Magic Break-In Oil?

DolphinJohn · 10-03-2008, 04:07 PM

I picked up my F800GS yesterday, and I asked the dealer for an oil filter so I could change the oil and filter after the first 50 or so miles.
He told me not to change it until 600 miles because it had break-in oil in it, and it wouldn't have a chance to work if not left in for 600 miles.
umm, ok
Then the tech giving me the new bike checklist talk, told me the tires had 42 lbs. because he felt the bike handled better and the tires weared better-lasted longer that way.
I've only ridden about 30 miles, but it feels like they're too hard.
every little bump is exaggerated
Any thoughts?

jstcrashnthru · 10-03-2008, 04:34 PM

Find a new dealer.

I rode my Strom fairly hard. More or less along the lines of the Motoman break in precedure. I changed the oil at 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1500 miles. Oil and filters are cheap insurance. Then switched to full synthetic.

Check the factory recomendations on those tires. I think they might be more than a tad overinflated.

JRWooden · 10-04-2008, 05:48 AM

I had the same tire pressure experience @ my dealer -- they put in 42/42.

The manual calls for 32/36 psi (printed on back cover of the owner's manual & on a label under seat) if just the driver and no luggage. I agree 42/42 is a bit too firm....
I'm running 34/38 and it seems good.

slide · 10-04-2008, 12:46 PM

42 front sounds way too much. Even 42 rear too much especially if solo.

There IS break in oil in airplane reciprocal engines but not for modern ground vehicle engines. I do the hard run before 20 miles routine and then like you change the oil at 50-100 miles and then again at 600.

Did the SERVICE MANAGER tell you about break in oil? If so, I"d be a bit leery of the dealership.

Motoriley · 10-04-2008, 04:21 PM

One of the sad things about a lot of dealers is how they get some wanker who knows nothing to hand you the keys to your new bike. When my friend picked up her brand new 2004 F650 in Montreal the guy didn't know how to check the oil or remove the seat. If it isn't the service manager or one of the mechanics giving the advice it is worthless. You will find out pretty quick that the average owner here knows more about their particular bike than the average sales guy. Once while talking to a salesman I asked if a bike across the room had ABS. He said he would go check the file and see.....I took a few steps till I could make out the ABS rings on the wheels...

Dirtysouth · 10-04-2008, 06:32 PM

I've always been under the impression that "break-in" oil is just regular dino oil

. I've always rode the bike like I stole it and change the oil more than once before the 600 mile service. You definitely won't hurt the bike by changing the oil before the first service.

McB · 10-04-2008, 07:10 PM

I test drove a Toyota pickup in 1993, and commented that it seemed roomier than the Mazda and Nissan I had driven. The salesman said the only difference between the Nissan and Mazda was the Mazda had a rotary engine.

I offered to buy the truck if he'd get a reasonable trade-in value on my Stanza. He told me I should get quotes from other dealers and they'd see if they could match them. He said that's how all the dealers work.

I told him that made no sense and asked him, if that's true, where do you start?

He said he wasn't sure; maybe the Ford dealer that had 'no haggle' pricing.

It really happened.

I think he was new.

They can't all be winners.

Motoriley · 10-05-2008, 07:17 AM

I was shopping around for a new Digital video camera for work and had a similar experience. Started calling around and no one would give me a price since I was "shopping around". They all said "Get a price and we'll beat it". No one would give me a price so I called the first guy back and pulled a price out of thin air that was way low. He hemmed and hawed and beat it. Lesson learned.

Boon Booni · 10-05-2008, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motoriley

I was shopping around for a new Digital video camera for work and had a similar experience. Started calling around and no one would give me a price since I was "shopping around". They all said "Get a price and we'll beat it". No one would give me a price so I called the first guy back and pulled a price out of thin air that was way low. He hemmed and hawed and beat it. Lesson learned.

