Lifespan of a bike?
Discussion
I'm currently considering getting into bikes for the first time, am about to start direct access training, will be putting my car up for sale and as such am now in the process of sifting through classifieds looking at potential purchases. But, I'm not sure how many mile are reasonable to expect from a bike. I assume, much like cars, that it's going to vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, model to model and there will always be lemons out there, but genrally most people would say that reaching 100k is no problem, 150k expect to be replacing bits and 200k is a good innings.
Problem is, I'm looking at bikes and have no idea what I'm looking at. They all generally look immaculate, sound great and so on, but they could be a run around the block from death's door door for all I know. The mostly seem to have very low miles, but is this becuase they just rarely get used or because at ~20k they're getting on and owners are getting rid before they become uneconimical to keep running?
Nothing's set, but I kind of have my heart set on a 600/620 Monster. If not that, then something similar in size and style.
Problem is, I'm looking at bikes and have no idea what I'm looking at. They all generally look immaculate, sound great and so on, but they could be a run around the block from death's door door for all I know. The mostly seem to have very low miles, but is this becuase they just rarely get used or because at ~20k they're getting on and owners are getting rid before they become uneconimical to keep running?
Nothing's set, but I kind of have my heart set on a 600/620 Monster. If not that, then something similar in size and style.
Good Q ... but no simple answer!
A bike can suffer very quickly and be tired n worn out from abusive riding and poor maintenance, or they can fo gor years if well looked after.
It's said that suspension can go off at 20 - 30,000 miles but even if they're a bit saggy, they can still be fine for road use at silly speeds. Yuo notice it more at real high speeds on tracks etc.
Every bike has different problems, research them online or in selective back issues of bike mags, and take along someone who knows bikes when you go to view any.
My bike has 35,000m on it, made in 1999 and the only complaint i have is that the brake calipers need sprucing up, but Tokicos always do.
Ducattis need looking after, so Service History is important on them.
A bike can suffer very quickly and be tired n worn out from abusive riding and poor maintenance, or they can fo gor years if well looked after.
It's said that suspension can go off at 20 - 30,000 miles but even if they're a bit saggy, they can still be fine for road use at silly speeds. Yuo notice it more at real high speeds on tracks etc.
Every bike has different problems, research them online or in selective back issues of bike mags, and take along someone who knows bikes when you go to view any.
My bike has 35,000m on it, made in 1999 and the only complaint i have is that the brake calipers need sprucing up, but Tokicos always do.
Ducattis need looking after, so Service History is important on them.
I did the same as you but don't do the milage to worry about it much, passed my DAS last Oct bought my 600 Fazer in the Nov and have been enjoying riding all year. only 4K in total thought,
just make sure you look after your bike and as said already just gt the bets details about the bike as some cost alot more to keep running than others.
My Fazer was a 03 reg with just under 4 K on and now coming uo for 8. not had to fill the oil once, and checked it weekly, and with all the other minor checks you do.
its easy once you have got the bike.
have fun on your training
just make sure you look after your bike and as said already just gt the bets details about the bike as some cost alot more to keep running than others.
My Fazer was a 03 reg with just under 4 K on and now coming uo for 8. not had to fill the oil once, and checked it weekly, and with all the other minor checks you do.
its easy once you have got the bike.
have fun on your training
Chilli said:
Mine? Typically about a year. Depends on how many times it hits the floor I guess!
Mutter mutter, nasty fun spoiling type. Could have got at least a page out of hedge jokes then 
OP, bear in mind that your needs will grow as you ride more, so regardless of what you buy, you'll want something else later on, probably before yours falls to bits. Start with a cheap hack you dont mind dropping, then move up. Or follow Nicks example, and buy new every six months, stuffing it through as much Essex countryside as practicable...
No easy answer to this... It depends on how a bike is used, how its serviced etc. My GS has been round the clock at least once and some, I'd reckon its turned about 200,000 miles but its as good as new now as its had work done to it. You can find some bikes that look and feel like wrecks at 4-5000 miles.
One of the problems in this country is that people by and large use bike as toys, unlike in europe where they are viewed as viable transport. Therefore, there are lots of low milegae bikes and people get obsessed by mileage. In term of bikes today, as long as they are properly looked after and serviced, I can't see any reason why they should top 100,000 miles with ease. If you buy on condition and not on mileage you can find yourself utter bargains!
