[800AJAY]

Tomorrow I'm getting a "used" 2008 1500 Classic. It has only 330 miles on it. Question is - is it too late to break in the motor using the hard break in routine (the Motoman method). My guess is it probably is and that I probably should just not baby it and ride like normal but continue to vary rpm's a lot up to the 600 miles. I will try to find out the previous owners name and ask that question. The bike did have straight pipes on it so maybe he hot-rodded it during those 300 miles. When I rode the bike itseemed to perform very well. I had the dealer put the stock pipes back on(too loud for my old ears).

I want to hook up a light bar right away. Are there open/available connectors in the headlight bucket with these bikes? Or is that not the way these Kaw's work?

 

[Classic]

I would just ride it normally avoiding sustained highway speeds for long periods of time. There are accessory connections in the headlight bucket and under the seat near the battery.

 

[800AJAY]

Thanks Steve. Yeah, I think I need to just continue the up-rev and down-rev part for a while since I didn't get it with zero miles on it. My last bike was the only bike I broke in with the Motoman method. All others I just followed the MOM and they were all fine. Practically speaking there probably isn't a big difference with the results of either breakin method.

 

[rbentnail]

You should consider changing the headlight bulb too http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/f...023-upgraded-headlight-bulb-finally-died.html
I highly recommend it!

 

[800AJAY]

So they get you noticed as much as a lightbar? I've got myself convinced that cars just don't notice a single headlight (even with highbeam on, which I always have on in the daytime when I didn't have a lightbar) on a motorcycle but will definitely notice the 3 light combination of a lightbar and headlight. Just more of a gut feel but it does put some width out there for everyone to notice.

 

[Ojisan]

800AJAY! I bought my 06 1500 Classic with the exact same amount of miles on it you reported. Had the dealership change oil and filter, while I watched to see what the condition and debris came out. Probably a waste of time but it was their dime not mine. I rode it in traffic, up and down in the gears for the next 300miles varying the rpm's and speed. As soon as it clicked over to the 600 mile mark, away I went and have not been seen since LOL

The Highway is the right way for this machine and you will enjoy the ride to no end. Purrs like an over grown kitten at 75+ The only reason to stop is cause ya need gas . Ride on Brother and ride safe.

 

[givtu]

It depends on how the first owner rode it as to how much it is broken in. I think that in any case, the hardcore "MotoMan method" window of opportunity has past, but I would still recommend varying your speed and occasionally punching it and letting the engine wind you back down. Four weeks ago, from mile 0 on my 1600 Classic, I rode it like I stole it; my run home from the stealership was much longer than it should have been (2 hours) in stop and go traffic mostly, one stop to gas up, keeping the RPMs up and giving it 1/3 to 2/3 throttle when I could, then "engine braking." I guess time will tell if I did the right thing or jacked it up. Mine runs like a scalded ape right now (close to 800 miles), since I added the Power Commander, Big Shots, and "Caddmann" mod. I changed the oil at 100 miles. I'm going to change it again at 800. I would suggest that be your first order of business, because I bet that oil hasn't been changed yet. Especially if you MotoMan it, you're going to have metal shavings all up in there if it's never been changed. Clean out the pre-filter screen, too. On my first change, a screw fell out of the oil filter. I was concerned, but the head of it was painted black (indicating it probably didn't fall off from an internal component), it was undamaged, and perfectly matched the screw that holds the right side panel onto the frame. Someone must have had leaky pockets during assembly.

 

[rbentnail]

So they get you noticed as much as a lightbar? I've got myself convinced that cars just don't notice a single headlight (even with highbeam on, which I always have on in the daytime when I didn't have a lightbar) on a motorcycle but will definitely notice the 3 light combination of a lightbar and headlight. Just more of a gut feel but it does put some width out there for everyone to notice.

