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How did you break in your engine?

16K views 35 replies 19 participants last post by  Volfy 
#1 ·
Just reading through the Manual and it seems that the manufacturers instructions are to have a maximum RPM of 4000 up to 800kms (500 miles), and then 6,000 from there through to 1,600kms (1000 miles).

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but at 4,000 isn't the bike doing under 100kph (60 miles per hour)?

I've got in the back of my mind that the freeway I'd be traveling on to bring the bike home is 110kph (and I'm most likely going to be 4hrs away from home) - it seems like I'm going to have a slower trip home with cars overtaking me if I'm going to be sitting on 85-90?

Also reading the manual it seems as though information is logged as well (for the event of a crash, but I would also expect for warranty issues as well).

Just wondering what people's previous experiences were. Did you break in your bike as per manufacturers recommendations and ride below the speed limit, or is my expectations wrong? :)

I'm wondering if it's worth taking a few days off work instead, finding some lazy twisties that I wouldn't exceed the revs on and ride that until service, get serviced and then ride some more to ensure that I don't get excited on my usual riding stretch (which is a little more 'spirited' ;) and breach the limit).
 
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#2 · (Edited)
I would say it's probably more important to vary the rpm, use some engine braking, don't lug the motor and get some full throttle stints in on your trip home than worry about the rpm limit. Riding at a constant speed on the freeway for a prolonged period of time wouldn't be the best thing to do, even if you are within the rpm limit of what the manual says.
 
#3 ·
Congrats on your new purchase! There are previous discussions on this topic here, on the web and probably every model related forum. You will get a divergent amount of views from follow the manual up to "my friend builds engines and says to run it max, change the oil, Rev it again to max" and so on. I have a group chat of seven riders and also got a variety of views on this topic.

I personally stuck with the owners manual because I don't feel that they tell you something that would be "bad" for the engine. Plus, they have a warranty and I'm not going to do something that would blatantly differ what the manual says. Mind you, the sales guy who I know rides and works on engines said to just ride it like you would normally.

However, I did go slightly above the RPM range to keep up with the flow of traffic. I figure that if it comes between fucking the engine or getting steam rolled over by an Escalade in So Cal, **** the engine.

I did find that the best condition to follow the manufacturer recommendations is to ride the canyons. You will almost always be in the right range for break in. Plus, it's way more fun.

Either way, do what makes sense to you. It's your bike.
 
#4 ·
I stuck with the manual for the most part. In the manual I believe it says to maintain the speed limit on freeways. That's what I did. I'd become a hazard and a nuisance if I did less than 60 in our 70mph zones.
 
#5 ·
One thing I did, that made me happy was to drain the oil and change the filter at 50 miles.

I dont know if it helped anything, but it was rewarding to see 3 or 4 tiny flakes in the drain pan. I never found any more, since that first oil change. I bought a new kawasaki filter,, and the motorcycle oil was 25.00. I felt good for 35.00. That's a good deal.

You've really asked the impossible question. Theres probably nothing anyone will say that changes your mind on what you already want to do. In addition, theres really nothing bad that happens to this bike, no matter how you break it in. I dont believe I've ever heard of a new ninja 1000/versus 1000/z1000 with any sort of engine trouble.

A few transmission issues. Especially after people added quick shifters. I dont know of any issues that would have been helped by a special break in procedure.

If theres no evidence, then why not do what you want to, or follow the manual?
 
#6 ·
I broke in my 2018 cruising below 6k on the highway, not exceeding 7k during acceleration for the first 600 miles. I upped that limit to 7k RPM on the highway and 8k during acceleration for the next 400 miles. Then I let her rip!

I don't remember there being a 4k RPM limit. If there was I didn't follow it. Ridiculous in the real world. The motor really prefers to shift at 6k RPM anyway in the first 3 gears.
 
#7 ·
I was able to get almost 600 miles in the first 2 days on county roads.
I did my best to keep it under 5k but the little devil in my ear won out on a couple of occasions. But nothing remotely considered rough on it. Think the biggest deal is dont lug the bike and dont set the cruise and a slab it just to get your miles in. Changing the oil to check for contamination a little early couldn't hurt and most of all...... enjoy the bike.
 
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#8 ·
I followed the manual, for the most part, I probably exceeded the recommended rpms a couple of times but no over revings. My theory is the other parts of the motor are breaking in also, so progressive increase is most likely favorable. The motor now has about 18000 with no issues........i ride a 2014 model, all stock..
 
