Ex-demo bikes

[dern]

Would you buy an ex-demo bike? One popped up in a search I was doing and it seemed like a good deal but it occurred to me that it would be unlikely that the running in schedule would have been followed if it just got added to the demo fleet. Any experiences/knowledge?

[weeksy]

Have done yes... Twice in fact... both KTMs.. I'm 99.99% convinced they were not run in as per schedule... both still worked perfectly.

[Yorick]

Modern vehicles don't need running in.
Even my new GasGas EC300 just said 2 hours careful.

[Skub]

It would depend on the bike,the warranty,the dealer backup and also how long I planned on keeping the bike.

You can 100% certain anyone having a test run on a bike will not be observing the running in process. Given modern machine tolerances and improved materials in engines,a lot of folk don't run in a bike the same way anyway,if at all.

[dern]

I guess the important thing would be that the dealer has done that first oil change.

[weeksy]

I guess the important thing would be that the dealer has done that first oil change.

Can't see any reason they won't have.

Lets see it then.

[dern]

I guess the important thing would be that the dealer has done that first oil change.

Can't see any reason they won't have.

Lets see it then.

Oh, I'm just surfing on a Friday, no immediate plans, just looking at tenere 700s. Need to sell the SD and then see how I feel.

[dern]

tenere.jpeg (313.98 KiB) Viewed 823 times

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I'd have no problem buying an ex demo bike, it'll have been looked after by the dealers and has a rev limiter to prevent it being thrashed.

[Supermofo]

Yeah I would. I'd go on the basis they won't have been run in but that would probably be unlikely to effect the bike at least not for a long time or worst case a very short time, in which case you'll be in warranty.

Pretty sure when I did the Triumph factory tour they said all engines are run up on a dyno before going into the bike.

[Mr Moofo]

tenere.jpeg

That's nice

[Horse]

Pretty sure when I did the Triumph factory tour they said all engines are run up on a dyno before going into the bike.

Think I've heard that elsewhere.

FWIW I knew someone who kept meticulous fuel records. His BMW took 17,000 miles to fully loosen up and fuel consumption to level out!

[weeksy]

tenere.jpeg

Yeah that's a cool looking thing. I like them and the engine is a peachy thing

[dern]

I'm really enjoying going on the lanes with the DRZ but even with the new tyres it's shit at doing any distance and would like to visit lanes further afield. The downside will be the weight but I'm not interested in doing a lot of technical stuff, just in exploring.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Pretty sure when I did the Triumph factory tour they said all engines are run up on a dyno before going into the bike.

Not just Triumph, pretty much any vehicle. Most cars get whazzed around a "quick check" track before they're loaded onto a transport anyway.

My new car didn't come with any running in instructions at all. Just 'ave at it basically. First oil change isn't until 1 year either!

[mangocrazy]

Pretty sure when I did the Triumph factory tour they said all engines are run up on a dyno before going into the bike.

Think I've heard that elsewhere.

FWIW I knew someone who kept meticulous fuel records. His BMW took 17,000 miles to fully loosen up and fuel consumption to level out!

I'd say that too careful running in may actually promote glazing of the bore(s) and excessive oil consumption. I've heard of a few cases of this on the KTM 690 single lump. I made sure to let mine rev freely right from the word go (without red-lining it) and let engine feel be my guide on how hard I rode it. I also did an oil and filter change after 100 miles and re-filled it with running-in oil.

It doesn't use any oil in between oil changes, so either I got lucky or did something right.

[Skub]

Horrible thing. Not want.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I did a bunch of Tribology (friction, wear and lubrication) testing a few years back, that involved commissioning some special kit and procedures from an external expert. Proper grey beard type guy who'd been around every possible wear block.

He was telling how he'd done loads of work for automotive firms on oil and bearing design. Apparently with modern builds one of two things happens; A) you drive off the production line and the engine is immediately written off because there's swarf/debris loose somewhere in the oil system or B) the engine will run perfectly for the next 10,000 miles

[Taipan]

Just bought a pre reg/ex demo with 700 miles on. Dealer said it'd only been out twice as a demo and mainly used by him as his daily. How true that is, I don't know, but you cant labour an auto and it has a rev limiter and should be able to take anything from the start of. Bottom line is its under the manufacturers warranty anyway. At £3k off of list price, it seemed a good deal to me...

[Tarmacsurfer]

Pretty sure when I did the Triumph factory tour they said all engines are run up on a dyno before going into the bike.

Not just Triumph, pretty much any vehicle. Most cars get whazzed around a "quick check" track before they're loaded onto a transport anyway.

Yes Triumph are. If you buy it new you'll see the rolling road witness marks on the rear tyre.