New Engine Start up

steveved · Apr 2, 2015

I saw a 15 page thread on the smoking it does when the engine is new at start up. I have noticed this the past 2 days and it is a bit embarrassing at work.

That said, based on what I was reading on the 15 page thread (I could not get past page 8), I am going to assume it is either oil leaking past the new rings until they seat or past a valve guide and it gets burned off when you start.

My question is for you folks who have had your Panigale for a while: will this stop when the rings fully seat? Say between 2k and 4k miles? Just curious.

This is kind of embarrassing for a new, $18k motorcycle.

BrisDuc · Apr 2, 2015

This topic has been beaten to DEATH.

But yes, long story short it will stop. Mine stopped after 6-700km's with a relatively hard break in.

JArnold · Apr 2, 2015

Mine took quite a while to stop, but it did eventually stop. I do agree about the embarassment. I was alwas parked beside a Harley at work, and mine burned more oil than his did.

Either way, some nice hard rides on the bike and it will get to the point where it stops. I'd suggest getting it on the dyno for a few pulls to help "speed up" the process of hard runs without the police giving a hard time.

Phl · Apr 2, 2015

since the engine has a "peaky" characteristic (as some claim), you can always sell it as a modern 2-stroke

Buliwyf · Apr 2, 2015

It'll stop. Mine did.

Rings are already seated. Had nothing to do with it IME.

marky mark · Apr 2, 2015

mine stopped as well but took till 6,000kms on the odometer. I hear ya tho, it was very embarrassing, all my mates on the jap jobbies, were taking the piss for quite a while....lol

HarmonyJim · Apr 2, 2015

Don't frag it by any means, but make sure you put load on the engine to force the rings into the cylinder walls. Load is not the same as engine speed (rpm). Vary the speed the engine is turning, and especially during the first 300 miles, and frequently make the engine work (not lug) by giving it throttle and making it strain a bit. Hills are great for this. When able to do safely, drop fully out of an opened throttle frequently to wash the cylinder walls of the debris they have collected. Do these simple steps and it won't smoke hardly at all. Mine stopped completely by 50 miles indicated on the odo. Good luck.

Zimm11 · Apr 2, 2015

I dont keep my bikes for very long so I break in pretty hard and can only remember smoke the first few start ups on both the Pani's I've owned...And I was never embarrassed, its a beautiful bike!

cmh210 · Apr 2, 2015

+1, Jim. I did the same break in, and it stopped smoking within the first 100 miles.

steveved · Apr 2, 2015

Cool, thanks for the replies guys and I am sorry to bring this back up.

I get that it stops, was just wondering when roughly.

I only have 150 miles on it so far (roughly 241 km for you euro and aussie types). But it is supposed to be in the 70s tomorrow, so I should be able to get another 100 on her.

I am hopeful that by the 600 mile service, her smoking days are over.

Have a good one.

b9009b · Apr 2, 2015

I just passed 250 miles on mine and its gone.

Mutt1979 · Apr 3, 2015

Also worth noting, so I am told, they use a slightly thinner grade of oil for running in which gets replaced at your first service. What they replace it with is more viscous and less likely to seep through and cause smoking.

steveved · Apr 3, 2015

Cool. Good to know.

Fragile · Apr 5, 2015

Mine stopped smoking at about 600 miles. Then it came back as gear position sensor failed. No smoking at all since that was fixed. Engine thumps away, especially after plugs were changed at 15K miles

ChicagoSammo · Apr 7, 2015

I bought my bike secondhand last October with around 1,200 miles on it.
It still smokes on start up for the first couple of minutes and then it's fine.
The guy I bought it from said he ran it in as per the manual . . . given everyone's anecdotal evidence that would appear to be why there is still a little smoke.
Riding it like you stole it appears to be the trick for those who have done so.
Either way, it's a beautiful bike and since it only smokes from cold in my garage and the smoke is gone by the time I get my helmet and gloves on and ride out I don't really give it much of a thought.

steveved · Apr 7, 2015

Well, I am at 277 miles now and it hasn't smoked at start up in about 2 days. So, that was around the 210 mile mark.

Hopefully it is gone for good. Once I hit the 630 mile mark, I will get the first service done, then focus on dialing in the suspension.

New Engine Start up

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