D-man · 10-05-2008, 07:40 AM

The only thing about "break in" oil is that you dont want any synthetics in the motor, the rings wont seat as well. if they dont seat (wear in) in the first 500 miles the rough cylinder hone is wore off and they never get much better. it is even more important with 2 strokes not to use synthetic 2 stroke oil at first.

slide · 10-05-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-man

The only thing about "break in" oil is that you dont want any synthetics in the motor, the rings wont seat as well. if they dont seat (wear in) in the first 500 miles the rough cylinder hone is wore off and they never get much better. it is even more important with 2 strokes not to use synthetic 2 stroke oil at first.

I think if you do some research, you'll find the synth vs. no seat rings story is just another urban legend right up there with the synth being so slippery, it'll ruin your clutch.

D-man · 10-06-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slide

I think if you do some research, you'll find the synth vs. no seat rings story is just another urban legend right up there with the synth being so slippery, it'll ruin your clutch.

Havent broke in very many 2 stroke motors have you?

slide · 10-07-2008, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-man

Havent broke in very many 2 stroke motors have you?

None. Was he talking about a 2 stroke? I doubt it.

Parigi · 10-07-2008, 07:50 AM

In another life I used to sell oils, so here is my two cents. The manufacturer produced a break-in oil, which was sold only to OEMs as first fill. It was mineral based, with less friction-reducing additives, but more with more detergent and dispersants. I hope this helps.

Dave Lindhorst · 10-07-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-man

Havent broke in very many 2 stroke motors have you?

I have and I have used syn on every one and guess what. They all burned oil hahahahahahah.

They were absolutely fine. Some even went to race about 1 mile after being built. Never had a single problem and always had great compression too. I don't think it is a big deal. I also broke my Kawasaki Triples in with Syn and it was a totally new oil in the 70s. Did it with 2 of them and they were faster than most other peoples of the same displacement. My snowmobiles never saw regular oil and they ran like clocks.

As far as original fill oil is concerned, every GM and Ford vehicle worldwide, with the exception of the ones that have syn from the factory have Petro Canada Oil in the crankcase and the transmissions. The oil is the same oil you can buy at the suppliers. No such thing as break in oil in the Petro Canada product line. This information is correct as of late last week.

10-03-2008, 04:07 PM	#1
DolphinJohn ^OP Really, Really Cool Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Key West-Island of Misfit Toys Oddometer: 3,309	Magic Break-In Oil? I picked up my F800GS yesterday, and I asked the dealer for an oil filter so I could change the oil and filter after the first 50 or so miles. He told me not to change it until 600 miles because it had break-in oil in it, and it wouldn't have a chance to work if not left in for 600 miles. umm, ok Then the tech giving me the new bike checklist talk, told me the tires had 42 lbs. because he felt the bike handled better and the tires weared better-lasted longer that way. I've only ridden about 30 miles, but it feels like they're too hard. every little bump is exaggerated Any thoughts? __________________ _________________________________ Europe R.R.

10-03-2008, 04:34 PM	#2
jstcrashnthru Livin' the dream Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Omawhere? Oddometer: 1,204	Find a new dealer. I rode my Strom fairly hard. More or less along the lines of the Motoman break in precedure. I changed the oil at 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1500 miles. Oil and filters are cheap insurance. Then switched to full synthetic. Check the factory recomendations on those tires. I think they might be more than a tad overinflated. __________________ '07 DL1000 V-Strom

10-04-2008, 05:48 AM	#3
JRWooden Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2008 Location: The great state of confusion Oddometer: 3,434	I had the same tire pressure experience @ my dealer -- they put in 42/42. The manual calls for 32/36 psi (printed on back cover of the owner's manual & on a label under seat) if just the driver and no luggage. I agree 42/42 is a bit too firm.... I'm running 34/38 and it seems good. JRWooden screwed with this post 10-04-2008 at 06:30 PM

