[MONTANA650]

Hello I just sign up here, and also a new owner of a dl650 Blue and would like some advice on brake in? my dealer said keep the speed below 65 for the first 500 Miles or so. and when should i change the oil and filter? thanks 8)

 

[themeatmanlandry]

The Owner's manual should give you what you need, as far as break-in is concerned.

Welcome!!

 

[sparrow]

Hey Montana650, nice bike. I would probably look at changing the oil around 600 miles.

-Sparrow

 

[jre]

Here is another point of view - http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

 

[john merrell]

Vstrom 650 break-in period

I have just over 6000 carefree miles on mine. I changed the oil and filter at about 500 miles, then at about 1400 miles I changed over to mobil one with a new filter. A good rule of thumb for break-in is to always allow the bike to come up to normal operating temperature before you take off. Start the bike and don your gear and then ride slowly until she warms up. Now run her up through the gears gently until you get into high gear, slow to about 30mph and give her full throttle till she hits about 70mph, then let off and let her slow back down to about 30mph again, and then repeat the full throttle to about 70mph. Do this about four or five times, always in sixth gear; this will expedite seating your valves and rings. For the first 500 miles or so, vary your speed keeping it below 70mph. The idea here is NOT to run at a steady speed for any length of time, like riding down the interstate for an hour or so at 75mph. I followed this approach and I didn't really hammer the bike hard till I had about 1400 miles on it and had switched over to mobil one. I've since ridden this bike for extended periods of time, on the twisties keeping her spinning between 7000 and 9000 rpm with an occassional burst up to 10,000 and 10,500 rpm. This bike runs like a champ. I've added a K&N air filter and a Staintune slip-on muffler to improve the efficiency of the engine. It responds quickly, sounds like a real motorcycle, and handles beautifully. You gotta love this bike...ride safe...ride on...

 

[inspiron]

It really depends on the bike ... if I start my GSX 1400 and leave it standing, I run the risk of it overheating and/or turning the pipes blue. Most people around here recommend to start the bike, and after about 30 seconds you can start moving - just don't over-rev or stress the engine until the oil is up to temperature (after about 10 km).

Of course, this doesn't take into account that my bike is in an underground garage, and I need to get it up a steep, 50 foot driveway. :roll:

 

[Wabbit44]

New bike break-in...

You should change oil at 500-600 miles when he bike is new... look for metal shavings in the old oil... a little is normal... a lot ain't! Buy a magnetic oil drain bolt. It has a tip on it that attracts the metal shavings in the oil. As for using Mobile 1? If it is not specific for motorcycles, and they do have that, then I would not use it. Regular car oils, even synthetics, lack the lubricants used to keep the transmission running smoothly. You're not only lubing the engine and you should remember that! If you buy a magnetic bolt for the oil pan and use your auto oil, you'll always find shavings stuck to the bolt. Not so with a quality motorcycle oil. Like I said, a little shaving after the initial break-in is normal. After that you should not see any.

As far as breaking it in? I am old-school. Ride it like you intend to ALWAYS ride it. Don't baby the damn thing. 30mph in top gear to 70mph and letting off and repeating? What on earth for? You want to throw a valve? Damage the heads? 30mph is a bit low to be full throttle accelerating from in 6th gear. It's not going to seat the valves, it's going to stress them. MHO, of course.

Stan

 

[Trapper]

Good posts, Stan. You sound like you know what your talking about, however you might want to check the dates of the posts you are answering. This question was asked in September of last year. Montana has probably had an oil change or two since. Keep posting your opinions and welcome to the forum, good to have you.
-Kevin

 

[Wabbit44]

Thanks...

Trappercase...

Thanks. I like to think I know after 30+ years of riding different makes and models. You're right, I didn't check the post dates. I guess I am an anxious V-Strom newbie owner :smile:

Nice sight, but so far I have not seen too much on this model. I will say this bike shifts smoother than any I have owned previously. It's a tad underpowered as far as the other 650's from Yamaha and Kawasaki, but you can't really compare V-twins to inline fours. Has a nice, quiet ride. moreso than my Concours had (a bit buzzy, the Connie). Hope they streamline the bodywork up front. It's a bit bulbous. Kinda a face only a father could love kinda thing :roll: :smile: Windscreen angle is good, but I would like to have it wider to cover say another 2-3 inches on each side. I am not going to waste my money on their touring screen. It really won't do much more than the stock one.

I will say one thing about oil and filters. I am cheap on the filters! I buy Framm since they are readily available at auto parts stores. Since I only ride about 3,000 miles max between changes I have had no problems with the $5 filters ever. I do like good motorcycle oil though. Yamalube is one of the best regular oils, and GoldenSpectro is my choice for synthetic.

Stan

 

[leekellerking]

Good posts, Stan. You sound like you know what your talking about, however you might want to check the dates of the posts you are answering. This question was asked in September of last year. Montana has probably had an oil change or two since. Keep posting your opinions and welcome to the forum, good to have you.
-Kevin

And now it is December, but the information is still valid. Remember, it is not only Montana that has (had) a new bike. There are others out here who will benefit from the input of more seasoned riders.

Thanks,

Lee

 

[Night_Wolf]

Well stated IMO

And now it is December, but the information is still valid. Remember, it is not only Montana that has (had) a new bike. There are others out here who will benefit from the input of more seasoned riders.

Thanks,

Lee