How many km is too many?

[jrad]

Hi Folks,

Im interested in a suzuki TU250, its 2002 but its got 50k km's on the clock.
I understand that its the same engine as the gn250? and any that Ive seen on trademe have around the 20k mark.
My first question is, will I be fixing this all the time due to high milage or is that a reasonable enought amount to have on the clock?
Also, can anyone advise a place to get a pre-purchase inspection in CHCH.

Thanks in advance
John

[SMOKEU]

Go and see Roger at Road and Race Motorcycles for a pre purchase inspection. Make sure you get a compression check done. If the bike has been well looked after then that mileage shouldn't be too bad. Has it been used as a commuter, or more for open road riding? That will also make a difference to the engine longevity. You're better off judging a bike by condition rather than mileage.

[SVboy]

Go and see Roger at Road and Race Motorcycles for a pre purchase inspection. Make sure you get a compression check done. If the bike has been well looked after then that mileage shouldn't be too bad. Has it been used as a commuter, or more for open road riding? That will also make a difference to the engine longevity. You're better off judging a bike by condition rather than mileage.

My God you have grown up! Such common sense from one so young! Saw you on the mighty S-Rad in Akkas on sun.

[george formby]

Have a gander through this thread (http://tu250riders.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=920)

I only glimpsed at it.

[SMOKEU]

My God you have grown up! Such common sense from one so young! Saw you on the mighty S-Rad in Akkas on sun.

Yeah, it was a good ride.

[jrad]

Go and see Roger at Road and Race Motorcycles for a pre purchase inspection. Make sure you get a compression check done. If the bike has been well looked after then that mileage shouldn't be too bad. Has it been used as a commuter, or more for open road riding? That will also make a difference to the engine longevity. You're better off judging a bike by condition rather than mileage.

Thanks for the reply, Roger tells me hes too busy.
Can anyone recommend elsewhere?

[jrad]

Have a gander through this thread (http://tu250riders.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=920)

I only glimpsed at it.

Thanks for the reply, those guys are barely breaking the 10k km mark let alone the 50k mark

[Tazz]

Hmm, whether the KM's are to high or not probably depends on how high the price is or isn't :p

[Grashopper]

There have been other threads around here where people said their bikes had more than 100,000 km down, e.g. Ducatilover's Spada. My GN had around 45,000 km when I sold it and it was running without problems.

[jrad]

Hmm, whether the KM's are to high or not probably depends on how high the price is or isn't :p

Good point, 2002 Suzuki TU250 Volty, $1,800.
Needs tyre and chain over the next few months.
Good deal? Worth the risk?

[T.W.R]

Good point, 2002 Suzuki TU250 Volty, $1,800.
Needs tyre and chain over the next few months.
Good deal? Worth the risk?

Wouldn't trust someone who keeps nail clippers on their key ring ;)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-694543340.htm

[FJRider]

There have been other threads around here where people said their bikes had more than 100,000 km down, e.g. Ducatilover's Spada. My GN had around 45,000 km when I sold it and it was running without problems.

100,000 km's on a litre plus (over or near) bike isn't an issue. It's just the smaller bikes have worked pretty hard to get to that mark. Between 50 & 100 thousand km's are when any major issues are likely. (often terminal) Check it's service history if you can ... most garages/shops can do WOF history. Pre-purchase checks can be done by most bike shops. All of these NO guarantee of further longevity ... so don't go moaning to the Pre-purchase tester if it "Stops" ... later ...

Going well at 50,000 km's does not mean it will continue going for ANY set time .... let alone another 50,000 km's. Even a compression check tells you little about the complete bike. There are many small bits and pieces in a tired engine that can let go ... with little warning.

Motorcycles with such mileage are a gamble ... how much anybody wants to spend on a gamble is their choice ...

[jrad]

100,000 km's on a litre plus (over or near) bike isn't an issue. It's just the smaller bikes have worked pretty hard to get to that mark. Between 50 & 100 thousand km's are when any major issues are likely. (often terminal) Check it's service history if you can ... most garages/shops can do WOF history. Pre-purchase checks can be done by most bike shops. All of these NO guarantee of further longevity ... so don't go moaning to the Pre-purchase tester if it "Stops" ... later ...

Going well at 50,000 km's does not mean it will continue going for ANY set time .... let alone another 50,000 km's. Even a compression check tells you little about the complete bike. There are many small bits and pieces in a tired engine that can let go ... with little warning.

Motorcycles with such mileage are a gamble ... how much anybody wants to spend on a gamble is their choice ...

Yep, that's the answer I was looking for. Thanks.
I'm not a gambling man.

[ital916]

Yep, that's the answer I was looking for. Thanks.
I'm not a gambling man.

Well if that's the answer you were looking for, what was the point of making this bloody thread, if all you wanted was someone to eventually agree with you <_<

[jrad]

Well if that's the answer you were looking for, what was the point of making this bloody thread, if all you wanted was someone to eventually agree with you <_<

It was exactly what I feared as stated by someone who sounds like they know what they are talking about. I just needed to hear it.

[ital916]

It was exactly what I feared as stated by someone who sounds like they know what they are talking about. I just needed to hear it.

There are many parts in a brand new engine that can let go with little or no warning. The very essence of the internal combustion engine, puts high stress on the components, all it takes is for a slight manufacturing discrepancy and boom, warranty repair. So yeah, my blackbird had 110000 km, bought with 90000 on it, ran fine, only thing that let go was the reg/rec. So yeah...buying anything in life is a gamble. Life is a gamble, getting on a motorcycle is a gamble, shagging that chica from town without a rubber is a gamble. If you're not into gambles, life will be boring for you.

[BigAl]

Also depends how many owners it has had, more risk with more owners.

Also doubtful but a service history or reliable info on how often fluids have been changed.

If it checks out ok and you can get it for the right price, say offer $1k then it may be a good buy esp if you don't expect to do high k's.

I'd expect a new tyre, chains and sprockets to cost $3-400 so a bargaining point right there.