To baby it or no worries

[VStarRider]

Seriously? Manufacturers do torture tests like this for “bragging rights,” testing and sales. In all the infinite wisdom of the google I can’t find the GPz900R test but I recall a great YouTube series on the ford eco boost engine they use in the f150 doing about four different types of torture tests to the same engine. I think they put 100,000 miles on it. Kia tests its engines for 300+hours at full load and above redline for short periods. I’m not talking about joe dirt chocking the front wheel and pinning the throttle on a production bike for a full day. The point is, put oil in the damn bike, do some periodic maintenance and run it.
https://youtu.be/GNPB3RtHN2M this is the link for the Kia testing video, it’s two minutes. If it doesn’t work, search Kia engine test in YouTube. It’s the first video.
https://youtu.be/_jCmu6qJXX4 ford link, this video is more in depth and better because I like Ford and Mike Rowe.

Ok, good, glad someone else thinks this way too. Maybe it is an upstate NY thing.

We get obsessed with creating the perfect engine operation profile for our bikes. I think it appeals to our engineering/perfectionist urges. What types of oils, warm up regimens, number of milliseconds at redline, and so on.

What is the point? Are we gonna keep these bikes until they have 250,000+ miles on them? If so, great! If not, all you are doing is extending the life of an engine which will likely never get the opportunity to be tapped into because the bike be long gone by then.

As JW says, change the oil once in awhile, follow the manufacturer's recommendations, and enjoy.

If you exist to gain satisfaction and pride from neurotically maintaining your vehicles, enjoy that also!

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As for engine longevity tests, I believe them. Not sure if they really tell us anything, though. I remember the 1948 Tucker (also a flat motor) was run around a track at WOT for 5,000 miles at the Indianapolis Speedway in the testing process. And that was in 1948!! I think Opas was there...