[guzziv700]

Greetings from Vermont... I just purchased a nearly new '09 from a local dealer, and will pick up the bike early next week. It has a total of 130 miles on it.... a consignment sale, previous owner was an elderly gent who hurt his arm and upon his doctor's advice, decided to part with the bike. I have only dealt with the dealer on the sale (a non-Kawasaki dealer), so I haven't had the benefit of talking to the previous owner. The bike is clean and unblemished and was fun to ride on the test ride, which was pretty lengthy.

Question: Being this is basically still a brand new bike, any advice on break-in? Also, I typically run synthetic oil in all my vehicles, is this a good idea to introduce to the motor so early in it's life? Any advice appreciated. I'll ride the bike for several hundred miles before deciding on any mods and to just get used to it... but I'm careful about regular maintenance, especially regular oil changes and such.

Thanks guys, Marcos

 

[Paper]

That's a taboo question, Marcos..

Oil questions always get heated, but it's early in the day, so I'll stick my neck out..

IF IT WERE MINE, I'd break it in with Dino oil.. Give it a couple thousand miles with Rotella and then do what you wish.. I run Rotella dino in all my bikes, but I know there's a lot of guys that are synthetic fans..

It's personal preference.. I'd rather run cheap oil and change it often (2000 miles or so) than run expensive oil and change it less frequently, but that's me.. It's your bike, and you should do what you wish with your bike.

If it were me, I'd leave that oil it came with in there for another 300 or so miles and then change it to Rotella, and do the same thing at 1000 miles..

 

[vatrader]

Hello, and welcome aboard. Hope you find everything you need to fully enjoy your bike. You saw in the terms of use that the new guy brings the beer, right?

"Oil" is more controversial than religion or politics. I will go out on the limb and offer you some reading. Feel free to ask the questions reading will generate. Be prepared to have your parentage, nationality, and Allegiance to Mom, Apple Pie and Country challenged.

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

http://www.dansmc.com/engine_breakin.htm

http://knol.google.com/k/breaking-in-a-new-motorcycle-engine#

KLR 650 riders do not follow directions well, and are allergic to suggestions. Which makes this question difficult to answer or contribute to. When setting out to select the "perfect oil", the following information should be used like the rip cord on a parachute....it is only a suggestion. There will be nobody around to force you to use it. The outcome, if you choose to ignore the suggestion, is about as predictable. Buy oil for the KLR 650 that DOES NOT HAVE "Energy Conserving II" around the rim of the API seal on the bottle.

This is required reading for all member prospects:

http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html

I'm a Dino guy, sorry.

 

[CheapBassTurd]

Howz this for a pointless mix?

I run half and half (currently) Rotella 15w-40 and M-1 15w-50.

Now it's semi-synthetic 15w-45. LOL

The main thing is just to have clean (or mostly so) oil in there at all times.
Just a personal choice on the weight. I wanted a little heavier than the factory
specified 10w-40 due to the punishment the crank bearing on a thumper endures.

 

[weld387]

I did 4 stroke Valvoline 10W40 and LOTS OF LONG DOWN SHIFTS up to the 1,000 mile mark. Changed the oil and the filter at 20 miles, then 750 miles. The last change was at 1,000 miles put Valvoline 4 Stroke motorcycle 20W50 with new filter. I have 1,900 miles on the bike. Put 140 miles on it today doing a joy ride thru the two lane country rodes in 90 degree weather. Burning NO OIL at all so far. The rings need too seat properly. If you have regular 10 W 40 car oil in it there is a teflon additive in it. The wet clutch and rings will not break in right = problems latter down the road. Everyone here has a differnt answer for the break in question. I would stay "AWAY" from Sythetic oil until you had 3,000 miles on it. Thats just my two cents. Congrats on the bike. I LOVE my 09 its a joy to ride. Even in 90 degree temps....

 

[zombzuk]

Break in

I won't even get involved in the oil question, to many different opinions! (1,000,000,000,000,) But as far as break in, its done! 130 miles has set the bike up for the rest of its life, if it was an old geezer your lucky, if it was a young kid who's credit got kicked back after the first day or two (hence the 130 miles) and the bike was returned, oh well! good luck on your new ride, I been doing this for over 30 yrs and I love my klr more than the $14k bike sitting in my garage. 1moremile