When buying any vehicle, a buyer will typically think about the mileage. The majority of people are aware that a car with 200,000 miles on it is most likely on its way to the junkyard, but what about a motorcycle? How much mileage does a motorcycle get? We will discuss the high mileage for a motorcycle in this article for you. Please keep reading.
What Is High Mileage For A Motorcycle?
The size of the motorcycle has a significant impact on its high mileage. Typically, an engine on a motorcycle with around 40,000 miles on it is thought to have high mileage.
But if it’s a bigger bike that has been well-maintained and is free of physical flaws or leaks, even that high mileage contributes significantly. Buy a motorcycle first that has had regular maintenance, including oil changes.
How Many Miles Is A Lot for A Motorcycle?
A sports bike with 25,000 miles on it is regarded as having high mileage. And the reason for that is that their engines run at high revs and they have driven aggressively.
As a result, it is less about the motorcycle itself and more about the rider. The main cause of sports bikes’ shorter lifespan than all other types of bikes is actually this. So don’t be surprised if you buy a sports bike and after 25,000 miles find that you need an engine rebuild.
Fortunately, there are many other aspects that are more crucial than mileage. For instance, engines that use water cooling outlast those that use air cooling. And the reason for this is that they operate cooler, which is very important for a bike’s longevity.
What Is A Bike’s Average Annual Mileage?
The average annual mileage of bicycles is lower than that of automobiles. Bikes travel less than 5,000 miles annually compared to vehicles, which can travel about 15,000 miles annually. In actuality, a motorbike travels about 3,000 miles annually on average. Some bikes only travel 2,000 miles or less annually.
The Lifespan Of A Motorcycle
A motorcycle’s life expectancy varies. More than 280,000 miles on a 20-year-old Gold wing that is still in perfect working order is available. Furthermore, the owner continues to drive more than 6,000 miles a year. Therefore, a well-maintained bike can last you for many years with very few mechanical problems.
In actuality, a sizable portion of those who inquire about a bicycle’s mileage is more focused on longevity than book value. Mileage is just one of many elements that affect a motorcycle’s longevity. Some of the elements that affect how long a bike lasts are as follows:
Model, Make, And Year
The longevity of a motorcycle depends more on its model, make, and year than its mileage. Instead of using more expensive materials, bikes made for novice riders use less expensive ones.
What Person Owned It Before?
A motorcycle that has only had one owner for more than 50 years is probably going to be treated better than one that has had several. An experienced rider who has owned a motorcycle for a very long time will treat it very well.
It’s not always a bad thing to have many owners, but it can be beneficial to have just one for a long time.
How Was It Driven?
The owner shifts without holding the clutch, or does he or she constantly open the throttle while riding the bike? Does the owner consistently raise the stand before lowering it? Is the rider constantly yanking the engine off the rev limiter whenever a chance arises? Is the motorcycle being used in dirt, dust, or sand?
These elements all significantly affect how long or short a motorcycle’s life cycle is.
Where Is The Bicycle Kept?
A motorcycle should be properly stored if it isn’t used frequently. Many of the same guidelines that apply when a car is left to sit idle also apply here. A bike that was left out in the open will have experienced significant wear.
A bike’s paint will deteriorate, the seat’s vinyl will crack, and the steel will begin to rust when it is exposed to the elements. Your bike can suffer damage from rain, mud, moisture, heat, and cold.
Was It Driven Consistently?
Is the motorcycle used frequently or just occasionally? When bikes are put back into service after having low mileage, they sometimes have issues. Long-term storage of a bicycle causes some durable parts to deteriorate, and the tires begin to deteriorate.
How Frequently Was It Serviced?
Sometimes, service records are more important than mileage. The presence of service history is another excellent indicator of the quality of used motorcycles. You can verify that the bike received the proper maintenance ever since you bought it by consulting the service record.
Furthermore, it can attest to the timely completion of preventive maintenance procedures.
How To Keep Your High-mileage Motorcycle Running Like New
Remember these pointers to keep your motorcycle with a lot of miles running like new!
Break-it-in Like A Pro
You must understand how to properly break in the engine if you recently purchased a bike and want to keep it running like new. If the engine on your old bike has been rebuilt, you should break it in just like a brand-new engine. The first 500 to 1,000 miles of most motorcycles are considered the break-in period.
The engine is still experiencing significant internal friction during this period, so bear the following in mind:
- For the first 500 to 1,000 miles, don’t use the throttle more than ¾ of the way.
- At any gear, avoid running the engine too quickly.
- Avoid abrupt stops, jackrabbit acceleration, and aggressive starts.
- Keep your motor off the ground. Before the engine starts to struggle, always downshift.
- The best gear to use is always.
Follow The Recommendations In The Service Manual
Whether your bike has 2,000 or 60,000 miles on it makes no difference. The service manual’s maintenance instructions should be strictly followed and adhered to.
This will not only entail routine lubrication and oil changes, but also valve adjustment inspection, brake maintenance, and inspection or replacement of the transmission’s primary chains.
Always Check The Air Filter
One of the most fundamental maintenance tasks that every motorcyclist should be familiar with is checking the air filter.
Your engine is essentially being sucked full of dirt and debris if your air filter is dirty, clogged, damaged, loose, or missing. This is not good.
If you ride your motorcycle in dusty, sandy areas, you should replace or wash the air filter frequently. Keep in mind that if the engine picks up even a tiny bit of dirt or grit, it will eventually fail or break down.
Use Coolant Instead Of Water
Use the recommended quantity of coolant and water in the radiator if your motorcycle is liquid-cooled.
The internal parts of your radiator will be kept lubricated by additives found in the coolant. By doing this, rust and corrosion are kept from accumulating inside radiator tubes.
In order to avoid overheating and water pump failure, the coolant should also be drained, flushed, and replaced at least every two years.
Inspect The Final Drive Periodically
Even when there are no problems with the bike, you should periodically check the motor chain, sprocket wear, and rear drive housing. Maintain the chains’ proper alignment and lubrication. Your high-mileage motorcycle will continue to run smoothly with just this.
Final Thoughts
A used motorcycle’s mileage is an important consideration. However, it is not the only element that can be used to estimate how old a motorcycle is or how long it will last. We advise not paying too much attention to the odometer since motorcycles are meant to be enjoyed.