One of the problems in this country is that people by and large use bike as toys, unlike in europe where they are viewed as viable transport. Therefore, there are lots of low milegae bikes and people get obsessed by mileage. In term of bikes today, as long as they are properly looked after and serviced, I can't see any reason why they should top 100,000 miles with ease. If you buy on condition and not on mileage you can find yourself utter bargains!
The big stuff (engines and gearboxes) will last a good while with normal servicing not sure about 100k plus though (they do tend to rev at least 2x your average car).
Other stuff like chain, sprockets, headstock bearings, and to some extent suspension should be considered as consumables. You would probably have to replace all of those at least once every 25k. With labour that can start to look expensive next to the cost of a newer bike.
Tyres will need doing every 10k max (more for the rear).
Other stuff like chain, sprockets, headstock bearings, and to some extent suspension should be considered as consumables. You would probably have to replace all of those at least once every 25k. With labour that can start to look expensive next to the cost of a newer bike.
Tyres will need doing every 10k max (more for the rear).
I commute on a 2005 Yamaha R1 and it's now done 35,000 miles with no problems at all. It is serviced by the dealer on 12,000 mile interval services and I do the 6,000 mile services my self as they are only lubricant services, which is easy to do.
As long as you look after the bike it will last as long as you want it to.
As long as you look after the bike it will last as long as you want it to.
34k on my '94 RF600, it uses a touch of oil (0.5ltr in 5k) but runs fine & seems to have plently of life left. it wont be getting changed till it dies, so ask again in a few years 
mine you it was only on 18k when i got in january so i'm racking them up quicker than a lot of people.
so far the only problems have been chain & sprockets worn, seized calipers & dirt in the carbs.
mine you it was only on 18k when i got in january so i'm racking them up quicker than a lot of people.so far the only problems have been chain & sprockets worn, seized calipers & dirt in the carbs.
Taking into account average usage statistics and therefore the amount of miles bikes are designed to do, I would assume that you'd get an equivalent of 1.5 to 2 times more miles out of a car than a bike.
Of course, like a car, the more care you take, the longer it will last. There are many fewer things to go wrong on a bike too, and keeping it on the road will be much cheaper.
Of course, like a car, the more care you take, the longer it will last. There are many fewer things to go wrong on a bike too, and keeping it on the road will be much cheaper.
If its of any help cheap bikes from new are cheap for a reason, I bought a Suzuki SV650S 4.5 years ago, its was only £4000 new. I've done 4 winters, 76,000 miles and serviced it regularly and crashed it a few times. Its now totally knackered, drinks oil badly, is down on power and corroded badly. But, to me its been great, its only ever broken down once and never needed anything more than the usual service, tyres and chain/sprockets.
It started corroding from day one though, but what do you want for this price?
I'm now looking at higher end bikes (when I have the money) such as BMW's/Triumphs that should cope better with my high mileage and should have better residuals.
For your first bike I wouldn't get anything too flashy, you are quite likely to drop/crash it so start cheap and work up from there.
Most of all, enjoy and be safe!
Mags
It started corroding from day one though, but what do you want for this price?
I'm now looking at higher end bikes (when I have the money) such as BMW's/Triumphs that should cope better with my high mileage and should have better residuals.
For your first bike I wouldn't get anything too flashy, you are quite likely to drop/crash it so start cheap and work up from there.
Most of all, enjoy and be safe!
Mags
Hey up Tony, I had no idea you were THIS mad 
Back when I were a lad, if you saw 30K on a typical 550cc Jap 4-stroke you'd be starting to wonder when it would go bang. They rarely did.
Nowadays they're even better... one reason for low miles of course is a lot of sports bikes rarly see rain let alone frost and snow.
Last bike I had was a '98 ST1100 which had 102,000 miles on when I sold it - you honestly couldn't tell it was a high-miles bike when you rode it. The engine felt like it'd do another 100K quite easily (and they do) - the ST isn't the kind of bike that gets thrashed round like most sports bikes do. I suspect a lot more sportsters would hit high mileage if they weren't so prone to hitting other traffic or the scenery, quite so often
Incidentally, I suspect you'll be needing a bike to match your stature, which would tend to preclude anything that might be at home on a track, and include things that might grunt across continents without even trying... I could see you on a Harley, funnily enough
Back when I were a lad, if you saw 30K on a typical 550cc Jap 4-stroke you'd be starting to wonder when it would go bang. They rarely did.
Nowadays they're even better... one reason for low miles of course is a lot of sports bikes rarly see rain let alone frost and snow.
