How many consecutive hours can a motorcycle be ridden during the break-in period?
2 Answers
It is optimal for a motorcycle not to exceed one hour of continuous riding during the break-in period. Avoid prolonged riding: Air-cooled engines inherently have limited heat dissipation, and new engines have internal components that are not yet smooth, with tighter fitting clearances. Therefore, it is not advisable to ride continuously for extended periods. Generally, it is best to take a break every fifty kilometers or after no more than one hour of riding. Regarding break-in speed: First and second gears are used for starting and climbing steep slopes with a load, third gear is primarily a transition, while fourth and fifth gears are for normal riding. It is perfectly acceptable to ride slightly faster when there is sufficient power, even reaching speeds of eighty kilometers per hour is fine. Riding too slowly (below forty kilometers per hour) is actually detrimental to heat dissipation, and lower RPMs result in less oil supply from the oil pump, which is not beneficial for the break-in process.
I remember when I bought my first motorcycle, I didn't dare ride it casually during the break-in period, fearing I might damage the engine. That weekend, I wanted to try a long ride, but after riding continuously for over two hours, I felt something was wrong—the engine was scalding hot, so I quickly pulled over to rest. Generally, it's best not to ride continuously for more than two hours during the break-in period, and to take a 15-minute break after each ride to let it cool down. After all, the new bike's components are still adapting, and prolonged high-speed operation increases the risk of wear. If you must go on a long trip, I recommend breaking it into shorter segments and checking the oil and temperature in between. The total mileage during the break-in period is usually around 1,000 kilometers—just focus on smooth gear shifts and avoiding excessively high RPMs. This way, your motorcycle will stay with you longer, and you can ride with more peace of mind.
