Post Break-In Performance vs. Pre Break-In Performance

[pa-outdoorsman]

What is everyone's feeling on how engine performance can or will change post break-in vs. brand new? The reason I ask is because -- on my 2021 Honda ADV 150 -- I have noticed the engine seems to be more powerful of late. Better acceleration and holding top speed more easily. I have about 1,300 miles on the bike and have noticed this in the last week or two. No real explanation, and I guess it's always possible it is a figment of my imagination, but I don't think so. I really think the throttle is more responsive.

So, this begs a general question for all you long-time scooter and motorcycle riders with hundreds or thousands of collective bikes under your belts: what kind of changes have you noticed in your performance after the break-in period? Can the piston fully "seating in" really make a noticeable difference for the average rider?

[john grinsel]

engine run in----completed after about 5,000 miles

[mousejunks]

Yes, after 5,000km my DT350 has more power and feels smoother. Less vibration at idle as well.

[Kansas kymco]

The only way to verify is by a dynamometer otherwise it is speculation.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Something here made me go to the cupboard for a couple of my wife's Fig Newton's....and big glass of cold milk!
A sadly too often neglected cookie!
 
Stig

[Iahawk]

First job out of college was in the dreaded car business! I clearly remember the Chevy S10 Blazer with the 4.3 V6 needing about 20,000 miles to reach top performance. It was a longer than usual break in but once it reached that mileage it was a completely different motor...much more power, etc. I observed this with multiple different vehicles running the same V6

So yes, motors do break in and tend to take a bit of time before they develop max power. 20K is a bit of an outlyer, though..