Used motorcycles and mileage

[AMCRambler]

So more and more I've been thinking about getting a motorcycle. Gas prices going up in NY only makes them more appealing. I'm not a speed junky or anything when it comes to something like a motorcycle. Having the ground whipping by at 150 with nothing between me and it is not what I'm going for. I'd rather get a cruiser like a Honda Shadow or a Harley. I've been liking the looks of the Sportser and I've found a 2000 883 for sale for 5k. My question is what constitutes high mileage for a motorcycle? The one I'm looking at has 24,500 on it. I know for a car that's practically brand new, but I remember hearing for bikes it's different. 24.5k is probably on the high end I'm thinking. Anybody with experience in this? Basically my concerns are mechanical failure and maintenance. I don't want it leaking oil, or leaving me stranded. Thanks.

 

[ViviTheMage]

It is like a car...if the person maintained it well, the miles should not matter that much, you can tell by how someone talks about there bike/car.

 

[rstrohkirch]

The miles aren't really that high, with proper maintenance you can go 50k+ easily on most bikes. Now for the price I'd say it's running about $800-1000 more than it should for the amount of miles it has on it.

 

[ValValline]

Almost any bike engines can easily last 100K+ if well maintained. It's rare to see bikes with more than 50K, because they are hardly ever ridden that much, or are wrecked long before they can rack up that many miles.

 

[desy]

yeah my 1982 650 Seca has 15K miles on it.
Runs like a top at over 25 yrs old though

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: rstrohkirch
The miles aren't really that high, with proper maintenance you can go 50k+ easily on most bikes. Now for the price I'd say it's running about $800-1000 more than it should for the amount of miles it has on it.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Looks like it's got a few upgrades on it, so that might account for the higher price. The person's listing that it's got straight pipes(illegal in NY I think!), forward controls(whatever that means) and bags meaning saddle bags I guess. The straight pipes I could do without but saddle bags are nice if you wanna take a trip or anything on the bike. Does that even out with the price they're asking? I'd probably still offer lower and see if they come down on it.

 

[crackerjacks]

I wouldn't recommend the sportster. You would be paying for the "premium" of the Harley name and if you just want reliable and more energy efficent way of getting around there are better bikes. I bought my 1999 Honda Shadow 1100 about 3 years ago for $5,000 and it only had 3,000 miles. I like the Shadow, very comfortable for long trips. One thing to keep in mind is cruisers are really heavy.

You may want to look into some of the standard bikes as well. Suzuki SV650, Yamaha FZ-6/Fazer or an old honda nighthawk are good candidates. They are lighter and the seating position is more natural so it's easier to maneuver. You'll getter better gas mileage too.

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: crackerjacks
I wouldn't recommend the sportster. You would be paying for the "premium" of the Harley name and if you just want reliable and more energy efficent way of getting around there are better bikes. I bought my 1999 Honda Shadow 1100 about 3 years ago for $5,000 and it only had 3,000 miles. I like the Shadow, very comfortable for long trips. One thing to keep in mind is cruisers are really heavy.

You may want to look into some of the standard bikes as well. Suzuki SV650, Yamaha FZ-6/Fazer or an old honda nighthawk are good candidates. They are lighter and the seating position is more natural so it's easier to maneuver. You'll getter better gas mileage too.

I'm not really into the looks of the standard bikes. They seem too upright and tall. I like the looks of the low slung cruisers. I get what you are saying about long rides on them though. I'm betting they're pretty rough if you're on them longer than an hour without stopping. I don't foresee going for long rides on it very often. Maybe 3 or 4 times a year. I might take it to work fairly often though in the summer and that's about a 30 minute ride.
As far as the standard bikes go, I like the look of the old Triumphs but of course they're pretty expensive and reliability is always an issue with a classic.

The other thing I have to do is get my license. How did you guys go about getting your motorcycle license? I think some of the recreational vehicle dealers around here offer courses to teach you to ride. I don't know if they have a bike for you or if you need your own though. And if they have a bike you can use, do they let you borrow it for your road test.

