Opinions on "high" mileage bikes

[Shinchan_imp]

Hi All,

What do you think of buying higher-mileage bikes (10k miles or more)? I know Honda engines tend to be overengineered and built to last, but anything I should be on the lookout for? Local seller has a 2013 non-abs listed for $4900 including rear rack and (unspecified) windshield with fairly new tires. He also go a custom Laam refoam/recover which is a minimum $400 process. The price hits my sweet spot, although I hope to get him down to around $4500 since he's had it listed on craigslist for a month or so without selling (although the weather here in northern CO has been crap so far this spring).

[emptysea]

I don't think I'll be of much help, but frankly, it should run like new. Mine does with 22,000 miles on it. It would be interesting to see if they have a complete service record on the bike, but not having one does not mean you should walk away. Check the tires.

[LongRanger_imp]

I wouldn't consider 10k to be high mileage on any vehicle. There's no reason to think the CB1100 couldn't go 100k miles without difficulty.

I agree with you on the crap CO weather!

[Cormanus]

What EmptySea and LongRanger say.

I know it wasn't a CB1100, but I bought a 750cc Shadow with about 36000 Kim's on the clock and ran it up over 40,000. It gave no trouble and was running like clockwork when I sold it.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

There are some high mileage bikes belonging to members and no reported significant mechanical failures. In fact by buying a '13 model you may avoid some of the electronic problems that plague some (and far from all, I have to say) of the later models. Just make sure it looks well kept and test rides well. It would be good, as MTC says, to sight, and retain if you buy, the service records.

Good luck and cheers.

[Elipten_imp]

A bargain when you see 30-40 year old bikes going for $2500-$3500.

[kmoney_imp]

I don't consider 10k high for any modern bike (short of maybe a 2-stroke or a dirtbike). As said above, there are lots of guy's bikes on here with over that mileage (including my own) who have had zero problems.

[Toro5xi_imp]

I think mileage depends on the type of bike and how it was ridden. I recently purchased a Kawasaki 1993 ZX7 with 22k miles and after tearing it apart due to low compression have had to have it bored, new valve guides and several new valves. I know I will never get my money back out of this bike but hate the idea of putting a suspect motor back together.
I certainly don't think 10k on a properly maintained motor is anything to worry about but don't have a good feel for the average life expectancy of motor cycle engines. I routinely see BMW's with 25k on the clock with asking prices I think are crazy but perhaps they are that bullet proof. I also see FJR's with over 25k on the clock that seem to be running very well.
I hope to see more responses on this topic. I really like a lot of the older bikes but after my experience with the Kawasaki am pretty gun shy at this point.

[LongRanger_imp]

130k miles on my BMW K-bike. Zero issues.

[the Ferret]

71 K on my ST 1300 and 20 K on my CB. I would hop on either one for a cross country trip tomorrow.