I'm picking up my new 650 on Wed. if all goes right. I have had nothing but 2strokes in the past and I know the break-in is different. You all have any pointers for me? I'm real excited to see what this thing can do.
Thanks

 

I think the book says not to run it beyond half throttle during the first 10 hrs. There is a throttle limiter set screw you can use to keep you honest if you like. Mine came set un-limited and I when I started riding it I found myself exeeding the half throttle thing very easily. I haven't pegged it yet though. This machine is awesome !

Another thing to consider is, if you want to add the trailer hitch bracket you should time it for your first/10hr oil change as mounting the bracket means you'll spill a little oil from the rear end mounting bolts. I believe Kawasaki doesn't want you towing anything before the engine break-in.

 

Roofer - I guess that depends on who you believe. The book is unreal, 10-12 hours @ half throttle. I work part time (yard boy) for a Polaris/Bombardier/Kawasaki dealer and have seen it done many ways. Most of the mechanics will tell you to warm it up good and then ride it like you stole it varying the rpm, use good oil, change it often, take care of maintenance and it'll run hard and long. Course when they break one it doesn't cost near as much to fix. Our shop demo (2001) has seen only 2 speeds, WFO and getting there. Rear tires were toast at 350 miles. Never had a minutes problem with it. The truth no doubt lies somewhere in between. Mine now has 29 miles (2 hrs) on it. I ran mine according to the book and varying the speed for the first hour (9 miles), but only for 10 minutes at a time between cool downs. I believe the motor parts should have a little time to get to know each other but not 10-12 hours. For the last hour I ran 4 mile laps between cool downs at a little track close by. I got faster and ran it harder towards the end, including a few 5 second WFO bursts. It does like to run! I don't think you can really hurt the motor if you use any reasonable ammount of caution. For what it's worth. :&lt[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Geezer

 

I have seen lots of 4-stroke wheelers that were run hard from the first time they were started..........all had long lives and gave no engine problems ever. There may be something good that comes from breaking one in easily, and I would probably take it easy on it if it was mine, but I really don't think you risk anything by running it hard from brand new. Just my opinion.

Waylan