Hi. I really like your videos and am subscribed to your site (or whatever it is called). I got my first motorcycle when I was 15 and am still riding now at 71. I have not always had a car but I have always had a bike. Having had dozens of bikes over the years I am now getting old, my reactions are slowing and my strength is declining so I decided to downsize from my last bike (a Triumph Daytona 955) to a lowly 350 Meteor. I bought it in June '21 (one of the first in the country) and now 12,000 miles later I have to say, what a wonderful bike, I love it. It is the nicest bike to ride that I have ever had. No problems, nothing has gone wrong, and I find that it has certainly re-enthused my love of riding motorcycles. As for ''running in'', well, being a ''dumb blonde'' lol, I mistook the Kph speeds for Mph speeds in the handbook and so ended up running in at pretty near flat out speeds. I did think it odd to be so fast but carried on anyway. Only later did I realise my mistake. However, my bike hasn't seemed to have suffered any ill effects from my mistake. After around 3 to 4,000 miles the engine had really freed up and was a vast improvement in running and smoothness over the new engine. Now at 12'000 miles I feel that it is running better than ever. I have fitted a few ''extras'' since I got the bike. A Rev counter (Hitchcocks), an Oil temp gauge (Hitchcocks), DNA air filter and filter box cover (Tec Bike Parts), Gear change lever (getting rid of the toe-heel std lever that I couldn't get used to) (Tec Bike Parts), Touring seat (RE), Tinted Fly screen (RE) and a 16 tooth gearbox sprocket (+1 tooth over std) (Hitchcocks). All great products that I recommend. Keep up the excellent videos. Kay.
As a retired engineer and a owner of a meteor myself I can say that the J series engines are built to very tight tolerance and definitely benefit from being run in properly, even though you have 1200 miles on it and you have done the running in process you will find that the bike will continue to improve over the next 800-1000 miles, once you get over 2000 miles you will be surprised just how eager and playful it becomes, this is not just my opinion but practically every other owner I have spoken to, have fun and all the best 👍
This question has been asked for more than 20 years. I remember at that time a production race bike mechanic said they just revved the emgines straight to maximum with no running in.
I ran in my RE Super Meteor as per the instructions and have had no issues. I personally think it is no hardship to do this. I once bought a demonstrator Triumph Rocket and it clearly had been thrashed. After 9 months, it sounded like a bag of spanners and had to have new shims and £600 of work done on it. Luckily under warranty. I learned a lesson. I certainly wouldn’t buy another demonstrator and I think running in a motorcycle doesn’t do it any harm. Good video, lovely views.
I bought a Suzuki demo bike with 900 miles on it . I was a bit reluctant at first as I told the dealer it will have been ragged . He then informed me that all their demo bikes are ridden under supervision . I have over 50 years experience of owning bikes used & brand new . I could tell the bike had been getting run in correctly , as the engine was still fairly tight running sweet as a nut & the bike looked mint like it had left the factory . To be honest I had never heard of anyone having issues with a demo bike or car . I always run a new bike in to manufacturers recommendations ,oil & filter change at 500 miles , then gradually increase the revs making the engine work so as not to glaze the bores up to at least 1,000 miles before taking the bike to max revs . The only time I never ran a bike in correctly , I ended up having to deglaze the bore, fit new piston rings & regrind the valves in , three months after I had bought it . All engines need running in correctly in order for the parts to bed in with each other , to ensure a longer reliable life . Take no notice of the philistines who claim modern engines don’t need running in , & advise owners to thrash a new bike from the get go . These types don’t keep bikes long enough , & it’s the poor unsuspecting second owner who gets lumbered with an engine with excess wear for its low milage .
