Lugging the engine

[ccdhowell]

I rode a new MX track yesterday on my '07 Raptor. My Raptor is setup for XC racing, but I wanted the practice and endurance training I can get on an MX track. Anyway, I wasn't geared quite right for the track; many corners were too fast for first gear and a little slow to be comfortable in second gear. I don't slip the clutch if I can help it so I ended up lugging the engine quite often and sometimes pretty deeply. My dad used to say never lug an engine cause it drops oil pressure too low. I'm running Red Line Racing 40wt in my Raptor, I wonder how it's hurting my engine to lug it like I did. I wonder if it's hurting my engine. On the upside the Raptor 700 has plenty of torque and can even power up jumps while lugging in too tall a gear.

So does the good oil save me on this, or should I run a lower gear when I visit that track?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Chris142]

That quad like most Japanese bikes use roller bearings on the crank and rod. You won't hurt anything lugging it.

If it had plain bearings like a car then lugging can damage the bearings.

 

[ccdhowell]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
That quad like most Japanese bikes use roller bearings on the crank and rod. You won't hurt anything lugging it.


Thanks, I knew about the roller bearings, I've rebuilt several atv engines. I never thought about them in relation to lugging the engine; I feel better now.

 

[daman]

You'll probably get some fuel dilution in the oil doing that..