How long do bikes last?

Sukh

Sukh

Sukh

Soldato
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All the bikes I see for sale have fairly low mileage. I am thinking of buying one to do around 12k a year on a mway.

When do bikes fall to pieces?

:)
 
I'd like to know the answer to this too.

A lot of the bikes I've looked at are sports bikes so either get used on track or during the summer so tend to stay garaged during the winter. Most having sub 8k miles and being between 3 and 5 years old.

I guess touring/cruising bikes are designed & engineered to rack up miles where as other styles might not cope so well.
 
Sukh said:
I was talking about a 500/600 sportsbike and 2/3 mway usage :)
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You'll eat tyres on mways!!

Mine is 14 years old, got 38k on the clock and still sounds sweet as a nut, was a bit neglected when I bought it but its being looked after now.

Will be my 3rd year of owning it and ive done 2 touring hols on it and plan another one around spain, france etc in the next year.

Go Suzuki, you wont look back!

:p
 
50k is probably an average end of life, unless mega mileage is put on them in a short space of time some bigger bikes are doing more but your average bike will be past it by then
 
I ride a 600cc motorcycle about to hit 30,000miles on a 2009 plate.
Done 10,000miles since march 1st. So 12k a year should be fine just keep up with servicing and chain services
I go through back tyres every month and a half:-(
 
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My ZX10 is on 34k now, done that in 3 years.

I think the engine will prolly last another 34k, but the rest of the bike just ends up getting to worn out... every month you'll be replacing something.

Suspension both ends is shot, discs are thin, bodywork starts looked tired, alloy is pitted

In the end it's just not worth keeping.....


Saying that, thats a sportsbike, bikes with lazy engines dont get ridden so hard, so your big beemers last and last

Keeping a bike for 100k miles is like saying, yes, I've had this axe for 20 years, had 10 new handles and 10 new blades :)


edit: to ops question, 3 years and it'll be a shed most likely
 
Flukester said:
My ZX10 is on 34k now, done that in 3 years.

I think the engine will prolly last another 34k, but the rest of the bike just ends up getting to worn out... every month you'll be replacing something.

Suspension both ends is shot, discs are thin, bodywork starts looked tired, alloy is pitted

In the end it's just not worth keeping.....


Saying that, thats a sportsbike, bikes with lazy engines dont get ridden so hard, so your big beemers last and last

Keeping a bike for 100k miles is like saying, yes, I've had this axe for 20 years, had 10 new handles and 10 new blades :)


edit: to ops question, 3 years and it'll be a shed most likely
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My Funduro has 48,000 miles on it and it's a non stop replacement cycle of parts and maintenance.
 
yeah thats the problem :(, dam impressive milage! ....I gave up on my ZX12 for this very reason. It had done 35k, engine was sweet, but every month seemed to be a couple of hundred on some broken / worn part.

New rad, New discs, New caliper seals, I worked out it would be cheaper to sell it pronto and be paying finance on something new and shiny :)

Lucky the 10 now is finance free and I'm gonna try bangernomics and run her into the grave (or should that be ditch :-))
 
Well 8 must be lucky as my yamaha fz6 which is a september 2009 plate. Has 30k on it..... Only had too replace tyres, chain and sprokets and brake pads. Apart from that looks and run s like new apart from rusty header bolts and rear wheel nut.
Not bad for a bike that cost 4200 brand new.and I still have 1 year of unlimited mileage warranty left, only thing is I have not had to use it yet. No doubt as soon as it runs out something will go bust.
 
There is a guy on honda cbr600rr.net who has just hit 213,000 miles on his bike . So if you go by that 12,000 isnt even run in yet :D.
There are really to many variables to take into consideration when it comes down to millage . A well looked after high millage will usually be better than a thrashed on old oil , never warmed up newer low milage bike . ;)
 
My old S Reg Honda Deauville has 91k on the clock and is going to a friend soon to continue to use her (his first bike) and she has been amazing. Still going strong.

My current Honda Blackbird has 38k miles for W reg and is again, still going strong no issues yet touch wood.

To summise, it depends on how well it has been looked after and the manufacturer of the bike. A well treated, regularly serviced bike (especially Honda) could go for 100,000's of miles. (As above).

I read somewhere that the engines on bikes similar to that I have mentioned were stress tested by Honda and managed to reach over 1 million miles. That is the engine only, but as a reference; practically bullet proof.
 
Mate of mine has an original R6 (owned from new) with 180k on the clocks, does 100 miles a day commute all year round, still going strong. Dont think anything has ever gone wrong with it, nothing engine or transmission wise anyway :cool:
 
Cool, is it better to get

1) 2004 CBR600 with 15k miles

or

2) 2007 CBR600 with 30k miles

both the same price.

I am thinking the highish mileage is indicative of longer trips which are better than smaller trips?

Also whats the difference between F6 and F4?
 
Sukh said:
Cool, is it better to get

1) 2004 CBR600 with 15k miles

or

2) 2007 CBR600 with 30k miles

both the same price.

I am thinking the highish mileage is indicative of longer trips which are better than smaller trips?

Also whats the difference between F6 and F4?
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Swings and roundabouts :)

The 2004 may well have less miles but could have been left for ages then ridden with rusty discs or the rubbers could have started perishing also the 2007 assuming technology gets better could be a more advanced bike.

If your doing 10k a year it makes no odds go for the best condition, the 2007 could very well need some work though, I'd expect the tyres to be squared off and in need of brakes and a chain and sprockets just due to service intervals.

Also if they are the same money I'd go for the newer, if you need to claim on your insurance if it gets stolen or trashed it's very difficult to argue that you spent more on a older bike because it was in better condition.
 
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