Life of motorcycle motor 100,000km?

**Mully** · 6th October 2009, 10:45

I've heard in a few places, that the RF engines (based on the GSX1100 bottom end) are good for 200,000 miles without a rebuild if you look after them. They also go like a thing that goes a lot. (It's the budget suspension that lets them down really, not the engine)
Mine's currently at 36000-odd miles - so nearly 60000km.

**R1madness** · 6th October 2009, 16:43

i know of a guy in the USa that brought a new BMW R1100gs in 1995. He still has it but it now has over 585000 MILES on the clock. Its had regular services and no major repairs (ok the ABS unit crapped out but who cares he did not bother fixing that...).
Engine/gearbox life is directly perportional to maintenance and inversely perportional to abuse.

**popelli** · 6th October 2009, 16:55

Harley Davidson Evo motors , my 86 electraglide has over 250,000 kms on it and had a 10 thou over rebore about 10 years ago along with head work, cam exhaust and s&s carb, have hardly touched it since then

**duckonin** · 6th October 2009, 17:12

Hmmmm ! may as well stick my small amount in, bought a new C50T three years two months ago have hit 90,000k's, by xmas with two trips to the South he should be over the 100,000, oil+filter changed every 5000k's long kilometres almost always two up and still runs strong as ...And I hope he stays that way for a lot longer yet..

Had a 409 trader I did 750,000k's and did nothing but the brakes to that truck, but always serviced....

**beyond** · 6th October 2009, 19:10

Originally Posted by YellowDog

I have a mate with a GSX1400.

Never does over 6000rpm or 100Kph.

Oil change every 5000km.

I recon it will last forever.

I just wish he would have a bit more fun

He should have more fun.... give them stick cos they are well under tuned anyway and guys overseas are getting 160,000kms before small things need doing to the motor

**rocketman1** · 6th October 2009, 20:31

What about Sport V twins, like Ducati, Aprilia, any one done 100,000kms + unchecked?

**NordieBoy** · 6th October 2009, 20:43

Any big mileage singles?

**Ixion** · 6th October 2009, 20:46

Yamaha will be past the 100000 km mark by the end of the week. All untouched. Not a very high mileage, but it's good for many many more.

**Eddieb** · 6th October 2009, 22:25

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Any big mileage singles?

Sisters/Bro in laws XT600 has done 105,000.

**Richard Mc F** · 7th October 2009, 14:22

1991 FJ1200, nothing done to the engine as far as I know ( and I asked the service people who looked after it before I bought it) was imported with 20000km on the clock, now has 162800 km, going strong

**davereid** · 7th October 2009, 15:06

Originally Posted by rocketman1

I guess it all come down to piston speed + wear, but does it?
Interested to know how many Harleys ie 750cc per piston make it over 100,000kms without an over haul.

The main factor is piston speed against the bore. So a short stroke engine has a piston speed advantage over a long stroke engine at any given rpm. This advantage is usually lost of course as small stroke motors love to REV, and manufacturers love to make em rev !

Good, clean, and frequently replenished oil is massively important, as is cooling. Thats why Harleys have not fared so well, as until recent times they had pretty basic oil distribution systems, and air cooling.

For what its worth...

My 49cc TGB Scooter has just passed 44,000 km with one set of rings, but no bore wear to speak of. It runs on Total 2T synthetic two stroke oil.

My 1985 Mazda Van has done 358,000 km and has had only cam belts, oil and filters. It is now using about a litre of oil between oil changes, but thats mostly due to the failure of 5th gear, meaning it revs its head off at highway speeds. I a sure that a second hand gearbox (I'm in the market for one) will cure it.

**Motu** · 7th October 2009, 16:43

Originally Posted by davereid

The main factor is piston speed against the bore. So a short stroke engine has a piston speed advantage over a long stroke engine at any given rpm. This advantage is usually lost of course as small stroke motors love to REV, and manufacturers love to make em rev !

One factor possibly offsetting engine life for the R65 - it has lower piston speed for any rpm compared to the bigger airheads...but I think I ride it harder than what is considered normal for a BMW.(I have seen 8,000rpm,the tweed and pipe crowd would consider that extreme)

On the data base for the newly formed Kiwi Airheads website,mine has done the lowest km at 72,000km....some are over 300,000km.

**StoneY** · 7th October 2009, 16:52

Dad had a CBX550 Integra that did 420 thou on its original pistons, rings and (no shit) cam chains
He did oil and filter himself, plugs too

Forks or tires, wmcc.
Rest he did

It shat itself at 422 and change, cams finally crapped out !!!
THATS good milage!

My bikes are never around long enough to get big miles LOL
Although my OLD 1100 15 years back did a genuine 72k under my ass, getting to 133 or so before she bought the farm (yes, i crashed it)

**cheshirecat** · 7th October 2009, 17:18

Did 80,000 miles on a VF500 despatching in London. Used a couple of clutches but it was running extremely well when I sold it. A guy at Silvertsone who raced the VF400's said they need to be warmed up carefully. I used to ride it as soon as possible, but carefully not slogging or reving above 3 or 4k, for a good ten minutes. The gear cam VFR's seem consistantly 150k plus miles if the forums are anything to go by and mine is certainly more than fine

**rocketman1** · 7th October 2009, 18:07

By virtue of their absence, to comment I think I stand correct that no European V twin can make the 100,000 km mark, without an overhaul.
Bit sad really but to be expected, too much inertia revving to fast.
Basic rules of Physics and Science I guess is working against them.