Last bike I had was a '98 ST1100 which had 102,000 miles on when I sold it - you honestly couldn't tell it was a high-miles bike when you rode it. The engine felt like it'd do another 100K quite easily (and they do) - the ST isn't the kind of bike that gets thrashed round like most sports bikes do. I suspect a lot more sportsters would hit high mileage if they weren't so prone to hitting other traffic or the scenery, quite so often
Incidentally, I suspect you'll be needing a bike to match your stature, which would tend to preclude anything that might be at home on a track, and include things that might grunt across continents without even trying... I could see you on a Harley, funnily enough
Seems I've been bitten by the bug. Did my CBT last weekend to get a feel for it and decide whether it's for me or not. The Corvette went on the classifieds that night. I thought my size would be an issue from the off...confirmed by a day of riding about on a CG125. It was like a bleeding minimoto! It also caused a problem with helmets, they had one that I could get on, but taking it off was another matter altogether. It now looks like I've been punched in the cheek bones where it's removed a few layers of skin and left a couple of large, deep purple bruises.
I think it'll help though once I get on a proper sized bike, drop the power to weight ratio a fair bit, make it a bit more user friendly and a bit easier to physically haul the thing about. Just means once I'm confident enough to want high performace, I'll just have to get something really crazy.
I would dearly love a Harley to cruise about on, but the insurance seems to be stupidly high and I couldn't afford to buy one in the first place. But then again, the more time goes on and the more I get into bikes, the more I'm moving away from that side of things and toward the sports side of things. At the moment I'm looking at semi-sporty naked bikes...who knows where I'll end up.
It's reassuring to know though, that my fears about the safe number of miles to have on a bike are pretty much unfounded. Now just to shift the car (may Ebay it tonight), buy some decently fitting gear, do my DAS, my theory test, the practical test, find and buy a bike and then enjoy.
my GPz550 is at 41,770 miles, totaly reliable, engine is fit and healthy, a little oil use, perhaps half liter in 1000 miles, but no visible smoke and no leaks, its just a little loose (and a flier for an oldie at that!)not rattly, you just get more mechanical noise with these old aircooled 4's than modern water cooled engines..
uni-trak (rear suspention linkage) bushings have gone out once, just changed front wheel bearings last week for MOT, other than that its really only had oil changes.. it is getting ready for a clutch
its all about tratment, before mt the GPz was owned by my father who used it for sunday rides for about 8 years, racking up about 8000 miles in that time, never thrashed, always warmed up before riding, always used good quality oil, and never abused. as a result, its still got lots of life left in it..
as a contrast, i've seen 3 year old bikes with less than 10,000 miles on them that are totaly trashed..
uni-trak (rear suspention linkage) bushings have gone out once, just changed front wheel bearings last week for MOT, other than that its really only had oil changes.. it is getting ready for a clutch
its all about tratment, before mt the GPz was owned by my father who used it for sunday rides for about 8 years, racking up about 8000 miles in that time, never thrashed, always warmed up before riding, always used good quality oil, and never abused. as a result, its still got lots of life left in it..
as a contrast, i've seen 3 year old bikes with less than 10,000 miles on them that are totaly trashed..
Edited by philoldsmobile on Thursday 27th September 23:22
Just had the 24k service done on my 55 plate FuglyStrada and may keep it quite a few more years before it falls apart!!! Modeern Duke's reliability are better than most people give them credit for.
When you've got a bit of experience and you want to really rack up some miles then you might want to go for a beemer but that may be a few years off yet, or maybe only a few months, depends on how the fancy takes you!
If you want a good bike to learn the art of biking on then you wont go wrong with a 620 Monster, have a look at http://www.ukmonster.co.uk and talk to the people on the forum, some good people and bikes for sale with plenty of advice so don't be nervous of asking.
Seee you there
When you've got a bit of experience and you want to really rack up some miles then you might want to go for a beemer but that may be a few years off yet, or maybe only a few months, depends on how the fancy takes you!
If you want a good bike to learn the art of biking on then you wont go wrong with a 620 Monster, have a look at http://www.ukmonster.co.uk and talk to the people on the forum, some good people and bikes for sale with plenty of advice so don't be nervous of asking.
Seee you there
Wedg1e said:
philoldsmobile said:
my GPz550 is at 41,770 miles...
By 'eck, I recall when my bro had one of those in about '89 Positively futuristic it was, all LCD fuel gauge and monoshock He went on to a GPz6 and also an imported GPz400R... but some thieving kunts had that away
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