 

[ValValline]

I wouldn't call a Honda shadow a "standard" bike.

http://www.hondabikes.net/pict...nda-shadow-ace-750.jpg

 

[rstrohkirch]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
The other thing I have to do is get my license. How did you guys go about getting your motorcycle license? I think some of the recreational vehicle dealers around here offer courses to teach you to ride. I don't know if they have a bike for you or if you need your own though. And if they have a bike you can use, do they let you borrow it for your road test.

You'll want to take the Basic Rider Course sponsored by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. At this late in the year you'll more then likely have to take it at a driving school for around $150-300. At the end of the course, you'll recieve a credit for a road test and would simply have to complete the written portion at your SoS office.

 

[WisMan]

Originally posted by: rstrohkirch

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
The other thing I have to do is get my license. How did you guys go about getting your motorcycle license? I think some of the recreational vehicle dealers around here offer courses to teach you to ride. I don't know if they have a bike for you or if you need your own though. And if they have a bike you can use, do they let you borrow it for your road test.

You'll want to take the Basic Rider Course sponsored by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. At this late in the year you'll more then likely have to take it at a driving school for around $150-300. At the end of the course, you'll recieve a credit for a road test and would simply have to complete the written portion at your SoS office.

In Wisconsin you don't even need to pass the written test at the DMV for your license anymore if you pass the MSF Basic Riders Course.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: rstrohkirch
The miles aren't really that high, with proper maintenance you can go 50k+ easily on most bikes. Now for the price I'd say it's running about $800-1000 more than it should for the amount of miles it has on it.

Not for a Harley. Those things hold value like you wouldn't believe. Miles are fine, price, if anything, is a little low.

ZV

 

[SpeedEng66]

The other thing I have to do is get my license. How did you guys go about getting your motorcycle license? I think some of the recreational vehicle dealers around here offer courses to teach you to ride. I don't know if they have a bike for you or if you need your own though. And if they have a bike you can use, do they let you borrow it for your road test.

I went to the ny-dmv to get my learners

you can then take the test @ dmv or take a msf course
http://www.manys.org/mancourse.htm

 

[marincounty]

Good price but that sounds like high mileage for a harley. Depends on the rider, old man or younger rider? If I rode that thing for 25K miles it would be ready for the junkyard.

 

[crackerjacks]

It's just an 883 sportster, and 7 years old to boot... You can get one brand new for under $7000 and not inherit someone else's headache. It may be a good price for a harley, but it's still overpriced for a motorcycle and should be left to people in their 50's having a midlife crisis but can't afford a corvette. I'm just saying you can get much more bike for the money if you don't need the Harley brand.

Also check out the older Honda Magna, they don't make them any more but you can get a used one pretty cheap and they move.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: AMCRamblerBasically my concerns are mechanical failure and maintenance. I don't want it leaking oil, or leaving me stranded. Thanks.

Traditionally, that would eliminate a Harley, although I'm not familiar with the reliability of their newer engine.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Basically my concerns are mechanical failure and maintenance. I don't want it leaking oil, or leaving me stranded. Thanks.

Then you probably shouldn't be looking at a Harley:laugh:

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
I'm not really into the looks of the standard bikes. They seem too upright and tall. I like the looks of the low slung cruisers. I get what you are saying about long rides on them though. I'm betting they're pretty rough if you're on them longer than an hour without stopping. I don't foresee going for long rides on it very often. Maybe 3 or 4 times a year. I might take it to work fairly often though in the summer and that's about a 30 minute ride.
As far as the standard bikes go, I like the look of the old Triumphs but of course they're pretty expensive and reliability is always an issue with a classic.

Wait, are you getting a bike for fuel mileage/commuting, or for looks? I commute on a standard, and I *like* the "tall" feeling, because it makes me more visible and lets me see over traffic/obstacles to a much greater extent. Also more comfortable.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Basically my concerns are mechanical failure and maintenance. I don't want it leaking oil, or leaving me stranded. Thanks.

