Motor Break-in
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Welcome, and no way. There is not one topic we, as motorcyclist agree on. Things like break in, oil, and tires really mean endless debates. All good, but my break in, my tires, and my oil are best. I KNOW they are.
This bike does smooth out with a break in. That will happen around 4000 miles..For mine, anyway.
This bike does smooth out with a break in. That will happen around 4000 miles..For mine, anyway.
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60 Posts
+1 to this.
Good way to open a can of worms asking about "engine break in" in a motorcycle forum.
I plan on having my bike long term so I go with what the owners manual says and don't add synthetic oil till at the very least 4000 miles.
I have only got 350 miles on my bike and have to admit that it has seen 7K RPM's twice but no more than that. Oil is getting changed when it quits raining long enough to pull the cover off.
I plan on having my bike long term so I go with what the owners manual says and don't add synthetic oil till at the very least 4000 miles.
I have only got 350 miles on my bike and have to admit that it has seen 7K RPM's twice but no more than that. Oil is getting changed when it quits raining long enough to pull the cover off.
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16,454 Posts
Mr Rich..you could'nt resist, could you (meant in fun)
"what the owners manual says and don't add synthetic oil till at the very least 4000 miles."
Call it round one fired!
"what the owners manual says and don't add synthetic oil till at the very least 4000 miles."
Call it round one fired!
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52 Posts
I find this break in period monotonously agonizing. I am planning to keep mine for a while as well and also following the owners manual about the rpm limit for 4,000 for the first 500 miles and then 6,000 until you reach 1000 miles. With max rpm of 4,000 I top out my speed at 60 mph...I barely keep up with traffic and Im on a 1000 cc bike! Im sure this bike will deliver once through the break in period but for now I miss my old GS500 where at least I could wail on that and get it over 100 mph 
P.S. With temps finally coming up and snow disappearing in PA I have been able to get up to 260 miles on the ODO as of today
P.S. With temps finally coming up and snow disappearing in PA I have been able to get up to 260 miles on the ODO as of today
Agree 100%, break in is very painful me for me to do 60 mph. The sun comes out around here and friends of mine that have bikes want to ride at a "spirited pace".I find this break in period monotonously agonizing. I am planning to keep mine for a while as well and also following the owners manual about the rpm limit for 4,000 for the first 500 miles and then 6,000 until you reach 1000 miles. With max rpm of 4,000 I top out my speed at 60 mph...I barely keep up with traffic and Im on a 1000 cc bike! Im sure this bike will deliver once through the break in period but for now I miss my old GS500 where at least I could wail on that and get it over 100 mph
P.S. With temps finally coming up and snow disappearing in PA I have been able to get up to 260 miles on the ODO as of today
On the other hand I do not buy used bikes because I have always felt break in to be very critical on a 2 wheel machine. So break in continues for another 688 miles.
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I dont think break in was complete, on mine, until 4000 miles. Its a much smoother motorcycle than when it was new. I cannot comment on power since mines been goofed with, but its now a smooth motorcycle, When new, not so much.
The only thing that I thought wasn't so smooth on mine was the clutch. I thought it was a bit chattery within the first 150 miles or so other than that it seems really smooth. Not sure I really even need to mess with mine unless I can do something to get better fuel economy. During break in I am only at like 33.4 mpg.
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16,454 Posts
I'll bet economy improves. Mine will do the 33 now, but only if I'm runnign hard. I dont think thsi motor likes the low rpm's used during the break in process.
But, ignore it. You'll be sending the ecu to Ivan, anyway. After using his reflash, I consider it mandatory for this bike. Kawasaki shoudl include his remap in the price of the bike.
Its rare to find a mod with zero drawbacks, but his ecu remap fits the description. Only drawback is its not free. Most of the vibration is caused from the ignition timing..which Ivan fixes.
But, ignore it. You'll be sending the ecu to Ivan, anyway. After using his reflash, I consider it mandatory for this bike. Kawasaki shoudl include his remap in the price of the bike.
Its rare to find a mod with zero drawbacks, but his ecu remap fits the description. Only drawback is its not free. Most of the vibration is caused from the ignition timing..which Ivan fixes.
What does he charge and what is the turn around time?
Also what is his contact info?
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16,454 Posts
Heres the web site, and dyno charts. Give him a call for price. Mine turned around the same day he got it and Ive never heard of anyone waiting at all.
Look at the hp improvement at 4000 rpm..stock 60, modded 71-72. LOL is right, and good luck keeping the front end down.
Ivan's Performance Products
Price is competitive with other remaps, but his work is unreal, on this bike.
Look at his figures with the stock pipe. Can you imagine that power output, with the stock exhaust sound? LOL Too much fun. I almost wish I'd skipped my full exhaust. That kind of performance, and quiet, is tough to beat.
Look at the hp improvement at 4000 rpm..stock 60, modded 71-72. LOL is right, and good luck keeping the front end down.
Ivan's Performance Products
Price is competitive with other remaps, but his work is unreal, on this bike.
Look at his figures with the stock pipe. Can you imagine that power output, with the stock exhaust sound? LOL Too much fun. I almost wish I'd skipped my full exhaust. That kind of performance, and quiet, is tough to beat.
Ivan has developed an ecu re-flash for my other bike, '10 Yamaha FZ1. Other than suspension upgrades, it's by far the best mod I've done to that bike. He spent countless hours cracking the factory codes for all sorts of different parameters. Here's a short list of some of the improvements: removed the artificial restrictions of power in lower gears, changed fueling at different rpms to eliminate throttle snatchiness, lowered operating temps. Bike feels now like a 1000cc sport bike should, powerful & quick. Last time I looked, he's developed the re-flash for 11-13 N1K but hasn't yet for the '14. He will spend all the time you need answering your questions when you call. Also sells performance parts, such as exhausts at very reasonable prices. He's developed carb kits, among which I've used on my '88 ZX-9R. Can't tell I rely on his expertise, can ya?
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52 Posts
I have a little over 1500 miles on mine now and I get about 160 miles to a full tank, which seems to be working out to about 40 mpg just as an fyi to those who were asking. And yes, its handling ability does improve as it breaks in, much smoother transition between the gears and doesnt seem to complain as much in the lower gears as well. I still find mine wants to buck a little when in first and coming to a stop. Hopefully that aspect will work itself out too.
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25 Posts
So far I have stuck with the factory break-in schedule. The difference between the 4k limit and 6k limit is like night and day. The last 500 miles will be much more fun than the first. I have yet to ride it in full power mode, still getting familiar with the bike. The last two tanks have given me 41+ mpg (mostly conservative riding). My next tank will probably be lower now that I have a 6k threshold...yes!!!!
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98 Posts
Here's what I have always gone with on the last three Kawi's I have owed.
Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power
Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power
500 miles
Went for a 40 miler this morning in Florida about 0715..bikes got about 500 on it now. I ran it up to 5900-6000 in sixth..good for about 87 mph on my speedo..still on number 2 traction and low power..i can see this bike will be a fast beast...AIR temperature was about 77 or so......temp gauge stayed about 152 at 80 mph....SWEET
Went for a 40 miler this morning in Florida about 0715..bikes got about 500 on it now. I ran it up to 5900-6000 in sixth..good for about 87 mph on my speedo..still on number 2 traction and low power..i can see this bike will be a fast beast...AIR temperature was about 77 or so......temp gauge stayed about 152 at 80 mph....SWEET
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98 Posts
Run it hard and fast vary the RPMs, never failed me in all the bikes I have broken in.
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