New Bike long ride home

[Island Hop NH]

Thinking of getting a bike that is over 1400 miles away. It’s new, but I want to make an adventure out of the ride home. 1. Should I with a new bike. 2. What’s my best way to do this? TIA Fla>NH

 

[nmroadrunner]

1. Fill with fuel
2. Find twisty roads

 

[puttbutt]

you can, but I think you have to take it easy, no racing. there's a guy on youtube, has the moniker of "karmakaze moto" who flew out to Seattle Washington to purchase his bike, then rode back to Alaska.

 

[Island Hop NH]

you can, but I think you have to take it easy, no racing. there's a guy on youtube, has the moniker of "karmakaze moto" who flew out to Seattle Washington to purchase his bike, then rode back to Alaska.

Yeah, I figured I’d have to go easy for a bit.. trying to make it an experience.. Flights to some locations are under 100.00 I’m excited either going west or south working on the purchase now. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Eatmore Mudd]

Thinking of getting a bike that is over 1400 miles away. It’s new, but I want to make an adventure out of the ride home. 1. Should I with a new bike. 2. What’s my best way to do this? TIA Fla>NH

1. Fill tank.
2. Head out.
3. Repeat as necessary untill desired result is achieved.

 

[Flicka]

I'd take a hundred mile ride and do an oil change before tackling the 1400 miles. Try to avoid motorways, constant speeds are not recommended during breaking in. Ideally the first 500 miles traveled on roads with curves and ups and downs (low speed, variable RPM and many gear shift).

 

[Nader]

Ryan F9 (great source of all things motorcycles) has a very informative and short video about breaking in a new motorcycle. Basically do not worry to much.

 

[petespace1]

Ryan F9 (great source of all things motorcycles) has a very informative and short video about breaking in a new motorcycle. Basically do not worry to much.

We have been down this path yes Ryan’s video and a Revzilla One and another one and several others discussed a fair few times in this forum. Howeverrr most speak of modern liquid cooled engines not long stroke air-cooled engined bikes.
Sorry no offence meant just contextualising these videos.

We have several members here who have painfully explained the breaking in process a few times in many threads, per manufacturers specs. Please follow that

EDIT: due to next post. Yeah sure it’s better to take a chance 1400 km from home. Stuff the manufacturers recommendations what do they know eh?

 

[Laserman]

Eh, no need to scare folks. I've broken in lots of air-cooled single cylinder engines of quality less than Royal Enfield's, and I've never seen one fail because it wasn't broken in properly. It's just not a common thing anymore with modern metallurgy and oils. Modern oils are simply fantastic, and overkill for low-tech engines like these.

Basically don't spank it too hard or too long and it'll not blister!

 

[Eatmore Mudd]

Speaking of Ryan F9

 

[Laserman]

EDIT: due to next post. Yeah sure it’s better to take a chance 1400 km from home. Stuff the manufacturers recommendations what do they know eh?

I've always just used manufacturer recommendations as general guidelines, and from experience, subject to reinterpretation. Besides, depending on the product, those recommendations may be rendered moot by upgrades or modification (read: hot rodding).

Seems to me, following the manufacturer's recommendations to the letter for the Himmie can subject the drivetrain to more harm due to lugging and possible stalling on account of the engine being so tight. I'd take my chances with my years of experience not breaking stuff that I bought, and I'd ride a brand new bike the way I see fit.

That said, I'd take the chance because I know how to fix it. Buy a Himalayan off the showroom floor, and I'd put money on it making a 1400KM ride home without even a service just fine as long as it's kept to ~100KM/h max speed

 

[Rednaxs60]

Agree with most of the above. Great oportunity you have, a 1400 mile rider and Himalayan bonding ride.

My recommendation is to go for it. Plan your route so that the first 300 miles is on secondary scenic roads if possible. Don't be fixated on the engine break in, you should be more interested in your surroundings and making sure that those 4 wheeled beasts are kept at bay.

You will, as you get more comfortable with the Himalayan, notice your self relaxing, and letting the bike do what it does best and that is taking you home. Keep the engine RPM between 3K and 5K, yes you will see 5K RPM as you get more comfortable with the bike. When this happens, have an oops moment and reduce RPM. No harm, no foul.

When you get to the 300 mile or so range, do an oil change. Stop at a garage or motorcycle dealer, ask if you can do an oil change, or can the shop do it. Have the oil and filter with you, only two litres and a small filter. Have the necessary tools with you in the case you have to do it. Stop where there is a Dollar store to get a cheap foil pan to drain the oil into, get some tin foil to make an oil drain spout to direct the oil into the pan and keep the oil off bike parts. Need some paper towels to clean everything up. Once this is done you're good to go, and start riding without worrying about any break in period. Don't worry about the 300 mile service at this time. Valves will be just fine until you get home. Take it in for servicing at that time.

You could also plan a route that would take you past an RE dealer, schedule a 300 mile service then get back on the road.

Give yourself lots of time, enjoy the ride and trip. When you do this, you'll slow down anyway and all will be well. You'll want to stop and take pictures depending on the route to show your family and friends when you get home - bragging rights.

 

[johnny42]

Don't lug the engine
Don't red-line the engine
Do let engine compression slow you down when going down a hill, but do this on a back road with no one behind you.
Do the first oil change according to the manual
Check the engine oil level before you leave the dealer.
Make sure your bike has the tool kit
On your first night at the hotel, get the tool kit out and check as many bolts as you can for tightness

And if possible, relax your face from that grin you're going to get on the way home!!

 

[Overdrive]

The only thing I would add to the excellent advice above is get the dealer to do a few miles on it, or at least run the engine for a while, let it cool then check the valve clearances. They’re easy to do, albeit the tank has to come off.
Mine were both tight at the first check (which I did as the dealer didn’t do it on the first service) and the same again at around 1500m, although not by much the second time. I set them at the upper end of the tolerance.
An iridium plug maybe a good idea, and make sure you’ve got at least one spare relay with you, or get the dealer to swap the originals (which are cr#p) with Bosch ones.
Good luck with your journey, and keep grinning

 

[Rednaxs60]

Morgan60 on another similar thread recommended taking possession of your new bike a day or so before you intended to. Stay in the area, go for a 300 mile day jaunt, arrange to return to the dealer the next day for intial servicing, arrive 2-3 hours before the shop opens because the valves are adjusted when cold. New oil and filter, bike in good nick, leave the same or next day for home without having to worry about break in or anything. Good advice.

 

[modiorne]

Great advice here.

I have done most of the trip you are planning, but ME/NH (Kittery Naval Shipyard) down to SC, and eventually into FL. We kept it relaxed and fun, as much of A1A, 1, 13 and 17, etc. as we could. Map out ALL of the RE dealers along your route just in case.

The Himmy is not going to like the big highways until she is better broken in (3-4k miles) - but you can avoid 95 reasonably well with careful planning. I did bring the Himmy back down from a NY trip via 81 / 77 (and a bit of 85 "shudder") because we needed to get back a bit faster.

Keep us informed of your progress - and don't hesitate to ping the collective here for advice, help, and even couch surfing/garage/tools in a pinch.

Congrats on the new ride and pending adventure!