10-04-2008, 04:21 PM	#5
Motoriley Even my posing is virtual Joined: Feb 2003 Location: Deepest darkest burbs of Montreal Oddometer: 2,511	Dealers magic oil One of the sad things about a lot of dealers is how they get some wanker who knows nothing to hand you the keys to your new bike. When my friend picked up her brand new 2004 F650 in Montreal the guy didn't know how to check the oil or remove the seat. If it isn't the service manager or one of the mechanics giving the advice it is worthless. You will find out pretty quick that the average owner here knows more about their particular bike than the average sales guy. Once while talking to a salesman I asked if a bike across the room had ABS. He said he would go check the file and see.....I took a few steps till I could make out the ABS rings on the wheels... __________________ 04 Toyota Sienna, new wipers for 2011!! Electricity (120 AC), Indoor Plumbing, new kitchen tap for 2010!!! Color tube TV, Microwave Oven (yes she rotates!),Washer & Dryer,Paved Driveway, Website - http://www.apormc.com/ Vids - http://www.youtube.com/user/Motoriley?feature=mhum

10-04-2008, 06:32 PM	#6
Dirtysouth Stud fee waived for noobs Joined: Jul 2004 Location: 30120 Oddometer: 4,809	I've always been under the impression that "break-in" oil is just regular dino oil . I've always rode the bike like I stole it and change the oil more than once before the 600 mile service. You definitely won't hurt the bike by changing the oil before the first service. __________________ "...When your time comes to die, do not be like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, So that when their time comes, they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home." - Tecumseh

10-04-2008, 12:46 PM	#4
slide A nation in despair Joined: Jul 2003 Location: NM, USA Oddometer: 21,022	42 front sounds way too much. Even 42 rear too much especially if solo. There IS break in oil in airplane reciprocal engines but not for modern ground vehicle engines. I do the hard run before 20 miles routine and then like you change the oil at 50-100 miles and then again at 600. Did the SERVICE MANAGER tell you about break in oil? If so, I"d be a bit leery of the dealership.

10-04-2008, 07:10 PM	#7
McB Joe 40 ouncer Joined: Apr 2005 Location: North Slope of the Flint Hills Oddometer: 15,223	I test drove a Toyota pickup in 1993, and commented that it seemed roomier than the Mazda and Nissan I had driven. The salesman said the only difference between the Nissan and Mazda was the Mazda had a rotary engine. I offered to buy the truck if he'd get a reasonable trade-in value on my Stanza. He told me I should get quotes from other dealers and they'd see if they could match them. He said that's how all the dealers work. I told him that made no sense and asked him, if that's true, where do you start? He said he wasn't sure; maybe the Ford dealer that had 'no haggle' pricing. It really happened. I think he was new. They can't all be winners.

10-05-2008, 07:17 AM	#8
Motoriley Even my posing is virtual Joined: Feb 2003 Location: Deepest darkest burbs of Montreal Oddometer: 2,511	Salesman I was shopping around for a new Digital video camera for work and had a similar experience. Started calling around and no one would give me a price since I was "shopping around". They all said "Get a price and we'll beat it". No one would give me a price so I called the first guy back and pulled a price out of thin air that was way low. He hemmed and hawed and beat it. Lesson learned. __________________ 04 Toyota Sienna, new wipers for 2011!! Electricity (120 AC), Indoor Plumbing, new kitchen tap for 2010!!! Color tube TV, Microwave Oven (yes she rotates!),Washer & Dryer,Paved Driveway, Website - http://www.apormc.com/ Vids - http://www.youtube.com/user/Motoriley?feature=mhum

10-05-2008, 07:40 AM	#10
D-man SHUT UP & RIDE! Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Spud country, couple hrs off the beaten path Oddometer: 751	The only thing about "break in" oil is that you dont want any synthetics in the motor, the rings wont seat as well. if they dont seat (wear in) in the first 500 miles the rough cylinder hone is wore off and they never get much better. it is even more important with 2 strokes not to use synthetic 2 stroke oil at first. __________________ 02 XRL with all the goodies, she aint pretty, but she never lets me down and she puts out when it counts. IT'S ALL GOOD!

10-07-2008, 07:50 AM	#14
Parigi Hoinar Joined: Dec 2002 Location: Calgary, Canada Oddometer: 232	In another life I used to sell oils, so here is my two cents. The manufacturer produced a break-in oil, which was sold only to OEMs as first fill. It was mineral based, with less friction-reducing additives, but more with more detergent and dispersants. I hope this helps.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode