modern 4 stroke break in procedure

kawboy627
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6/9/2020 1:05pm Edited Date/Time 6/10/2020 9:56am
I am picking up a new kx450 this week and have been asking friends and shops how they break in their new 4 strokes and have been getting conflicting answers so I thought id ask you guys. Whats the proper way to break in a modern 4 stroke engine? This is my first new 4 stroke bike and I want to make sure I do things the right way.
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6/9/2020 1:14pm Edited Date/Time 6/9/2020 1:16pm
http://pulpmx.com/2020/06/03/top-5-things-you-should-do-to-your-new-bik…
Check out this article

Break In Period:
So what exactly is the best break in procedure? The answer to this question is very subjective, but this is how the manufacturers do it for us media guys:

Moto 1:
15 minutes at various throttle positions, but don’t go over 60% throttle (Cruise). Then cool down.

Moto 2:
15 minutes at various throttle positions, but don’t go over 80% throttle. Then cool down.

Moto 3:
15 minutes at various throttle positions, but don’t go over 90% throttle. Then cool down.

Moto 4:
15 minutes at normal speed. Then cool down.

DONE! Ride how you please.

After break in make sure to change the oil and oil filter to the recommended oil/oil level in your owners manual.
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MZ193
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IT
6/9/2020 1:17pm
kawboy627 wrote:
I am picking up a new kx450 this week and have been asking friends and shops how they break in their new 4 strokes and have...
I am picking up a new kx450 this week and have been asking friends and shops how they break in their new 4 strokes and have been getting conflicting answers so I thought id ask you guys. Whats the proper way to break in a modern 4 stroke engine? This is my first new 4 stroke bike and I want to make sure I do things the right way.
As you take it home check if the oil is at the right level. Oil your air filter.
Start it up for 30 secs/ 1 min.
Shut it off. Look at oil level. Wait 4/5 mins.
Start it, after 30 secs start moving your bike slowly,
just putting in all the gears at low rpms (no more than 3/4k).
Move it for 5/7 minutes. Shut it off and wait 5/10 minutes.
Start it up and move it for 10 minutes, (max 5/6k rpms).
Drain your oil, change the oil filter.
Put in new oil filter and new oil.
Second oil change in 2 hours.
After that go ride, and oil changes every 4 hours.😉
17
Zycki11
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6/9/2020 1:18pm
Ride it like you stole it. Seat the valves baby!
zehn
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6/9/2020 1:19pm
For the love of god do not run it at idle on the stand

The whole 4 moto thing is kinda overboard IMO. Modern rings and cylinder liners/sleeves really don’t need break-in periods like older bikes did. Ride it conservative for like 15-20 mins then let it rip.

The Shop

zehn
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6/9/2020 1:20pm
MZ193 wrote:
As you take it home check if the oil is at the right level. Oil your air filter. Start it up for 30 secs/ 1 min...
As you take it home check if the oil is at the right level. Oil your air filter.
Start it up for 30 secs/ 1 min.
Shut it off. Look at oil level. Wait 4/5 mins.
Start it, after 30 secs start moving your bike slowly,
just putting in all the gears at low rpms (no more than 3/4k).
Move it for 5/7 minutes. Shut it off and wait 5/10 minutes.
Start it up and move it for 10 minutes, (max 5/6k rpms).
Drain your oil, change the oil filter.
Put in new oil filter and new oil.
Second oil change in 2 hours.
After that go ride, and oil changes every 4 hours.😉
Are you seriously advocating idling the bike for 5-10 mins
1
sandtrack315
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Philadelphia, PA US
6/9/2020 1:24pm
http://pulpmx.com/2020/06/03/top-5-things-you-should-do-to-your-new-bike-before-riding/ Check out this article [b]Break In Period:[/b] So what exactly is the best break in procedure? The answer to this question is very subjective, but...
http://pulpmx.com/2020/06/03/top-5-things-you-should-do-to-your-new-bik…
Check out this article

Break In Period:
So what exactly is the best break in procedure? The answer to this question is very subjective, but this is how the manufacturers do it for us media guys:

Moto 1:
15 minutes at various throttle positions, but don’t go over 60% throttle (Cruise). Then cool down.

