by A motorcycle with mileage is a good option not just for beginners. Almost any motorcyclist can advantageously purchase such equipment since prices for new motorcycles are often striking. In Ukraine, the secondary market is actively forming. You can easily find motorcycles bought from a dealer, which were briefly in use, as well as models resold several times.
Some believe that the main indicator to consider when buying a used motorcycle is mileage. On motorcycle enthusiasts’ forums, there are often discussions about what mileage for a motorcycle can be considered critical and how to make the right choice. It is impossible to answer definitively, as there are more important aspects than mileage.
Mileage is Not an Indicator
The number of kilometers driven is one of the indicators that can affect the formation of a motorcycle’s price, but it’s not the most important one. Numbers on the odometer alone don’t tell anything. More important are the overall condition of the equipment, storage conditions of the motorcycle, and its usage.
A luxurious looking, almost new bike with pleasing mileage numbers may have an engine that “drinks” oil like a horse drinks water. Meanwhile, a worn-out “oldie” with a mileage of 60,000 km or more may prove to be sturdier, more reliable, and better inside. It’s all about the usage conditions: the “oldie” was well cared for and the quality of consumables was closely monitored, whereas the new “steed” was ruthlessly driven at maximum speeds without considering maintenance. Therefore, before evaluating mileage, it’s important to know who, how, and on what roads the motorcycle was ridden, where it was stored, and how often it was serviced.
Low Mileage Isn’t Always True
Rolling back mileage indicators on a motorcycle is a common practice. This is often done by unscrupulous sellers, especially if they understand that the buyer does not know much about the equipment.
Reduced mileage can be identified by indirect signs:
- cosmetic flaws;
- condition of control nodes – levers, handlebar grips, footrests.
No matter how carefully the owner treats the motorcycle, after long rides, the equipment shows wear and chips, traces from luggage, equipment, worn footrests, handles. If the motorcycle has been ridden a lot and for a long time, this is inevitable, so too “new” condition or recent replacement of these details should raise suspicion.
The previous owner could have altered odometer readings unintentionally. This is natural if during operation the following were changed:
- gearbox gear ratio;
- wheels;
- driven sprocket.
Installing non-standard size tires on a motorcycle also affects mileage readings. Depending on where the odometer gets its data, the device may show calculated rather than actual mileage. And if it’s simply broken, you won’t know at all how much the bike has “traveled” since it happened.
Experts have calculated that on average, a motorcyclist travels 6–8 thousand km per season in a big city. By making simple calculations, it is easy to roughly estimate the age-to-mileage ratio of the chosen bike. For a three-year-old motorcycle, a mileage of 20–25,000 km is normal.
Low Mileage Isn’t Always Good
There are cases where a motorcycle with modest mileage has been stationary in a garage and unused for several years. This can happen for various reasons: the former owner died or moved far away, and the new owners simply didn’t know what to do with the equipment, or a person bought a prestigious brand motorcycle but lacked the skill or courage to ride it.
If the motorcycle was properly “conserved” for long-term storage, then there will be no issues. But if it was just covered with a tarp and forgotten for a few years, buying the bike isn’t worth it, even despite the low mileage. Before reviving the “iron horse,” it will have to be completely overhauled:
- change consumables;
- buy a new battery;
- thoroughly lubricate;
- check the tank for rust inside;
- completely replace the oil;
- replace elastic parts – seals, hoses, dust boots, and possibly even tires.
Moreover, such “conservation” may have been stolen and hidden until the crime’s statute of limitations expired. Therefore, when buying, it is important to carefully verify documents.
The “longevity” of a motorcycle is influenced by many factors, including the type of equipment. There is an easy general rule to follow – the larger the engine volume, the greater the engine resource. The architecture of the engine itself, its balance, is also important. A huge “tourist” equipped with a low-revving engine, compared to any cross motorcycle, has a tenfold mileage and feels great.
