So here's the thing. Every time you pick up an owner's manual and turn to chapter on breaking in the bike, they always tell you to ride easy for the first 600 miles (or somewhere close to that number). The problem is that I've been hearing more and more from various people of every level of skill and experience that it's actually better to ride the sucker like you're on the race track from the beginning. At the same time I still hear other riders say slow and easy is the way to go. What have you guys heard?

 

I think the best rule is a combination of both. You don't want to run the bike at a constant rpm; you want to get a smooth, variable pattern of revs to get a consistent "break-in" wear on your top end. You also don't want to rev the crap out of it (i.e. hit the limiter on every shift) because it puts too much stress on parts that are not adequately mated yet. Don't hammer a new bike. Go smoothly throughout the rev range.

 

+1...what jeff said

 

1+

 

+1+

 

well my 07 zx6r was my first bike so for the first 500 miles i rode easy to help me learn but then i rode it harder from the 500 to 1000 miles marker. and thats prolly what ill continue to do everytime i get a new bike

 

Getting comfy with a new ride is a good idea. But 50 miles ride time altering the fuel modulation/engine load, changing out fluids is not a bad thing.