BIKE LONGEVITY POLL #1: Most number of miles you put on a bike?

[SWriverstone]

I'm curious about bike longevity and how many miles people typically put on a bike before replacing it?
(And see the related poll just below.)

I've currently got about 37K miles on my 2007 V-Strom 650. Partly what inspired this thread is the realization that in all likelihood, I'll keep riding this bike 'til it won't go anymore...partly because I can't really afford a new bike now...but the main reason is, I'm perfectly happy with it, and it's still running flawlessly (and not burning any oil).

I've only owned 2 other bikes:
• 2006 KLR650: 14K miles, then sold it because I couldn't justify keeping two 650's. (I miss it terribly...and often think selling it was a mistake.)
• 2006 Honda VFR: 16K miles, then sold it because I test rode a V-Strom, and instantly realized the VFR's riding position was not for me. (Though I still miss it.)

[Kneescrubber]

I put over 90K on both my R80ST and K100. The Viffer currently has 74K. I obviously am not one of those that buys a new bike every 3-4 years.  

[SWriverstone]

I put over 90K on both my R80ST and K100. The Viffer currently has 74K. I obviously am not one of those that buys a new bike every 3-4 years.  

That's awesome.   So (related to my other poll)...have maintenance costs gone up at all (and/or has reliability and peace of mind on long trips gone down any)?

[auggius]

1995 Honda VFR750 with 158K km or just under 100K miles. Still going strong though the bodywork is a little rough in spots. I am always lusting after new bikes but really I am quite happy and content with the VFR. In general, I keep my vehicles for the long haul. In my adult life I've had two cars - 1980 VW Scirocco and 1997 VW Golf. The Golf has 325K km and the Scirocco had at least that when I sold it. While I like new vehicles, I hate the buying process, more specifically, dealing with the dealer.

[maddjack]

Had over 100k on a Generation 1 connie
Had 87k on my last Harley
60K on the Speed triple I currently own
And in the mid 20's on the Versys
Guess I keep them too long  

[miles]

My old K100RT had somewhere around 176,000 miles on it when I sold it. It was still in fine shape, but I just wasn't riding it any more.

[Cablebandit]

You're right at the mileage that my Wee started to burn a little oil.

[SWriverstone]

You're right at the mileage that my Wee started to burn a little oil.

Yeah, I remember you mentioning that. I'm watching carefully. Actually, it may burn just a tiny bit...as in, a couple months after an oil change it'll have dropped from just under the "HIGH" line in the sightglass...to just above the "LOW" line. (But does that count as "burning oil?")

I'm curious about the whole oil-burning issue too...as in, is burning a bit of oil normal after a certain number of miles on a bike? (That's probably a separate thread...and may have been done—I'll have to do a search.)

What about you guys who put 75-100K miles on a bike or more? Were you losing any oil between changes?

Scott

[miles]

No.

[Kneescrubber]

Also, No.

[viffergyrl]

I've put over 30K on the VFR and 35K on the BMW. But I'm still a youngster.  

I don't ride the BMW as often now, but M.Brane has added her to his commute rotation and really likes her - especially on colder mornings. I've considered selling her off and on but we are both rather attached to the 'fat girl'. She comes in very handy when I can't ride (mending broken bones in my throttle hand) and also when M.Brane's son visits. He likes the back rest. She's up on the lift now getting some much needed attention plus M.Brane is curious about all the stuff under the tupperware.  

[auggius]

What about you guys who put 75-100K miles on a bike or more? Were you losing any oil between changes?

I have a small oil leak in my 95 VFR. A couple spots will appear a few hours after a ride. Seems to be bottom end somewehere. I think it started 2 or 3 years ago but since my bike was parked outside all the time I never felt motivated enough to fix it. But now I should.

[stromgal]

I've got 100k on the Strom. Oil goes down a bit between changes, never enough to feel I need to add. Also put 82k on a Zook 850GS without probs.

[bungie4]

I've put 130,000 km on my 04 FJR in the last 3 years. It will no doubt break 100,000 miles this year.

By far the most I've ever put on any one bike. Uses no oil, upgraded the suspension to a full Ohlins setup, and just as strong as the day I got it.

I usually get bored with them around 25-30K mark and sell them for something else.

But the FJR is just to good to even think about parting with and I'm looking forward to the next 100K with it.

Sorry County.

[maddjack]

Yeah, I remember you mentioning that. I'm watching carefully. Actually, it may burn just a tiny bit...as in, a couple months after an oil change it'll have dropped from just under the "HIGH" line in the sightglass...to just above the "LOW" line. (But does that count as "burning oil?")

I'm curious about the whole oil-burning issue too...as in, is burning a bit of oil normal after a certain number of miles on a bike? (That's probably a separate thread...and may have been done—I'll have to do a search.)

What about you guys who put 75-100K miles on a bike or more? Were you losing any oil between changes? Scott

Not a drop , in fact the only one I ever had that burned oil was a1960 panhead that was used, it stopped after I redid it , inc rerouting to outside oil lines

[bomber]

My 07 Tiger will roll over 100K later this year . . . . no oil usage, with the exception of extended high-rpm ops, in which case I'd call it very minor usage.

Modern bikes are so good, high miles like this are not remarkable (or, at least, not as remarkable as they used to be).

[X1Glider]

R1100GS sold at 140k
R1100S sold at 160k
HD FXR sold at 110k

plenty of other high, but sub 100k, bikes

[SWriverstone]

Pretty impressive! Over half of our poll respondents have put 70K or more miles on a bike. And I was thinking people treated bikes like cars---buy a new one every 3 years or 30K miles, whichever comes first.   It's encouraging to see a lot of people racking up the high miles!

Scott

[miles]

Pretty impressive! Over half of our poll respondents have put 70K or more miles on a bike. And I was thinking people treated bikes like cars---buy a new one every 3 years or 30K miles, whichever comes first.   It's encouraging to see a lot of people racking up the high miles!

Scott

Our 3 1/2 year old car has 120,000 miles on it.

[Doug Just Doug]

Record was 78K miles on a '90 Yamaha Radian. Bought for a song in '94 with only 830 miles; sold 10 years later for $50 less than I paid for it.