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Ride it like you stole it for the first 200km.

With lots of varied rpm. Take it up to the redline, then let it engine brake back down to the low rpm's. Do this through out the gears.

Change the oil and oil filter after 200km and ride it like you stole it for the next 800km until your 1000km service.

 

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Engines need to be run hard from the very start in order to seat the rings. You only get one chance to do it... at the start.

A hard break in, and correctly set rings are likely to give the engine between 2-10% more power than one that wasn't later on in it's life, as well as other advantages (less engine wear, longevity etc). You want the piston rings to seat correctly.

I'd advise to Google 'How to brake in a motorcycle' and 'how to seat piston rings' for lots of info on it.

It's also good to change the oil and oil filter very early one, as any engine no matter how modern will have minute shavings etc of metal. You don't want these in your oil for long. It's certainly advisable to do it before 200km, and again at 1000km.

 

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I don't see much info on it.

Google

 

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ive always done soft break in and never had any problems what so ever.

Yes, unless looking at the pistons you're not likely to see anything wrong. Adverse affects later in the engine life will be less power and extra wear on the engine.

plus if you look in the manuals almost all the motorcycle manufacturers recommend a soft break in.

Absolutely. For some very good reasons. As businesses they're out to get money. The problems associated with a soft break in will not be apparent until after the warranty. Engine wear, less power, shorter engine life. They will make money off these.

Googling 'how to break in a motorcycle' and I doubt virtually any will advocate a soft break in. It will probably be zero.

Of course everybody's free to break in their bike anyway they want, and as long as everybody's happy it's all cool.

Cheers.

 

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Honda didn't get the reputation they have because people ignored their break in instructions.

Actually most probably do.

Compare any two bikes (same model) after one has been broken in hard, and one in soft. After feeling the amazing difference, take a look inside, after being shell shocked by what you saw and felt put them on a dyno...

BTW, to seat the rings at the very start you go through the gears, up to the high revs then let it engine brake from high revs to low. Stop and let it cool down for 20 mins or so.

Repeat this 5 or so times.

Seating the rings without over heating the engine is a good thing.

Running it too soft and you'll get 'glazing'.

That's bad.

 

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Also, after 150 miles or so, change the oil and oil filter.

 

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Fairy muff.

btw, just about to hit 22,000 km and the bike and engine both run and sound like a dream.

 

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I also change the oil and oil filter between the 6000km service intervals, btw.

 

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Forum experts, gotta love them.