In the daytime I also run highbeam. I get comments all the time about how bright it is. And most of my summer riding is after midnight. An 80/100w bulb lights the road as well as the headlights in most cars. I thought at first I would need a lightbar too, but the bulb convinced me otherwise. Besides, for less than $10/bulb, you won't be out any money really if you decide to get the lightbar anyway. But I always try the easier (read cheaper) way first.

 

[rbentnail]

800AJAY! I bought my 06 1500 Classic with the exact same amount of miles on it you reported. Had the dealership change oil and filter, while I watched to see what the condition and debris came out. Probably a waste of time but it was their dime not mine.

Did the dealership know about the oil screen? Most do not. You should check it each time the oil is changed until no more crap shows up in it.

I don't know if the 1600's have an oil screen or not, but I've always assumed they do. Hopefully someone will chime in soon.

 

[givtu]

Did the dealership know about the oil screen? Most do not. You should check it each time the oil is changed until no more crap shows up in it.

I don't know if the 1600's have an oil screen or not, but I've always assumed they do. Hopefully someone will chime in soon.

I have a 1600 and they sure do.

 

[Marty31]

I agree with "givtu"....even though it only has 300 on it, I would replace the fluids and ride on.

 

[rbentnail]

I have a 1600 and they sure do.

That's new! I've spoken to folks in 3 different stealerships and none knew of it.

 

[fr96ss]

Replace the fluids and ride it hard whats done is done. I am a wacko i changed the oil in my bike at 25 miles, 100miles, 300 miles, 600miles have just a little over 750miles on it now. dont forget to change the rear end fluid also.

 

[givtu]

That's new! I've spoken to folks in 3 different stealerships and none knew of it.

That's scary. Did you speak to someone in service or a salesman? Salesmen, most of the time, are less knowledgeable about the products they sell than the people they are selling them to.

I know they have one because I pulled and cleaned mine @ 100 miles when I changed the oil.

My salesman told me he didn't know why I couldn't use 87 octane in the 1600 Classic from the word go, after I pointed out the sticker next to the gas cap and asked him about it.

 

[RichLockyer]

My salesman told me he didn't know why I couldn't use 87 octane in the 1600 Classic from the word go, after I pointed out the sticker next to the gas cap and asked him about it.

Try it. Run the tank nearly empty and put in 2 gallons.
If it doesn't ping, fill it up and stick with it.

You can probably get away with it during the cooler part of the year, and MAYBE year round. It'll produce less carbon and make just as much power.

If it does ping, go back to 91, add a fuel processor, or tweak your TPS.

These are not high-compression engines, and tuned properly, are perfectly happy with 87.

 

[givtu]

Try it. Run the tank nearly empty and put in 2 gallons.
If it doesn't ping, fill it up and stick with it.

You can probably get away with it during the cooler part of the year, and MAYBE year round. It'll produce less carbon and make just as much power.

If it does ping, go back to 91, add a fuel processor, or tweak your TPS.

These are not high-compression engines, and tuned properly, are perfectly happy with 87.

I have Big Shots and Caddmann mod, so I run a Power Commander w/ thunder air intake map and have been using 87-89 gas with great success since.

But if you were a salesman at a dealership, would you not have a problem recommending 87 octane in a stock VN1600, on the chance that it might work... maybe? If I was one, I'd err on the side of covering my heinie.
Anyway, the guy I'm talking about didn't have an answer, explanation, or justification. He simply didn't know.

 

[rbentnail]

That's scary. Did you speak to someone in service or a salesman? Salesmen, most of the time, are less knowledgeable about the products they sell than the people they are selling them to.

I know they have one because I pulled and cleaned mine @ 100 miles when I changed the oil.

My salesman told me he didn't know why I couldn't use 87 octane in the 1600 Classic from the word go, after I pointed out the sticker next to the gas cap and asked him about it.

The service guys I spoke to, certainly not all of them who worked there, didn't know of the oil screen. You're right about salespeople- most don't know squat about the product.