Questions on Stelvio V100 running in parameters

[BioKnee]

I’ve now done 850 miles and it’s booked in for its first service in four days’ time. I’ve finally looked at the manual for running in instructions (yes, weak, I know, but at least I’m looking now!). The bike has its shift light threshold set at 6000 rpm (as did the two other Stelvios and two Mandellos I’ve ridden in Europe) and I assumed that riding within those bounds (mostly gently) is all that is required for the first 930 miles.

Two contradictory mentions in the owners manual:

“Running-in
Running in is essential to ensure the durability of the vehicle. During the first 1500 Km (932 mi), observe the following rules to ensure the reliability and performance of the vehicle throughout its lifetime:

• Avoid full throttle starts and hard acceleration;
• Avoid exceeding 4,500 rpm;
• Avoid hard or prolonged braking;
• Do not ride for prolonged periods at sustained high speed; preferably ride the motorcycle on varied routes with frequent, gentle acceleration and deceleration;”

And:

“ON NEW VEHICLES, THE SHIFT LIGHT THRESHOLD IS SET TO 5200 RPM.
RAISE THE THRESHOLD GRADUALLY UNTIL YOU HAVE BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE RUN-IN HAS BEEN COMPLETED.”

WTF? Are new bikes set to 6000 when Guzzi _know_ that it’s not best practice?? Is 5200 or 4500 their actual recommendation?

 

[john zibell]

Better late than never on reading the manual. Most important to vary load and RPM. Occasional hard acceleration is needed to get the rings to seat. Upper RPM limits are conservative from the factory but understandable. So long as you haven't blasted past redline, (just about impossible with fuel injected bikes) no damage done.

 

[GTM®]

Another topic covered hundreds of times here. I follow THIS - you can do as you wish.

 

[scottmastrocinque]

I totally agree with GTM on this one. You have a very limited time to seat the rings otherwise the engine will burn oil forever.

There is nothing worse than babying an engine for the break in. You will have a oil burning engine forever.

The best place to break in an engine is hills and mountains where you naturally work the engine throughout the rpm range and varying loads and throttle inputs. The worst way to break in an engine is to drone it on the freeway at the same elevation, speed, and throttle position. Cruise control should never be utilized during any break in of an engine.

 

[BioKnee]

Thanks for the advice and the link to Mototune. Service light came on at 900 miles exactly. Job done, and I admit to using full throttle up to 6000 revs many times in the running-in period. Lovely motor