendations?

5 same as #4

6. makes sense but what about the tires themselves?

7. not a clue what the differences might even be between the two. please elaborate for us beginners who are also curious. Costs too.



Lastly an addition of my own. Around my neck of the woods (duluth MN) Gander Mtn is the only advertised AC dealer in town. AC.com doesn't list anyone close either. Anjyone local have any suggestions? I'm going about 70 miles just to pick it up this weekend and would like to have some closer service than that.



Thanks!</end quote></div>

NP....... in response.......in order:

1 Yes for winter. I'm in ND, just like MN it get cold! Just easier on the battery - and it's ALWAYS charged when you need it.

2. It takes about an hr to heat up (small) I have mine on a 6hr on/off rotation. It's on during the peak time I may need it. (not so much at 2am)

3. Panel removal is EASY. It just snaps in. And the primer is easy too. As you can see in the pic I made for ya: it's small/flat/and on the front of the carb on the rght side.

CARB FROM RIGHT SIDE

4. Year round - AMSOIL won't void any warranty.

5. Same at #4. If your in the water ALOT...change more frequently. I plan to change mine every 1000 miles.

6. STOCK TIRES are ok for evertyday general riding. But they have poor sidewall strength and not very puncture proof. I'm getting a set of MAXIS BIGHORNS for mine this spring (hopefully).

7. They come w/CHAMPION plugs from the factory. (I hate Champions!) My 650 ran like crap - poor starts/backfireing on decelleration etc. Talked to an AC tech and told me to put in a NGK CR8EB. NP since. Excellent perfoming plug.

MY TRV W/PLOW

Can't really help ya in the closer dealer dept.

My suggestion : if your going to BUY from them.....work up a good relationship w/them. Talk to them about how they handle warranty work, and remind them you live 70mile away, so what time frame for repairs/drop-off/pick-up can you expect?
Get personal. Get names. Make them remember you. You just bought an $7500 machine, impress upon them that you might even in the future want ANOTHER one, and how they handle stuff after the sale will depend on if you buy another from them.....
Good luck! Oh remember MANLAW - post pics of your new ride!

 

Well, still working on getting it broke in. Those first ten hours have been tough to find time for. Right now, the meter says I've got 10 on it but that's just not possible. I don't even havbe one onit yet. I pull the key and take it with me when I'm not in the garage/actively using it. Somehow it keeps ticking away. Have to figure that out.
Got he plow in right now. I know it isn't recommended but I had to. There's no way I was going to shovel out that country driveway. It had just drifted a bit so the bus was having trouble. Hardly any load on it. I go thte battery maintainer on it and that seems to be fine. For some reason, it quit twice today while idling, without warning. Odd.

Any more advice Cupsz71? Still working on getting the fluids and plug replaced. Do they need to be replaced after the first 10 hrs? Then how often after that?

 

If you are having issues take it back to Gander and have them fix it. If the battery is weak MAKE them give you a new one. If it quits while idleing after warmed up take it back and MAKE them fix it. At least get it documented before your warranty is up, that way if they don't get it fixed before warranty period expires they are obligated to fix it till its fixed.

 

The hour clock runs when the machine is at idle too. I think it's 500rpm it cuts in at.

I've got 65hrs on mine w/612 miles. It idled alot when pushing snow. And adding a plow isn't really a issue for the 650. It's got a ton of low end torque. I pushed ALOT of snow this winter. Depending on how deep, I mainly pushed in H. But for the heavier stuff L. The REV limiter will kick in if you over-rev in L. Just remember that it's a quad, not a truck. SO PUSH THE SNOW AS FAR AS YOU CAN the 1st TIME. You can't move it after it sits. So give yourself room to ADD more for the next time(s) it snows.

Look for the idle adjustment **** on the back of the carb. It's attached to a long black tube. Pull a bit and turn the **** clockwise 1/2 turn to up your idle. Mine has the same issue in the cold.

I changed my oil to synthetic at 300 miles. Then every 500 is the plan. Every 3000 for the diffs. and the plug every 1500.

hope this helps. good luck and have fun![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]