High mileage bikes

[Diggs]

Just browsing Ebay when I came across this bike:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-bandit-1200-/234480033590?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5336936943&toolid=10001&customid=17658X808610Xbd0f8e8707fab872ef5b279a09ef3a3b

Daft question really and I am probably answering it as I type, but would anybody else consider splashing out on a bike with 56k on the clock to use as a comfortable, cheap tourer, or am I deluding myself as one doesn't get anything for nothing in this world? I know some of you will have tales of bikes with 100s of 000s miles on the clock and nothing gone wrong, but in the real world is this the exception rather than the rule? Just curious...
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Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

[xX-Alex-Xx]

If it's not got a stupid amount of owners and you can see it's been looked after it shouldn't be an issue.

Plenty of bikes with only 10k on the clock falling apart cos they've been abused ...
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DILLIGAF

[blurredman]

5K miles in 15 years..

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/




Looks like it's been well looked after. But who can say.. a bike can go wrong at 20k, or 100k. Vehicles, esp bikes, need stuff doing to them constantly....
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 51k.

[Diggs]

[ThatDippyTwat]

I bought my 96 with over 100K.
My 91 has 40K+

Depends entirely on the bike/engine and how you think it's been treated, vs the money they want.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[sickpup]

That's a low mileage bike for the year.

I'd be more bothered by the physical age of it than the mileage.

[WD Forte]

A bike with that big an engine should be capable of big miles but as said it all comes down to how it was looked after and maintained.

My K series beemers had big mile reputations but I noticed few folk boasting about say getting to 200K actually mentioned the servicing involved in doing it.
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bikers smell of wee

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[ThunderGuts]

Assuming no hideous rust or other degradation, I'd say there are three possible camps the bike will sit in;

- Used very gently, mostly/all original mechanicals, if everything still works perfectly will probably carry on for a while yet

- Used moderately, some parts replaced, budget for other bits to go but you at least should have some confidence in the bits changed

- Used hard, most/all parts replaced. In theory could be almost back to a lightly used bike in some ways if lots of things replaced, but are there bigger monsters hiding.

For me, mega miles wouldn't bother me if it's been serviced regularly, looks tidy enough and rides well. If it's been stored for any length of time, I'd be mindful of rubber/seals etc.. deteriorating.
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TG.

[pepperami]

As everyone has said, it’s appearance will tell you a lot.
I’d want to see receipts and paperwork regarding servicing & repairs.

FSH and a MOT to start with.
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[A100man]

It wouldn't be a problem to me.. I might be tempted to renew the cam chain and check valves but that's about it. A pretty lazy motor I'd think. Cycle parts would be teh same as any bike - renew as required.
.. I wonder what the reserve is?
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[struan80]

Looks a nice bike.

[redeem ouzzer]

Only things I’d be worried about would be worn carbs as needles and tubes are very expensive, and the front solid oil pipes leaking (engine has to be removed and stripped to sort).
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Be a REAL MAN!

[PotatoHead202...]

I bought my CBF500 a few years ago for £500.

67k on the clocks. Suspension was utterly shagged but everything else fine.

The only thing that's failed is the radiator fan switch (£7). Going through the paperwork the only other thing was a dodgy coil.

I've put a new YSS shock on, PD valves, hyperpro springs, preload caps, EBC clutch (didn't really need it), auxiliary lights, poedercoated parts, second hand carbs (£35) as the originals were worn I think. Oh and rebuilt both brake calipers due to road salt and just put on new discs.

Done 500 miles last year on a weekend tour and again at the Dragon Rally. Wouldn't hesitate to take it round the world tbh.
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Suzuki V Strom 1050XT, Honda CBF500 ABS,

[Pete.]

108,000 on my R1100S. Got it at 39k.
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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

[jeffyjeff]

Bought my first VFR in June 2010, it was 12 years old and had 58,975 miles on the clock. Sold it 5 years later with 116,925 miles. People have different definitions of what "high mileage" means. Sometimes you can score a good deal if the owner thinks the bike is past its prime, or if there are lower mileage machines posted for sale in your area.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[Bhud]

Nearly 57K on my 40 year old KZ twin, and I thrash the nuts off it on every single ride. It's fun to ride a slow bike fast. I just keep an eye on the cam chain and valve clearances and change the oil every 1000 (!) miles. But mollycoddle I do NOT. And it's a rare bike. Nothing lasts forever and I will rebuild when it's eventually necessary.

[P.]

Held my Varadero 125 at the limiter every day on the motorway from 45,000 miles to 77,000 before selling, miles don't matter as long as you keep on top of all the other bits on the bike as well as the engine.

[Hong Kong Phooey]

I wouldn't worry about it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gIHz-U_73BE
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'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[Moxey]

For a Bandit or any derivative of Suzuki air/oil cooled, condition is paramount, miles are fairly irrelevant provided its had the essentials done on time (oil changes and valve clearances).

[Polarbear]

My first GoldWing, a GL1000 had 70 odd thousand miles on it when I bought it and 110+ thousand when I sold it (admittedly as spares). Wifies Divvy had 50000+ on it when she sold it and was going fine still.

I'd go look at that and if it ran OK and wasn't belching blue smoke, I'd happily have it at a grand or so.

I'm sure most bikes rot and die from lack of use than engine fsilure.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition