blade954
Parking Attendant
Posts: 30
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posted February 27, 2005 05:35 AM
 Edited By: blade954 on 27 Feb 2005 05:36
? for KBryant - What mileage gives peak HP?
Kerry,
With all of your dyno experience, at what mileage do bikes become 'fully broken in' and generally produce the best power? I thought you might provide some insight assuming break-in by the book and a 'normal' driving style on the street. Thanks.
   
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k bryant
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posted February 27, 2005 10:45 AM
It seems to vary somewhat by brand and model.
For example - on the 10, they really start to stabilize and pump out the bigger numbers when they have between 2000 - 3000 miles on them. One reasoning behind this is may be that being the motor is in such a high state of tune from the factory, tolerances may be slightly tighter for increased longevity. That being speculation on my part, but the dyno seems to agree with that point. It can be difficult to design both (big power, long life).
I personally cannot recall any brand/model making their best power without substantial break-in (street bike, not a race bike); in the 1500 - 2500 mile area. My personal ZX12 made the best hp/tq numbers when it had over 5000 miles on it (your results may vary).
I have dyno'd many bikes straight from the crate with only a few tenths on the odometer. Though harsh, we warm them up and let-um rip. The numbers seem to always come back 3 - 5 hp under what a broken-in model of the same flavor will do. A consistent seems to be when broken-in like this so harshly, they stay with these low numbers through-out their life-cycle. Normally they seem to run fine, they just don't put out the peak numbers.
But again, your results may vary. But breaking them in by the book consistently gives the best long term power and life. Normally before an OEM gives a bike to one of the magazines for a major shoot-out, they will have had their guys break-in that bike with TLC before handing it over.
I've been dynoing bikes since the late 70's, and could not even imagine how many bikes and runs I've been through. I probably learned the most initially from one of the best (Jerry Branch), about all the dynamics that can affect power. Before that, we just let-em rip, and pulled against them till they started boiling over. Brutal.... I think around 1989 or so we got one of the first Dynojet Dynos (at SuperTrapp/Kerker) and the rest is history. Boy if I had a nickel for every run I did since then.
Yamaha's seem to break-in a little earlier than the others. Honda's as well. Suzuki's seem to be similiar to the Kawasakis (ironically). I ran an original ZX10 (1989) recently that had 49k showing on the odometer (and looked like it...). It still put out 129 hp which is extremely respectable. Overall based on my experience, Kawasaki & Suzuki engines seem to hold their peak power over their life span longer than most others. That seems to hold true across the board (600/750/1000+).
Anyway, IMHO, break-in by the book, will provide you the best hp and longest life on a stock engine. And when you start reaching 2000 miles or so, she'll really start to sing.
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Jammer
Novice Class
Posts: 93
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posted February 27, 2005 04:50 PM
Man, excellent response! I take particular delight in the 1989 ZX10 comments, as I have an 89 in my garage alongside my 04 ZX10. The old one has about 40k miles on it & it still runs really strong - I guess you've just told me why!! Also good to hear about break in - though I was good for only half of the mileage recommended by Kawi on the new one.
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ZX10BURNER
Novice Class
Posts: 85
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posted February 28, 2005 05:00 PM
Jammer,
Gee all this time I thought I was the only one with a 89 ZX-10 (that still puts down respectable power) and a 04 ZX-10R!!!! 
Kerry,
Care to give any thoughts on the 89 you had? Would like to hear your opinions/expierence owning one.
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k bryant
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posted February 28, 2005 05:38 PM
I only had mine for about 5000 miles as I recall. It had about 12000 miles when I bought it (used). Mine was box stock. But quite honestly, I liked the 1987 1000R that I had better (which I sold to get the '89 10). I just thought astectically, it was a better looking bike. Performance wise, the 10 was faster and lighter, but I just never liked the styling. When I bought a ZX11 (96 model) I thought the evolution of the 10 into the 11 was much nicer. And I put about 15000 miles on the ZX11 before getting a ZRX11 in '99.
Anyway, the '89 ripped, but didn't stop very well. I honestly thought the handling was similar to the 1000R, for which they both kinda had a hinge in the middle type feeling. Even though the 10 had the new frame, it just didn't get it for me. But thatz really a personaI preference, because on paper, the 10 was better on the way around. I remember thinking the gearbox was really on the loose side for a Kawasaki, but that could have just been mine. For whatever reason, I was faster on the 1000R in the mountains. But I was quicker in the 1/4 mile (Sacramento Raceway) on the 10. But otherwise, no problems, nothing broke. I actually sold it to buy a 1989 FJ1200, first year with the 17" front wheel. The FJ overall was a better bike. A little heavier and a little slower, but really nice. Wish I still had the 1000R. Don't really miss the 10. Just never fell in love with it at the time. It just seemed kinda mis-matched on the styling part of things to me.
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ZX10BURNER
Novice Class
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posted March 03, 2005 03:02 PM
The best lookiing bikes to date the 89 ZX-10 (faster black of course) 96 and up ZX-7 and the 04 ZX-10R (again the faster black). All three make me drool!!!!
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