Apparently my bike is "worn out" and I'm riding on "borrowed time."

[sharkattack]

While my wife and I were running errands this weekend, I decided to stop by a relatively large local dealer for some oil drain plug washers.  After telling the guy what kind of bike they were for so he could look up the part number, he asked me for the year and make of the bike a second time.  I replied "It's a 2001, Yamaha R1."  He then said (paraphrasing) "Wow, we don't see many bikes that old around here."  

I told him it's only 6 years old and has approximately 25,xxx miles on it.  I also told him that I hardly consider a 6 year old bike with only 25,xxx miles on it worn out and ready to break down at the drop of a hat.  By this time another (dealer employee) guy had wondered up to the service counter.  The first guy told him "This guy has a 2001 R1 with over 25,000 miles on it!"  (Like it was some unheard of feat.)  Both of them started asking about engine rebuilds, problems, etc.  I told him there are loads of guys on several Yamaha forums with over 50-70K on various years R1s and FZ1s, with all of them still running just fine.  Both of them immediately called BS.

By now I had my parts and had paid for them and was getting ready to walk away.  However, I just couldn't stop thinking about this.  Why on earth would someone, especially someone who is (supposedly) into bikes think that 25,000 miles is the end of life for a modern sportbike?  I highly doubt they were trying to plant the seed of thought in my head that I needed a new bike so I better talk to their trusty salesmen on my way out.  These guys weren't that bright.

1. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I honestly feel that at 25,000 miles I'm just scratching the surface of this bike (2001 - R1).  What do you think?  I maintain it to a "T" and am as particular as anyone you'll find when it comes to taking care of it.  Ask anyone I know and they'll confirm this.

2. About how many miles do you honestly expect to get out of your bike?  

3. Do you consider 25,000 to be "a lot" for a modern wrong that's been maintained properly?  Why/why not?

4. What was the mileage of the last bike that you got rid of due to mechanical reasons?  (I'm not counting getting rid of it because you were tired of it.)

5. What's the most mileage you've seen personally, either on your bike or someone else's?

[UFO]

3. Do you consider 25,000 to be "a lot" for a modern wrong that's been maintained properly?  Why/why not?

For average street riding?  No.

I've seen lots of bikes with close to 100,000 miles.  Serveral VFRs over on vfrdiscussion.com have 100,000+ miles on them.

Another case of Clueless Dealer Employee Syndrome.

[FiremanBob]

I expect to get over 100K miles on my 85 Sabre, with regular care, as other SabMaggers have achieved.  A great many motorcycle salesmen aren't too bright - if they were a little smarter, they'd be selling cars.  Probably most of their friends who have Rs stack them up before hitting 20K.

Back in the 60s, when metallurgy and manufacturing tolerances were primitive, bikes were much more short-lived.  My 1964 CB77 recommends a rebuild around 15K.

There are knowledgeable, honest dealers out there, but their rarity makes them stand out all the more from the crowd.

[Uncle Bob]

squids think 10K miles is an unbelievable amount of miles.

Squids also believe, that any bike more than 2 years old, is an antique, because its no longer the latest, greatest thing, therefore its undesirable

Squids are also morons *shrug*

[Mastros2]

I have a 1999 Buell with 28k on it, air cooled and everything.  If I don't see 100k, I would be upset (unless I buy a newer Buell by then!).

[Mydlyfkryzis]

If you were a squid, boing wheelies all day and keeping the engine at redline, the bike probably would be worn out.

To my way of thinking, you just have the motor broken in, ready for a long run...

[Penforhire]

I'll bet that is higher than average mileage for R1's.  Not saying it is worn out but I imagine 90+% of R1's (or any other hypersport model) out there do less than 3K miles per year.

[Flyer]

Maybe Bill and Ted are trials riders, and think a 50km weekend is beyond bizzare.

The way I accumulate pocket change for my bike's replacement, I'd better get 100,000km. or I'll be a-walkin'  
Just how many bags of pennies is a new SuperDuke anyhoo??

[Explorer]

I just Sold my 92 FZR 1000, that had 136k on it and it is still running strong
I have had many bikes with around 80k+ on them. If you take care of your bike it will take care of you. I do all my own Maintenance on my rides, religiously . My current ride a 02 FZ1 has 56k on it right now and I expect to get about 150-200k out of it.

[Albie]

LOL, Grady Dunham has put over 100K Miles on 2 R1's

[emillard]

A few years ago I traded in an 02 CBR 954 with 28,000 miles on it.  The service tech said that he was surprised to see a sport-bike in such good condition after so many miles.  I asked why.  He said that most sport-bikes are totalled or road-rashed heavily before they ever see that kinda mileage.  He was impressed and wasn't being a smart-ass.  I guess I have to agree with him.  It's not an engine failure that limits the life of sport-bikes....it's guard rails, curbs, and SUV's that take their toll on them.

[M.Brane]

 Over 50K on my old Ninja, and it still sounds/runs the same as it did when I got it with 16K on it.

