Thats fairly impressive, especialy considering the average RPM these engines turn.

 

Some of these thumper motors are used in off/on road motorcycles such as the Yamaha 660 engine and those bikes get up to 35,000 miles, so 3,500 should be easy.

 

Just as I posted above about balljoints,this morning first thing,replaced damaged strut assy,a-arm and driveshaft! Ready for another vacation! CHECK your BALL JOINTS gentlemen!

 

Yepper just had to do 1 ball joint and 1 outer tie rod on my 99 500, other then that still running & handling like a charm (knock on wood). OPT thanks for all your help here on the forum, you've been a god send at times.

 

Did your friend but the bike new and break it in, or buy it used after someone else broke it in? Wondering because I read about following the manufacturers recommendations about breaking in, and read a post, from here, I think, saying basically it is best to ride it like you stole it. Something about riding it hard brand new to heat up the rings to burn off imperfections and they seal better in the pistons. Not sure if one is better than the other.

 

I read the same thing about break in methods. He bought it new. I"m not sure which method he used. He may post to this thread. It's JIMMYPSP700.

 

I know this is old but...

I followed the owners manual on break-in and change the oil (very) often.
BTW I have used Mobil 1 0w40 and aftermarket oil filters since 2005.

 

How many miles on your 02 now have you rechecked the compression again for a comparison . .

 

These engines are very good. Not as good as the 425 and 500 engines but more than good enough IF you take care of it.

Now using Polaris oil and servicing it once a year is NOT taking care of it.

I service both cars and ATVs. Some of the same people who service their cars every 2 to 3 thousand miles no matter what will let their quads go for a 150 hours before they get around to changing the oil.

Polaris oil is Ok IF you change it at 40 hours. I read where tests on this oil shows that it breaks down badly after 40 hours. I do not use it in anything.

Use any good quality full synthetic motor oil and change it at least every 50 hours. Keep an eye on your air filter and you can ride these things for years without have any problems.

 

Now about break in. What the owners manual tells you is BS. If you want your engine to run the best the first seating of the rings is VERY important. You want these to seat perfectly with the cylinder and you want it to do this quickly.

On new engine you let it warm up and you take off like a bear was chasing you holding it WFO for at least ten seconds preferably up a slight hill. Then you back completly off the throttle and let it coast to a complete stop. Gas it again hard for another 10 seconds again then let it coast to a stop again. Do this at least 6 or 7 times. After that ride it anyway you want.

When you take off hard and fast the compression forces the rings out against the cylinder wall hard. This wears the high spots and lets the rings seal perfectly. Because they are just seating they will get hot. Giving it a run for only about ten seconds and then letting it coast to a stop keeps the rings from overheating and loosing their tension.

Engines broken in like then almost always have more power and retain their compression longer than engines that are ran very easy for the first few hours.