Very glad to see you didn’t buy any of the bikes in this video as your first bike. I currently own a Suzuki V-Strom 650 which I’ve put 73,000 miles on so far. Enjoy your bike and please take the motorcycle safety course if you haven’t already.
and all japanese bikes last minimum 250000 miles , especially yamaha fjr1300 and honda goldwing ,suzuki hayabusa they last 300000 miles before any major problem
I purchased a 2003 Goldwing and eventually sold it (for 50% of price paid) in 2018 with 287,000 miles. The bike made me money hand-over-fist: I rode it for business and because of tax mileage deductions paid the bike back every 18 month's. Best motorcycle I ever purchased.
I have the Honda ST 1300, 2007, with over 130,000 miles and I still hop on it at a moments notice and head across country. I've been riding for 50 years, and owned lots of bikes, This is the best bike by far that I have ever owned. I'm 70 years old and I love getting out in the mid-west and hit it on 130 mph. Even at that speed it rides like a Cadilac. My nephew, a Harley dealer, recommended this bike to me. Thank you Buddy.
I also have a ST1300. It’s a 2006 and I love this bike. I have owned and ridden Electra Glides for years. Wish I would have had this ST much sooner. Two up riding, this Honda is much roomier and the ride quality is much better. Down side is luggage capacity for two up but is a small price to pay for such a fantastic machine. Honda needs to bring this bike back.
I have an R90/6. There are a number of updates you can do to make them a little more modern, primarily an electrical system that makes more juice to run more lights and electric clothing. And, yes, there are a few tricks to know to maintain an Airhead but they are easily learned and the Airheads Beemer Club (www.airheads.org) provides good enthusiasts support. If you are not a member, it would be a good idea to look into it.
Early 80's airheads had valve seat issues, metal was changed due to discontinued leaded gas and they didn't get the alloy right the first try. Seats wear down causing valves to get out of adjustment frequently. If you havent already look into getting valve seats done.
Loved this. My bf and I went to Stuttgart in 1968 to pick up a 650 R ( I think I remember that right. He couldn’t afford the 950) we traveled over 3000 miles that summer all over Europe, and he shipped it back to New Jersey to finish college at the end of the trip. At the time the choices were Triumphs and Norton’s. But BMW was unique because it had a drive shaft and not chain drive. Only problems were a couple of leaky seals. Got fixed in London. I was the passenger of course. Never had a second of back pain nor did he. Those were the days when you had to wear kidney belts. We were required to wear helmets in Europe. Not required in US. Spectacular episode in my life. Our longest daily mileage was 350 miles from central Italy to Austria through the Dolomites pass. Thanks!
That was a young man's dream, too. I had a couple friends who spent a year poking around Europe in the early '60's on motorcycles. You are very fortunate to have such nice memories.
I did not get to Germany till the 80s The gear was the same then You dressed Road Race leathers just to ride anything bigger than a moped. But hey I guess better safe than sorry.
My longest day trip was from Marseille bottom of France to Belfast, Northern ireland, 600 miles and two boat ferries on a bmw r100 Rt. Two up with luggage and camping gear.
@@a.barker7792 LOL! yes any bike will be heavy 2 up. I am in sane and carry around about 40to 50 pounds of sluff in between saddle bags and trunk and i never had a top heavy feel and i like to scrape pegs. I throw my tour master bag on the back seat and that's another 50 pounds.. F6b nice looking but not functional for me plus lack of substantial wind screen makes it suck in the rain.
Actually most anything will go over 100K miles, and then some.... if you're willing to throw parts at it and wrench on it enuff. So the real question is, how _often_ and how _expensive_ does all that 'wrenching' *_total_* out to be?
you're correct. I've done all the maintenance on my 2005 concours which i donated just this past year. it had 120,000+ miles on it. still had the original clutch.
@@MrBikercat Cool, and yeah, have owned a couple high mileage beemers where I noticed on both that 120K seems to be about when any remaining clutch adjustment is kinda on its last legs. BTW, ever need to do any serious repairs or maintenance beyond the usual 'consumables'?
@@mingonmongo1 oh dear i added a 0.of course i had tyres and chain,i head bearing but thet was all.been stood in my garage for 2 years abd still starts on the button.motobat battery fitted.
