Break in period recommendations

[bifftws]

New to 950 and the forum.  Just bought a new 950 (stole it for $10K even) and closing in on the 600 initial break period keeping it under 6K rpm.  Ducati recommends keeping it under 7k rpm until 2500 miles.  Local dealer says that is excessive and should be OK after the 600 initial break in as long as I not above 7k all the time.   Any personal experience or feedback on break in after 600 miles would be appreciated.  Don't want to damage the bike but will not be able to ride like a Harley until 2500 miles either.

Thanks,
Biff

[motorman]

After 600 mi I started to run mine up to 7k.  Occasionally I was a little over enthusiastic and hit 8k about a handful of times.  My manual (2017) rec the 7k for the first 1500 mi.  after that I let it hit 9-10 a couple times.  I don't normally redline my bikes, and with the great torque its more fun feeling the brapppp on roll on at 5k to 7-8k.  I have 4500 mi on mine now after 2 mo. 

GREAT BUY at 10k!!!!   Did they issue a warrant after you left?

[ZiggyCol]

I kept to the recommended limit up to the 600 mile service and have progressively increased revs since then. As long as you are not going mad thereafter I think the initial 600 miles are the most important.

[simonkraushaar]

very interesting and informative video from fortnine on youtube regarding running-in advice ..

[Numbercruncher]

Any more at that price????  Crazy good deal.

NC

Originally Posted by bifftws

New to 950 and the forum.  Just bought a new 950 (stole it for $10K even) and closing in on the 600 initial break period keeping it under 6K rpm.  Ducati recommends keeping it under 7k rpm until 2500 miles.  Local dealer says that is excessive and should be OK after the 600 initial break in as long as I not above 7k all the time.   Any personal experience or feedback on break in after 600 miles would be appreciated.  Don't want to damage the bike but will not be able to ride like a Harley until 2500 miles either.

Thanks,
Biff

[Tiree]

My dealer says after 600 mile service just ride as normal , no need to adhere to 7k limit . To be honest I’m at 13000 miles now and apart from a small race from the lights yesterday against a yellow open top Lamborghini...I’ve not pushed the upper limits.

[20220727]

if in doubt, flat out........from new

that's what a warranty is for 

[Wassers]

Originally Posted by BabyD

if in doubt, flat out........from new

that's what a warranty is for 

Well at least scrub your new tyres in first... then braaapppp 

[bmw_al]

Always seems to bring diverse views the whole "running in" thing.  A cart engine builder once told me that its all about creating a gas tight piston ring seal, and to avoid laboring or over-revving the engine.  He said the most important thing to do was ride normally varying the engine load/throttle making a point of opening the throttle wide at lower engine speeds so the engine sees a full vacuum/draw down in the cylinder/s.  For a cart engine they tend to measure their run in period in minutes though.....

In all honesty, as an owner of a few ex-demo ex-demo Bikes over the years (incl. the Mutley) I'm not sure it makes any real difference these days, as the surface finishes of pistons/bores is so much better than they ever used to be back in the golden olden days    (N grades and engineers blue anyone??!)

[Numbercruncher]

Agree on everything you said here.

I won't run a new engine too hard but won't lug it down either.  Lost of smooth acceleration in 3rd and 4th gears as opposed to screaming it's guts out in 1st or lugging in 6th at 45 mph.

I hope to pick up a new 950 this week.

NC

Originally Posted by ducati_al

Always seems to bring diverse views the whole "running in" thing.  A cart engine builder once told me that its all about creating a gas tight piston ring seal, and to avoid laboring or over-revving the engine.  He said the most important thing to do was ride normally varying the engine load/throttle making a point of opening the throttle wide at lower engine speeds so the engine sees a full vacuum/draw down in the cylinder/s.  For a cart engine they tend to measure their run in period in minutes though.....

In all honesty, as an owner of a few ex-demo ex-demo Bikes over the years (incl. the Mutley) I'm not sure it makes any real difference these days, as the surface finishes of pistons/bores is so much better than they ever used to be back in the golden olden days    (N grades and engineers blue anyone??!)