#9 ·
Thanks guys. It's not a new purchase yet. I am planning on purchasing one - but read the manual online from Kawasaki's website for the current model - and that was the instructions.

4,000rpm's seemed a bit low - especially for highway traveling. With any luck the limit will be more around 6,000 which would be more usable.

Either way - it seems that I should plan on NOT commuting this bike home, but find some twisties/canyons and do some low rev easy riding in there to give a variety of throttle instead of one constant one on the highway, and then hit 1,000kms and get it serviced, and then get home. After that I'll be close enough to 1,500kms I'm guessing that it shouldn't be an issue from now on.

Never purchased a new vehicle before in my life so the whole breaking-in thing is a bit new to me. :)

I wonder how the ex-demo's go with warranty. I could only imagine that demo riders would have exceeded 4,000rpm's on those!
 
#10 ·
It's like questions about what oil brand, tire brand, etc. You will get as many responses as the the people responding. I took it easy for 50 miles and rode it like I stole it. I constantly varied the RPM. I did oil and filter changes at 100, 500 and 2000 miles.

The only thing I find more consistent among people is to stay away from synthetic oil in the beginning, which I also do.
 
#11 ·
Motorcyclist magazine did a video where they bought two brand new Honda single cylinder engines. The broke one in by following the manual and the other with an aggressive break in from the beginning. After this they disassembled the engines and took critical measurements. They found no difference in the condition of the two engines.

For the first few hundred miles take it easy and just avoid any aggressive use of the brakes, engine etc. Just use common sense. This also gives you time to get a good feel for the bike before you do any real spirited riding. Once you feel good with the bike and have done the first oil change it's game on!
 
#12 ·
You wont hurt anything commuting on a brand new bike. You will be able to change speeds enough to not cause.... to not cause what? I dont believe anyone has had an issue related to an improper break in. Until there is a problem, dont start inventing solutions.
 
#13 ·
I think that years ago when machining, metallurgy and oil technology was nowhere near what it is today, break in was important. I remember buying a new 1975 Camaro. The first ten miles on the way home from the dealer it felt very coarse and throttle response was even a bit “off”. Before I got home it just suddenly smoothed out and was fine.

Today, I don’t believe in break in. But before I explain why, let me clarify one thing. For the life of a vehicle I try to get the coolant and oil warmed up to operating temperature before running them hard, and I don’t like to shut them down until they likewise have cooled down if I have been running hard. And I will say that I try to run somewhat easy for a hundred miles or so.

First of all, to my point above, machining has come a very long way, as has metallurgy. Second of all, how many times do you think cars and motorcycles have been test driven hard with little or no miles on them? In fact, some manufacturers do this when they are built. If it’s bad for the engines we would be hearing horror stories on the forums of failed engines.

One more thing. I have actually done the math.. Run some theoretical scenarios of how many times the pistons go up and down in just 50 miles. The number might stun you. It’s a very big number.
 
#14 ·
I've bought lots of pre-owned vehicles that I have absolutely no idea how it was driven before I laid my hands on it. To date, not one has developed engine problems that can possibly be contributed to improper break-in (excessive oil consumption, power loss due to low compression, etc.). Does that mean I don't believe in breaking in a vehicle? Hardly. It's a calculated risk, when taken with judiciousness, reaps rewards in cost savings. But it is a risk nevertheless. When I do buy a brand new one, I do treat it differently than I do a well-used one. It's more than just the engine. It's every set of mating parts that wear against each other. Whether it is lubricated by oil, grease, or nothing (like brake disc against pads), they all have to wear into each other. Regardless of materials you choose or the machining tolerances and surface roughness you specs (I spec those at work regularly), the manufacturing processes leave the parts with residual stress that will naturally want to relieve themselves out as the parts go through heat cycles and mating parts move.

Mfrs specify different break-in procedures. Some I admit are kinda overly simplistic and strict. But I understand they have to write it that way for folks with a wide range of mechanical aptitude, include those who have absolutely none. So they speak in terms that everybody understands. If it is too overly restrictive, well... at least it's a safer bet than being too loose.

