What is considered high KMs for a bike?

**Blat450** · 25th July 2017, 19:13

Just looking at getting a second hand bike to cruise about NZ on and seeing as its my first road bike (been off road riding for years) I'm not sure what is considered high km's for a road bike.

I have my aim at Yamaha Tenere's 660's, but would like to know where I should draw the line at km's wise. Is 60,000kms to much?

Any help appreciated

**GazzaH** · 25th July 2017, 20:07

The kms are A factor, true, but others include:
- Style of bike - relaxed long-distance tourer or nuts-out screamer?
- Maintenance history - particularly engine oil and filter changes but there's much more e.g. bearings and seals
- Style of driving - "One lady owner" has a grain of truth to it, boy racers take the red line as a target, not a limit
- Places driven - beaches and rough roads are, well, rough
- Engineering and build quality - some bikes have been successful for many years, others essentially flop: why is that? Some manufacturers are renowned for quality and reliability, others bring up the rear
- The seller - any come-back if it falls apart on the first corner?
- The fair market price, relative to other similar bikes - as reliable a guide as kms I'd say
- Maintainability - is it going to cost a fortune to keep running, or is it relatively simple and easy work?

**T.W.R** · 25th July 2017, 20:13

There's a shitload of bikes out there with that amount of Kms & heaps more, the important factor is maintenance & condition ie: have things been done at proper intervals & correctly, has it been ridden with some respect for what it is or just been hacked about & abused.
You could get something with less than 10k on the clock but it could have been neglected all that time & hammered every time it was ridden

**AllanB** · 25th July 2017, 20:22

Bit of CRC and she will be right. Apparently it fixes stuck pistons and erectile dysfunction.

**JimO** · 25th July 2017, 20:28

i know somebody who has done over 100000ks on a Bandit, still going strong

**Blat450** · 25th July 2017, 20:29

Yeah I figured Km's were only part on the equation, brought a few dirt bikes over the years and that was more on maintenance history, overall condition, aftermarket parts, even how tidy their garages were.

I was just wondering if there was a point where KM's take over, and its a no go. Like cars, I wouldn't buy one with 250,000kms on it, more likely 80,000kms. But what is that in relation to bikes?

I understand looking at Dual purpose bikes its going to have seen a few gravel roads and beach's etc, but do people thrash these type of bikes? Or are they more laid back riding types? I know you will get the odd Paris to Dakar wannabe

**Honest Andy** · 25th July 2017, 20:31

What he said.
And what the other bloke said.

Good maintenance will keep an engine running sweetly for way more than 60kk, so it can be a good deal, but with higher milages you've gotta start thinking about more than just 'normal' maintenance and understand that you may need to do some more serious stuff like, say, clutch, shock and forks, swingarm bearings etc

**Honest Andy** · 25th July 2017, 20:34

Originally Posted by AllanB

Bit of CRC and she will be right. Apparently it fixes erectile dysfunction.

(use a joey over the can)

**Gremlin** · 25th July 2017, 20:35

It does depend on the bike. I've got a Honda CB919, has 146k ish on the clock, a mate has one with 160k+ and another mate with just under 100k. They've got a reputation for crazy reliability. My BMW R1200GSA has 127k ish and that also keeps on going (although it certainly chews through parts faster than the Hornet). Others like the Bandits also do big km with little going wrong.

**Akzle** · 25th July 2017, 21:01

Originally Posted by Blat450

I was just wondering if there was a point where KM's take over, and its a no go. Like cars, I wouldn't buy one with 250,000kms on it, more likely 80,000kms. But what is that in relation to bikes?

well if it hasn't already done 250, it's unlikely to be able to do another 250, innit? how do you know if it'll last??

100 thou km is at-least-half-done on any bike.
yes, they will go longer.

like my axe... it's as good as the day i bought it and i've only had to replace five handles and four heads.

**george formby** · 25th July 2017, 21:04

Originally Posted by Blat450

Yeah I figured Km's were only part on the equation, brought a few dirt bikes over the years and that was more on maintenance history, overall condition, aftermarket parts, even how tidy their garages were.

I was just wondering if there was a point where KM's take over, and its a no go. Like cars, I wouldn't buy one with 250,000kms on it, more likely 80,000kms. But what is that in relation to bikes?

I understand looking at Dual purpose bikes its going to have seen a few gravel roads and beach's etc, but do people thrash these type of bikes? Or are they more laid back riding types? I know you will get the odd Paris to Dakar wannabe

As everyone has posted, it's the whole bike not the mileage. Check for wear, everywhere man.

I had an XT 350 which had been hammered for almost 70'000 miles. Basically maintained, oil, filters, cables, bearings etc. It never missed a beat. I checked the valve clearance somewhere about 65'000 mls, they were fine, cam lobes were beautiful. I was the 3rd owner so no doubt they had been checked before. Carb rubber hardened up, split, just a hint. Worse problem I ever had with that bike.

In the shed at the mo is a 98 Yamaha TDM 850, 68'000 kms. It rides lots of gravel and lots of twisties, it never misses a beat. Basic maintenace.

Alongside is a 96 Yamaha DT 230 Lanza 2t, low kms, 30'000ish. Thrashed, tweeked, basic maintenance, see above.

You can definitely get a good bike at those k's, just check the whole bike. Bearings, seals, bushes etc. All the rattly and leaky bits bite you in the ass.

I only posted because these bikes are kinda from the same Clan. Not great knowledge or experience on my part. I'm a Yamaha fan, though.

**Blat450** · 25th July 2017, 21:13

Thanks for all the reply's, I see its not so much the KM's to worry about, its more looking at the whole picture.
You guys have been a great help, Thanks.

**Honest Andy** · 25th July 2017, 21:16

No worries, you're very welcome. Just make sure you come back and tell us what you bought so we can tell you that you've made a huge mistake and "who the hell gave you that advice?!?")