So, you just bought a new motorcycle? Congratulations and welcome to the club! Before you start enjoying all the perks of owning a motorcycle, you need to break in your bike so it warms up to the road. This gives all the parts and components a chance to settle in before they start working on a regular basis.
Some new parts may be stiff when first starting out. Manufacturers say internal friction tends to be higher when you first drive your bike off the lot. This leads to poor fuel efficiency and higher emissions. Experts say the “break in” period usually lasts from 500 to 1,000 miles, but some makes and models need up to 1,500 miles before they start reaching their full potential. Over time, these parts will start to learn how to work together with less tension and better sealing.
Use Bluetooth Motorcycle Speakers to Make the Most of Your Motorcycle
If you start driving at peak speeds or trying out new tricks as soon as you buy your motorcycle, you could damage the internal components or get into a wreck. Use a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet to quickly call for help if you are still learning how to ride.
Breaking in your motorcycle helps you ease these parts into their new reality. Use this guide to break in your motorcycle before you put the pedal to metal.
Check Your Owner’s Manual
The first step toward testing out your motorcycle is to check your owner’s manual. The manufacturer should include detailed instructions for easing your bike onto the road. They may include suggestions for starting the engine, taking turns, obeying the speed limit and other first-time riding tips that may surprise you.
Test It Out
In most cases, the manufacturer will test out the bike using a dynamometer, also known as a “dyno,” before sending the vehicle to market. This tool measures engine power and torque. You may not have a dyno tool lying around in your garage, but you can still check your bike’s engine power at home.
To get started, let your bike warm up for about five minutes before hitting the road. Your first ride out of the garage shouldn’t last more than 10 minutes. Keep your RPMs low to start. When you return to the garage, let the motorcycle cool down for a few minutes before turning off the engine.
As the bike gets used to being on the road, slowly increase your RPMs and travel time. Inspect the engines for any leaks and loose fasteners. Continue varying the RPMs for the first 500 to 1,000 miles.
Additional Tips for Breaking-in Your New Motorcycle
There are several additional considerations to keep in mind when breaking-in your motorcycle.
- Avoid using more than ¾ throttle and high engine speeds during the break in period.
- You shouldn’t try to stop on a dime, take tight turns or accelerate too quickly during this period. Give yourself more time to stop and start on the road and avoid driving on icy or wet roads to start.
- When breaking in your bike, increase your engine speed to the rev limit for short periods of time.
- Never lug your motor during this phase. Power down your bike before it begins to labor.
- Avoid riding with overly high engine speeds. Remember to shift up to improve mileage and reduce engine sound.
Find a Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet for More Safety and Control
These tips should help your bike reach its full potential. Once you are out of the break in period, you can start using your bike however you like. Avoid being too rough with the engine and brakes to prevent lasting wear and tear.
Make sure you have all the proper motorcycle riding gear before heading out onto the road. Invest in the proper safety gear to stay safe behind the wheel. Find a helmet with Bluetooth motorcycle speakers so you can call for help or check in with your loved ones without taking your hands off the handlebars. The helmet uses voice activation to make calls hands-free. It’s the safest way to ride when you’re just starting out on a motorcycle.
Keep this information in mind to make the most of your new bike. The first several hundred miles tend to be the most important, so avoid making your motorcycle work harder than necessary.
