What is High Mileage for a Motorcycle?
What is high mileage for a motorcycle? This is a question that many bike afficionados have, and it can be difficult to determine what is considered truly high miles on your odometer. The definition of “high miles” will vary depending on who you ask, but there are some general guidelines that can help you understand what it means for your motorcycle. In this blog post, we will discuss what happens as your motorcycle’s mileage increases, and what preventative measures you can take to extend the life of your bike. If you’re already looking to look at the various motorcycles for sale Dallas residents have to choose from, check out our inventory today!
What is Considered “High Mileage” for a Motorcyle?
The definition of what is considered too many miles for a motorcycle varies significantly from person to person. Generally speaking, most people would consider anything over 10,000 miles as being “high mileage”, although some riders may consider 15,000 or even 20,000 miles of actual mileage to be high, though we consider that to be a lower mileage example. Ultimately it will depend on the condition, how is the bike stored, and age of your motorcycle – a bike with a lot of miles, but that is taken care of properly, can often last for many more miles.
Consequences of High Mileage on a Motorcycle
As your touring bike or motorcycle’s mileage increases, the wear and tear on its components will also increase. This can lead to parts needing to be replaced or repaired more often than if the bike had lower mileage. Additionally, as the mileage increases, you may start noticing decreased performance from your motorcycle as it starts to become less fuel efficient and runs less smoothly. If you feel like you’re having too many of these issues, and they can’t be repaired, check out the used motorcycles for sale Dallas residents have to choose from!
Preventative Maintenance for High Mileage Motorcycles
It is important to take preventative measures when your dirt bike or motorcycle reaches higher mileages in order to extend its life and keep it running smoothly. This includes regularly checking oil levels, changing the oil and filter, checking air filters, as well as inspecting brakes and tires. Additionally, it is important to periodically tune up your motorcycle in order to ensure that all of its components are running optimally, even when you still have a reasonable mileage. Also, always keep track of your service records, as that may be the only factor that gives evidence of problems with bikes that are ridden regularly.
When to Consider Getting a Newer Bike
If your motorcycle has a lot of miles and you find yourself needing to make frequent costly repairs, it may be time to consider investing in a newer bike. Depending on what type of motorcycle you have and what kind of condition it is in, it may be more economical in the long run to invest in a new one rather than continuing to repair an aging machine.
We always recommend to refrain from high revving engines, as that can cause extra wear and tear and eventually even an engine rebuild if you don’t handle your engine correctly. Keep your service manual handy, to know how to use proper preventive maintenance procedures, and in case you ever run into an issue with your motor chain or experience a water pump failure. It doesn’t matter how many miles you have, problems can occur at any time and you want to be prepared, so you can look at your odometer is just a number, and always keep your bike from having a shorter life expectancy.
Best Types of Motorcycles for High Mileage Rides
Not all motorcycles are created equal when it comes to longevity. Generally speaking, the best types of bikes to last a long time are those that are sturdily built and well-maintained. Bikes with larger engines such as cruisers and touring bikes tend to be better suited for extended rides than smaller engine bikes like scooters, sports bikes, , or mopeds. If looking for a used bike, keep this in mind, and always get low mileage if possible when you purchase a used motorcycle.
A big selling point for a sports bike is low mileage, because of the fact that they are usually ridden hard at the highest gear, and without maintenance history or service history, it’s very likely there would be some mechanical issues with a used motorcycle that would be considered high mileage. Try to buy your used bike from seasoned riders, preferably with only one owner, as an experienced rider is more likely to have the service records, and to not have deferred maintenance on what was necessary.
Taking Care of a High Mileage Bike
When taking care of a bike with many miles, it is important to pay extra attention to its condition in order to keep it running smoothly and prevent costly repairs down the line. This includes regularly checking oil levels, changing the oil and filter, inspecting brakes, tires and air filters, as well as periodically tuning up your motorcycle. Additionally, if you are going on an extended ride, it is important to bring along any spare parts that may be needed in case something goes wrong. Keep an eye on the average annual mileage to make sure you’re not running through your bike too quickly.
To break in a bike, you can have some fun when your first purchase it, because it does have robust parts to start off with, and will run cooler as it’s all functioning efficiently. As time goes on, parts start to receive physical damage, such as radiator tubes, and without regular service, you may start having issues such as aggressive starts. Keeping proper service records for a used bike (such as every oil change) will lead to fewer problems and help you keep your bike’s book value. You have a vital role to play in making sure your bike lasts a long time, so avoid lugging around on these issues, it’ll make your overall price you pay across the average mileage for a motorcycle much less expensive.
How Do Sport Bikes Fare As a High Mileage Motorcycle?
Sport bikes are known for their speed and agility, but they are not necessarily the best option when it comes to having lots of longevity. While they can take on long distances, they tend to have higher maintenance costs due to their complex engineering. Additionally, sport bikes require more frequent oil changes than most other types of motorcycles in order to keep them running at peak performance. Due to this, it is important to consider if a sport bike is really what you need before investing in one for long distance rides.
Make sure with your sport style motorcycles, you aren’t hitting the rev limiter often with jackrabbit acceleration, as that can damage your engine, especially with larger motorcycles with large engines. Damaging your engine can lead to engine suck, problems with your primary chains, and all sorts of other problems. If you want a great ride for a long time, keep your bike’s engine clear from dirt, and work with other experienced riders who can help you with your bike’s upkeep. Each rider can add additional insight on how to keep your bike as a long term cruise ride machine!
Give us a call if you are looking for a used motorcycle Dallas bike owners would be envious of, we have the bike for you! You can learn more about us here.
How Do Touring Bikes Fare As a High Mileage Bike?
Touring motorcycles are known for their durability and comfort, making them ideal for long distance rides. They have a lot of power and torque which can make them great for hauling cargo as well. Additionally, they tend to be more fuel efficient than most other bikes, so they are better suited for longer rides. Touring bikes also require less frequent maintenance than sport bikes due to their simpler designs.
Regardless of what type of motorcycle you own, it is important to pay extra attention when taking care of a high mileage bike in order to keep it running at peak performance. Regular maintenance (such as changing your air filter and having great long term storage) and inspections are key components in making sure that your motorcycle will last you many miles down the road.
Conclusion
What is high mileage for a motorcycle can vary depending on what type of bike you have and what condition its in. As the mileage increases, it is important to take preventative measures such as regularly checking oil levels and changing the oil filter, inspecting brakes and tires, and tuning up your motorcycle in order to keep it running smoothly and prevent costly repairs down the line. Additionally, if your motorcycle has a lot of miles and you are finding yourself needing to make frequent repairs, it may be time to consider investing in a newer bike. Ultimately what constitutes too many miles for a motorcycle will depend on what type of bike you have and what condition its in, however generally speaking anything over 10,000 miles can be considered a higher mileage motorcycle.
The best types of motorcycles that are suitable for long distance rides are those that are sturdily built and well-maintained such as cruisers and touring motorcycles with larger engines. Taking care of a high mileage bike is also important in order to keep it running smoothly and prevent costly repairs down the line – this includes regularly checking oil levels, changing the oil filter, inspecting brakes, tires and air filters, as well as periodically tuning up your motorcycle. With proper maintenance and care, a motorcycle can often last many more miles before needing to be replaced.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. If you need any additional information or have questions about what is considered too many miles for a motorcycle, please feel free to contact us at DFW Redline Racers today! We have many used motorcycles for sale in Dallas, and we look forward to hearing from you!
