When a newbie is looking to buy a second-hand bike, one of the first questions they usually ask is, “What's considered low/high mileage on a used motorcycle?” This is a tricky question, because the answer depends on what bike you’re talking about.
It’s a question most people are familiar with, from car shopping, but it’s not the same in the motorcycle world. Most autos are built with the assumption of day-to-day use on paved road surfaces. They are subject to the normal wear and tear of traffic and have overbuilt, liquid-cooled, multi-cylinder engines. Motorcycles are often built with wildly different purposes. One bike might be made for blasting through the desert at high speed, and another bike might be made for quiet commutes to work and back. A dual sport motorcycle could be well-used after only 5,000 kilometers and in desperate need of an overhaul. A sport-touring motorcycle could have a lot of life left after 50,000 miles.
Which Bike Will Wear Out First?
Assuming you’re talking about a motorcycle aimed at normal street usage, you could probably assume any bike with under 10,000 miles on the odometer is low mileage and has lots of life left. As for high mileage, once you get to 20,000 miles, most modern motorcycles should still be fine. In the past, though, this was where many of the Japanese beginner bikes started to show top end trouble.
While the 250cc-450cc UJMs from that era often started to get rattly at 20k, the 500cc-1100cc CB/GS/KZ/XS motorcycles typically had many miles of life left, because of their understressed engines. Does that mean small motorcycle engines won’t last as long as larger engines? Maybe, but modern engineering means current-production bikes in the same 250cc-450cc class might far outlast their predecessors from the 1970s and 1980s, soldiering on far past that 20k mark.
With that in mind, if you’re really wondering how much life is left in a bike, you should look past the odometer and ask a few other questions. Was the bike well-maintained? Forget a few oil changes, and a bike will wear out pretty quickly. Was it stored inside? Sun will fade motorcycle paint, even if the bike isn’t racking up miles. Was it ever rebuilt? A BMW GS adventure bike will do well over 100,000 miles if the owner periodically rebuilds the bits that wear out. Was it ridden hard? A Kawasaki ZX-7 that saw race duty will wear out long before a Honda Gold Wing that took its rider across-country at sedate speeds. Maybe most importantly, What was the bike’s intended purpose? A Yamaha FJR1300 is made to ride across the country without stressing the engine, and a Honda CRF450L is made to rip through sand dunes with regular maintenance. Which do you think will wear out first?
If you’re looking to buy a used bike, ask yourself those questions, and maybe jump on a Facebook group or forum. There are enthusiast’s groups for almost every motorcycle in existence, and if you’re wondering about a bike, the members will usually be more than happy to tell you what to look out for, what upgrades you need—and whether or not the 40,000 miles on that Kawasaki KLR650 is something you should worry about.
FAQs
Know the numbers, but look beyond them. Generally, high mileage on a motorcycle is anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 miles. For sport bikes, the high mileage number will be on the low end (usually around 25,000), while cruisers and touring bikes typically become high mileage in the 40,000- to the 50,000-mile range.
What is considered low mileage on a motorcycle? ›
Which Bike Will Wear Out First? Assuming you're talking about a motorcycle aimed at normal street usage, you could probably assume any bike with under 10,000 miles on the odometer is low mileage and has lots of life left. As for high mileage, once you get to 20,000 miles, most modern motorcycles should still be fine.
How many miles do motorcycles typically last? ›
The different categories of motorcycles can have different life expectancies. A used touring motorcycle, for example, will usually last for about 100,000 miles. A used sport bike, in contrast, will usually last for about 50,000 miles.
What mileage do motorcycles start having problems? ›
Average Lifespan of Different Types of Motorcycles
| Motorcycle Type | Estimated Miles Before Major Repairs |
|---|
| Sport Bike | 25,000 – 50,000 miles |
| Touring Bike | 75,000 – 150,000 miles |
| Dual-Sport/Adventure Bike | 50,000 – 100,000 miles |
| Scooter | 20,000 – 40,000 miles |
2 more rowsMay 2, 2023
However, just because a motorcycle has high mileage does not mean it's at the end of its life. Keep in mind, many riders put somewhere between 3,000 to 10,000 miles on their bike per year. If you keep up with maintenance and repairs, your bike should keep running strong well over 100,000 miles.
What is considered high mileage for a Harley Davidson? ›
In conclusion, high mileage for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle can range from 15,000 to 50,000 miles, depending on various factors. At Wilkins Harley-Davidson, we emphasize that while mileage is essential, it's just one piece of the puzzle when determining the value and condition of a used motorcycle.
What is considered old for a motorcycle? ›
Classic, Antique, and Vintage. These three words may sound synonymous with vintage, but in the world of motorcycles, they're far from the same thing. A common trait between the three categories is that all classic, vintage, and antique models are considered such if they're at least 25 years old.
How much mileage is too low? ›
In this case, 40,000 miles is considered average. In the United States, drivers travel around 13,476 miles per year on average. That said, if a car has 10,000 miles on its odometer after three years — that's considerably low. That's not to say that low-mileage cars are always the better choice in any scenario.
How many miles do motorcycle tires last? ›
On average, motorcycle tires can last anywhere from 3,000 to 15,000 miles.
How often should I change my motorcycle oil? ›
While it's important to look at and monitor the scope of your motorcycle stats, we generally recommend changing out your oil every 5,000 miles or once a year. We can assure you that routine maintenance, check-ups, and oil changes will provide your motorcycle with a healthier, longer life.
Depending on the amount of wear and tear, riding habits, and the amount of regular care and maintenance, a motorcycle can last from 4 years to 40 years.
How many miles is too much on a used motorcycle? ›
High mileage for a motorcycle is between 20,000 to 50,000 miles. Smaller motorcycles like sports bikes are considered to be high mileage at between 20,000 to 30,000 miles. Larger models like cruisers and touring bikes are deemed high mileage at around 50,000 miles.
What is a good bike mileage? ›
List of Best Mileage Bikes
| Bike | Mileage | Ex-showroom price |
|---|
| Hero HF Deluxe | 70 kilometres per litre | Rs.59,999 onwards |
| Hero Splendor Plus XTEC | 83.2 kilometres per litre | Rs.79,911 onwards |
| Honda Unicorn | 60 kilometres per litre | Rs.1,10,000 onwards |
| Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid | 71.33 kilometres per litre | Rs.85,030 onwards |
16 more rowsSome sources say "average" motorcycle use is between 2,000 and 3,000 miles a year, with mileage on touring bikes in the 5,000 to 6,000 mile range. Here's why there's so much more to buying a used motorcycle than just mileage: A new rider purchased a new Sportster® and rode it hard the first year.
Is 50,000 miles a lot for a Harley? ›
For larger motorcycles, a high-mileage point comes after 40,000 miles. For powerful and expensive touring motorcycles, a high-mileage point may be over 50,000 miles.
What is good mileage for a bike? ›
List of Best Mileage Bikes in India 2024
| Sl. No. | Name of the bike | Mileage (ARAI) |
|---|
| 2. | Hero Splendor Plus | 80.6 km/l |
| 3. | TVS Sport | 73 km/l |
| 4. | Bajaj Platina 100 | 72 km/l |
| 5. | Bajaj Platina 110 | 70 km/l |
22 more rowsMay 20, 2024
Most motorcycles can go between 120 to 200 miles on a full tank of gas. Sports bikes can typically go between 120 and 250 miles, while some touring motorcycles can go between 200 and 350 miles on a full gas tank.