I've owned 2 harleys with more than 75k miles on them. A 2006 with 76k and a 2011 with 78k miles. I had no mechanical problems. Bought both new and used full synthetic oil, changed at 3000 mi. I trust my harleys, been riding 49 yrs. Stay safe.
Hands down the most reliable bikes I have ever owned have been the Harley's and I have owned most brands. Been riding for over 45 years and never been stranded on my Harley's. I have had issues on the road but was always able to make it home. However, my other brands no such luck.
I agree you can get lots of miles out of a Harley. I've owned 4 of them. The difference with my 04 Wing is you can push it hard if you have to and it's so damn comfortable.
1997 Honda Valkyrie Tourer with 120,000 miles. Still in service. Still purrs like a kitten. Never had the engine opened. Changes timing belts at 95,000 miles. This bike is amazing and fun to ride.
I just renewed my "riders passport" by getting back into the sport with a purchase of a 1998 Gold Wing Valkyrie Tourer by Honda. I couldn't be happier then a pig in s#1t! However, soon after I picked it up, BMW released it's R-18 Transcontinental. This models IMHO, picks up where Honda left off with it's Valkyrie; adaptive cruise control, infotainment, anti-lock brakes, heated seats, I only wish I could upgrade my F-6 to these specs!
2013 fjr1300. plenty of miles ridden. plenty more to go. i do love this bike. engine and drivetrain great and rock solid. and yammies are super reliable. safe riding!
I own a Honda Valkyrie 1520cc model (marketed as the F6C in Europe) there are many owners with 250k plus miles on theirs, a few around 400 and 500k and apparently one owner has almost 600k miles on his. They are exceptionally well engineered and well built machines.
@@waterhouse235 sorry, I’ve only just seen your reply, it’s miles, I believe one Valkyrie owner is at almost 700,000 miles. They are big, big mileage bikes and virtually bullet proof, that flat 6 boxer engine is something else.
My 1985 Honda Goldwing interstate is over 240,000 miles. The only work I've done is fluid changes, spark plugs, brake pads, tires and a alternator conversion, along with eliminating wiring connectors by soldering and shrink tubing. Still runs like a dream, I'll probably keep it forever. I bought it almost 10 years ago with 120k for $500, not running, mice got to the wiring over the winter and the owner thought it was shot, he sold it for parts.
I'm considering soldering and shrink wrapping my rectifier wires because the connecter burned up. I haven't seen others doing it that way. Have you had any issues with the connections?
Bought an mz in 1986. Still use it and 320.000 km later, still looks and drives as new. Most underrrated bike ever. Yearly cost....roughly 150 euro. No electrics, no computers but honest straightforward mechanic
From the sounds of it, he factors the number of bikes in the mileage samples and the number of bikes with high miles that are available for sale. I am in the USA and think I have only seen one late model MZ on the road near me and I know all the bike shops/dealers in the Seattle, WA area and I couldn't tell you where to go to buy an MZ. So, I'll take your word for it that an MZ is a low maintenance, good running bike,
As far as sport touring goes, between the Honda ST1300, Concours, and FJR1300, I'd recommend the FJR1300 personally. I think it's the best combination for sport and touring between those 3 bikes. The Concours is quite top heavy. The Honda feels more "scooter-ish" and maybe a bit soul-less, it weighs the most but more of it's weight is lower than the C14, so it's still manageable.. The FJR I think has the best combination of chassis, suspension, and engine to do everything well, be comfortable and perform well at the same time. It is the lightest of the bunch.
My 2013 FJR checked all of my boxes: EFI, ABS, liquid cooling, shaft drive, cruise control, low cost of maintenance (I do my own), and a good dealer network. Good range with a 6.5 gallon fuel tank - and being able to run on regular 87 octane (US) gas is a bonus. Plus in the 2013 Iron Butt Rally (think 11 day, 11000 mile - to be competitive - scavenger hunt), 2005 and 2006 FJRs took 5 of the 6 top places. Honda bailed on the ST market in 2012 (no new STs or NTs since then). C-14 is too complicated and had too many teething problems plus no cruise control. BMW: too expensive, plus poor dealer network. Suzuki is not in the sports-tourer market (hanging saddlebags and a windshield on a bike does not make it an S-T.
The RT is a lot lighter than the FJR, C14 and ST. The ST is very heavy. Over 700lbs wet. Then there are ergonomics. The FJR and C14 aren't as tall person friendly.
