KLR650 Break-in 500 miles?

MapBoy · 10-12-2005, 07:17 AM

Good Morning All -
First, let me say that as a new rider, this forum has absolutely priceless. Thanks for all the great advice. I shall someday buy you each a beer.

I have just purchased a new KLR 650, and am going through the break-in period. According to the manual, I should stay under 4000RPM for this period. My dealer says not to worry much about that, and that as a new rider, I won't stress the bike in my few few weeks anyway.

Being 6'4 and 285 pounds (i.e. a giant wind screen and a fat ass to boot), I'm finding that at 4000RPM I can hit 55-60MPH on the highway which is just a tad slower than I'm comfortable given the traffic. If I bump it up a notch to 4200 to 4500 or so, I am at 65-ish and happy.

Is this under 4000RPMs rule a rule like ATGATT, or more a rule like "beer then liquor, never sicker"? If I should live strictly by the book I will, but it seems all my trips and commutes involve at least 10 or 15 minutes on the highway.

Thanks for any help!
-MapBoy

JimVonBaden · 10-12-2005, 07:36 AM

Don't sweat it, ride up to 5K, but keep the speeds changing. You aren't likely to hurt anything.

Have you pulled your Doohickey yet?

Make sure you check out the KLR board (Click here) for information on it.

Jim

Mr Kawasaki · 10-12-2005, 07:36 AM

I would be more concerned about keeping the revs in one place. Alter your throttle. Riding in town is a good way to break in an engine. Don't lug the engine and don't redline it either. You will be fine. There is an article about breaking in engines that dispells the "don't rev over" myth. Does anyone have a link to it. I tend to believe it myself.

Mr Kawasaki · 10-12-2005, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

Don't sweat it, ride up to 5K, but keep the speeds changing. You aren't likely to hurt anything.

Have you pulled your Doohickey yet?

Make sure you check out the KLR board (Click here) for information on it.

Jim

Don't leave me hanging man.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97019

TomN · 10-12-2005, 07:47 AM

Gratz, hope you are enjoying it.

MapBoy · 10-12-2005, 07:56 AM

Wow, I've only been riding for 4 days and 156 miles and already someone is asking about pulling my doohickey. Gosh, I'm flattered, but...

No, haven't done it yet, but I plan on it this winter. That post showing the step by step process is outstanding.

Thanks for the feedback.

Rustic · 10-12-2005, 08:16 AM

It'll be fine. Just don't drone along at a constant RPM. Like Mr K said, vary your speed. From what I've read, that's supposed to help the rings seat nicely.

BTW, that's a superb doo-replacement report, Mr K. Well done!

30Bones · 10-12-2005, 09:27 AM

I kept my last 05 under 4K for 500 miles but took backroads to work everyday and varied the speeds, etc. I think it's all BS. I never even had my valves adjusted. Just changed the oil/filter. Got divorced, sold it.

Bought my current 05 with 900 miles and it was piped, jetted and K&Ned at 250 miles. That makes me more nervous than your predicament. 3800 miles on it now and no issues. DH this winter as well as a valve check/adjustment.

Ride on

Mr Kawasaki · 10-12-2005, 09:42 AM

I found the site (or one of them).

On the Street: Warm the engine up completely:Because of the wind resistance, you don't need to use higher gears like you would on a dyno machine. The main thing is to load the engine by opening the throttle hard in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear.

Realistically, you won't be able to do full throttle runs even in 2nd gear on most bikes without exceeding 65 mph / 104 kph. The best method is to alternate between short bursts of hard acceleration and deceleration. You don't have to go over 65 mph / 104 kph to properly load the rings. Also, make sure that you're not being followed by another bike or car when you decelerate, most drivers won't expect that you'll suddenly slow down, and we don't want
anyone to get hit from behind !!