Then you probably shouldn't be looking at a Harley:laugh:

😀 😀 :laugh:

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Basically my concerns are mechanical failure and maintenance. I don't want it leaking oil, or leaving me stranded. Thanks.

Then you probably shouldn't be looking at a Harley:laugh:

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
I'm not really into the looks of the standard bikes. They seem too upright and tall. I like the looks of the low slung cruisers. I get what you are saying about long rides on them though. I'm betting they're pretty rough if you're on them longer than an hour without stopping. I don't foresee going for long rides on it very often. Maybe 3 or 4 times a year. I might take it to work fairly often though in the summer and that's about a 30 minute ride.
As far as the standard bikes go, I like the look of the old Triumphs but of course they're pretty expensive and reliability is always an issue with a classic.

Wait, are you getting a bike for fuel mileage/commuting, or for looks? I commute on a standard, and I *like* the "tall" feeling, because it makes me more visible and lets me see over traffic/obstacles to a much greater extent. Also more comfortable.

I think the standard bikes are MUCH more comfortable then either a low slung bike, or a sport bike. If this is your first bike, I would keep it under 500cc's and $1500 or so. You WILL eventually go over your bars/lay it down/drop it. The older, smaller cruisers are MUCH more forgiving then either a low slung hog, or a sport bike. learning to ride on one of those would suck (imho) and I don't even know if you could pass some of the low speed cone tests on one of those (they don't turn that well, and you can't put your feet down).

 

[drpootums]

My dad owns a 2004 Sportster Custom 1200. If you're looking for comfort, a sportster will be just fine for longer trips (may want to invest in a nice seat). My dad has a custom seat on his and my mom and him take day long rides without problems (they think it's as good as their old Goldwing). I don't know what it's like to learn how to ride on a Harley though.

However, if you'd like a Harley you'd be better off buying a new Sportster 883XL for under $7000 (options add up fast, but whatever you invest in your bike you will get back because Harley bikes and accessories hold their value very well). I know that there are better bikes than Harleys, but you get the name, the sound, the street cred, and the new sportsters are actually really nice (rubber engine mounts, fuel injection, better quality, more fun).

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: drpootums
My dad owns a 2004 Sportster Custom 1200. If you're looking for comfort, a sportster will be just fine for longer trips (may want to invest in a nice seat). My dad has a custom seat on his and my mom and him take day long rides without problems (they think it's as good as their old Goldwing). I don't know what it's like to learn how to ride on a Harley though.

However, if you'd like a Harley you'd be better off buying a new Sportster 883XL for under $7000 (options add up fast, but whatever you invest in your bike you will get back because Harley bikes and accessories hold their value very well). I know that there are better bikes than Harleys, but you get the name, the sound, the street cred, and the new sportsters are actually really nice (rubber engine mounts, fuel injection, better quality, more fun).

but the new ones still come with the patented, time tested, Harley Davidson oil leak.

 

[Lozzo]

Mileage and bikes. How long is a piece of string? 🙂

I've seen well thrashed bikes give out at 20k, I've seen well maintained ones go well over 100k. Saying that, some engines are more fragile than others. Anyone from the older set will remember the ol' Honda camchain woes, or the seemingly made out of chocolate head/cam on the 750s, for example.

One of my bikes, a '76 Honda 550/Four has clocked up over 75k miles and it still runs as sweet as a nut. Another one, a CX500, has only just started to rattle its camchain at me at 50k.

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: AMCRamblerBasically my concerns are mechanical failure and maintenance. I don't want it leaking oil, or leaving me stranded. Thanks.

Traditionally, that would eliminate a Harley, although I'm not familiar with the reliability of their newer engine.

actually the evolution engines(the one in the late 80's sporties and up) are quite reliable...i bought mine with 10k on the clock, and just turned over 24K a few weeks ago...i take it on 4-600 miles trips on the regular, and don't sweat it a bit

take care of it, and it'll take care of you

besides, it's such a simple engine, learn a bit about it and carry a few spare parts, and if something does break, chances are you'll be able to fix it