I've had the bike for about a week now.  Test drove it yesterday, brand new bike.  

This thing is bloody slow.  Or is it because i'm not going above 4k on the rpm?  for break in period.  It took all the way to 6th to get to 45mph!

I got smoked by a scooter yesterday  

-Chino

haha a scooter. It was a 600R scooter, don't worry about that. j/k

yeah it's definetely the break in period. In my 2000 I can get to 40-43 in first gear at around 9.5k RPM! so read your manual on exactly how far you can push the RPMs while your break-in. the bike's, once broken-in sweet spot is around 6-7.5k RPM

the bike doesnt start to MOVE until past 7k. In fact, get used to high revving because the most fun can be had between 7.5k-9.5k.

You are still breaking in the bike so dont go there yet. And the bike IS slow (relatively speaking) but thats a GOOD THING for a first bike. Dont let that fool you into thinking you've "outgrown" it either. At that point you have only gotten used to the thrill of the acceleration and arent getting scared by it any more-different than gaining proficiency.

have fun on the right side of the tach!

Once you get free of the break-in period, the bike will easily pace Mustang GT's in the 1/4 mile.  Especially when driven by people that can't drag race very well.  After 1/4 mile, they will blow past you like you are sitting still.  From light to light you will hold your own against them.  Other cars, like riced out Civics will all be left behind.

Listen to what everyone is saying - the bike comes alive after 7k!

When I first bought mine it was used, but I was new so I took it easy.  Then one day I twisted the throttle, watched the tach climb, grinned from ear to ear, and held on as the bike took off!  

Man, that break in period must really stink!  Here's a nice new bike - now don't have any fun for about 600 miles - doh!  

If you can't get above 45 mph @ 4K in your higher gears, something is terribly wrong with your scooter. I have a Y2K model and since it's birth I've never witnessed such a thing. Take it back. The new GS may be a little bit slower than the older ones but NOT as slow as you describe. Hope this helps. Wilson

I thought the break-in RPM was 6k RPM?  I remember being able to do either 60 or 70 MPH while breaking it in.  Maybe it was 5k RPM.  Either way, I know it was more than 4k.

I don't know about Suzuki's, but litterally every single Kawasaki comes with the exact same break in period sticker.  From the Ninja 250 to the zx10r to the Vulcan 2000.  The break in period is not a hard and fast rule.  It's just basically telling you to go easy for the first 500-1000 miles.  Don't be afraid to take it above 4grand everyonce in a while.  You're motor won't blow up and you won't void your warantee.  Just don't go out and take it to red line in every gear trying to toast a civic or anything.

(many racers will tell you that break in periods are a joke anyway.)

I definitely don't rev high enough.  Makes me nervous.  

Maybe one of you guys could fix me.  Insult my manhood or something, and maybe that will light a fire under me.

Smooth Dave

Quote from: SmoothDaveI definitely don't rev high enough.  Makes me nervous.  

Maybe one of you guys could fix me.  Insult my manhood or something, and maybe that will light a fire under me.

Smooth Dave

You...you...WOMAN. LOL j/k kidding man and no offense to all the woman out there. Your time will come and you won't be afraid to get into the red. I've found out that the GS can actually rev pas the redline...at leats in first gear. I can remember sometimes getting t up to at least 12k before shifting. I don't like to do it though, it can't be all that good for the engine. I still haven't had to do a break in period yet. I've only had twon bikes and both of them were used. Of course my first one wasn't used much. It had 830 miles on it when we bought it. Chinox22x, just give it a little time and you might be able to keep up with corvettes red light to red light. You'll have fun doing it to cause you know you bought your toy for around 5 grand and he bought his for about 50 grand. Have fun and be safe.

http://www.mototuneusa.com/

If you are a real man you will listen to this dude.
I have a 2002 with 16,000 + miles and RPMs do it good.  You got to
let that engine breathe.  My DL650 was broken in almost the same way and I'm certain that you have to rev it when you break it in.  Heat is the enemy of engines.  Below 4,000 rpms you are lugging the engine if you are accelerating.

Ok..i'm getting conflicting information here and its confusing.

Some people are saying - dealer, others on this site not to take it above 4-5k rpm.

Others are saying you can above 6k rpm as long as you don't redline.

I understand the power of the bike is noticeable beyond 6k.  However, this is a new bike,  so is the break in period bs or what?   :dunno:

I got to 45mhp on 6th gear because I never revved the engine past 4k.  On 2nd and 3rd, I literally got beat by a scooter because I didn't rev past 4k.  

-Chino

everybody has a different opinion...  read your owners manual and decide for yourself.  Also search for breakin period, it is discussed here all the time.  My opinion?... I'd stick to what the manual says.

Quote from: chinox22xOk..i'm getting conflicting information here and its confusing.

Some people are saying - dealer, others on this site not to take it above 4-5k rpm.

Others are saying you can above 6k rpm as long as you don't redline.

I understand the power of the bike is noticeable beyond 6k.  However, this is a new bike,  so is the break in period bs or what?   :dunno:

I got to 45mhp on 6th gear because I never revved the engine past 4k.  On 2nd and 3rd, I literally got beat by a scooter because I didn't rev past 4k.  

-Chino

Here is an interesting article on engine break-in procedures....

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

Quote from: dgyverHere is an interesting article on engine break-in procedures....

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

have read it several times...but doesn't this relate more or less to racers?  i'm no racer by any means...i'm just trying to have fun.  

He mentions that somewhere in the article: Optimally tight piston rings are an advantage to the racer as well as to Joe Everyday. And optimally tight piston rings is what he claims this procedure wioll give you.

Breaking in motor is no different for a street rider or racer. The rings have to seat properly for top performance. A motor that has been broken in softly will lose compression and live a short life before needing to be rebuilt. How a motor is run in its early stage will determine how it will perform later. The choice is yours.

Quote from: dgyverBreaking in motor is no different for a street rider or racer. The rings have to seat properly for top performance. A motor that has been broken in softly will lose compression and live a short life before needing to be rebuilt. How a motor is run in its early stage will determine how it will perform later. The choice is yours.

so are you saying the manual is incorrect?  all these manufacturers are mistaken then?

Quote from: chinox22xso are you saying the manual is incorrect?  all these manufacturers are mistaken then?

Riding her hard early on will make you find manufacturing defects sooner. That's something manufacturers ahd rather avoid.

And all the soft break-in methods were created when you actually had to break in rotary plain bearings as well. These are a whole 'nother ball game.

Talk to someone who builds race motors for cars or bikes about breaking-in, what you find out may surprise you.