I just purchased a new 2003 Rubicon this past weekend, and am wondering if anyone has any advice regarding breaking it in (time period, driving techniques, etc.)? Thanks.

 

run it hard, lots of accel and decel. but dont hold it at any one throttle position for very long, no wfo top speed runs. Make sure you change the oil after about 20 miles or less. make sure you use real oil and not synthetic stuff, at least for the first few changes.

 

Welcome to the connection Rattner,
Like maddog56 said break it in hard or however you will be riding it. You do not need to chande the oil until about 100 miles or 20 hours on the motor. After the first oil change remember to change it every 600 miles or so and keep the air filter clean. Have fun with the new ride.

 

You are right nick about the oil change. Because of the auto trans there will not be tons of slag in the engine oil. About 10 hours would be better though, 20 is basically the entire break in period, and thats just too long.

 

I changed my oil 3 times within the first 1000km's. I did the first 2 within 500 km's. You definatly want to protect your investment, and keeping the oil clean is the best insurance you can have.

So is it safe to use synthetic oil ever in these motors or should I stick with regular 10-40 motocycle oil?

 

I have ran Castrol syntec (part synthetic oil) in my rubi for over 3k miles now, doesn't smoke or leak oil and it runs very good. I would check with the dealer about it though, some do not want to warranty the motors unless you run regular motorcycle oil. My dealer said it would be fine to run the syntec and he would honor the warranty, so thats why I run it.

 

Rattner, one thing you will want to remember is to let it warm up!! Hard riding is ok (hard riding is not beating it to hell) as long as you give the engine time to warm up before you start.

 

Very good point, I forgot about that. You want to let the quad idle w/o having to use the choke. Let it warm up for a few, and then you can let her rip.

 

Hey don't you guys know any thing about a rubicon the computer displays a oil change on the display in the upper right corner that tells you when to change oil go by that. Far as oil Honda tells use one thing NO 20w/50 they have there reasons. Far as break in drive it like you are going to drive it any other time even after 2k miles or what ever. and enjoy your wheeler

 

Cluby, the oil change light comes on after about 600 miles. The dealer told me I could use 20/50 oil cause they have had no problems due to this oil and we have ran it in the 400 foreman for about 13K miles so I think 20/50 is fine. Can you tell me why I should stop using this oil now or is it cause honda has there reasons.