@@maskedavenger2578 yeah you need to run them in properly but as far as the meteor is concerned there is no rev counter not that it needs one but its a good guide when running in and using the speedo in relation to each gear is a guide in only the simplest terms as it only works out in perfect conditions with a flat road and as little variation in in engine work load as possible well i live in South Wales so steep hills and tight turns are deemed normal conditions so the speedo for each gear didn’t work on enormous steep hills and would damage the crank bearings n journals so i just kept it in the right gear to make it free revving without using all the revs its up to 2600 miles now and sounding and running perfectly well and is very responsive and is generally a very happy little bike i’m just about ready to check the tappets now as they didn’t need doing at 1200 miles and they are just beginning to make a gentle rustling when the motor is hot so thats next job 👍
Hi excellent video again my transalp was 600 miles 1200 is a lot but still riding that all good . All the videos of royal Enfield owners are happy ones I am missing out one day I hope keep up the rides love them God bless from a rainy Suffolk
Hello Dartmoor Mole - thoroughly enjoyed this video. I bought an RE Meteor 350 April 2022 to get back into riding after a 38-year absence. The plan was to trade it in a year later to a higher cc machine. Well, that has not happened, and I've just had my third summer on the Meteor 350. It is the best bike ever. The weight is a bit heavy for a 350 but I think it gives the bike stability. I too will take it down dirt or gavel roads without issue. I doubt I'll ever upgrade. Also, I liked your brown riding jacket. Would you mind sharing the make/model of that? Enjoy your Meteor 350!
Really enjoyed the footage! I can only agree with following the manufacturers advice on running-in a new engine. I did so on both my Benelli BN125 and then my Bonneville T100, pedantically. Both engines then delivered a smooth vibration-free ride with better than expected efficiency and for the long life of the engines I have no worries. Compared to the demonstrator Triumph Speed 400 which obviously had not been gently handled, at 60 mph gave such vibrations that there was NO way you could do any length of journey in comfort. Thanks again and enjoy your Meteor 😁👍
Hi I have a 350 Meteor, had the bike 3 years now. I run my engine in as per instructions and noriced a big difference in performance after 1000 miles, but more noticeable was after 2000 miles the engine runs beautifully. Lot more responsive to the throttle and for a 20hp single pot quite quick between 50mph and 65mph. I have kept to all service intervals and just shy of 8000 miles now and still runs beautifully. Quite agree living in Scotland you cant be shy of the rain or you would never use the bike....
Hi I have a hunter, first new to e bike in twenty years, but I did as you ran it in as per the book, and when I got to the stipulated mileage 1200, it became easier to ride, unexplainable really, but love it to bits, only go local runs up to 120 mls, as I live in the south lakes area, but good choice for me for under 4k, thanks for the vid Ted NW biker Dude alias bay bimbler
I have a Classic 500, so a different engine. However I did the first 500 miles as per instructions then gradually increased the revs/speed with short burst at higher revs. I did a lot of varying the load/speed on the bike. It's very smooth for what it is, a big single with no balance shaft. It feels alive if that makes sense. Bike if now over 12500 miles and a delight to ride. That J series engine is so smooth and definitely no slouch. I took out a Meteor 350 for a demo and was mightily impressed with it. If I didn't have my Super Meteor I would have the 350. In my eyes it's a better looking bike than its big brother, which I think is a gorgeous machine anyway. Love your route choice, I generally head over to Dunoon from Gourock then up to Inveraray and around the cracking roads nearby.
