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



the day i get my bike im going down to mass (not by planning, but coincedince) and i wanna make sure i got the break in down right...

this is the rules im gonna apply to myself

over 110* before driving.

first 200 miles, vary throttle exteremes. hard acell and decel in different gears over time.

after the first 20 miles take out factory oil and put in vavoline/havoline 10w40 car oil until mile 1500 , change again.

dont redline.




right? cus thats what i plan on doing the whole 52mile ride (one way)

 

That is very similar to the way I have broken in many different motors, and have never had a problem.

 

Valvoline?! Why not just put some Wal-Mart oil it, it's better stuff - KABOOM!

 

What's wrong with valvoline? For break in it's not bad. it is Not an energy conserving oil, it is low detergent, so it won't hurt the clutch. I don't run Valvoline in my sled, but it wouldn't hurt anything.

 

thats just the oil recommended on the site... what do you recommend (non-synthetic) i dont really have a preference, i guess if i had to choose id go castrol

 

i use castrol......do it....do it now.

 

 

With my ZX-14, I just romped it up to about 9 grand a couple of times before the 20 mile mark using Kaw oil that came in the bike, changed it at 100 miles, then broke it in by the book.
I think that some of the valve train parts need the gentle break in period especially the cams. The gentle miles also tend to polish the gears in the tranny better.
To me this gets you the best of both worlds. You cant believe the aluminum haze in the oil on the first change. I also like to give the engine a lot of heat up and cool down cycles during break in especially in the first 100 miles.
I think the romp during the first 20 miles is important but after that, I follow the book and honestly believe that it gives you a better break in. And I am not so sure about using car oil, I dont do that. Just my opinion!