break in period

[scooter]

can someone tell me the recomended break in as per kawi for the concours. im sure its under a certain rpm for so many miles then change the oil but i would like to know for sure. thanks

[ZG]

600 miles under 4k rpm is what Kawi says IIRC, my shop said yes to the 600 miles but ok to 6k rpms, which is what I did... 
 
And it was very frustrating for that first 600 miles... 
 
Some will say just nail it from the get go, but I chose to do the break-in method. I've had a couple dozen bikes but this was my first "brand new" bike and just didn't want to chance it.

[Pokey]

Just ride it normally for crying out loud!!!!!

[Conrad]

Scooter,

Did your bike not come with a owner's manual?

I did the same thing that ZG did. It didn't take me long to reach the 600 mile mark.

[wendel]

Change oil and rear end fluid at 600miles. 600-1,000 miles under 6,000 RPM.

[Son of Pappy]

http://www.custommotorcyclepartsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/roland_burnout.jpg

Make sure you hit the rev limiter.  One thing for sure, this will accelerate tire wear

[Pokey]

The paranoia about this subject truly worries me.

[556ALPHA]

Take it to the red line a few times and then dump the oil after 100 miles....another opinion

[sherob]

Follow the manual...

[VirginiaJim]

Or don't....

[maxtog]

can someone tell me the recomended break in as per kawi for the concours. im sure its under a certain rpm for so many miles then change the oil but i would like to know for sure. thanks

Oh Lord.... here we go!!

My opinion?  I just roughly followed the instructions in the manual as I do with all vehicles.  I don't think it is THAT critical, but I am not taking any chances with my expensive, brand new vehicles. 

ZG:  +1

[Pokey]

Or don't....

Bingo........or simply don't worry over nothing.

[scooter]

i dont have a owners manual because i dont have the bike yet. all my kawai bikes ive had in the past have had a certain mile under so much rpm method of break in ,whitch i follow. i was just wondering what it was on the concours. thanks for the replys

[maxtog]

i dont have a owners manual because i dont have the bike yet. all my kawai bikes ive had in the past have had a certain mile under so much rpm method of break in ,whitch i follow. i was just wondering what it was on the concours. thanks for the replys

Ah!  Here is the full response from the manual:

The first 1 600 km (1,000 miles) that the motorcycle is ridden is designated as the break-in period. If the motorcycle is not used carefully during this period, you may very well end up with a “broken down” instead of a “broken in” motorcycle after a few thousand kilometers. The following rules should be observed during the break-in period.

Distance                                     Maximum engine RPM
0-800km/0-500miles                   4,000
800-1,600km/500-1,000 miles    6,000

Do not start moving or race the engine immediately after starting it, even if the engine is already warm. Run the engine for two or three minutes at idle speed to give the oil a chance to work up into all the engine parts.
Do not race the engine while the transmission is in neutral.

[Breaker19]

Ah!  Here is the full response from the manual:

The first 1 600 km (1,000 miles) that the motorcycle is ridden is designated as the break-in period. If the motorcycle is not used carefully during this period, you may very well end up with a “broken down” instead of a “broken in” motorcycle after a few thousand kilometers. The following rules should be observed during the break-in period.

Distance                                     Maximum engine RPM
0-800km/0-500miles                   4,000
800-1,600km/500-1,000 miles    6,000

Do not start moving or race the engine immediately after starting it, even if the engine is already warm. Run the engine for two or three minutes at idle speed to give the oil a chance to work up into all the engine parts.
Do not race the engine while the transmission is in neutral.

I didn't even read that part yet, just picked mine up yesterday, but I kinda figured 4K would be a likely RPM goal so I've been trying to keep 'er under 90, as they say... Basically, I think if you just don't go crazy for the first 500 miles it's fine. That's what I've been doing but I only have 100 miles on it now, so I'm kind-of just mulling around here and there being nice to the motor for now... Heck, you really don't need to go over 4K, I find myself casually working up the gears on 40 MPH roads and I glance down finding the speedo hovering around 55-60. Ouch. Effortless power.

[Rawman]

The break in period also helps to learn the bike.  It has such power at higher RPMs it is good to get used to the bike first.

[Pokey]

The break in period also helps to learn the bike.  It has such power at higher RPMs it is good to get used to the bike first.

Correct....breaking the rider in, not the friggin engine.

[Big Mike]

The break in period also helps to learn the bike.  It has such power at higher RPMs it is good to get used to the bike first.

Unless your coming off a ZX14 like a lot of us.... 

[cltsig]

I'm at 400 miles now and about to embark on a long day ride (300ish miles, maybe more).  I'm sure it will be fine but I'll go over the 600 mile check up mileage.  Any concerns?  Will the dealer care in terms of warranty?

[Conrad]

I'm at 400 miles now and about to embark on a long day ride (300ish miles, maybe more).  I'm sure it will be fine but I'll go over the 600 mile check up mileage.  Any concerns?  Will the dealer care in terms of warranty?

You'll be fine, change the oils and filter yourself when you get home.