How to Gently Break In the Liquid-Cooled Himalayan 450 Motorcycle

Updated: Jul 15

The first 300 miles are crucial to break in any new motorcycle engine and transmission.

Royal Enfield recommends following these engine speeds during the “Running In Period”:

For the first 500 km (or 300 miles): Keep the engine below 4,000 rpm.
Up to 2,000 km (or 1,200 miles): Keep the engine below 6,000 rpm.

motorcycle break in — The liquid-cooled RE Himalayan 450

Obviously, your new motorcycle engine is a marvel of modern technology!

Royal Enfield (and every other motorcycle manufacturer) acknowledge that “a RUNNING IN PERIOD procedure is essential to help in proper ‘Bedding-in’ of the various moving parts in your motorcycle.”

This procedure is somewhat unique to motorcycles – and I have only experienced it in the closely related marine and ATV engines.

In contrast, your new automobile doesn’t come with the warning not to drive above 45 miles per hour for the first 300 miles. When you buy a new lawn mower, generator, or piece of construction equipment, there is no expectation that you are going to operate it at half speed for the first month. You fill it with gas and oil and run it wide open from Day One.

Motorcycle manufacturers use the MOST conservative break in procedures to help insure the maximum service life of their machines, with the LEAST possibility of warranty claims (and ANY potential bad reviews, or worse, litigation!)

We all know that motorcycles are unique in that the same oil that lubricates the engine also protects the gearing in the transmission. (Rear engine scooters have separate gear lubrication and motor oil requirements.)

So – as much as it is possible – we will be well-served to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for gently breaking-in the new motorcycle engine and transmission. I would venture to say that it is IMPOSSIBLE to ruin a new engine if you precisely follow the “Running In Period” procedures above.

Of course, there are ALWAYS experts (both credentialed and self-proclaimed) who advocate the opposite!

There are motorcycle (and auto, marine, ATV, etc.) owners who believe that the break-in period should be used to “make or break” the engine. They have full confidence in the engineering and assembly of the engine, as well as the miraculous properties of modern lubricants. They recommend running the engine HARD from the start – forcing the break-in under the maximum load and heat.

“Drive it like you stole it” is their admonition!

There is some validity to this approach. Motorsports engines are truly modern marvels of design and metallurgy. Computerized machining and testing continue to strive for perfection. Indeed, Royal Enfield uses clean room technology in their engine assembly operations to virtually eliminate DUST in the internal components!

It is also important to note that Royal Enfield has decades of experience building AIR-COOLED motorcycle engines.

It’s safe to assume that the “Running In Period” recommendations are carried over from these other models. In contrast, the liquid-cooled Himalayan 450 is the exception in the product line. With a radiator and cooling fan, it is virtually impossible to experience engine overheating UNDER NORMAL riding conditions!

Still, I advise taking it easy as you break-in a new motorcycle, including the Himalayan 450. You have NOTHING to lose, and it is a fun ritual to follow as you familiarize yourself with your new vehicle.

So, my “Running In Procedure” is also conservative, with slight variations from the published recommendations:

First, I agree that you should make a conscious effort to let the new motorcycle warm up thoroughly. This is easy – just start the engine before donning your jacket, helmet, and gloves.

For the first 50 miles or so, I just putter around town. I cruise quiet residential neighborhoods. Then I hit the truck routes with speeds up to 45 miles per hour (or 4th gear.) I especially look for lots of stop signs and traffic signals so that I can work the gear box, intentionally downshifting through the gears at every stop: 4-3-2-1 then 1-2-3-4.

I drive around the park. I make circles in vacant parking lots. I visit the fairgrounds. Basically, I just waste time and add miles. Along the way, I’ll run errands or just stop so I can turn off the bike for a few minutes – maybe take a photo of the new purchase!

When I get home, I’ll check a few bolts on the handlebars and forks, and the axle nuts. Make sure that you inspect the coolant level before each ride. Then listen for the radiator fan to kick in and out as the engine temperature climbs.

Next, after about 50 miles, I’ll venture out onto the rural roads where I can increase the speeds up to about 55 mph for short stretches. My area is basically a grid of rural roads so I can find a stop sign every mile or so. Again, just take it easy and work up and down the gears. On the Himalayan 450, you can upshift into 6th gear already at 50 mph – and just hold it there for a mile until the next turn or stop.

Riding quiet rural roads (or truck routes in industrial areas) allows me to go from stopped to 35, 45, maybe 55 mph. I dip into subdivisions or parks. I have several small county parks that are perfect with boat ramps, beaches, and campgrounds. I can cruise around the park, stop and take a few pictures, then loaf back home with about 100 miles accumulated on the bike’s odometer.

Finally, I check everything again, paying special attention to the oil and coolant levels. Then I load up for a longer leisurely ride.

I have unlimited township and county roads where I can ride at 45 to 55 miles per hour. These roads have plenty of stop signs where they intersect with major highways. I also pass through small villages where the speed limit drops to 25 or 35 mph. I find an excuse to stop at least once an hour, turn off the bike, and stretch my legs. Scattered scenic stops are my targets.

These rural highways all have 55 mph speed limits, with plenty of lower limits on hills and curves. That doesn’t exclude impatient speeders, of course. Overall, there is very little traffic so if I encounter an aggressive driver, he can easily pass me after the next hill or curve.

Even at 55 mph, there are small towns every 15 miles, or so. I avoid highway sections that require me to run at high speed for more than 30 minutes at a stretch. With the Himalayan, I also intentionally choose gravel roads where I can comfortably loaf along at 45 to 50 mph - with zero traffic!

This video includes some scenery from these recent “Running In” miles. Note: the side benefit of these easy miles is enjoying maximum economy! On this recent jaunt, I averaged 76.2 miles per gallon! That means I saved enough money to stop for ice cream!

What are your comments? How do your “Running In Procedures” differ? After this first 300 miles, I perform the first oil and filter change. Royal Enfield allows switching to full synthetic oil at this point, but I am more conservative and will wait until 600 to 750 miles to further refine the engine and transmission.

(Full synthetic oil is SO slippery that there is no friction, no polishing of the cylinder and gears. In diesel trucks, the oil change interval is up to 300,000 miles or 500,000 kilometers!!!)

Would you like a FREE PDF summary of these break in ("Running In") procedures? Just send me an email with the subject "Break In" and I will reply with the pdf document attachment!

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