How many is too many?
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
Joined
·
674 Posts
I guess it depends, if you know the bike, 40K-50K if well maintained should be no problem.
I have heard of some sport bikes going 60K, 150K on touring bikes is not unheard of. I would think that some of these had some major work done, but thats to be expected. I know 1 guy who put 6K on a honda espree (50cc scooter) just driving around town, in 3 years. Now I'm sure there are those out there with more mileage than that. Usually the reason for selling them is ther'e bored with them or they want something different.
Like a car with 150K on it, if properly maintained should go to 250K.
I have heard of some sport bikes going 60K, 150K on touring bikes is not unheard of. I would think that some of these had some major work done, but thats to be expected. I know 1 guy who put 6K on a honda espree (50cc scooter) just driving around town, in 3 years. Now I'm sure there are those out there with more mileage than that. Usually the reason for selling them is ther'e bored with them or they want something different.
Like a car with 150K on it, if properly maintained should go to 250K.
Joined
·
3,027 Posts
A friend has put over 100,000 miles on his 1999 sport bike before the end of 2003. It's still going strong with just regular maintenance and tires, lots of tires! No major problems, just a couple minor electrical issues.He checked his log and discovered he has spent more on tires basic maintenance than the original cost of the bike, but he is real hard on tires in the canyons. :roll:
I take that back. He did blow a gasket (well it failed at least) on the way back from Laguna Seca last year. So he tore into it on the side of the road and was back on the road an hour later! Pays to know your bike, carry the right tools and be creative!
I take that back. He did blow a gasket (well it failed at least) on the way back from Laguna Seca last year. So he tore into it on the side of the road and was back on the road an hour later! Pays to know your bike, carry the right tools and be creative!
Like a used car, it depends on the bike, who owned it, how they maintained it, and how they rode it. My Intruder VS800 has over 20,000 miles on it in four years of use, and it is hardly broken in yet and has never has a single mechanical problem. My friend has 94,000 miles and counting on his Intruder 1500LC, and has never has a problem. People tell me that when you look at a used Gold Wing, don't think twice if it has over 150,000 miles on it. A neighbor is obsessive about keeping his CBR perfect, and has over 15,000 trouble-free miles on it so far.
But on the other hand, I have seen kids absolutely destroy their first sport bike in less than 5,000 miles, by abusing it, riding it too hard, and not doing any maintenance to it. And lets face it, some models of bikes have the reputation for being 'bullet proof', while others should be avoided no matter how few miles they have on them.
So when you look at a used bike, overall condition if more important than miles. Consider who owned it before you: was it an experienced adult rider with a garage who documented the factory-recommended services and changed the oil like he should, or was it some irresponsible, hot dog rookie rider who left it outside, could not afford to bring it in for service, and only changed the oil when the light came on? Can the owner prove they had regular maintenance work done with receipts, or did they just clean the bike up and change the oil last night so they could put it in bike trader today? Do they have a long list of new parts they have put on, indicating that they abused the bike and broke a lot of things? Do the pegs, grips, and fairings (if applicable) show signs of normal wear and tear, or are they shinny new like the bike was dumped and just repaired, and they are trying to unload the bike before it falls apart? Do the tires show normal wear, or are they absolutely brand new, like they were changed yesterday just so you would not see how badly trashed the old set was and know that the owner abused the bike? All these things are more important than mileage, but keep mileage in mind when negotiating the price once you find a good one.
But on the other hand, I have seen kids absolutely destroy their first sport bike in less than 5,000 miles, by abusing it, riding it too hard, and not doing any maintenance to it. And lets face it, some models of bikes have the reputation for being 'bullet proof', while others should be avoided no matter how few miles they have on them.
So when you look at a used bike, overall condition if more important than miles. Consider who owned it before you: was it an experienced adult rider with a garage who documented the factory-recommended services and changed the oil like he should, or was it some irresponsible, hot dog rookie rider who left it outside, could not afford to bring it in for service, and only changed the oil when the light came on? Can the owner prove they had regular maintenance work done with receipts, or did they just clean the bike up and change the oil last night so they could put it in bike trader today? Do they have a long list of new parts they have put on, indicating that they abused the bike and broke a lot of things? Do the pegs, grips, and fairings (if applicable) show signs of normal wear and tear, or are they shinny new like the bike was dumped and just repaired, and they are trying to unload the bike before it falls apart? Do the tires show normal wear, or are they absolutely brand new, like they were changed yesterday just so you would not see how badly trashed the old set was and know that the owner abused the bike? All these things are more important than mileage, but keep mileage in mind when negotiating the price once you find a good one.
Joined
·
3,027 Posts
Good reply DrBob :bows:
All great points to be considered. Personally if I were buying used, I'd want to buy it from or through someone I knew could be trusted. Whether it's been treated right is critical as to how much life is left in it, and if you will love it or hate it! The mileage, well, that's just a number.
All great points to be considered. Personally if I were buying used, I'd want to buy it from or through someone I knew could be trusted. Whether it's been treated right is critical as to how much life is left in it, and if you will love it or hate it! The mileage, well, that's just a number.
Joined
·
20,974 Posts
The 10,000 mile rule can be described in only one way: an old wives' tail. No offense to old wives. It may have originated during the era when motorcycle engines, mostly HD's, needed to be rebuilt every 10-15,000 miles. Then Japan came to town, and that nonsense ended. Now, even HD makes engines that last a good long time with regular care.
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