 I don't know how long it will last, but I just keep pouring Mobil 1 in it, and keeping my fingers crossed.

[Outlaw]

While my wife and I were running errands this weekend, I decided to stop by a relatively large local dealer for some oil drain plug washers.  After telling the guy what kind of bike they were for so he could look up the part number, he asked me for the year and make of the bike a second time.  I replied "It's a 2001, Yamaha R1."  He then said (paraphrasing) "Wow, we don't see many bikes that old around here."  

I told him it's only 6 years old and has approximately 25,xxx miles on it.  I also told him that I hardly consider a 6 year old bike with only 25,xxx miles on it worn out and ready to break down at the drop of a hat.  By this time another (dealer employee) guy had wondered up to the service counter.  The first guy told him "This guy has a 2001 R1 with over 25,000 miles on it!"  (Like it was some unheard of feat.)  Both of them started asking about engine rebuilds, problems, etc.  I told him there are loads of guys on several Yamaha forums with over 50-70K on various years R1s and FZ1s, with all of them still running just fine.  Both of them immediately called BS.

By now I had my parts and had paid for them and was getting ready to walk away.  However, I just couldn't stop thinking about this.  Why on earth would someone, especially someone who is (supposedly) into bikes think that 25,000 miles is the end of life for a modern sportbike?  I highly doubt they were trying to plant the seed of thought in my head that I needed a new bike so I better talk to their trusty salesmen on my way out.  These guys weren't that bright.

1. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I honestly feel that at 25,000 miles I'm just scratching the surface of this bike (2001 - R1).  What do you think?  I maintain it to a "T" and am as particular as anyone you'll find when it comes to taking care of it.  Ask anyone I know and they'll confirm this.

2. About how many miles do you honestly expect to get out of your bike?  

3. Do you consider 25,000 to be "a lot" for a modern wrong that's been maintained properly?  Why/why not?

4. What was the mileage of the last bike that you got rid of due to mechanical reasons?  (I'm not counting getting rid of it because you were tired of it.)

5. What's the most mileage you've seen personally, either on your bike or someone else's?

My answers are backwards...

My '02 FZ1 had 25,000+ miles on it when I sold it, Beautiful looking and running like new. A friend of mine has over 112,000 on a FJ1200, I know of a Goldwing with 69000, I know of another goldwing with over 120,000 on it.
I have never gotten rid of a bike because of mechanical reasons
I personally think a bike like your R1 with low miles would be more of a problem then your current bike and mileage. Only because it does a lot of sitting and fuel gets old and seals dry out etc etc.
If I keep it for a long time then a 100,000+ miles wouldn't be out of the norm.

My nephew has a 91 s-10 with 340,000 mile on it runs great looks ugly, my son's 93 jeep cherokee has 219,000 runs fantatstic looks good inside and out.

The problem with these two kids were that like most kids they can't see a year into their future let alone see back that far either. You have to remember that if they were say 19-20 yrs old that when your R1 came out they were 13-14 yrs old & watch Transformers.  Same kind of people that think a 46 yr old guy should be riding a HD instead of an sport bike  

[gunz]

25k on a liter bike isnt squat. I remember thinking i was waering out my 600 when I hit 46k. Sold it to a friend that rode it another 20k till he wrecked it. It depends on care. My connie only has 25k on it and its a 2002. Many bigger cc bikes, as well as some smaller ones go well over 100k miles. Dont sweat the retards at the stealership. Just keep riding it.

[DogBoy]

I say good for them. Those boys at the dealership are just the kind of short-sighted, newer-is-better message-driven consumers that will keep the economy humming well into my retirement years.

[Guy]

The dealership guys are in a business where they are not used to people who retain their bikes. These guys are trying to make you panic and buy a new bike. Yay, commission

[Specter]

They were just planting the seed of doubt, hoping to grow a new sale.

Then again, maybe the quality of their service dept. shortens bike lives.

56k on my antique 88 Connie

[hig4s]

Since when do any but a rare few at a dealerships know anything about motorcycles in gereral, and do anything but push new bikes at people so that they can make more money.

Although 25k on an R1 might be unusual, I doubt it is from being worn out, more like from being crashed or severally mis-treated.

Maybe 25k with only one oil change and never checked the valves would wear one out.

[dalan]

Pfft.  They're either total dolts, or devious salesmen.  Either way, ignore them.

I agree that 25k is alot if we're talking about a thrashed squid's bike.  But otherwise, it's nothing.  My '02 ZZR just turned 31,000 miles on our trip last week and I fully expect to see 100k out of it.

[lorenzo]

I have about 27k on my '01 GSXR-600 that I bought new.  It's seen over 30 track days, several week-long trips, lots of rain and lots of miles on the crappy roads here around the NYC metro area.  I am meticulous about maintenance but I obviously don't baby it.  It's still healthy and strong, and hasn't required anything outside normal maintenance.