I've had 3 Meteors and 3 Classics and each has been tight up to a 1,000 miles, after that you will notice that it will be a lot smoother and more responsive to the throttle. At 2,000 miles it will feel like a sewing machine. The fuel gauge - normal. All the Enfields are the same. On the Meteor you will find that the F symbol on the gauge will start flashing at around 180 - 190 miles but there will be 4 or 5 litres left in the tank. On one occasion I let mine run to 240 miles (had no choice) before refuelling without any problems. Enjoy the bike, you will! Great bit of kit.🙂👍
My Hunter is the same but I don't want to risk running out. The guy at the local filling station probably says "Here comes the tight git for his 6 litres of fuel". They must have thought I'd won the lottery when I put 65 litres in my car/
Nice ride out beautiful scenery as Scotland is in view of running in process years ago in the 70’s they use to say that thrash it from new it will always be bit faster than one done properly but properly ridden in it will last longer and it seems right so I’ve always run mine in to the book and to my knowledge I’ve never had any engine problems with a bike at all I ride a triumph rocket 3gt 2023 chrome edition and have just finished running it in I done over recommended mileage I took it to 1500 miles just to be sure then took it a few miles gradually going faster each ride out and boy does she love acceleration she is amazing beautiful bike take care ride safe
Enjoyed the video, I've been in the Navy for nearly ten years now and I'm based out of Faslane so I know the area well. Just so you know they definitely don't load the nuclear missiles at the place you drove past. I've seen some RFA ships docked there. The nukes are loaded at a much, much more secure/James Bond looking place than that.
I can't see how RE could be accused of exaggerating the running in period to avoid warranty claims. If they gave six or twelve weeks warranty, maybe but I doubt any owner will take three years to run the bike in. Those who use their bikes so sparingly probably wouldn't notice an engine problem anyway unless it seized up.
Hi All, Running in ? Bedding in ? Insnt it all about wearing the parts together, to make them operate smoothly? RE have a long legacy of engine manufacture. Materials and machining methods have changed dramatically over the years Machining tolerences are much easier to maintain with CNC, and the SPC methodoligy all contribute to a much better overall product So have lubrication.materials, mineral oil vs synthetics ? So in conclusion, i guess its all a bit OTT. However isnt it still part of the image which we also want? Im up to 900miles on my classic 350 now, it still feels ""tight"" to me, and im still at 45mph max for another 300 miles. Then ill consider the bedding in about done, and do an oil change. I dont see any point in wringing its neck after that either? Isnt it about riding it within its sweet spot which makes this bike feel so good? If we the recommendations we will feel much happier weve done our bit for the engine !!! Enjoy the bike for what it is..... Regards MikeN
Lovely ride and interesting thoughts on the running in. I've never owned a RE of any sort but have always thought that the stringent running in protocol was somewhat OTT but, better safe than sorry I suppose.
I love your work, man. Excellent footage, great voiceover. Hoping to get my very first bike, Meteor 350, here in the next couple of months. You've convinced me! Side note: How do you feel about the windshield? Is the touring windshield worth it?
I think running in instructions have improved since my first experience with a classic Indian Enfield over thirty years ago. Although a lot of people still confuse throttle position with revs. Up to full throttle can be used for very brief periods from day one, but certainly not allowing anything like maximum revs. This puts varying loads on cylinder walls, bearings etc. The one thing you must not do is steady speeds. Country lanes are ideal, as you don't normally hold one throttle position or gear for very long. Variation of speed/load is the key. Mainly common sense though. Jealous of your scenery!
Sure, if stick to going down hill in a city with speed limits under 35 mph. Any of you who say 20 hp on a 420lb bike is enough are liars whom are doing a dis-service to new buyers.
Hi. I really like your videos and am subscribed to your site (or whatever it is called). I got my first motorcycle when I was 15 and am still riding now at 71. I have not always had a car but I have always had a bike. Having had dozens of bikes over the years I am now getting old, my reactions are slowing and my strength is declining so I decided to downsize from my last bike (a Triumph Daytona 955) to a lowly 350 Meteor. I bought it in June '21 (one of the first in the country) and now 12,000 miles later I have to say, what a wonderful bike, I love it. It is the nicest bike to ride that I have ever had. No problems, nothing has gone wrong, and I find that it has certainly re-enthused my love of riding motorcycles.
As for ''running in'', well, being a ''dumb blonde'' lol, I mistook the Kph speeds for Mph speeds in the handbook and so ended up running in at pretty near flat out speeds. I did think it odd to be so fast but carried on anyway. Only later did I realise my mistake. However, my bike hasn't seemed to have suffered any ill effects from my mistake. After around 3 to 4,000 miles the engine had really freed up and was a vast improvement in running and smoothness over the new engine. Now at 12'000 miles I feel that it is running better than ever.
