| Don't let the excitement of your new purchase | | | | gas and ride for 10 to 15 minutes. By accelerating, |
| overwhelm your good sense. A new pocket bike must | | | | decelerating and hitting varying RPMS you will break in |
| be broken in correctly if you want the bike to function | | | | the engine. Remember to make sure that the engine |
| correctly. If you do not take the proper steps, you will | | | | has been sufficiently warmed up. Although you don't |
| dramatically decrease your engine's life. Opinions vary | | | | have to ride the bike too hard, you also shouldn't ride |
| significantly on the correct way to break in a bike. We | | | | so slowly that the clutch never completely engages or |
| will discuss two widespread methods to break a | | | | you will burn out the clutch. You will be able to tell |
| pocket bike in. The most common method is often | | | | when the clutch is fully engaged by the sound of your |
| called "heat cycling." Heat cycling means you run the | | | | motor and the feeling of the bike. It may be necessary |
| engine at idle or barely above idle for approximately 5 | | | | to adjust the clutch to the rider's weight. |
| to 10 minutes. After this time the engine will be right | | | | When you are breaking your bike in, your oil and gas |
| below the normal operating temperature. Then you | | | | mixture will be slightly different than during normal riding. |
| turn the engine off and let the bike cool down. Once | | | | Some experts say that it is best to use a richer |
| the engine is cool, you turn the bike on for another 10 | | | | mixture of oil (40 parts gas to 1 one part oil) during |
| minutes and then shut it down again. Do this process | | | | break in instead of the standard ratio of 50 to 1, while |
| for a total of three to four times. When you have | | | | others will say you should always stick with the normal |
| finished this process, run the bike at an easy pace for | | | | mixture. Read your instruction manual to see what the |
| about 1 full tank of gas. Don't put stress on the engine | | | | manufacturer recommends. During break in you should |
| and avoid high RPM. When you have run through the | | | | use non-synthetic oil. This helps the piston ring to seat |
| tank of gas, your bike is ready to go and can be used | | | | fully. After the first gallon of gas, you should use full or |
| at normal speeds. | | | | semi-synthetic oil. |
| The second method, called "racing break in" is less | | | | After your first ride look the bike over for any |
| commonly used, though it is more fun. First, warm the | | | | loosened fasteners. You should also periodically check |
| engine for 5 minutes by letting it idle on the stand. | | | | your spark plug to verify that you are using the correct |
| Slowly bring the throttle up to figure out where the | | | | fuel mixture. If your ratio is correct the plug's insulator |
| clutch engages. This way you can avoid getting | | | | will be a medium tan-ish color. However, if you see |
| ejected by applying too much throttle when riding. | | | | that your plug is white-ish or grey than you know that |
| Then you hit the track. Take the first lap slowly to | | | | your engine is running lean. |
| warm up the tires. On the second lap you can hit the | | | | |