ATV Florida Forum

What is a proper way to break-in a Raptor or any four-wheeler?  I heare alot of diffrent ways to break-it in but what;s the best way?

DO a search there are already a dozen or more posts on the subject! Just like most of your other posts.  ::)

Break it in hard. Read this article it will change the way you think. This is how I break in my engines.
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

then dont ride it  ::)

You make what ever decision is comfortable for you. All we can do is feed you information.

TRX-great article.  I had to make the same decision with mine-It's hard to not run it hard during the break-in period.  I came to the conclusion, the manufacturer wants to run it lightly so they won't have to pay anything during their warranty period-

RUN IT HARD!!!!!!!!

I would do what the manufacturer suggests. Some people ride em hard, doing exactly the opposite of what is reccomended.  The idea behind this is that it is "supposed" to give you the maximum power, speed, etc... . After thinking about it, if I have to bleed every bit horsepower, speed, etc.. out of it then maybe you should have bought a bigger bike. Just my opinion. I rode my Eiger exactly like the manufacturer suggested, no more than half throttle, let it cool down. I have had zero problems. I have put on 1,000 miles in the last year and it rides just as good as when I bought it. I think you will be safe if you go  by the book. If you ride it like you stole it during the break-in period then the outcome will be uncertain. I wouldn't risk the $5,000 I used to buy my Eiger and buy stock in a company that might go belly up, so I wouldn't go against what the manufacturer says and risk blowing up my bike or damaging it, but then again I'm not much of a gambler. Hope you enjoy your ride regardless of what you decide to do.

Shotgun, Did you read the article I posted a link to. If not check it out it might change the way you think.

I actually read that before I broke in my Eiger. It's very interesting. The way I look at it though is that I can put up a website just like this guy did and tell you that your quad will run better if you drive it full throttle into brick wall. It doesn't mean it's true. I would have to see scientific facts from someone I know is telling the truth to believe this. The manufaturer spends millions to engineer these machines, so to take some guys word who knows how to build a convincing website over milions of dollars and years of engineering makes the answer seem simple to me. However, I could be wrong. I am not a mechanic and it is possible that this guy is onto something. This topic is something that will be debated forever. I usually tend to err on the side of caution.

Here's another thought. The guy in that article says that ALL engines should be run hard for engine break-in, EVEN AIRPLANES! If you have ever seen the break-in specs on an airplane engine they are very precise. You have to run the engine for an exact amount of time at an exact RPM and then cool down for an exact amout of time. Then you repeat the same at a different RPM. This goes on and on while the aircraft is parked untill it is broke-in. Now if you bought an airplane that wasn't broke in would you ignore the manufacturers break in process and just take off and run it balls to the wall? I wouldn't.

I build engines myself. I have for over 15 years. I have always ran them hard from day one without any problems. I understand your thinking also. I just believe in the theory of running it hard.

Have you seen problems with engines that have been broken in easy? Just curious If you have seen a difference one way or the other.

I broke mine in hard and it runs like a champ. I can let it sit for 3 months, tap the starter button, it starts right up and purrs like kitten. The manufacturer pre-breaks in motors these days to reduce warranty claims so as long as you change the oil after the first run everything should be fine.

Why is it just for 4 strokes only? A 2 stroke has the same rings, pin, and piston. The cylinder is honed the same way. I broke in my 2 strokes the same way (easy) and I went 6yrs on my 250's top end. How many 2 strokes have you heard that has gone that long?  Sorry but I'll have to side with the manufactors recommendations since they pay guys with 4+ yr degrees in mechanical engineering over some guy that's rebuilt over 300 engines and made a website. 

Breaking in a motor's main purpose is to seat the rings but there are also other items involved.  Rpms = heat= expansion of metals.  A new tight motor has tolerances that are much closer than a motor that is broken in. And all the moving parts don't move as easily as compared to a broken in motor. With a hard break in you're subjecting all those tight parts and tolerances to sudden increase in temperature and friction. Does a Olympic sprinter go right to the starting box and race? No, they warm up.  Take a brand new bearing that is subject to heat. Out of the box, spin it to it's maxiumum rpm and apply a sudden increase of temperature. Then take a similiar bearing and spin it low then mediocre rpms and minimal heat. Which bearing do you think will last longer?  If you say the first one, you my friend would never wrench on any of my engines.     -Mark

Your talking privalges have been  revolked

RIDE IT LIKE YOUR GONNA RIDE IT EVERYTIME DONT BABY IT

Just FLOOR IT or should I say THUMB IT

lemme borrow it, ill break it it ::)

we could trade, my bike is already broken-in ;D
what do you say

Psshh, a  96? I bet it is still on the first tank of gas... You cant fool anyone.