Moto 2:
15 minutes at various throttle positions, but don’t go over 80% throttle. Then cool down.

Moto 3:
15 minutes at various throttle positions, but don’t go over 90% throttle. Then cool down.

Moto 4:
15 minutes at normal speed. Then cool down.

DONE! Ride how you please.

After break in make sure to change the oil and oil filter to the recommended oil/oil level in your owners manual.
The Yamaha manual is very similar to that. Basically what I do.

Also, make sure to oil the air filter before you ride it. Things are always bone dry from the factory.

You can always do what the pros do and just ride it all out first time out, but I have never had the balls to do this.

Check your spokes and chain slack after you ride.
3
sandtrack315
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6/9/2020 1:27pm
MZ193 wrote:
As you take it home check if the oil is at the right level. Oil your air filter. Start it up for 30 secs/ 1 min...
As you take it home check if the oil is at the right level. Oil your air filter.
Start it up for 30 secs/ 1 min.
Shut it off. Look at oil level. Wait 4/5 mins.
Start it, after 30 secs start moving your bike slowly,
just putting in all the gears at low rpms (no more than 3/4k).
Move it for 5/7 minutes. Shut it off and wait 5/10 minutes.
Start it up and move it for 10 minutes, (max 5/6k rpms).
Drain your oil, change the oil filter.
Put in new oil filter and new oil.
Second oil change in 2 hours.
After that go ride, and oil changes every 4 hours.😉
There are lots of ways to break in a bike, but this is one I would not do.
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lostboy819
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6/9/2020 1:47pm
MZ193 wrote:
As you take it home check if the oil is at the right level. Oil your air filter. Start it up for 30 secs/ 1 min...
As you take it home check if the oil is at the right level. Oil your air filter.
Start it up for 30 secs/ 1 min.
Shut it off. Look at oil level. Wait 4/5 mins.
Start it, after 30 secs start moving your bike slowly,
just putting in all the gears at low rpms (no more than 3/4k).
Move it for 5/7 minutes. Shut it off and wait 5/10 minutes.
Start it up and move it for 10 minutes, (max 5/6k rpms).
Drain your oil, change the oil filter.
Put in new oil filter and new oil.
Second oil change in 2 hours.
After that go ride, and oil changes every 4 hours.😉
How do you say moran in Italian ?Laughing
1
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avidchimp
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6/9/2020 1:53pm Edited Date/Time 6/9/2020 1:54pm
zehn wrote:
For the love of god do not run it at idle on the stand The whole 4 moto thing is kinda overboard IMO. Modern rings and...
For the love of god do not run it at idle on the stand

The whole 4 moto thing is kinda overboard IMO. Modern rings and cylinder liners/sleeves really don’t need break-in periods like older bikes did. Ride it conservative for like 15-20 mins then let it rip.
^^^ Ride/putt it around for 15-20 minutes after you do a once over on the filter and oil levels. Click through the gears, but don't rev it like you are Tomac coming up on a lapper. Change the oil and filter, good to go.
1
6/9/2020 2:08pm
I've had several four strokes and two strokes. I have always ridden conservatively for about 5 minutes. Then I let them rip. Maybe I've been lucky..... But it's been around 20 years now and I've never had a failure under 50hrs
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SPODEBOY
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6/9/2020 2:11pm
like this.

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Stuntman949
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6/9/2020 2:36pm
They hit red on the end of production line so..
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kb228
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6/9/2020 3:09pm
Take it easy for 30 mins and let it rip.
1
Tracktor
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6/9/2020 3:27pm
Warm it up, ride a moto, change the oil & check things over bolts etc. Then ride. Obviously make sure filter is oiled etc before putting in a moto. We have raced them basically right off the floor before & never had a single issue.........
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ky_savage
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6/9/2020 3:30pm
I've never "broken in" a bike in my life and have never had any issues.
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mattyhamz2
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6/9/2020 3:37pm
Rushton597 wrote:
I've had several four strokes and two strokes. I have always ridden conservatively for about 5 minutes. Then I let them rip. Maybe I've been lucky...
I've had several four strokes and two strokes. I have always ridden conservatively for about 5 minutes. Then I let them rip. Maybe I've been lucky..... But it's been around 20 years now and I've never had a failure under 50hrs
My grandpa always told my dad, "if it don't hold together now, it won't hold together later."