I replaced an FJ1200 which I loved with an FJR which I can admire, but basically it gained 120lb with the shaft drive and it shows. The bike beats up its front tire walls to the detriment of its handling. I would replace it with a Tracer GT, but the riding position is a mess. The bars are fine, but the foot pegs were left on sport bike rear sets. Who wants a touring bike with feet tucked up behind your ass throwing your weight forward?
I own a Harley Davidson Ultra Classic 2009 , mileage 137,150 miles and still cruising.. love this Glide .. a gift from my twin brother… love that guy too.
My 2012 RT is a dream to ride . Light , nimble , fast ( enough ) and killer brakes . I can ride it for over 4 hours straight or rip through city traffic both being extremely addictive
My Yamaha was and still is running great (my brother owns it now) but my honda needed a new transmission and I sold it to a mechanic instead of paying the cost to repair. I'm on my second Harley and not once have I had to put a dime into anything other than maintenance and wear items. Any manufacturer can have issues.
Great topic!! Honda VFR 700 - 800!!! V four motor like the ST. Super reliable and strong. Many in Europe have racked up closed to 500k miles. I have put over 100k on two VFR’s. My ‘98 has 71k. They are also used by police in the East. I had a V-Strom 650 and can attest to its endurance. Currently have a KLR 650 that will go the distance even after flipping over me and the deer we hit. 99 Honda VTR with 21k, just breaking her in. Bikes you listed are also a reflection of what are mostly being ridden in the US. Thanks again!
@@mrmile5911 That’s awesome! I imagine I might end up on a Gold Wing one day…for now I want to see how many miles I can get my Rebel 500. Hondas are insanely good vehicles.
Have a 2010 triumph thunderbird 1600 with 82,000 miles.bought it used with 37000 on it 4 years ago. Absolutely no issues. Have not had a valve adjustment done ever. No issues at all. Basic maintenance done religiously but thats it. Still in love with it.
I've got a Suzuki Hayabusa. I bought it in 2005 and run 120000 kilometers (75000 miles) without any fault or breakdown. I use it for touring. Every part of it works excellent. Every part of it are original.
2012 BMW R1200RT with 160K miles. I'm the 4th owner, and bought the bike in July 2020 with 153K miles on it. I'm replacing the front and rear shocks, and I'm waiting on a new fuel pump in the current recall. I live in northern Virginia and commute regularly on this bike so I can use I-95 express lanes and park close to my work place. Heated seat and grips and the big windscreen make it a comfortable ride year-round.
I've had 2 harleys with high mileage. A 2006 with 78,000 mi and a 2011 with 76,000 mi. My 2019 has 51,000 miles on it and none of these bike gave me any mechanical problems. It really depend on how well you take care of them. Change oil ever 3,000 miles. Greatvideo as always.
Good to hear that! Been reading and watching videos about how the Evo is the best engine and how HD cut corners on the TC. At the time the TC came out, I read that HD increased the fin area, improved the crankcase/gearbox union to remove the previous flex, vastly improved oil pump/circulation, better metallurgy, and pushrod geometry. I gave my 2001 Roadking to my son and I have a 2006 Springer. Did you have any issues with the cam chain tensioners? My son and I upgraded the tensioners and oil pumps.
Don't forget the Honda CX500/GL500/GL650 series (the Goldwing's little brother). The CX500 was the quintessential courier bike, reputed to go over 300,000 miles, while the GL500I/GL650I Silver Wing were fully dressed light touring bikes which are still around, and relatively "modern" for nearly 40 years old. A GL500I was my ride 2007-2016.
Out of all of Honda's inventory of bike platforms & powerplants, it is the CX series which Honda choose to utilizes for their factory Turbo bikes. Nuff Said!
Original owner of a ‘97 Honda Valkyrie with 104,000 miles. Major maintenance has been a final drive at 60,000 and 102,000 miles at $1,500 each. Runs great! Bought a 2009 BMW 1200RT: fuel gauge strip required four attempts to fix. Maintenance is expensive, but I am doing it myself now. I paid $7,300 for it with 13,004 miles...a good deal on an $18,500 bike. I also own a’94 RS with 59,000 miles (I put on 5,000 miles) and a 2014 Triumph Bonneville T100 with 14,000 trouble free miles. My thoughts: the more complicated the bikes, the higher potential for problems...especially the digital, computerized, high tech stuff. All great when it works; PIA when it doesn’t. I suspect the older, analog bikes have a higher resale value for that reason.
