Lots of low power wheelies, a few genuine wheel stands under WOT in first gear, lots of 0 throttle decels sometimes from 9-10K rpm. Nothing has ever broken. I just ran mine hard for about an hour and it seemed to like it.

19K broke it in close to recommended with a few extra blasts after 4000 miles to seat the rings, and so far zero oil consumption (not counting the dealer induced leak on the valve cover, which they fixed after 2 days), zero other problems, milage is still going up, only "complaint" is tire ware heh heh heh. So far been real good, it's an 06, and yes, I've added power, pipes, etc. just cant leave anything alone. I change the oil @ 3K miles or less, and so far I am verry happy with the bike, smooth, powerful, great brakes, good handeling, and very reliable.

it knocks like hell til it warms up.

Dmc, I have heard this description a dozen times(rattle)here from new and old bikes. Cam chain tensioner right? What I don't understand is why. It would seem eventually we all get it. APE has the fix I have read, but what makes them all so different in the timing of when it occurs . Same chain correct? Stretch is diff ? Oil drips off when oil is to thin? Me no understand? I would think all our bikes should be the same and maybe they are, but I heard this noise on start up for the first time this summer. As far as durability is concerned on this issue hopefully some one will chime in. I too would like to know. There is still about 3 seconds on cold start up that sounds like shit and it was never there before.

* Last updated by: Romans on 9/9/2009 @ 7:28 PM *

^^^Mine did the CCT rattle ever since day 1. Maybe that's why it doesn't bother me. It usually lasts less than 2 seconds. I have noticed that parking the bike on an uphill incline seems to make the rattle last a lot longer. A little throttle zip or two and it goes away.

Let me break this down: I am heading out to try and learn the most dangerous road I do not want to whip this bike through that area until I know where these dips are. Airborne for sure if you fly on something like this. When I missed that gear, I heard a really bad slam.

Now, I come to a stop and I am fighting the shifter on the down shift. I don't know if had an off downshift or I hurt my baby. I am so locked down for time, I cannot really test the way I want. What little riding I've done, This bike 'IS the smoothest' runner no matter what you throw at it. That means the fuel system/head are top notch.

The trans is a jewel if you do not miss a shift, hurt parts. The oiling/numb beer tree deliver me ray so fa so la tea dough might be the end game.

Mine has been great. I have no complaints whatsoever, the bike seems to be engineered to take a pretty good beating.

It was all in my head. I took that road backwards this time. My wrists can't take that much downhill switchback. This is one sensational road! Only because I am on a sensational bike!

The oiling/numb beer tree deliver me ray so fa so la tea dough might be the end game.

End Game, Oiling.... What is this you say ? Hub Is scareing me. At the end of this story is there a BOOM followed by $$$$$$$$ . Say it isn't so. .....Lie if you have tooooooo.

Romes... It's a joke! That bike had to have blown up bye now. Both of ours! They are flukes; the ones that blew! I'm not worried, nor will I not hesitate to buy the next gen engine family; words down the road of the fastest might fall fright on Kawi's game plan. Do you want fast? I have cash waiting.

I'm having fun! Can't say none blew up. I'm not about to lie. I'll just wiggle the finger icon. That was more being if I had one blow under me, you'd never hear the end of it!

Happy Now

it knocks like hell til it warms up.

"Dmc, I have heard this description a dozen times(rattle)here from new and old bikes. Cam chain tensioner right? What I don't understand is why. It would seem eventually we all get it. APE has the fix I have read, but what makes them all so different in the timing of when it occurs . Same chain correct? Stretch is diff ? Oil drips off when oil is to thin? Me no understand? I would think all our bikes should be the same and maybe they are, but I heard this noise on start up for the first time this summer. As far as durability is concerned on this issue hopefully some one will chime in. I too would like to know. There is still about 3 seconds on cold start up that sounds like shit and it was never there before."

i don't think cam chain. knock is for about 5 mins on a 70 degree day,(knock mississippi knock mississipi etc) then no more. don't know what it is. the bike is under warrenty for a couple more years so in the near future it'll go back to the dealer.
dave north central pennsylvania.

* Last updated by: dmc on 9/11/2009 @ 10:20 PM *

The tensioner is both oil assist and mechanical. Mine will knock but rarely. What you hear are beginning start up. No bike is the same. No same model bike handles with the same feel. No engine matches each other even if you had the same person break in a fleet of bikes, they all have their mechanical quirks and personalities.

You want out of the ordinary knocking, not warm up clatter, no oil pressure yet, hold on, let me wake up, warm up and expand. Now after 10 minutes of riding, what do I sound like? If it purrs like a kitten, runs like instant throttle no lag; I doubt there is a thing wrong with it mechanically.

You'll know a strange sound out of the bike. You may be hearing a piston change tone or say you start the bike up one morning and it sounds different but runs out of this world. Then, I don't think it's a cold knocking piston I heard first gen change that tone. Hauled the mail, it was a knocking lighting rod.

There might be two sides to the engines blowing. I have not seen the parts, tires, grips... All the subtle things that give away some cable pulling, "abuse." I abuse mine, but to a limit. Really, how fast can I go on this thing before running out of room.

You get a pole going; 'How hard did I beat my bike since day one is still beating it.' I'm sure there will be more beat bikes than broken in and now show me MORE bikes being taken out. We have 4 years of the 14 engine family. You have to prove to me there is a crank problem if the ratio out there around the world are letting loose under them.

There are 2 sides to the coin.

* Last updated by: Hub on 9/11/2009 @ 10:57 PM *

This puppy burned down = Literally!

Engine was very durable. Taken to more extremes than you and I move on 2 wheels. Watch the oil: Accel/Brake/L/R laterals. Engine did not let loose. I do not remember the story. The point is...