The biggest problem with breaking your engine in on the street (besides police) is if you ride the bike on the freeway (too little throttle = not enough pressure on the rings) or if you get stuck in slow city traffic. For the first 200 miles or so, get out into the country where you can vary the speed more
and run it through the gears !
Be Safe On The Street ! Watch your speed ! When you're not used to the handling of a new vehicle, you should accelerate only on the straightaways, then slow down extra early for the turns. Remember that both hard acceleration and hard engine braking (deceleration) are equally important during the break in process.

JimVonBaden · 10-12-2005, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Kawasaki

Don't leave me hanging man.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97019

I just added my own Doohickey thread to yours Click here

Jim

Mr Kawasaki · 10-12-2005, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

I just added my own Doohickey thread to yours Click here

Jim

Cool.

Now what's a torque wrench?

leadvegas · 10-12-2005, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Kawasaki

Cool.

Now what's a torque wrench?

To understand what a torque wrench is, one must first understand torque.

Torque defined: When you're taking a piss with morning wood and push down, your feet leave the floor.

Channing · 04-20-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadvegas

To understand what a torque wrench is, one must first understand torque.

Torque defined: When you're taking a piss with morning wood and push down, your feet leave the floor.

O M G I AM ROLLING RIGHT NOW

.....I just emailed that to all my buddies and everybody is gettting a kick out of it....nice

Beezer · 04-20-2009, 02:00 PM

+1 on: warm ups, vary the throttle, do decelerations, don't worry about the RPMs too much, and work the engine a bit harder each ride (within reason).

ABSOLUTLY do the 500 mile valve check.

Richen the idle mix too.

Have fun!!

Human Ills · 04-20-2009, 03:13 PM

I observed the 4000 RPM ceiling as per owners' manual on my '08. Never droned, never lugged. All engine braking. Rowed through the gears.. etc. Initial oil change at 50, then 250,500,1000,2500 and now I'm sticking to the 2500 interval.

Mine uses oil at 5000 rpm. Maybe I should have been harder on break-in.
Initial valve lash adjustment just before 1000, all on the tight side of spec, now they're all on the loose side.

Mine is happiest between 4-4.5k RPM. So much so that I'm going to go with the 16T countershaft sprocket as soon as I get around to it.

10-12-2005, 07:17 AM	#1
MapBoy ^OP here there be dragons... Joined: Oct 2005 Location: CT via ME and CO Oddometer: 461	KLR650 Break-in 500 miles? Good Morning All - First, let me say that as a new rider, this forum has absolutely priceless. Thanks for all the great advice. I shall someday buy you each a beer. I have just purchased a new KLR 650, and am going through the break-in period. According to the manual, I should stay under 4000RPM for this period. My dealer says not to worry much about that, and that as a new rider, I won't stress the bike in my few few weeks anyway. Being 6'4 and 285 pounds (i.e. a giant wind screen and a fat ass to boot), I'm finding that at 4000RPM I can hit 55-60MPH on the highway which is just a tad slower than I'm comfortable given the traffic. If I bump it up a notch to 4200 to 4500 or so, I am at 65-ish and happy. Is this under 4000RPMs rule a rule like ATGATT, or more a rule like "beer then liquor, never sicker"? If I should live strictly by the book I will, but it seems all my trips and commutes involve at least 10 or 15 minutes on the highway. Thanks for any help! -MapBoy

10-12-2005, 07:36 AM	#2
JimVonBaden "Cool" Aid! Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Alexandria, VA Oddometer: 41,488	Don't sweat it, ride up to 5K, but keep the speeds changing. You aren't likely to hurt anything. Have you pulled your Doohickey yet? Make sure you check out the KLR board (Click here) for information on it. Jim __________________ Click here for BMW Maintenance and Repair DVDs and Corrections. "Combo-Order Discounts!"

10-12-2005, 07:36 AM	#3
Mr Kawasaki Sardonios Irritatus Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Springfield, MO Oddometer: 6,346	I would be more concerned about keeping the revs in one place. Alter your throttle. Riding in town is a good way to break in an engine. Don't lug the engine and don't redline it either. You will be fine. There is an article about breaking in engines that dispells the "don't rev over" myth. Does anyone have a link to it. I tend to believe it myself. __________________ It wouldn't worry us so much about what other people think of us if we knew how seldom they do.

