How long did you wait until you went full throttle on your Raptor? Aslo when did you get your first valve adjustment?

 

I went full throttle on my first day of riding(about 3 hours of easy riding first). Had the valves adjusted with first service(10-15 hrs.)...Hope this helps....[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

Read the owner's manual! 20 hours of break-in time is recommended.

"Because the engine is brand new, you must not put an excessive load on it for the first several hours of running. During the first 20 hours, the various parts in the engine polish themselves to the correct operation clearances.

0-10 hours: Avoid continuous operation above 1/2 throttle. Alllow a cooling off period of 5-10 minutes after every hour of operation. Vary the speed of the machine from time to time. Do not operate it at one set throttle position.
10-20 hours: Avoid prolonged operation above 3/4 throttle. Rev the machine freely through the gears but do not use full throttle at any time."

I recommend to change the oil at 2, 5, 10, and 20 hours. Also, I have always used an aftermarket magnetic drain plug that will hold onto any tiny metal particles that may get into the oil.

First valve adjustment at 20 hours.

There will be people out there that recommend running your new quad hard right from the start. Don't listen to them. A properly broken in engine will be faster and last longer than one that was started off abused. But just think about this - all engine manufacturers that I know of (car and motorcycle engines) recommend a slow, gradual break-in process. There must be something to it, then. They want your engine to last as long as possible so that they don't have to pay warranty claims.

RR1

 

Where can I get one of those magnetic drain plugs?

 

I have read and seen proof that for break in you are to ride yuor bike HARD, sets the piston rings better, break in tips Now this method was used for motorcycles but they are 4 strokes just as the Raptor's are so I believe him and everything makes sense to me,

Patrick

 

Be sort of gentle the first couple of hours, then PIN IT DUDE.

You could avoid getting top MPH for a while, But Hammer Down, vary that engine speed a little.....

PIN IT!

 

There might be some truth to a harder breakin, I read the above article and some what agree. I just upgraded the piston and when I looked at my cylinder sleeve it still had the cross hash marks from honning, I was amazed my quad had about 50 hours on it, they should not have been there, but I believe it was becuase I babied my quad the first 10 hours never going above half throttle and becuase it was a birthday gift from my wife and son that i got a few days early but for my B-Day to wait to ride and I could help but start it up in the garage just for a few seconds everyday, this to me was a big mistake now that I bored and honned my cylinder and install a bigger piston I understand how important it is to get it to wear down and seal the first few minutes/hours of breakin while the piston rings are still sharp and the cylinder cross hashes are ready to file each other down.

Im not saying to abuse it but systematicaly load the engine up and then let it rev back down never doing this for more than a few seconds at a time, and dont ride more than 30 to 60 minutes at a time without letting it cool off.

 

I've been building Car engines for years. And all the machine shops I deal with agree, After you fire up a brand new motor, you keep the Revs up and seat the rings, Then run it normal, while avoiding excessive load and temp.

But I think the point is, to run it hard enough to seat the rings.

 

BudXXX,

The reason you rev a car engine after being put together is not to seat the rings. It is to break in the camshaft and lifters. You run it at about 3000 rpms for a chevy small block for about 30 minutes. That is purely for the cam, not the rings/cylinder.

If harder is better, why would all the quad manufacturers tell you otherwise?

You can get the magnetic drain plug from Chaparral or anyone else that carries TM Design products. Check the ads in the back of DW or ATV Action.

RR1