Hi all, first time posting here and a fairly new rider. Just picked up a "Used" (and I use that term quite loosely as it only has 150 miles on it) 2007 Ninja 650R for $5100. I may be new to riding but saw it was a solid deal so I picked it up. Since the engine is still new, I was wondering what is the best way to break in my engine and when I can really start to get on it. Also looking for helmet and other gear, any suggestions? Or any other suggestions for a fairly new rider?

 

Break-in is a very subjective topic, you will get lots of different opinions. My dealer told me to keep it below 6000rpms, not the recommended 4000rpms in the owners manual, so that's what I did, but I have no idea which method is better. I do know the rings need to be loaded to mate with the cylinders before the cross-hatch patterns on the cylinders wear down and it's too late. This means that you should ride it kind of hard, but it's a fine line between hard and too hard. But don't lug it either(don'tflog itat toolow of rpm's), esp. whengoing up hills, the motor needs higher revs to not create too much stress on the new rings and bearings. Also do not cruise at the same rpm for extended periods of time during break-in or the rings won't have proper variable loading to mate with the cylinders and you will be stuck with a motor that has blow-by. Speaking of variable loading, you can also leave the clutch in when decelerating, known as engine braking, to help push the piston rings out against the cylinders. I don't do that very much though after break-in as it wastes gas and wears on the motor & trans. bearings/rings. Do some Internet searches for engine break-in, doesn't really matter if the article is written for cars, the principles are the same. Here's one I found:
http://www.ntnoa.org/enginebreakin.htm

Newenough.com is a good place to get new gear. They have clearance items all the time. I have a Shoei RF-1000 helmet, a HJC CL-SP helmet, some Joe Rocket steel reinforced jeans, some Technic kevlar reinforced jeans, a Firstgear "Earl" armored leather jacket, a MotoGP mesharmored jacket for summer, MotoGP "Perimeter" and a Cortech "Advanced Sport" textile jackets for wetter weather, Cortech "Vise" leather gloves, Olympia "Digital Protector" gloves for warmer weather, Olympia "Aquatex" gloves for winter, Joe Rocket "Orbit" leather boots to protect my feet and they also make manuevering the bike more stable. Man, it adds up quick![8D]

I'd also recommend some R&G frame sliders, I forgot the kickstand once and they kept me from having to replace my mirror, bar-end, turn signal, upper fairing, lower fairing, generator cover, and shift lever

 

When I get my 07 650r, I rode it for the first 600 miles with not going over 6000rpms. After I had the oil changed at 600 miles I never raced the rpms up from a stand still, but in 5th gear I would roll onto the throttle and run the bike upto about 8000rpms and let off and use the engine to slow itself down. I have about 3000 miles on the bike and it has had no problems with the engine at all.