My bike will be coming in the next few weeks. I would like opinions on the best way to break in the bike for the smoothest engine, if that matters at all on break in. I understand that the bike is not ready to drone all day on the interstate at a constant engine speed, which would be the worst way to break it in.

My usual routine is just conservative riding and varying the engine speed as we do in traffic. Any thoughts?

I would like opinions on the best way to break in the bike for the smoothest engine, if that matters at all on break in.

Any thoughts?

It probably does not matter much how you break it in. Do what will give peace of mind. I've done it by the book and a race brake in and both bikes run great. I can't tell my busa is stronger with the race break in than the 14 is with the by the book break in. I choose race break in because I guess I just want to make sure I do everything i can make the bike what I bought it for. That's what gives me peace of mind. Probably, it won't make a lot of diff but if it's a couple more hp, I guess I'll take it.

Tell the dealer prep to NOT run the engine any more than necessary. Don't accept with more than a couple miles on the clock and tell them that.

place tape on the control pod next to the throttle to mark 1/4, and one half throttle.

Warm the bike up to operating temp, about 3 minutes. Test shifting and braking. Ride a short distance to your breakin strip (should be within a few minutes ride).

Take the bike from a idle to 5000 rpm at 1/4 throttle in first gear and roll off quickly but smoothly. Do a 0 throttle decel back to idle. Repeat that 2 more times.

Do a 1/2 throttle burst in second from 4000 to 8000 rpm and then roll off like your first gear runs. Repeat that two more times.

Do 3 more bursts at WOT in second gear from 6000 rpm to redline in second gear. Roll off quickly after you hit the rev limiter each time and do a complete decel.

The engine is basically broken in now. Change oil and filter. I recommend Spectra conventional 10W/40.

Climb some hills at in 6th gear WOT. Run the bike at higher rpm as often as you can. Downshift often and don't be afraid of hard decels. Lots of engine braking. Lots of WOT. Change oil often with the Spectra and change filteer. I changed after 20 miles, 100 miles, 300 miles, 1000 and then I went to 2500 mile intervals. I switched from Spectra to Suzuki (for the busa) 10W 40 after the 1000-3500 mile oil change.

Have a look at this. I basically try to simulate the dyno break in. It's gonna be illegal so watch out.

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

* Last updated by: Rook on 3/14/2015 @ 8:17 AM *

I could just add this small but possibly 'critical' snippet from the manual."You may very well have a 'broken down' motorcycle within a few thousand kilometers instead of a 'broken in' motorcycle if it is not used carefully during the break-in period".

Not saying this to in any way challenge ANYONE with their personal thoughts on breaking their bikes in.Myself...I've never totally followed the manual break-in rpm limits and such.Not even near really to the shifting rpms stated in the booklet.This is a hard call to make really.I sense that possibly these break-in values are more designed to allow the rider to become familiar with the bike's performance.ALL the manuals I've read for the zx family of bikes has stated the same values and procedures.I'd think that there would be some variance considering the cc ratings of these various engines.But apparently not.

It's possible they're more concerned about the internals...clutch,transmissions,that stuff wearing in properly as opposed to the engine topping out or something.IDK.My break-ins have been a combination of mellow riding,and firmly opening her up at different stages of the 1K miles period.Like Rook...similar.I've had 3 14's now.It seems to me,that the transmission(s)do need to have some mild wearing happening in the first 1k miles.Not hard shiftings.Slamming em.

The motors are run on a dyno at the factory.So SOME of the wear in the motor itself has already been 'set'.Could be wrong here.But I trust the factory KNOWS for sure whether they are doing the right thing motorwise by opening a new engine up on their dynos.There's more to this deal than just the rings.

There's really PLENTY of time to rail with the engine once past that 1K mileage value.But I do think it's important to work up to WOT with these new motors as the break-in miles start to climb.Decels as well...as Rook stated.

Any damage that might occur during this break-in period will definitely start showing up after several 1K miles.So ya have to consider how hard ya want to push the new parts.I've petty much just considered how the motor and all 'feels' with what I'm doing with it.I know that sounds ridiculous probably,but that's how I feel about my bikes.NEVER had any motor/parts issues on any of em.No oil burning issues...nothing. All my ZX's have run really strong and reliably.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/14/2015 @ 9:54 AM *

Kawasaki oil while under warranty, because if you should experience a mechanical problem, the first sample
Mother Kaw wants is oil. Don't rush break in, it's needed as much for the rider as the bike.

Just ride it. Taking about how to break it in, is as bad as asking what kind of oil to use.
Ride the bike like you want to, and change oil when you want to. Your bike won't care.
Keep your chain lubed and ride it.

I feel that we still haven't nailed down which oil to use? Is automotive oil OK?

Discussing break-in is like discussing religion and politics, everyone has their own opinion and are sure they are right!

When you break-in a bike, what are you actually breaking in? Rook has some great and IMHO correct advice!

Engine - The only real concern is getting the rings seated properly, this requires loading the rings so the pressure forces the rings against the cylinder walls, follow Rook's advice but I do it a few more times than he does.

Brakes - Pads need to bed in to the rotors, use instructions in your manual.

Tires - need to be scrubbed in before getting to squirrely.

Everything else will take care of itself in normal riding.

My religion, my humble opinion.

Congratulations on your new bike!!! Nothing sweeter than the smell of a new bike!

I was thinking more along the lines of...wesson.I mean...you can eat it when used,right?So it must be okay for the engine.Why spend all that dough on some 'specialty' bike oil...go the cheap seats on this one.0 wt viscosity...Brock uses that weight,right?

Thanks so much. I've had a lot of new bikes over the years and always was fanatic about break in but in this case I do agree with the fact that my riding will blossom after I'm nice and used to the power delivery of this particular bike. LOL I've had a ZX-10R before but this bike is in it's own class!

One mistake I don't want to make is to push too far too soon because I get too excited. Hitting it hard on those tiny little rockets puts you in a certain zone, one that you come out of quickly because you really feel the speed.

From what I already learned, this bike will keep you there longer because it's deceivingly deceptively and comfortably FAST.

LOL

Deceptive is an understatement! Twist the tail and you're doin' a full buck in less time than it takes for a cat to lick it's ass!

This may not apply anymore due to advances in metal and oil, but I had to do quite a few ring jobs on low mile ZX1000s because the owners just putted around and never stressed the rings. I agree with Rook in taking it up hard a few times during breakin.

Mad