10-12-2005, 09:27 AM	#8
30Bones Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Marion, IA Oddometer: 4,572	I kept my last 05 under 4K for 500 miles but took backroads to work everyday and varied the speeds, etc. I think it's all BS. I never even had my valves adjusted. Just changed the oil/filter. Got divorced, sold it. Bought my current 05 with 900 miles and it was piped, jetted and K&Ned at 250 miles. That makes me more nervous than your predicament. 3800 miles on it now and no issues. DH this winter as well as a valve check/adjustment. Ride on __________________ Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday

10-12-2005, 09:42 AM	#9
Mr Kawasaki Sardonios Irritatus Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Springfield, MO Oddometer: 6,346	I found the site (or one of them). On the Street: Warm the engine up completely:Because of the wind resistance, you don't need to use higher gears like you would on a dyno machine. The main thing is to load the engine by opening the throttle hard in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear. Realistically, you won't be able to do full throttle runs even in 2nd gear on most bikes without exceeding 65 mph / 104 kph. The best method is to alternate between short bursts of hard acceleration and deceleration. You don't have to go over 65 mph / 104 kph to properly load the rings. Also, make sure that you're not being followed by another bike or car when you decelerate, most drivers won't expect that you'll suddenly slow down, and we don't want anyone to get hit from behind !! The biggest problem with breaking your engine in on the street (besides police) is if you ride the bike on the freeway (too little throttle = not enough pressure on the rings) or if you get stuck in slow city traffic. For the first 200 miles or so, get out into the country where you can vary the speed more and run it through the gears ! Be Safe On The Street ! Watch your speed ! When you're not used to the handling of a new vehicle, you should accelerate only on the straightaways, then slow down extra early for the turns. Remember that both hard acceleration and hard engine braking (deceleration) are equally important during the break in process. __________________ It wouldn't worry us so much about what other people think of us if we knew how seldom they do.

10-12-2005, 07:47 AM	#5
TomN Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2005 Location: Chalfont, PA Oddometer: 2,477	Gratz, hope you are enjoying it.

10-12-2005, 07:56 AM	#6
MapBoy ^OP here there be dragons... Joined: Oct 2005 Location: CT via ME and CO Oddometer: 461	Wow, I've only been riding for 4 days and 156 miles and already someone is asking about pulling my doohickey. Gosh, I'm flattered, but... No, haven't done it yet, but I plan on it this winter. That post showing the step by step process is outstanding. Thanks for the feedback.

10-12-2005, 08:16 AM	#7
Rustic Pass the gas. Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Asheville, NC Oddometer: 112	It'll be fine. Just don't drone along at a constant RPM. Like Mr K said, vary your speed. From what I've read, that's supposed to help the rings seat nicely. BTW, that's a superb doo-replacement report, Mr K. Well done!

04-20-2009, 02:00 PM	#14
Beezer Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Anchorage, formerly Spenard (hub of the universe) Oddometer: 4,419	+1 on: warm ups, vary the throttle, do decelerations, don't worry about the RPMs too much, and work the engine a bit harder each ride (within reason). ABSOLUTLY do the 500 mile valve check. Richen the idle mix too. Have fun!!

04-20-2009, 03:13 PM	#15
Human Ills Useful Idiom Joined: Oct 2008 Location: here Oddometer: 19,485	I observed the 4000 RPM ceiling as per owners' manual on my '08. Never droned, never lugged. All engine braking. Rowed through the gears.. etc. Initial oil change at 50, then 250,500,1000,2500 and now I'm sticking to the 2500 interval. Mine uses oil at 5000 rpm. Maybe I should have been harder on break-in. Initial valve lash adjustment just before 1000, all on the tight side of spec, now they're all on the loose side. Mine is happiest between 4-4.5k RPM. So much so that I'm going to go with the 16T countershaft sprocket as soon as I get around to it.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode