What is High Mileage for a Motorcycle?
When you buy a used motorcycle, you also buy the miles it's driven in the past. But what is high mileage for a motorcycle? Depending on the bike, high mileage could mean a worn engine, low power, or a shorter lifespan. But even if you're looking at new bikes without a single mile on the odometer, it's important to think about high-mileage maintenance and the average mileage of the bike. Take a closer look at the average motorcycle mileage—and what it could mean for your next bike—before coming to Riva Motorsports and exploring our selection of new and used motorcycles.
Average Motorcycle Mileage
Every motorcycle model has its average lifespan. While everything from the manufacturer to the climate to the amount of care and maintenance a bike receives will impact its longevity, you can also estimate the lifespan based on the motorcycle type.
You can generally categorize your bike based on these mileage tiers:
Cruisers:
Low Mileage: Less than 10,000 miles
Typical: Between 10,000 and 45,000 miles
High Mileage: Over 45,000 miles
Sports Bikes:
Low Mileage: Less than 5,000 miles
Typical: Less than 20,000 miles
High Mileage: Over 20,000 miles, especially past the 25,000-mile mark
Touring Bikes:
Typical: Under 45,000 miles
High Mileage: Over 45,000 miles
However, seeing high mileage on a motorcycle won't tell you the whole history of how long a bike will last. A bike with 50,000 miles and a diligent maintenance schedule will far outlast a bike with 10,000 miles that's never maintained.
What Constitutes High Mileage?
If you're shopping for used motorcycles or considering selling your current bikes, it helps to know whether your bike is low-mileage, average, or high-mileage.
Generally, how many miles is a lot for a motorcycle? Expect bikes to last this long:
Cruiser motorcycles: From 45,000 miles to over 100,000 miles, depending on maintenance
Sports motorcycles: The bike may be nearing the end of its lifespan at over 30,000 miles—though they can last much longer with good maintenance.
Touring motorcycles: Touring motorcycles have a range similar to cruisers. While they can start to show their age at around 45,000 miles with reasonable maintenance, good maintenance can extend their mileage to over 100,000 miles.
Within these broad categories, you should also consider the reputation of the manufacturer and the specifications of each model. Some cruisers are simply built to last longer than others, and some sports motorcycles are built for shorter lifespans with more power than other sports bikes. The more you know about the intended mileage and use for your dream motorcycle, the better you can buy the right fit on the used market.
Factors Affecting Motorcycle Longevity
The answer to "How many miles does a motorcycle last?" depends on three additional factors beyond the type of bike:
Maintenance: Was the bike taken care of properly, with regular maintenance, inspections, and upgrades?
Riding Habits: Was the driver aggressive? Were the roads hilly or muddy? Both the driver's style and the environment (the climate, weather, road conditions, and storage conditions) affect the motorcycle.
Make, Model, and Year: Every bike is different. Research the specific make and model—down to the specific year—so you have a complete picture of how long your current or future bike will last with proper maintenance.
Buying a High-Mileage Motorcycle
High-mileage bikes aren't a bad investment. They don't even have to be a risky one. But it's important to keep these considerations in mind when caring for or shopping for a high-mileage bike:
Make sure you have a detailed service record of the bike.
Inspect the suspension system, engine, brakes, and tires.
Look up the average longevity of the bike's make and model.
By following these tips, you can find a used bike that fits your budget while still offering years of drive time.
Trust Riva Motorsports to Keep Your Motorcycle Running Strong for Years to Come
At Riva Motorsports, we maintain a large inventory of new and used motorcycles. Our team of experienced bike experts knows the answer to questions like "What is high mileage for a motorcycle?" and dozens of others, so stop by to explore our inventory or see if your dream bike is available.\
Featured Image: Chris Wetherell /Shutterstock