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North Texas, TX
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kawboy627
6/9/2020 1:05pm
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.
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.
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.😉
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
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.
My dad passed it on to me. I take it easy for the first 5-10 minutes, then get on it!
Pit Row
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.
Don’t wring it out in the pavement
Don’t ride in the sand or mud putting a load on the engine.
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.
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