I'm new to ATV's and have just bought a '01 honda rancher in 2wd. I was just wondering if there is a "break-in" period for the machine and how long it is, and what type of oil would be the best to use? Thanks for any input!!!

 

Daver, Honda dealers recommend about five tanks of gas before first service. The mileage or hours could vary, of course, depending on how you ride it. I have a '99 450 Foreman. I think I had just over 100 miles on it at the first service, but I ran a lot of gas through it plowing snow! I have looked at the new Ranchers, and I think you made a good choice! Enjoy!!!

JIM

 

My dealer told me to not run full throttle for 10-15 hours, he said that is the break in time for the 01 4x4 Rancher ES Red!!

 

The break in is about 15-20 miles (according to the owners manual) or about 2-3 hours running time so I would go real easy on the Throttle for at least that time frame. as far as oil I would change it at about 7-10 hours with any name brand 10-40w and then agian at about 20 hours. Don't go to synthetic until you have at least 10 hours on the motor so it has time to fully break in. Then I would recommend going to a 100% synthetic at about 20 hours. I use AMSOIL
10-40w 100% synthetic from what I've read its rated one of the best for air cooled Engines due to its high zinc content, high Viscosity and flash point but definitely go to 100% synthetic after break-in for maximum engine life

 

If I were you, I would wait until it had near 50 miles on it before opening it up all the way. Even then, don't do it for long periods of time. First oil change about 100-150 miles. That gives it time to break in and do a little metal shaving, and isn't too late to get the shavings and new oil out. I would expect that if you changed the oil too soon, it would still have a little breaking in to do and would get more shavings in the oil. Then if you waited till say, 500 miles for the second oil change, you would have 400 miles on oil that could possibly have had shavings in it the whole time.

I changed out the oil on my AC at 250 miles. Wanted to do it at 150-200, but the time got away from me. I found shavings in it as you will on any new machine (trucks and cars included), but the second change at 800 miles had barely any shavings in it. The last at 1300 was very clean. I didn't change differential fluid until 1300 miles and both front and rear had a buttload of shavings in them. I assumed this to be normal, seeing that they don't tell you to change differential fluid for a good while.

 

Madmax: I've heard that you shouldn't run synthetic because it isn't made for the clutches in the honda. have you heard different?

 

You shouldnt synthetic until you have at least 1500-2000 km's on it. I ta;lked to many local mecanics and they all said the same>>wait. they say its too hard on the topend. They said its still breaking in even when it has 1500-2000 km's on it and its just too good of an oil to use i the early stages of the engines life.