The way I look at break-in on anything mechanical boils down to LOAD and TEMPERATURE. Excessive amount of either is never good for any moving mating parts in a motorized vehicles, regardless of age.
Lubricated mating parts normally rides on a thin film of oil (or grease) and never actually touch each other... well, not too much anyway. Every bearing surface, even polished mirror-like surfaces, has a surface roughness spec called out on the mfg drawing. When absolutely green, there are always some inconsistencies in surface roughness, as well as dimensional tolerances. Thin film lubrication layer is designed to be much thicker than the surface roughness, so the mating parts never touch. Under load, and/or when the engine on cold start, that lubricating film can be at its thinnest. Load will also cause higher shear stress in the oil film, which creates heat. Too much of that heat can cause localized hot spots, which in turn thins the viscosity of the oil right at that hot spot. That can cause localized viscosity breakdown and causes the thin film to collapse and the mating parts to touch, if only for a very short duration. This is why I take it easy before the engine warms up to operating temp and all the parts have thermally expanded to a steady state at that designed operating temp. It is also why I don't load the engine unless I need to. I do all the even after the vehicle is broken in. Before that, it is that much more important.

Regardless of what some may claim, if you constantly impose max load on the engine (say by redlining the RPM at all times), you will shorten its service life. That said, I don't buy a 125HP bike just to putt-putt around the gold course. I do drive it as I see fit, and I have no problem with it when the situation calls for it. The bet is, of course, that the amount of wear I cause in the time I own the vehicle does not exceed the total amount sustainable by design, before bad sh** happens.

There are other more nuanced consideration to other aspects of vehicle break-in, but I'm getting long-winded as it is.
 
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#15 ·
If you go on youtube, the history of Kawasaki video is really good. Towards the end, they show a zx6 rolling off the assembly line.

The I Stanton the bike is finished, it rolls right over to a machine, They dont show any numbers, or specifics, but you can visually see the bike gets tested, and its bot just at idle.. If a person believes the bike needs an easy break in, I suppose you have to pretend this doesnt count, or you just forget it ever hapoened? This isnt motoman sight claiming to do this, it's at the 33:00 minute area of the video.

So, at this point, your bike has completed some kind of power test and is strapped to a machine. It might take more time, but if there was value in running it at a specific speed, load, or rpm you have to think they would do this. They would be crazy not to if doing so saved money in warranty claims.

 
#18 ·
If you go on youtube, the history of Kawasaki video is really good. Towards the end, they show a zx6 rolling off the assembly line.

The I Stanton the bike is finished, it rolls right over to a machine, They dont show any numbers, or specifics, but you can visually see the bike gets tested, and its bot just at idle.. If a person believes the bike needs an easy break in, I suppose you have to pretend this doesnt count, or you just forget it ever hapoened? This isnt motoman sight claiming to do this, it's at the 33:00 minute area of the video.

So, at this point, your bike has completed some kind of power test and is strapped to a machine. It might take more time, but if there was value in running it at a specific speed, load, or rpm you have to think they would do this. They would be crazy not to if doing so saved money in warranty claims.

https://youtu.be/_A0mSEadvas
For Kawi, there is simply no way to finish the QA/QC check without a power test. If they could do without the step, they would. As is, it is a better to check and be able to uncover any quality issue up front, at the expense of pulling a very brief high power test. Notice too they stressed the bikes were fully warmed up before engaging the power test. The fact that they run it on the dyno for short duration (probably less than 30sec) doesn't automatically translate to a tacit encouragement for new owners to bang off the rev limiter for however long they want. Otherwise, they wouldn't bother to specify break-in instructions in the manual.

That would be like saying: if the doctor sticks a needle in my vein to draw blood for my annual physical, then it must be okay for me to stick a needle in my vein whenever I feel like it... even if the doc specifically told me not to. :wink:
 
#20 ·
At the end of the day, its your bike and you should do what you believe in and are comfortable with. As Captain Barbossa would say: the code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules.

I understand what Kawi is trying to say in the Manual, without turning it into a doctoral dissertation in tribology. So I follow my own guidelines. Savvy? :wink:
 
#21 ·
,
Jim made a really good point when he mentoned checking the numbers and thinking about just how quickly things are moving, even at idle.

If you start looking at numbers, nothing is ever soft, easy or slow. Non mechanical people often times times try to give machines feelings, as if they are alive. 4000 rpms is is easier on the engine just because it is slower than 6000. You will see it in the summer. People get hot when it's 100 degrees so they assume their bike needs thicker oil. The bike must be running hot because their skin is hot...that sort of thing.

