Yahama R6 with 20k miles

[typer0612]

As per subject line, looking at doing my test and hopping on a R6 however with my budget of £5k i am looking at a older shape with higher miles. Are there any pitfalls to going for a 20k mile R6?

[Dog Star]

Is this some kind of alternate universe? Since when was 20K "high miles"?

[upsidedownmark]

Quite. Mine has 30k and going strong.

[robinh73]

I really wouldn't worry at all. 20k is nothing on one. These engines are designed to run for four or five times that mileage. A regular oil change and decent servicing is the key to it in my humble opinion, so don't let that sort of figure put you off. Far better to have a bike with that sort of mileage and impeccable service history, than a bike of a similar age with a tenth of the mileage but an owner that has no mechanical sympathy or understanding of how to preserve an engine.

[sjtscott]

OP if it has FSH i.e. serviced correctly with oil changes and consumables checked/replaced it will be fine, bikes don't just magically self terminate. I've had plenty of bikes with 20k ,30k and 40k+ miles - generally that I've put on myself and they've been fine as I get them serviced to schedule.

[xeny]

Dog Star said:

Is this some kind of alternate universe? Since when was 20K "high miles"?

Since a dealer sucked in his teeth while looking at the mileage before giving you a trade in quote.

[Mr OCD]

xeny said:

Since a dealer sucked in his teeth while looking at the mileage before giving you a trade in quote.

That.

As long as it is priced accordingly and has plenty of evidence of regular servicing then it will be fine.

But at 20k stuff like bearings / suspension / etc. will be tired and likely need some TLC if not already done. Not an issue but be aware the cost can add up quickly.

[WarnieV6GT]

xeny said:

Since a dealer sucked in his teeth while looking at the mileage before giving you a trade in quote.

This.

It seems to me like 25k on a bike is the equivalent of 100k on a car. Stupid? yes, but if after chucking another 10k on it that R6 will be worth sod all if trading it in.

[Ho Lee Kau]

Dog Star said:

Is this some kind of alternate universe? Since when was 20K "high miles"?

depends on where it was used (track?) and how it was serviced
not to mention that "hidden" consumables have 20k miles on them and may need replacement

[andyr30]

Where have you been looking?

Few examples:

2008 - 9550miles - £5k
2010 - 7314miles - £4995
2008 - 7500miles - £4800

plenty choice with the older models some with really low mileage and within budget.

I paid £3k a few years ago for 2004 model with 7000 miles on the clock and FSH

[dern]

Mr OCD said:

But at 20k stuff like bearings / suspension / etc. will be tired and likely need some TLC if not already done. Not an issue but be aware the cost can add up quickly.

At 20k? Possible but unlikely unless really not looked after.

[typer0612]

Apologies for delay in responding, the bike in question is this one

https://www.superbikefactory.co.uk/used-yamaha-r6-...

Servicing and ownership pattern seems key, personally i am not too worried about re-sale value.

[robinh73]

typer0612 said:

Apologies for delay in responding, the bike in question is this one

https://www.superbikefactory.co.uk/used-yamaha-r6-...

Servicing and ownership pattern seems key, personally i am not too worried about re-sale value.

Just a quick look on ebay and there are quite a few R6s with approx 10k miles on for around the £5,000 mark. I would say that this is slightly over priced. As sellers, these guys have a bit of an iffy reputation from what I have heard. There was a thread on here about them.

[Mr OCD]

dern said:

At 20k? Possible but unlikely unless really not looked after.

Yes, at 20k. The suspension will certainly need servicing at that mileage, as will the linkages. At around 20k on most bikes the valves will likely need / be due for checking as well ... and probably the spark plugs too ... all these jobs add up.

[Mr OCD]

typer0612 said:

Apologies for delay in responding, the bike in question is this one

https://www.superbikefactory.co.uk/used-yamaha-r6-...

Servicing and ownership pattern seems key, personally i am not too worried about re-sale value.

Don't buy from there for a start.

[typer0612]

I like the bike itself, do any of you have a link to it the thread mentioned?

[Shadow R1]

Mr OCD said:

typer0612 said:

Apologies for delay in responding, the bike in question is this one

https://www.superbikefactory.co.uk/used-yamaha-r6-...

Servicing and ownership pattern seems key, personally i am not too worried about re-sale value.

Don't buy from there for a start.

Agreed, that bike has money pit written all over it.

[Loyly]

Nothing wrong with a 20,000 mile R6 at all. The one you're looking at looks a bit suspect. Have no fears over buying a higher mileage bike, but get one with a good folder of history that indicates it hasn't been run on a shoestring for it's entire life and then dumped in at a dealer.

[TwoStrokeNut]

It had 32k on the clock in January for the first test on 15/1, then went down to 20k and retested that day. Both times passing.

Looks like it probably needs a fork seal too.

Date tested
15 January 2018
PASS
Mileage
20,301 miles
MOT test number
8308 9405 2896
Expiry date
14 January 2019
Advisory notice item(s)
Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

Date tested
15 January 2018
PASS
Mileage
32,483 miles
MOT test number
7721 4547 0229
Expiry date
14 January 2019
Advisory notice item(s)
Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

[Mr_Tickle]

Not the same bike but of a similar ilk, I ran a CBR600rr past 30k miles and it still ran as good as new. I did a daily 70-mile round-trip commute (plus a few track days) and I serviced it regularly. Only sold it because I left the UK, but I'm sure I would have continued to rack up the mileage on it.