How many km is too many km for a second-hand bike?

**Spyke** · 19th January 2007, 22:27

Hi to all kb members/guests

I have been thinking of getting a 2nd hand bike to start my journey into the world of biking, and i have been thinking about some bikes on trademe. if the bike has been looked after, does it matter if they have over 40,000kms on the clock?

**Ixion** · 19th January 2007, 22:40

I've never owned a bike woth less than 40000 km on it. That's only 25000 miles.

If you do 30000 km per year, that would be a less than two year old bike. I should jolly well expect motorcycles to last more than 2 years!

There are plenty of examples of bikes with hundreds of thousands of km clocked up, going fine.

Having said that, it does depend on how they've been treated. And unfortunately, it must be said that an awful lot of 250s, especially the "racey" ones, are not treated very well. Thrashed, and crashed, mileage doesn't really count for much. I go by condition, not a number on the dial.

**James Deuce** · 19th January 2007, 22:43

As Ixion says, Ks don't matter, condition does.

**Spyke** · 20th January 2007, 07:40

that has opened up my thoughts to more bikes.

thanks ixion and jim2

**Crasherfromwayback** · 20th January 2007, 07:43

40,000km's is tougher on a 250 than it is on a big engine.......

**Drum** · 20th January 2007, 07:47

My 250 Kawasaki had 65k on it when I sold it and it was in great condition. Didn't use any oil and had no mechanical faults. It had been well maintained.

Don't expect a high mileage (or any other) bike to be maintenance free though!

**Grahameeboy** · 20th January 2007, 08:18

Done 22,000 k's on my 2005 SV.......engine will be fine just things like brakes, suspension will tire over time

**Joni** · 20th January 2007, 08:38

I agree that its a matter of condition on the bike.

However I know some people feel differently. When I was bike shopping in Auckland, I found a bike I liked... my old friend Zed, said no... the mileage was too high (was just under 30K)... to him mileage is as important as condition.... so everyone has an opinion on this (like everything else I suppose)

I landed up buying a bike that had way over 30K on the clock... and never had a days problems.

My question would be, are you good mechanically?... becasue you will need to maintain it. Look at total cost of ownership.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 20th January 2007, 09:02

Originally Posted by Joni

I agree that its a matter of condition on the bike.

However I know some people feel differently. When I was bike shopping in Auckland, I found a bike I liked... my old friend Zed, said no... the mileage was too high (was just under 30K)... to him mileage is as important as condition.... so everyone has an opinion on this (like everything else I suppose)

I landed up buying a bike that has way over 30K on the clock... and never had a days problems.

My question would be, are you good mechanically?... becasue you will need to maintain it. Look at total cost of ownership.

Which reminds me......'bout time you purchased another bike innit?

I know this salesman......

**Spyke** · 20th January 2007, 09:13

havn't done any work on a bike before, but i have the intention of knowing how my bike runs and i like to tinker with things, so hopefully when i get abit of experience i will be able to look after a bike resonably well, plus my dad has had 7 bikes (a while back) so he would be able to help.

thanks

**cowboyz** · 20th January 2007, 09:29

mines done 105000 and still going strong. Ignore the ks all together and look at if it uses oil/leaks rides

**scumdog** · 20th January 2007, 10:09

My Sporty has 30,000km on it, it's appearance is such that if I told you it had 10,000km on you would not know the difference without checking the speedo.

A tidy good-all-round condition bike with 40,000km is better than a scruffy uncared-for oil stained bike with only 10,000km....

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 20th January 2007, 12:47

Originally Posted by scumdog

My Sporty has 30,000km on it, it's appearance is such that if I told you it had 10,000km on you would not know the difference without checking the speedo.

A tidy good-all-round condition bike with 40,000km is better than a scruffy uncared-for oil stained bike with only 10,000km....

My VTR has just under 30,000kz on the clock and still ging doesn't use any oil and the engine should get to 80,000 if maintained before something major needs doing... On saying that my XJ had 139,000 on the clock and only need minor work to keep it going.

If you keep it maintained the number of ks shouldn't be a problem. Regular oil changes (more as the ks get even higher) but as the ks get up there just keep an eye on the running parts, shocks, chain and sprocks, etc... all the normal stuff

**Spyke** · 20th January 2007, 20:58

hopefully i can find myself a nice little bike that has been looked after well, and isnt over $2k

**Roj** · 30th January 2007, 10:13

Originally Posted by wana_b_rider

hopefully i can find myself a nice little bike that has been looked after well, and isnt over $2k

With the lower price bracket, you are likely to end up buying a bike with higher k's, the next thing to look at is what condition is the rest of the bike in?, mine is in the mid 50's and is still going well, but I have seen other bikes with half the k's that aren't worth touching.

As with any vehicle it is dependant on how well it has been looked after and how hard it has been riden, since you are interested in learning about maintaining a bike you can always get something that needs a little work and start learning, or spend a little more and keep it in good condition (personally I would get the best condition possible)

If at all possible, when you find a bike you like ask someone else to look at it for you or pay for a pre-purchase check, might cost $100 but can be money well spent if it finds a problem first