My dad passed it on to me. I take it easy for the first 5-10 minutes, then get on it!
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lostboy819
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6/9/2020 3:53pm
SPODEBOY wrote:
like this.
like this.

That was Derek Anderson when he was shooting one of his videos, the motor was a total loss. Sad
2
kawboy627
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6/9/2020 5:04pm
thank yall for all the replies, the dealership said to do pretty much what most of you guys recomended.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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6/9/2020 5:47pm
Rushton597 wrote:
I've had several four strokes and two strokes. I have always ridden conservatively for about 5 minutes. Then I let them rip. Maybe I've been lucky...
I've had several four strokes and two strokes. I have always ridden conservatively for about 5 minutes. Then I let them rip. Maybe I've been lucky..... But it's been around 20 years now and I've never had a failure under 50hrs
mattyhamz2 wrote:
My grandpa always told my dad, "if it don't hold together now, it won't hold together later." My dad passed it on to me. I take...
My grandpa always told my dad, "if it don't hold together now, it won't hold together later."

My dad passed it on to me. I take it easy for the first 5-10 minutes, then get on it!
The bikes have been started by the factory and started by the dealer. It’s ready to go.

Make sure there’s coolant, oil and the air filter has oil on it. Check all your nuts and bolts. Ride is easy 5-10 like Matt says then it’s good to go. Break it in fast, the bike will be fast.
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KurtJ99
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6/9/2020 5:51pm
All that and a few more don’ts for breakin
Don’t wring it out in the pavement
Don’t ride in the sand or mud putting a load on the engine.
1
Idp57
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6/9/2020 5:55pm
MZ193 wrote:
As you take it home check if the oil is at the right level. Oil your air filter. Start it up for 30 secs/ 1 min...
As you take it home check if the oil is at the right level. Oil your air filter.
Start it up for 30 secs/ 1 min.
Shut it off. Look at oil level. Wait 4/5 mins.
Start it, after 30 secs start moving your bike slowly,
just putting in all the gears at low rpms (no more than 3/4k).
Move it for 5/7 minutes. Shut it off and wait 5/10 minutes.
Start it up and move it for 10 minutes, (max 5/6k rpms).
Drain your oil, change the oil filter.
Put in new oil filter and new oil.
Second oil change in 2 hours.
After that go ride, and oil changes every 4 hours.😉
zehn wrote:
Are you seriously advocating idling the bike for 5-10 mins
30secs/1 min.Read slowly.
2
hubbardmx50
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6/9/2020 8:48pm
What's up with all these bike break in threads lately? I swear there's a new one everyday. Grease your steering check your oil and ride the damn thing.
1
6/9/2020 11:50pm
KurtJ99 wrote:
All that and a few more don’ts for breakin Don’t wring it out in the pavement Don’t ride in the sand or mud putting a load...
All that and a few more don’ts for breakin
Don’t wring it out in the pavement
Don’t ride in the sand or mud putting a load on the engine.
What if you live somewhere like Belgium?
I took my new 125 to a deep sand track last year on its first day and its still going strong.
OP, they are good to go once they leave the shop.
1
1
ctbale
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6/10/2020 12:32am
If it was me I would do two 20 min heat cycles. Get the engine to full temp then stone cold cool downs. During those 20 sessions I would be riding the bike moderately, different loads, different RPMs. If it's a 450 most guys cant even push the engine that hard anyway. Not like the "old days" with like a 125 aircooled engine where you keep the throttle pegged and mill the transmission 100% of the time after its broke in. You cant hurt it.

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