Is there a general rule of thumb

[timboellis]

When looking at bikes do you go for a slightly higher mileage that is mint or one that has a lower mileage but a bit tattie?

Or does it not count at all?

[Pete.]

I gather you are talking about looking for 'bargains' since you're asking about features that will get you a bike below the going rate?

I take each one on it's own merits, including impression of the owner. If the bike has a dry chain and hooked sprockets but they regale you with how wicked-fast it is and can beat his mate's fireblade, look closer for hidden surprises.

You CAN find decent, low mileage, cared-for bikes but you have to do the legwork and be prepared to be patient. Now is a good time for it before it starts warming up and whilst middle-aged guys are getting nagged by their missus to get rid of the bike this year.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[CarlosCBR]

Generally i look for the best condition within the price range i have set myself. If i find eg. 20,000 miler but in mint condition with service history etc i tend to go for that over a lower miler with higher price.
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[The Tot]

I look for a CAT C/D repair with a service history! I had a lucky find with my bike since it had all MOT certs dating back to 2005, service book and receipts.

Write offs go for up to £750 less than going rate! So it's why I got a 929 Fireblade for £2400 delivered to your doorstep 2 years ago with only 12.8k miles on the clock. Bar the write off claim (registered in late 05), it was perfect.

The only issue is when it comes to sell since you've got to declare that (if the buyer isn't already clued up and done a HPI). But i'm pretty much running mine to the ground. Once I see 60k on the clocks it'll be time to sell and somebody will probably have a well serviced but tired blade for not a lot of money.

I'd be tempted to know what the service history is like and if tell tale commonly failing components have been replaced OR if they've had any recalls, it's been done on it.. or when they had the valves last checked.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[craigs23]

I tend to go for lower mileage bikes in good condition.

Failing that, I look elsewhere until I find what I'm looking for.

[TimNorwich]

Lower mileage too for me!
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Speedshite 50cc > Honda XR125L > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 02 Honda Hornet > 05 Honda CG125 winter hack > 04 Kawasaki ER-5 > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > 05 Honda CBR600F > 01 Honda Hornet

[Rogerborg]

[t101]

[0ddball]

[hmmmnz]

i don't care about milage or age at all,
i'll happily buy a 20 year old bike if its in good condition and obviously been looked after,(the youngest bike ive ever owned was 13years old)
i try to stay under 60000miles, but that wouldnt stop me if the price was right,
i don't care about recorded services, i'd rather do all that myself
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the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[DrDonnyBrago]

Define high mileage?

High mileage by today's standards seems to be anything over 20k. I'd happily buy a bike with a few miles on it that has been cared for compared to a low mileage abused wreck (made that mistake before). Modern bikes have the ability to last well over 100k, it's just that by the time they reach this they are deemed worthless and get abused as winter hacks, miss services to save money and have the cheapest parts available stuck on them when something fails.

If you bought a high mileage bike that is used as day to day transport (and not throttled to within an inch of it's life from cold everytime it is ridden) rather than a summer toy then the mileages don't really relate. There is a 250k CBR600 on CBR forum, the engine was in brilliant condition when the owner stripped it down following a crash that damaged the crankcase. The donor 15k engine he bought to replace it was almost knackered to the point that he used the new crankcases with his old internals.

[Pete.]

Got my eye on a couple of catC bikes at the minute. An '04 bandit 6 with bent forks and a 52 gixxer thou with off-side cosmetic damage. I reckon I'd pay about £450 for the bandit and up to a grand for the gixxer as it's not been so well cared-for. Just waiting to get the cash togheter before I make my offers.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[DrDonnyBrago]

[The Tot]

Well id like to say that im an honest seller. The previoud seller had done the same when i asked him about how it got classed as a cat c. I generally don like selling unroadwothy bikes by which i mean it wont sail through its next mot so i prefer to be truthful. If buyer aint happy with the fact its cat c then they can go suck out and spend £££ on an equivalent condition bike, or a shagged bike at the same price. Nothing wrong with write offs if they've been repaired properly. Just look out for well mannered, honest sellers.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[Pete.]

[cb1rocket]