I have always tried to follow general guidelines for the break in period. In short, I break my bikes in like how I ride them. Never had a problem with my rides.

 

http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

 

The Break in modern manuals is simply the manufacturer covering their butts. One thing on new stuff that can happen is a complete failure in a part or a missed bolt coming loose..ect

They want you taking it easy so you can get it stopped in time or at least minimize the damage you do to others. It's going to so called break in no matter how you run it...Modern production is so close now, it's probably broke in in the first mile.

 

Had an exhaust fitted as part of pre delivery on stock tune. Babied it home. Plugged in powervision and loaded known good tune then proceed to treat it like a red headed step son from there on in.

So far so good. Everyone has there own reason or method on break in.

 

I agree.

People who ride it hard to break in report no problems.

People who pamper it for first 1500 miles report no problems.

Unless there is a study on two bikes that are exactly the same and maintained the same by the same rider who broke them in differently and monitored them for the next 50,000 miles and looked for problems, there is no hard evidence that the break in makes any difference.

And even then, those results have to be repeatable by other riders who bought two bike exactly the same and maintained it the same and....

 

^^^This^^^

MotoTune all the way...did the FXDLS on ride home.

 

I still believe there is a difference in how long they last however and it really does not depend on a lot to do with maintenance.
Change the fluids and oil filter every 10K or so and it will easily go 100K when driven like one has some sense. (who knows what that means these days....) Bang the rev limiter between every red light and you will be back to your 50K if you are lucky.
Mine at 50 K still runs like new and has compression like it did back at 10K when I changed the first plugs. I change the oils ever few years. Tires and brake pads. And Harley's 10 cent brake light switches. My buddy did tear out the alternator rotor spline but that was his fault locking the engine up when he blew the rear tire.

 

"Break-in" techniques vary, based upon the owner's goals.
Some owners may want the utmost in power.
Some owner's may want the utmost in engine life & reliability.
Some owners, are willing to give up 5% power to double engine life.
"Performance" isn't just horsepower...

 

Do the proper initial heat cycling..., easy (somewhat.., but no babying) over the first 500 to 1K mi

Let R rip after that

Other times - heat cycle - then dyno break in

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It mechanical..., and a machine - once all the pieces & parts seated / grooved in / mated up - it either going to work..., or blow

Ghost

 

I agree. I followed this break in, and the bike runs strong!