I have fitted a few ''extras'' since I got the bike. A Rev counter (Hitchcocks), an Oil temp gauge (Hitchcocks), DNA air filter and filter box cover (Tec Bike Parts), Gear change lever (getting rid of the toe-heel std lever that I couldn't get used to) (Tec Bike Parts), Touring seat (RE), Tinted Fly screen (RE) and a 16 tooth gearbox sprocket (+1 tooth over std) (Hitchcocks). All great products that I recommend.
Keep up the excellent videos. Kay.
As a retired engineer and a owner of a meteor myself I can say that the J series engines are built to very tight tolerance and definitely benefit from being run in properly, even though you have 1200 miles on it and you have done the running in process you will find that the bike will continue to improve over the next 800-1000 miles, once you get over 2000 miles you will be surprised just how eager and playful it becomes, this is not just my opinion but practically every other owner I have spoken to, have fun and all the best 👍
Thanks for the information. Appreciate it
This question has been asked for more than 20 years. I remember at that time a production race bike mechanic said they just revved the emgines straight to maximum with no running in.
I ran in my RE Super Meteor as per the instructions and have had no issues. I personally think it is no hardship to do this. I once bought a demonstrator Triumph Rocket and it clearly had been thrashed. After 9 months, it sounded like a bag of spanners and had to have new shims and £600 of work done on it. Luckily under warranty. I learned a lesson. I certainly wouldn’t buy another demonstrator and I think running in a motorcycle doesn’t do it any harm. Good video, lovely views.
@@TriumphRascal Yeah fair comment. And thanks. Appreciate it
@@TriumphRascal yeah ! Been there n done that , if you buy a bike never buy an ex demo bike 👍😁
I bought a Suzuki demo bike with 900 miles on it . I was a bit reluctant at first as I told the dealer it will have been ragged . He then informed me that all their demo bikes are ridden under supervision . I have over 50 years experience of owning bikes used & brand new . I could tell the bike had been getting run in correctly , as the engine was still fairly tight running sweet as a nut & the bike looked mint like it had left the factory . To be honest I had never heard of anyone having issues with a demo bike or car . I always run a new bike in to manufacturers recommendations ,oil & filter change at 500 miles , then gradually increase the revs making the engine work so as not to glaze the bores up to at least 1,000 miles before taking the bike to max revs . The only time I never ran a bike in correctly , I ended up having to deglaze the bore, fit new piston rings & regrind the valves in , three months after I had bought it . All engines need running in correctly in order for the parts to bed in with each other , to ensure a longer reliable life . Take no notice of the philistines who claim modern engines don’t need running in , & advise owners to thrash a new bike from the get go . These types don’t keep bikes long enough , & it’s the poor unsuspecting second owner who gets lumbered with an engine with excess wear for its low milage .
@@maskedavenger2578 Words of wisdom! Thanks for that
@@maskedavenger2578 yeah you need to run them in properly but as far as the meteor is concerned there is no rev counter not that it needs one but its a good guide when running in and using the speedo in relation to each gear is a guide in only the simplest terms as it only works out in perfect conditions with a flat road and as little variation in in engine work load as possible well i live in South Wales so steep hills and tight turns are deemed normal conditions so the speedo for each gear didn’t work on enormous steep hills and would damage the crank bearings n journals so i just kept it in the right gear to make it free revving without using all the revs its up to 2600 miles now and sounding and running perfectly well and is very responsive and is generally a very happy little bike i’m just about ready to check the tappets now as they didn’t need doing at 1200 miles and they are just beginning to make a gentle rustling when the motor is hot so thats next job 👍
Hi excellent video again my transalp was 600 miles 1200 is a lot but still riding that all good . All the videos of royal Enfield owners are happy ones I am missing out one day I hope keep up the rides love them God bless from a rainy Suffolk
@@andybiker2236 i have to say i have been riding bikes for more th
Fifty years and owned everything pretty much but i love my meteor and have no idea why, its just a Cheshire cat experience every-time i start it
Hello Dartmoor Mole - thoroughly enjoyed this video. I bought an RE Meteor 350 April 2022 to get back into riding after a 38-year absence. The plan was to trade it in a year later to a higher cc machine. Well, that has not happened, and I've just had my third summer on the Meteor 350. It is the best bike ever. The weight is a bit heavy for a 350 but I think it gives the bike stability. I too will take it down dirt or gavel roads without issue. I doubt I'll ever upgrade. Also, I liked your brown riding jacket. Would you mind sharing the make/model of that? Enjoy your Meteor 350!
