I've participated in a Demo day ride with Scooter in 2014 (rode the '14 FJR ES and the FZ-09). Scooter led both rides and to my pleasant surprise, brought us on a route that actually allowed us to push the bikes a little. Not a lot, a little. I suppose its possible that somebody ran the bike up to the redline, but that's what the chip is for. A more likley scenerio is an unexperienced rider missed a shift and put a little ding on the shift fork. That is what the YES is for, IMO.
If the bike has no major scuffs/scratches, and the dealer will allow me to take it down the road and back to feel the tranny for myself, and if I get back from that 2 mile ride with no concerns, and the dealer will meet me at least half way with the YES warranty (after I originally ask for 100% of it), then I'm buying the demo hands down. I'm not worried about the trade, or my tax savings therein. I can sell my bike back home for at least that.
Now for the thread jacking. Hold your flames. Wait for it. Steeeeaaaaddddddyyyyyy.......
The concept of "break in" for a new engine is a farse. At least it is for Yamaha outboard motors.
In 2007, I bought my first brand new boat. It came with a Yamaha 70 2-stroke outboard. The dealer promised me during the sale that it would go 40 mph on the GPS with a light load. He specifically told me to run it up to WOT the first trip and verify it. He was wrong (37.5 mph down wind). The next day I went back to the dealer and asked about upgrading to a 90hp. The dealer told me that he could not do this because the USCG plate only allows a mazimum 70hp on the motor. I told him that there was NO way I'd be operating this boat in Federal waters (3 miles offshore and further) and accordingly, that plate means nothing legally or literally. The dealer concurred with my comment but stated that the manufacturer and dealer policy abides by the plate. Of course I understood that but ultimately gave the dealer a choice - let me speak to the boat manufacturer and see if he can do something about the plate, or give me my money back. It was then that I learnd that the boat hull manufacturer was owned by Yamaha. This is very common - the easiest way to ensure that our motor gets installed on a particular boat is to buy the boat company. The dealer told me that in his opinion, my best shot was to talk to Yamaha. OK - fine. Ten minutes later, the wild goose chase led me to a Yamaha engineer. I told him my story, gave him some spcifications and he asked me to hold. Presumably he ran some numbers and in 3-ish minutes returned to the phone stating affirmatively that my hull could accept a 90 hp yamaha motor and he would authorize the dealer to change the USCG plate.
He then asked me to put the phone on speaker so that the dealer could hear his next statement. He then stated that with a 19 pitch propeller and the 90hp, in relatively calm wind, my boat will run no less than 44 mph with two people in it. He told me to work out my deal with the dealer and ask him to install the motor. Then before paying, go directly to the landing with a dealer rep and "run that puppy wide open. If it doesn't run at least 44, the dealer is instructed to either give you the upgrade for free, or give you your money back."
Here's where you can start fanning your flames.
I then asked inquired about the "break in period" for the engine. He replied that this is a complete farse. All yamaha motors are heat cycled at least twice before they are sent out of the factory. Subsequent tests are performed to ensure that the rings are seated and other engine components are fit for duty. Once a Yamaha motor reaches a dealer, it's ready to be put through any service. Intriqued, I asked him if that applies to all Yamaha motors and without hesitation, he replied in the affirmative.
So the dealer said $500.00 for the upgrade and I said "sold!". The dealer hung a brand new motor removed from a crate onto the boat and off to the landing we went. After idling about 35 feet from the landing, I shoved the throttle WFO and trimmed her up. When the GPS stabilized, we were zipping at 45.7 mph at the factory upper limit of 5200 rpm. I turned around and repeated the test for good measure against what little current and/or wind we had that morning and was elated to see 45 and change again. I gave the man his $500.00 and I've never seen him again. I've put several hundred hours on that motor to date with absolutely ZERO problems.
Now - you may not believe a word I'm saying and that is your choice. I'm sure the owner's manual says something about break in and the truth is - if (er... WHEN) I buy a new FJR, I'll probably baby the big girl in an abundance of caution anyway. But I'm not going to worry about any break in. I'd be interested in hearing BigJohn or Scooter weigh in on this (if the OP wouldn't mind).
OK - I've got my fire retardant suit on, and an extinusher handy. Go ahead and flame away.
