Finally got my DRZ today....and it's raining!! Before it started I did get to cruise it around the block once!
In looking over the literature, owners manual, (yeah I'm one of the few that do that), I noticed recomended break in period is 15 hrs. The first 10 hours your only supposed to use half-throttle, the last 5 hours only 3/4, anyone ever abide by this...is it really neccesary?
My first brand new bike, and I don't want to hose it up, just wondering what others have been doing with this procedure.

Thanks,
B. Myers

I have never taken it easy, well maybe a little. The night I took it home I rode
over 20 miles of highway at about 70mph.
I did vary the speed a bit but thats about all. A friend once told me to break in a motor the way you plan on riding it. Period.
I heard the army used Kawasaki KLR-650 water cooled dual sports during Desert Storm.
Now I can't imagine they asked the soldiers to keep the machines at half throttle. From what i understand these bikes are still running today. Oh well, thats my two cents anyway. Enjoy your new bike and remember to change the oil soon. I would reccommend 300 miles or so. Have Fun

When do you adjust the valves? The DR350 manual had a lot to say about that but the 400 manual doesn't say much. Is it best to let the dealer do this??? I want this bike to last as long as my 350 did (6,500 miles on it and still going strong).

U...The valves should be adjusted at 10 hours.Some people even check them at 5 hours.

[This message has been edited by Tennessee Thumper (edited 04-18-2000).]

shop manual says 5 hrs. i checked them at 5 and they were EXACTLY in the middle of spec.

got about 15-20 hrs on it now and i'll check them again soon.


i took it easy on it for quite a while. you can tell when it's ready to rev some more. it breaks in pretty quicky. it seems to get a LOT more top-end as it breaks in.