@@nigel5138 Much appreciated. Yep I came to Enfields late in life but loving it!
I've nearly run in my classic and I totally agree that you can feel the engine loosen up over time! Great video, many thanks!
@@davidtiddy6881 Loving the Enfield! Thanks
Really enjoyed the footage!
I can only agree with following the manufacturers advice on running-in a new engine. I did so on both my Benelli BN125 and then my Bonneville T100, pedantically. Both engines then delivered a smooth vibration-free ride with better than expected efficiency and for the long life of the engines I have no worries.
Compared to the demonstrator Triumph Speed 400 which obviously had not been gently handled, at 60 mph gave such vibrations that there was NO way you could do any length of journey in comfort.
Thanks again and enjoy your Meteor 😁👍
Agreed! Thanks for your kind remarks. Just annoyed it took me so long to get a Royal Enfield!
Hi I have a 350 Meteor, had the bike 3 years now. I run my engine in as per instructions and noriced a big difference in performance after 1000 miles, but more noticeable was after 2000 miles the engine runs beautifully. Lot more responsive to the throttle and for a 20hp single pot quite quick between 50mph and 65mph. I have kept to all service intervals and just shy of 8000 miles now and still runs beautifully.
Quite agree living in Scotland you cant be shy of the rain or you would never use the bike....
Hi I have a hunter, first new to e bike in twenty years, but I did as you ran it in as per the book, and when I got to the stipulated mileage 1200, it became easier to ride, unexplainable really, but love it to bits, only go local runs up to 120 mls, as I live in the south lakes area, but good choice for me for under 4k, thanks for the vid
Ted NW biker Dude alias bay bimbler
I have a Classic 500, so a different engine. However I did the first 500 miles as per instructions then gradually increased the revs/speed with short burst at higher revs. I did a lot of varying the load/speed on the bike.
It's very smooth for what it is, a big single with no balance shaft. It feels alive if that makes sense. Bike if now over 12500 miles and a delight to ride.
That J series engine is so smooth and definitely no slouch. I took out a Meteor 350 for a demo and was mightily impressed with it. If I didn't have my Super Meteor I would have the 350. In my eyes it's a better looking bike than its big brother, which I think is a gorgeous machine anyway.
Love your route choice, I generally head over to Dunoon from Gourock then up to Inveraray and around the cracking roads nearby.
@@FATBOY692011 Intend to try that route. I’ve cycled around Dunoon and love it
I'm not sure the MOD would appreciate you disclosing that one to the world.
BB will be watching you now !!!!
Good point!
