I read the owner's manual on this and its not terribly descriptive. This is the first bike I have owned and I plan on keeping it for a long time and taking good care of it. So I have some questions about what I should be, and should not be doing during this time.

1. Says that the first 1,000 miles are the most important for the motor and to not put an excessive load on it. I myself have been called an excessive load How much is too much?

2. Avoid prolonged operation above 1/3 throttle for 0-600 mi, avoid prolonged operation above 1/2 throttle from 600-1000 mi. How long is prolonged? 20 miles, 30 miles...

3. Full throttle operation or any condition that might result in engine overheating must be avoided. What are the signs of overheating? Is there a tell tale way before I would reach that point? What causes overheating? If I DO overheat what should I do?

4. After 600 miles of operation the engine oil and transfer case oil must be changed. Keeping in mind I have NEVER worked on a motorcycle motor, though I would say I am capable of intermediate level repair/maintenance, is this something I should do myself or have done at the dealer?

5. Recommended shift points are listed as:
Shift up points
1st > 2nd 13mph
2nd > 3rd 19mph
3rd > 4th 25mph
4th > 5th 31mph

Shift down points
5th > 4th 16mph
4th > 3rd 16mph
3rd > 2nd 16mph
2nd > 1st 16mph

On the shift up points, is this even realistic? I have been using the sound of the motor dictate when to upshift.

On the shift down points, is that a typo or am I missing something?

6. The motor sometimes smells hot, similar to burning plastic. I am assuming this is normal being it has never been ridden, just looking for reassurance.

7. Ok, sorry for the long post. Finally, The front wheel sounds very "dry". Kind of like the pads are always scraping the rotor. Is that what I am hearing and this is normal?

I apologize for the lengthly post. I have been reading from this forum for a few months now, and it did influence me on buying a road star instead of a vulcan 1500 classic. Well that and that nasty radiator hanging from the front. I value the advice here and appreciate any answers I get. Please don't feel compelled to answer every question. Any input is appreciated.

Controversal subject, here is an article I pilfered off a previous post on this subject. http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

For what it's worth, and I know far less than many folks on this forum

1. I think the listed shift points are far too low and may actually cause more engine trouble than they avoid (engine lugging, fouled plugs, etc.)


2. New engines will give off a smell as they burn off surface coatings and such


3. My front wheel has sounded "dry" since day 1, but no issues. It could possibly be your new pads wearing to a level of clearance. A guru might offer something more substantial


4. I, too, am an excessive load (250+ lbs), but I think in terms of engine load, like running uphill in too high a gear and stressing the engine. I would also recommend not towing any schoolbuses or railroad cars early on, despite the temptation to check out the massive torque (kidding, of course)


5. I had the dealer do the 600-mile oil change. It's a piece of cake to do it yourself with the right tools, though, and there are posts upon posts about the ins and outs (and opinions)


6. I ran my new R* gingerly, too gingerly I think, the first 1,000 miles and more. I would only say I'd still avoid winding the engine out to the rev limiter and playing Speed Racer

I ran mine up to 70mph leaving the dealer going out the bypass.
made an easy stop at a couple lights and excelated moderatly
and veryied my speeds up to 70.then drove the 30 miles home at different
steady speeds alternatingthe speed.Did the 600 mile service and then turned her loose. Ran like a jet.Just don't lugg the motor down as it's
hard on em. Bike has 25943 miles on it and runs fine.
well my.003 cents for what's it worth. Enjoy your bike it's special.

Shift points in the manual are a farse. Shows you how much attention they pay Your motor is broke in long before 1000 miles. You should change the engine and transfer case oil within the first 50 to 60 miles. By then you have all sorts of little pieces of new engine in there. Unless your stuck in a major traffic jam or riding in a parade I wouldn't worry about overheating it. I see Javawave already posted the link I was going to post

Hey Musky check your saddlebags for squirrl's wintering.

Haven't put em on yet. They're still sitting in my closet. That could explain the noises I've been hearing from there and the missing potato chips though

Musky wrote:
Shift points in the manual are a farse. Shows you how much attention they pay Your motor is broke in long before 1000 miles. You should change the engine and transfer case oil within the first 50 to 60 miles. By then you have all sorts of little pieces of new engine in there. Unless your stuck in a major traffic jam or riding in a parade I wouldn't worry about overheating it. I see Javawave already posted the link I was going to post

and you thought I didnt pay attention

Regarding breaking in a new motor: I've bought several new bikes , and it has been my experience that if you ride them "normal" , with a little variation in throttle as you are breaking them in , you will be fine. This means saving your hotrodding/dragracing of buddies until after your 600 mile oil change. BB

Yamikaze wrote:
7. Ok, sorry for the long post. Finally, The front wheel sounds very "dry". Kind of like the pads are always scraping the rotor. Is that what I am hearing and this is normal?

That's just the front brakes, it'll quiet down some in time/miles.