What would be the highest amount of mileage/km you would purchase a motorcycle at?

[R650R]

Clocked up this from new http://www.flickr.com/photos/77819625@N08/8351365445/

Doesn't everyone disconnect their speedos and magically never go past 20000km anyway... Funny now with tighter speed enforcement and speedos running off gearbox sensors etc we are seeing more bikes with high kms.
I'd never judge just on kms its the overall package and condition for the price. BTW my GSXR is always for sale at the right price LOL

[Gremlin]

Highest miler I've bought was just over 50k I think.

I'd be more worried about the history and servicing than the actual mileage.

[tri boy]

We bought kannys KLE5hundy with 130 000kms on it.
It is still running strong, and starts with a glance towards it.
Mileage is irrelevant if the maintenance has been good. MHO

[Corse1]

As most say it depends. If you really want the bike then yes maintenance records are ok but the 999s I bought had over 30000km,s with only oil and filter changes completed for the last 20000. It checked out ok and I just went through all the maintenance myself once purchased. It runs mint.

Generally though I would not buy a modern bike over 50000kms. Just too many options for lower mileage bikes to choose from. buying a classic though its more important to see it has been cared for rather than km's.

Then other circumstances such as needing a ride with little cash to spend would send the accepted km's higher again.

[Warr]

Kilometres has little to do with engine wear.
Bought mine with 190,000k & its now up to 229,000k
I'm the 2nd owner but I know how it was used before I bought it

[Gremlin]

Kilometres has little to do with engine wear.
Bought mine with 190,000k & its now up to 229,000k
I'm the 2nd owner but I know how it was used before I bought it

Ah, you. How IS that bike going? Always been fascinated by it, but then it did a lot of open road riding...

[Road kill]

Kilometres has little to do with engine wear.
Bought mine with 190,000k & its now up to 229,000k
I'm the 2nd owner but I know how it was used before I bought it

That's pretty darned impressive.

[Warr]

Ah, you. How IS that bike going? Always been fascinated by it, but then it did a lot of open road riding...

Sweeeet as. Best buy I've ever made !!
Gearbox output shaft, sprocket spline was munted.
Straight-cut spline on shaft was 1/2 width when I got it. I rode it 20,000k after packing the spline with 2mm square copper nails on the lash side to eliminate the grinding noise on overrun till the spline looked more like this -^- at which time I replaced the whole gearbox cluster with something off eBay that cost me ~NZ$150 delivered in hand luggage by my sister on a trip home.
Gearbox job was achieved with no disturbance to any engine components, tho I did get to see the mains. All back together and sweet for another 200,000k's perhaps !

[ducatilover]

Condition, not km.

I sold my VT250 with 154,000km on it, original motor. Ran like clockwork (bit of cam chain tick.) properly reliable bike
Whereas I had a 11 month old GN250 in '05 that hard more issues before I sold it at 11,000km.
My current bikes have 74,000km and 40,000km.

If you buy on mileage, you're a womble.

[Jantar]

I picked all options, as it would bepend on the make/model of the bike, its treatment and usage. I have had 2 strokes that are still strong after 60,000 km and others that were junk after only 5000 km. Similarly I know of [plenty of 4 strokes on their second time round the clock, and others that were rubish even when new.

[release_the_bees]

For me overall condition is far more important than the number of kilometres on the clock. My SV1000 had done 98000km when I got it but it was in mint condition and has been faultless to date. This is in stark contrast to the GT650 that I had before it, which had only 3000km on the clock when I bought it but had countless problems.

Incidentally, the most unreliable bike I ever owned was a brand new KR150. If I remember correctly it cost around $3500 for the bike and I spent around $5000 repairing the thing before I finally saw sense and sold it.

[insomnia01]

Brought my Blackbird 6yrs ago with 42,000km & I am the 3rd owner, 1st was a mobile banker who used it for work ( travelled out of town alot apparently ) 2nd owner was his mate who also was a banker ( did 20,000km over 3yrs before selling to me, he had health issues which was the reason for selling it ) I have it serviced by a great mechanic at Boyd's every 6,000km regardless, have Swiss suspenders & other ergo bits do touring,endurance events ( RMNC Grand challenge's, C1KC etc,etc ) just been around the East cape over anniversary weekend didn't miss a beat & while on the ride it clicked over to 194,000km & still feels strong. I'm thinking of having it repainted when it hits the 200,000km mark love it to bits, great machine.... heading off on a 2 week ride in March from Cape Reinga to Cape Egmont then East Cape to Bluff via West coast then up the middle & home, service is booked with new rubber to go on both ends

[Richard Mc F]

Bought an FJ1200 with 120000 and sold it at 185000, cost me a set of clutch fibres and a rear shock, was totally reliable, used very little oil and was certainly quick enough, I have the remains of a bevel ducati that I put 45000km on, has a recoded total of 105000 still on standard pistons, CB1300 is now at 70000 and going better every day, KMS don't bother me.

[Matariki]

This thread has been very interesting so far. I always thought the more mileage and engine had on it (or so I was told), the less you'll get out of it. But clearly that's not the case. It depends on the condition of the engine itself and how well its been maintained. So, does that mean a good quality engine could last you life time (and beyond)?

[Banditbandit]

I don't buy old shit so, less than 20,000K. Zero K's if possible, thats happen thrice out of my last five bikes.

So .. no point in offering you a fully restored, immaculate condition 1975 Triumph Trident then?