An important point to consider regarding a bike that has reached 75,000 to 100,000 miles is how many unscheduled repairs were needed in order to reach that point, as well as how much of the bike is original. I suppose you can make any motorcycle last to 100,000 miles if you just keep fixing what breaks.
Well said. Truth be told when buying a mcy it may not be which model you choose but which manufacturer's dealer network you choose. The Moto-company goes along way to making the buyers of their bikes feel more like investors. While only based on anecdotal evidence, I feel that far and away, H-D owners spend more money at their authorized dealers than any other brand loyal clientele.
@@nelsonphilip4520 Called the Harley Tax. I refuse. Any bike that makes the hands go numb from vibration is a giant POS in my humble opinion. With that said, IF you service your bike at the dealer, most folks stop paying and sell it off. I have an Old Wing 1983 Interstate with far over 200k on it. These bikes have been known to go over 400K. If all you whining poosay's wanna talk about broken parts then remember even your Car breaks sheet. So stop complaining about incidentals, and MAN UP and service your own ride. You will learn a lot and even may find that your ride needs to move on cause it too breaks too much. My rides typically never break cause I do my own maintenance and repairs. So thumb in your eye bunch of crybabies.
I got a 2001 Fatboy FLSTF that has 75K and still running strong. I replaced the Cams and upgraded to the more modern cam chain tensioner and oil pump. Beyond that I have not done anything internally to the engine. I have turned it into a touring bike with the modern hard bags that I can open up while riding with one hand and a full tour pack, fairing, stereo and power outlets to charge my cell phone and stuff.
Just buy Japanese bikes. I work the highways and freeways for 28 years as a CHP officer before retirement. I stopped for hundreds of brokdowm Harleys. I still see them on the side of the throughout the summer when I travel.
At Sloan’s in Murfreesboro Tennessee, met a guy trading his goldwing that had 410,00 miles on it, it still looked in great shape. He rode off on a brand new 2019 goldwing
I had a Honda CB750K3 that bought new in 74. I put over 100k miles on it in stock trim. Then turbocharged it (with appropriate upgrades such as 820cc low compression pistons and extensive top and bottom end work.) This doubled the HP and I still rode it another 40k miles as a sport tourer with full Windjammer SS fairing, lowers, bags, Lester mag wheels, air shocks, etc. It was running great when I sold it. No telling where it's at now.
@@allenfazer I highly doubt it and I am not anti BMW since I have a slew of GSes. Unless the motorcycles were serviced at the same dealer where records are kept from day one, who knows. Maintenance and how they are driven makes a huge difference. But I have no complaints with my GSes, or I would not have 4 of them from a 1986 to a 2016. But this video is kind of useless due to not having all the facts.
80 year old Phil Steiner has a Honda GL1800 Goldwing with 681,000 miles. The engine has never been rebuilt. Phil also had an earlier model with 500,000 miles. Phil is known to put 100,000 a year on.
Had a 1985 BMW K100RS with 230,000ks (143,000 miles), never had a spanner on the engine, other than valve clearances, still had the original fork seals, was fast, handled, quiet and smooth. I've owned 6 BMW's, presently a R1100S, love em. AUS
My 1996 H-D heritage softail has over 161,000 miles & have worked on my transmission 3: times due to my getting 2nd & 3rd gear rubber when I shift. good videos, thank you.
My 95 R1100 GS will flip 85K miles this week. Minor maintenance mostly done by myself. I have rode two 1K mile days on it, commuted, toured, camped and even a little dirt. Favorite bike of all time.
My '07 Lowrider is 100 miles short of 129,000 miles (207,605km). Did a solo 4200 mile ride across 7 countries in southern Europe last Oct and plan to almost repeat the ride again this year.
My first bike was a Kawasaki Ninja 500r (ex500). It lasted 109,000 miles before I dropped a valve. Not bad for a "disposable" beginners bike. I commuted on it, did my first track day on it, and my wife loved riding on the back of it. It claimed 50hp, was light, easy to work on, and was versatile. The only drawback was the lack of aftermarket parts.
I have a. 03 k1200gt got it with 42000 miles on it. It's got 72000 now, just got back from a cross country trip where I put 10,000 miles on it in 30 days. It runs like a champ. I love it.
