4000 rpm max as per the manual?? WTF! That doesn't even make sense, the bike is barely above an idle at 4000 rpm. Anybody actually following the break-in schedule in the owners manual??

 

Just run it as you normally would. Just don't ring it right out for a while and you will be fine.

That break in recommendation was probably written in the 70's. Common for manufacturers to just copy it over.

 

I used this method of quick acceleration/deceleration to seat the rings. All I know is nothing broke and it still runs...

Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

 

Yep, decades old recommendation. My 1975 two stroke triple had that same recommendation on a sticker on the tach. You couldn't run them at that level without loading the engine up and possibly causing issues due to oily carbon build up.

As a salesperson in a dealership, we recommended a rider take a short ride, maybe 20 minutes then let the bike cool to start. Then it was to ride the bike pretty much normal, but with no sustained rpm (aka cruising the highway). The best break in was running around back roads, especially curvy hilly roads. Load on, load off, constant variation in rpm. No lugging and no redlining. No more than around 80% of redline for the first 300 or so miles. That was more than enough for a good seating in of all parts.

The Honda service rep agreed that was fine, as did our well experienced and seasoned mechanics.

 

That's how I broke in my bike 16,000 miles and 12 years ago.....wow has it really been 12 years since I bought my bike and had the site owners add a KLX 250S section? Time really does go by fast huh? I just glad I didn't get any older....or fatter. LOL