Breaking in

[clay]

Picked up my 2009 Ninja 250R from the dealership today.

Just been reading the manual. According to it, the break in period should be observed as follows:
0-800kms rpm not to exceed 4K
800-1600kms rpm not to exceed 6K

I picked up the bike today with 1100kms already done on it and I had the revs as high as 10K, sitting on 9K for about 40mins while on the motorway. And often was over 6,000rpm.

Could I have possibly done damage? The dealer told me I could ride it as hard or as slow as I liked, it was already broken in...

[hoffy]

yeah mate should be good to go.

You dont necessarily need to stay below 4krpm in break in period, just ride it at a variety of revs during the first few hundred K's..which it would have been as a demo.

Just keep the oil changed every 6,000k's, warm it up for a minute before riding and she'll last forever.

[hoffy]

also if you do alot of highway work Id put a 1 tooth larger sprocket on the front, will give you a slightly more comfortable cruising rpm at 110k's. If it's town riding, leave it as is.

front sprockets can be had for about $20.

[clay]

Sweet, I'm sitting here stressing since I read that in the manual. I specifically asked the dealer about breaking it in and his exact words were it's already broken in, you can ride as fast & hard as you like, or as slow as you like. So I didn't pay it any mind whilst riding home.

Most my driving will probably be <80km/h. I just had a long ride home from the dealership, most of which was on the motorway so I was sitting around 110-120 for around 40mins. She revs at 9K at that speed and I had to give it a bit when overtaking and some car was coming up behind me fast so I wanted to get past the car on my left and back in to the left lane before this guy was right up my ass, so I got up to 140km briefly and she revved up to 10K.

Thanks, Hoffy. I feel a little better now. I was seriously stressing. Depending on what kind of riding I'm mostly doing I will consider changing the front sprocket.

[hoffy]

[robracer]

Clay I read your other post about sitting high revs, at the end of the day you would have to be bouncing off the rev limiter constantly to be doing serious damage to the engine, the vibration may not be the nicest for your rear end but these bikes can happily sit on 8-10K for long rides, as Hoffy said the most important thing you can do is oil changes frequently, that includes between scheduled services & don't scrimp on good quality oil. Do the extra oil changes & she will be happy + If you do your own oil changes make sure to keep a log that can be passed on if you should sell her, you will get an easy sale if you can show she was been well looked after

[clay]

Thanks, Robracer. Despite the long ride home, I found it quite comfortable and just wanted to keep riding! Just when I read that break in stuff in the manual I freaked.

I will change the oil as you guys suggest. She isn't due for a service now till 6K but I will change the oil myself around 3-4K. What oil would you recommend using? And I will continue changing the oil myself halfway between services and making a log of it. I'll look after her religiously.

[robracer]

What oil would you recommend using?

SAE 10W-40 as per the manual & do the oil filter at the same time ... they are pretty cheap. The oil should be about $50 for 4 ltr & the filter about $20. Motul is the oil brand I choose but there are plenty of good ones on the market, just check out your local bike shop or accessories place

Edit ... don't use car oil.... EVER!

[Jonno]

Last time I bought motul it cost a bit more than that, damn, I should shop around more.

[robracer]

Its not what you know

[clay]

Thanks, Robracer. I'll remember that.

Going to get a new exhaust on her. Any recommendations?

[fireyrob]

Going to get a new exhaust on her. Any recommendations?

I had a Yoshi when I had mine. Sounded a bit like a wrx and I liked it! Bit exe though... The two brothers one sounded awesome but require earplugs and reduced throttle around the plod as it literally screamed attention!!!

[z900/zx9]

Yeah motul seems to be the go 151.000 ks on my baby and still counting

[Blurr]

Last time I bought motul it cost a bit more than that, damn, I should shop around more.

depending on what Motul your buying (3100, 5100, 7100, 8100) sounds like get stitched up.

Full senthetic 8100 runs for about $75 but autobarn is the only place I know that carries it.

[Jonno]

depending on what Motul your buying (3100, 5100, 7100, 8100) sounds like get stitched up.

Full senthetic 8100 runs for about $75 but autobarn is the only place I know that carries it.

Motul 5100
$69.95 from local Kwakka shop.

Maybe someone can explain the differences between the grades?