higher mileage bikes

Tefal

Tefal

Tefal

Caporegime
Joined
30 Jun 2007
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68,895
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Wales
Hey guys what's your thoughts on higher milage second hand bikes.


Sub 25k miles blackbirds seem to go for around 3.5-4.5k for one in good condition.

But even later years can be had for around 2.5-3k in the 50-60k mileage range.


I'm think that a low mileage bike that's a few years older is likely to have just been sat on the stand (which aplrently can cause the already budget front springs to sag a bit) I'm god knows what condition.


So I was thinking maybe buy a higher 50k+ mile bike that has a good service history and spend the price difference on new front speibgs/pip and a new after market shock.

They're bikes that are supposed to last for ages anyway (lots of 100k+ ones out on forums)


So say an 07 model with 50-60k for £2.5k. Vs a 02 with 14k at £4k
 
if you plan on keeping it for just a few years then a high miler/older machine wouldn't really bother me

ideally you want the newest machine you can get with the fewest amount of miles on it for the best price

who wants to buy a machine then have to spend on suspension and brakes to get it decentish? then theres things like wheel bearings/swingarm and headstock bearings that tend to fail on high miler/older machines

it depends if you really know the model well and what things tend to go on them
 
wazza300 said:
who wants to buy a machine then have to spend on suspension and brakes to get it decentish? then theres things like wheel bearings/swingarm and headstock bearings that tend to fail on high miler/older machines
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Me :D those blackbirds, iv always wanted one. And like you will read about any honda from those eras they will go for 100's of 1000's of miles. Always buy on condition, you may well find a bird with higher milage but with all the above work wazza mentioned done. Whereas a middle of the road milage may be in a rather neglected condition in comparison/being sold to avoid the cost of these service/repairs. Not much tends to go wrong on a bird.
 
Tefal said:
that has a good service history
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I think that's the key. That way you'll know if they've had the usual valve clearances, shim replacements etc etc which are pretty difficult to check if you don't really know what you're doing.

Everything else (spark plugs, oils, tyres, battery etc) can be done or checked by you if you know a thing or two about bikes.

And then after that as people have said, it's just a case of checking the general wear of the bike.

I would never go for a high mileage bike, far too much hassle. But you could get lucky.
 
I own a Blackbird and do all the servicing myself so I feel I'm pretty qualified on this subject.

The overall thing to check for is condition. If it is in good condition, then you are off to a good start.

With relation to mileage, if you don't want to do the valve clearances yourself then that should be an area you focus on when looking at the service history. Valve clearance checks are every 16,000 miles so you want to try and aim for a bike that has just had them done, so if you looked at two bikes of similar condition and one was 34K and had the clearances done at 32K, that would be more ideal than a bike that was on 25K, and had them done at 16K. You want to try and get the most mileage before the next clearance service.

As a point of reference, I just did my clearances at 32K, and 3 of them were on the borderline of the spec. I decided to bump them back into the mid-range of the spec but they could have been left and would have been fine. My point there is, don't think that even at 32K you will need to get the clearances CHANGED, they will need checking, but you should save the extra labour of actually changing the shims.

I've had to replace the headstock bearings on my Bird (currently 33000 miles). This is easy to check though as the bird has a centre stand. Put it on the stand, get someone to press down on the pillion seat to lift the front and then move the steering side to side - if you feel any notches, that will need doing.

So the important things are to check the history and try and buy one that has recently had the clearances checked/done.
 
Am about to pick up a 54K miles CBR thats 20 years old. I'm not really doing this by choice as I need to replace my bike ASAP and that's what was about for the cash.

It's a gamble but it's going to be more reliable than the one I have now
 
As for valve clearances checks mine ain't been checked/adjusted since 18k miles and its on 67k now, so I wouldn't worry too much
 
The 2 blackbird owners that I know are around the 100k miles mark and show no sign of wear on the engine.

You definitely want to get the ropey suspension sorted if it's still stock though.
 
Kreeeee said:
The 2 blackbird owners that I know are around the 100k miles mark and show no sign of wear on the engine.

You definitely want to get the ropey suspension sorted if it's still stock though.
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Yeah that's the thing people say the stock suspension is rubbish and about 700 quid would be a nice new nitron rear and front springs set for my weight.

Budget is currently around 4k but going up about 800 a month lol
 
wazza300 said:
don't you like the newer z1000? or the zx10r's?
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Not a fan of naked.

Test rode the z1000sx sport touring model and it was a very nice bike great engine great brakes but so upright seating position it absolutely ruined my back. I need a fair bit of forward lean.

Zx10r insurance would be a night mare plus it's too much of a sports bike for the distances I ride. (16k+ a year) and it would be a waste with the depreciation

What do you think to


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/bikes/m...-blackbird-wolverhampton-bfpa-201512049217700

Kinda top end of my budget (but I'm waiting at least another month to see what the other guys insurance offers a 's a settlement or if I'm having to take him to court) but a good few extras and looks fairly well maintained late model 06 but higher milage than I'd normally go for at 33k but supposedly just had its service in November at 32.
 
Kreeeee said:
The super blackbird is a bit special compared to those though.
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Yeah I do love honda the cbr 600, and the vfr 800 were just so comfy.

If they had made a decent vfr1000 instead of the useless vfr1200 I'd probably be buying one of them new
 
that one looks mint to me,scottoiler/heated grips and a nob thing,everyone likes a nob thing haha

33k is nothing at all to worry about tbh,suspension should still feel fine,those usually go all squishy at around 50k+ for me anyway

in wolvo too not far from me
 
wazza300 said:
that one looks mint to me,scottoiler/heated grips and a nob thing,everyone likes a nob thing haha

33k is nothing at all to worry about tbh,suspension should still feel fine,those usually go all squishy at around 50k+ for me anyway

in wolvo too not far from me
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Yeah also r&g shock tube hired over the rear and headlight guard makes me think it was an owner who really cared for it.


Shame it's not the matte black model though :p

People say the front can start to sag a bit around 20k though.
 
wazza300 said:
that one looks mint to me,scottoiler/heated grips and a nob thing,everyone likes a nob thing haha

33k is nothing at all to worry about tbh,suspension should still feel fine,those usually go all squishy at around 50k+ for me anyway

in wolvo too not far from me
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You know anything about them as dealers? Work quality etc? If you know anyone who's used them
 
I don't tbh, I didn't know they were there I think they are recent,there's a smaller bike shop over the road from them

Being a main Honda dealer though they should be reputable
 
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