Hey guys. I was wondering, when looking at used bikes, how much mileage is too much? I dont really know how motocycle engines hold up so I'm looking to get a feeling here. Like for some cars 80-100k miles is kinda high. I was wondering what the scale is for bikes. Thanks.

 

really depends on how well it's been maintained just like a car. most people tend to take good care of them though, more so than they do with their cars. i myself am at 23k miles on my 04 zx6r and it still runs great. i'd recommend if you pick up a used one for it to be around 10-15k miles or so, which is when it'll be time for a nice little tune up on the bike so you can make it run good as new again. valve adjustment, throttle body sync, air filter, spark plugs, f/r brakes, etc, should end up being around an extra 700 or so but it'll be worth it.

 

I've heard of bikes still running well with 100k on them.

 

I'm sure it varies between types of bike as well. While supersport engines might last to 100K or beyond you can't find THAT many examples to prove it. But take a touring or sport-touring bike, say a BMW RT/RS or Yamaha FJR or Honda ST1300/Goldwing, and you can find a bunch more folks that reached that mileage and talk about any issues they found.

 

ohh ok. thanks alot guys. yeah I'm sure it varies alot between the inline 4's and the v-twins. I was looking at some sv650s to start out on. Thanks for the advice.

 

Depends on what the bike was used for. Most sport bikes get beat to death, a lot of more expressway oriented bikes just get cruised on and can last more or less forever. Sold my bandit 1200cc with 33k miles with the stock chain and sprocket, ran like brand new [5 years old at the time].

I also found an RC51 [more on the extreme side] with 30k miles in great shape that an older guy owned and believe it or not he just cruised it on the highway 90% of the time. Rather buy that than one with 10k miles that the owner says "and I have lots of racing take off parts, sees the track every weekend".

 

i just found a bike that i'm looking and buying and it has 538 miles on it
06 600rr