Alright, let’s talk about motorcycle mileage. It’s a question I wrestled with myself when I first started getting serious about riding, and honestly, my perspective has shifted quite a bit over the years based on what I’ve seen and done.
When I bought my first “real” bike, anything over maybe 15,000 or 20,000 miles seemed like a lot. You know, you browse classifieds, see these numbers, and think, “Oof, that one’s probably seen better days.” I was definitely cautious, looking for those super low-mileage garage queens.
My Early Rides and Observations
So, I got my bike, started putting miles on it myself. Weekend trips turned into longer tours. I joined some group rides, started hanging out at bike nights. And you start seeing things. You see these guys on older bikes, Goldwings or maybe some BMWs, and their odometers look like they’re about to roll over back to zero… for the second time!
I specifically remember talking to this one dude, probably in his late 60s, riding an older Harley dresser. I asked him how many miles were on it, kinda casually. He just chuckled and said something like, “More than your car, probably. Just passed 100k last year.” That kinda blew my mind back then. Here I was worried about 20k, and this guy’s bike was just getting broken in, according to him.
Maintenance Makes the Difference
That conversation, and others like it, started changing how I looked at mileage. I began paying more attention not just to the number, but to how the bikes were kept. You’d see two bikes, same year, similar miles. One looked beat to hell, rattled like a can of bolts. The other sounded smooth, looked clean (not necessarily show-clean, but maintained-clean), and just felt solid.
I learned pretty quick that regular maintenance is the absolute key. It’s not just about changing the oil, though that’s huge. It’s about:
- Checking valve clearances when needed.
- Keeping the chain lubed and adjusted (if it’s chain-driven).
- Flushing brake fluid and coolant.
- Replacing worn-out bits like bearings or suspension components before they totally fail.
- Just generally keeping an eye and ear on things.
A bike that’s been ridden consistently and cared for meticulously, even if it has 50,000 or 75,000 miles, can honestly be in better shape than a neglected bike with only 10,000 miles that sat rotting in a shed.
Different Bikes, Different Lives
And then you realize, it also depends a lot on the type of bike and how it was used.
- Big touring bikes: These things are built to munch miles on the highway. Seeing 100,000+ miles isn’t that uncommon if they’ve been looked after. Their engines are often lower-stressed.
- Sportbikes: Often ridden harder, higher revs, maybe more track days. High mileage might mean more potential wear on certain parts, but again, maintenance is king. 25k-40k might start feeling “high” to many buyers, but plenty go way beyond that with good care.
- Dual-sports/Adventure bikes: These can be a mixed bag. Some are used for gentle commuting, others are hammered off-road. High miles could mean lots of easy road time or a really hard life. You gotta look closer.
- Cruisers: Similar to tourers, often lower-stressed engines. High miles are common, especially on the bigger V-twins.
Also, how were the miles put on? 30,000 miles of gentle highway commuting is very different from 30,000 miles of stop-and-go city traffic or hard canyon carving every weekend.
So, What’s “A Lot” To Me Now?
Honestly? I don’t have a hard number anymore. When I look at a used bike now, the mileage is just one piece of the puzzle. I’m much more interested in:
- Service records: Can the owner show me it’s been maintained?
- Overall condition: Does it look cared for? Any obvious signs of neglect or abuse?
- How it runs and rides: Does it start easily? Idle smoothly? Shift well? Any weird noises?
- The owner: Talking to the seller often gives you a good vibe about how the bike was treated.
If a bike has 50,000 miles but comes with a stack of receipts, looks clean, runs perfectly, and the owner clearly knew their stuff, I wouldn’t hesitate nearly as much as I would for a 10,000-mile bike that looks iffy and has zero history.
So yeah, “a lot” is relative. Don’t let the number scare you off immediately. Dig deeper. A well-loved, well-maintained motorcycle has a very, very long life ahead of it, regardless of what the odometer says.