Break in usually turns into that because there is not really any evidence to show something is harmful, or helpful.
 
#22 ·
Those same guidelines are in a lot of Kawi owner's manuals. I just rode a ZX6R last weekend, and I honestly would prefer to sit in a dentist chair than ride 500 miles on it without going over 4k RPM. It's even worse with the KLX250S. That bike has next to no oomph under 4k. I told my son to follow the same break-in instructions on his KLX140L before, which because it doesn't have a tach, actually has a much more sensible break-in guidelines, like:

"Avoid quick acceleration or starting, drive prudently for the first one hour of operation. Let the motorcycle cool completely..."

All this reminds me of what RC airplane kit mfrs put in for recommendation engine size. The head of one well-known company once said in an interview that they'd purposely list the recommendation on the low side, knowing folks tend to up-size from that anyway. So if the kit lists engine size of .60 - .90 c.i., folks would stuff a 1.08 or 1.20 in it. They knew a .60 would be underpowered but fly the plane okay, but a 1.20 would provide excellent power. However, if they actually list it as .60- 1.20, folks would shoehorn a 1.60 of 1.80 in it and risk overstressing the air frame. It's just human nature.
 
#23 · (Edited)
Speaking of RC engines, I still religiously break them in properly before setting the needles for max power and correct low idle. Why, because the engine just won't run right until after the rings (or the ABC cylinder) seat properly.

A lot of drivers/riders believe modern cars/bikes don't need break in because materials and machining have gotten so much better. It many ways, they have. However, much of the "improvement" actually can be attributed to all the electronic and computer controls that has been wrapped around the modern automotive engine. Gone are manual chokes, idle bypass, and a multitude of mixture needle valves. These days, brand new engines jumps to life on the first touch of the starter button, holds a perfect idle and purrs like a kitten... because the computer controls and active feedback systems do such a good job at compensating for a wide variety of environmental and load conditions - including a brand new engine with less-than-perfect cylinder ring seating, masking over symptoms of an engine not yet broken in. The same engine without all those smart ECU control, and fed by a dumb carburetor instead, would probably still show all the signs of a green engine.

I can tell you my KLX140L and Beta 300RR, both carb bikes, were exactly like that.

One tell tale sign that there is still such a thing as a "break-in Period" comes in the form of the average mpg increasing as the car/bike is driven. I've had mpg in my car jump 2-3mpg on average, sometime well into 10k miles. Again, the engine feels no different, because the control systems do such a good job at compensating for various conditions. But when the rings finally seat good and compression seal improve substantially compared to when brand new, the fuel efficiency rises.
 
#24 ·
That is funny...the instant a tach shows up, that 4000rpm limit does....zx6, klr, concours 14, or ninja 250. Even if that 4000 rpm is 25mph or 120.
 
#25 ·
Pretty much every motorcycle made today by a major manufacturer is run to the red line on a dyno before it leaves the factory. This is done to ensure that the engine is 'tight', and has no major mechanical flaws. I've toured the Ducati plant, and they bounce their engines off the rev limiter 7-12 times before they leave the factory - they get shipped off to an assembler that puts any needed bodywork on after the engine and chassis assembly is done. My point is that the break-in process has little to do with the motor - that ship has sailed, so to speak. Rather, I suspect its a way for the manufacturers lawyers to cover their behinds in case a new rider crashes a bike during the 'break-in' process. They can defend themselves against the claim that the motorcycle is dangerous by countering that the rider didn't observe the break-in period. Also, if there is a mechanical flaw or the assembly person forgot to tighten something, discovering that at low speed is probably a better thing than discovering it at high speed.

TL/DR: Break-in is for safety and liability reasons, not the for the motor.
 
#27 ·
Antimatter......wow. What you posted sounds like first hand knowledge and experience. That will never be as good as thoughts and feelings.

I heard a Ducati rep talk about the warranty claims he had to approve, or disapprove. He said a very common claim was high oil use. He blamed that on an easy break in. Even though those claims were on low mile bikes, it wasnt as of you could go for a hard ride and seat those rings. The damage was done. Obviously, there were other components to "break in", but if your rings dont seat, you dont have much to look forward to as those other pieces wear in.
 
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