I've had 3 Meteors and 3 Classics and each has been tight up to a 1,000 miles, after that you will notice that it will be a lot smoother and more responsive to the throttle. At 2,000 miles it will feel like a sewing machine. The fuel gauge - normal. All the Enfields are the same. On the Meteor you will find that the F symbol on the gauge will start flashing at around 180 - 190 miles but there will be 4 or 5 litres left in the tank. On one occasion I let mine run to 240 miles (had no choice) before refuelling without any problems. Enjoy the bike, you will! Great bit of kit.🙂👍
@@jonathandeeley6276 Thanks for that. Grateful
My Hunter is the same but I don't want to risk running out. The guy at the local filling station probably says "Here comes the tight git for his 6 litres of fuel". They must have thought I'd won the lottery when I put 65 litres in my car/
Nice ride out beautiful scenery as Scotland is in view of running in process years ago in the 70’s they use to say that thrash it from new it will always be bit faster than one done properly but properly ridden in it will last longer and it seems right so I’ve always run mine in to the book and to my knowledge I’ve never had any engine problems with a bike at all I ride a triumph rocket 3gt 2023 chrome edition and have just finished running it in I done over recommended mileage I took it to 1500 miles just to be sure then took it a few miles gradually going faster each ride out and boy does she love acceleration she is amazing beautiful bike take care ride safe
Enjoyed the video, I've been in the Navy for nearly ten years now and I'm based out of Faslane so I know the area well. Just so you know they definitely don't load the nuclear missiles at the place you drove past. I've seen some RFA ships docked there. The nukes are loaded at a much, much more secure/James Bond looking place than that.
@@Leethemetalwarrior Ok! That what I was told. Misinformation! Thanks for the clarification. Appreciate it
I can't see how RE could be accused of exaggerating the running in period to avoid warranty claims. If they gave six or twelve weeks warranty, maybe but I doubt any owner will take three years to run the bike in. Those who use their bikes so sparingly probably wouldn't notice an engine problem anyway unless it seized up.
Hi All,
Running in ?
Bedding in ?
Insnt it all about wearing the parts together, to make them operate smoothly?
RE have a long legacy of engine manufacture.
Materials and machining methods have changed dramatically over the years
Machining tolerences are much easier to maintain with CNC, and the SPC methodoligy all
contribute to a much better overall product
So have lubrication.materials, mineral oil vs synthetics ?
So in conclusion, i guess its all a bit OTT.
However isnt it still part of the image which we also want?
Im up to 900miles on my classic 350 now, it still feels ""tight"" to me, and im still at 45mph max for another 300 miles.
Then ill consider the bedding in about done, and do an oil change.
I dont see any point in wringing its neck after that either?
Isnt it about riding it within its sweet spot which makes
this bike feel so good?
If we the recommendations we will feel much happier weve done our bit for the engine !!!
Enjoy the bike for what it is.....
Regards
MikeN
@@michaelnicholson5218 Excellent points!
Lovely ride and interesting thoughts on the running in. I've never owned a RE of any sort but have always thought that the stringent running in protocol was somewhat OTT but, better safe than sorry I suppose.
@@ralfhoffmann2487 My first RE and I expect not the last!
I ignored the manual and run mine in properly 😉
My inty was the same after run in it got better and better
I love your work, man. Excellent footage, great voiceover. Hoping to get my very first bike, Meteor 350, here in the next couple of months. You've convinced me!
Side note: How do you feel about the windshield? Is the touring windshield worth it?
@@_Rezzik Just buy one! Best thing I’ve bought in years and not expensive! Honestly the most fun I’ve had on a bike in a long long time
@@dartmoormole I'll make sure to pick up the touring windshield then! Cheers
@@dartmoormoleDid you mean the bike or windshield in this response? I love my Meteor as well and am considering a windshield
I think running in instructions have improved since my first experience with a classic Indian Enfield over thirty years ago. Although a lot of people still confuse throttle position with revs. Up to full throttle can be used for very brief periods from day one, but certainly not allowing anything like maximum revs. This puts varying loads on cylinder walls, bearings etc. The one thing you must not do is steady speeds. Country lanes are ideal, as you don't normally hold one throttle position or gear for very long. Variation of speed/load is the key. Mainly common sense though. Jealous of your scenery!
Sure, if stick to going down hill in a city with speed limits under 35 mph. Any of you who say 20 hp on a 420lb bike is enough are liars whom are doing a dis-service to new buyers.
It’s a bike that does everything from 0 to 70 just fine, not every wants adrenaline or racing when they ride