What Is Considered As High Mileage For A Motorcycle?
Before we start talking about what is considered high mileage for a motorcycle, we need to understand what mileage means. Mileage is considered as the total number of miles a motorcycle was running on a road.
However, there is another concept of mileage in India. It refers to the amount of fuel consumption per mile. The irony of the matter is that it is not true. The earlier explained definition is considered to be the true one. Well, if you are asking this question, then I assume that you are planning to buy your first motorcycle, which is already used.
There is a common doubt among new motorcycle buyers about which number they should consider is the high mileage for their motorcycle. There is a stereotype that high mileage means the motorcycle is not in a condition to spend money on. However, I would like to draw your attention to the important thing. This is not the only criteria you should look into to determine whether you are buying a good motorcycle or not.
Just ask all the questions that are mentioned below and try to look for satisfactory answers. Once you put all the information on the table, you will soon realize that high mileage does not mean bad condition, and low mileage does not mean good condition.
- Was the owner of the motorcycle maintaining it well? Did he follow the manufacturer’s instruction manual for its maintenance?
- What kind of oil was being used? Was the owner changing the oil as instructed by the manufacturer’s guide?
- What is the brand and model of the motorcycle? Which kind of bike is it, a sports bike or a cruiser bike?
- What is the engine of the motorcycle? What is the cooling system of it? Is it air-cooled, water-cooled, or oil-cooled?
- What is the condition of the bike?
- How was the bike ridden in the past? How often was it being used?
I assume that these are too many questions, and to end up with a good deal, you need to get adequate information. You can make that task a little bit easier by getting all the information given below. It concerns all of the questions presented above.
What should you consider as high mileage for a motorcycle?
Photo Credit: http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/forums/topic/what-do-you-consider-high-mileage-on-a-bike/
Well, it is a very relative term. High mileage varies for different types of bikes. If you are taking sports bikes into account, then 25000 miles are good enough to consider as high mileage.
On the other hand, if you are thinking about the high mileage for a cruiser bike, then 50000 miles can be considered as high mileage. It all depends on the condition of the bike, which determines the high mileage for a bike.
Have you checked out the owner’s service record for the bikes?
This is the very first thing you should do if you are planning to buy a used bike. It helps because it unveils all the information about how the motorcycle was maintained in the past.
The only thing you have to check is whether the owner has followed all the manufacturer’s instructions or not. How many services has he missed that were necessary?
Regular service keeps a bike new and well-maintained. This is a vital parameter to be considered. If you get a bike that is well-maintained, then high mileage will not affect you that much. That bike is still worth spending money on.
Adversely, if the bike has low mileage and is now maintained well, then you are wasting your money on the wrong thing.
Which engines last longer comparatively?
There are three main types of engines regarding the cooling system. They are water-cooled, oil-cooled, and air-cooled. However, if you are looking for one that can last for a long while, then water-cooled is a good deal. They are widely known for it.
How do riding habits of the owner play a paramount role?
High mileage is not the only factor that makes the bike vulnerable. If the motorcycle is not being used so often and just standing in the parking most of the time, then look out. These kinds of bikes are not worth taking a shot. They are already damaged in many ways, like the corrosion in the engine.
Photo Credit: http://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/buying-a-used-motorcycle/
If the bike is regularly used and safely ridden on the roads, then high mileage should not be your concern. However, if the owner was riding it recklessly, then even having low mileage does not make it a good bike.
Now, if you have finally figured out what to consider in determining if the motorcycle is a good deal apart from high mileage, then read more. Here are some great ideas you should consider to keep your high-mileage bike new for a long period.
- Start your bike smoothly, and do not speed up more than it requires specific gear.
- Do not miss any service as recommended in the maintenance
- Do not forget to check air filters.
- Inspect the final drive often and keep chains well lubricated and adjusted.
- Do use best motorcycle batteries in your bike to enhance the performance of your bike.
After going through all the information, you must have concluded that high mileage is not the only concern. It does not determine whether the motorcycle is in good condition or not. There are plenty of other factors that affect, and all are well reasoned above.
All you need to do is to observe them under scrutiny, and you will be good to go. You will surely end up with a great deal even if the bike is used earlier and it has high mileage. Moreover, now a day, nobody is unaware of the benefits of a motorcycle helmet. Therefore, when buying a new bike, please do not forget to buy the best helmet for your safety. Choose the right motorcycle for yourself and drive safely!