2014 Yamaha FZ-09. just hit 68,000 miles today. Oil/Filter changes every 4000 miles, Spark plugs every 8000 miles, Coolant flush every few years (when I remember). Only repairs have been the gear position indicator sensor and throttle position sensor had to be replaced. It's my daily commuter bike and still runs great.
I just bought a 1993 ST 1100 this summer I cant go on long trips at this time but I have out 500 miles on it so now it has 55,900, purrs like a kitten and goes straight as an arrow!
I have owned four 5th generation Goldwings over the last 14 years and have never been left stranded on the road. I did have the recall done on the dragging brakes done but other than that they have been bullet proof so far.
What is really important is to list all the repairs required to achieve those miles. You can put any amount of miles on a vehicle if you throw enough money at it.
The video is based on what is for sale. There's a reason you don't see 1980s Yugos for sale, they are scrapped well before this. Most people aren't going to throw money at something that isn't worth it.
I own a 2010 Honda Interstate VT1300CT. I purchased it as a leftover in May 2011. I currently have 144k on the odometer with the original clutch and completely stock other than some accessories. I purchased it new and has been serviced by Des Plaines Honda ever since. Maintenance is the key to longevity. Enjoy your journey on the road and ride safely.
Agree. Just need your correction for 144K: 144,000 km or miles? And one more question. Type of oil that you using. My 2010 Sabre has only 56,000km on it.
I won't own a shaft drive bike Chain and sprockets are easy to inspect and replace Shaft drive not so and expensive to repair I have witnessed a number of bike's mainly BMW that the drive locks up at high speed and nearly seriously injured the rider and destroys the rear tire One bike only had 50000 Kay's on it and was dealer serviced
Shucks. I can squeeze nearly 55 mpg on regular gas out of my 2013 FJR1300, if I set my cruise control on 60 mph. OTOH, I didn't buy an FJR to go 60 mph.
I note the Suzuki v-strom reference, makes sense, indestructable. Would be interested in your views on the Busa - such low stress on the engine in most cases, very capable but rarely ridden at the speeds or stresses it can cope with - I've seen a lot of them at over 60-70 thousand miles without any major problems and minimal repairs needed. You can tell I like Suzukis.
Hey Bill, l was shocked to see a BMW R1100 GS once at mechanics workshop that had 365,000 km on the odometer. As l owned the next model in that range, l thought it boded well for a long life.
I have 2 Honda Scooters with over 25,000 miles on both. A Honda Elite 110cc(2010), and a Honda Forza 300(2014). Combined over 50,000 miles. They both still have their original batteries.
I’ve never kept any bikes that long but I’ve owned a number of goldwings now and currently own a 92 with 174,000 miles on it, unfortunately the transmission is failing due to towing a trailer AND a heel toe shifter install(previous owner). I would agree the Vstrom is very reliable my 650 got 25k miles on it in less than two seasons with nothing but routine maintenance. Another great cruiser is the 1600 Vulcan from Kawasaki, put 25k miles on that as well in a short time with only routine maintenance. Yamaha super tenere is another great machine, long haul Paul put 300k plus on two of them with very little issue.
My 1999 BMW f650 has 164000 miles on it. Replaced one burnt valve , replaced rings , and timing chain. Still runs great. Synthetic oil for the last 130000 miles.
There's a guy in town that has an old 80s early 90s Honda elite scooter he bought new and he rides just to ride,it's got over 250,000 on it,he has had it serviced regular .. Honda's are awesome
Most any bike will go 100,000 miles if for keep fixing it. The question HOW OFTEN. And the cost of repairs. The real question is high mileage with little or no repairs. Otherwise it means nothing. Roadie
@@carlcanfield2198 well... Starters,brakes,battery,tires,belt,lights,are all things that go bad just because they do... But,if you maintain your stuff,do the upkeep before bad things happen,then,you can get 2-300,000 outta it
For years I rode a BMW R100RS (shows how old I am) in and out of London, and did well over 100,000 miles on it. I did my own servicing which was very easy (oil, brakes, spark plugs), and only took it took it to a garage for tyre changes and on two occasions a new clutch plate. Apart from that it literally never missed a beat. Did a compression test on the pots and it was virtually like new.
@@Leifr57 Yep, which is basically an 'automotive' engine anyway, and really not much different than what's in a Subaru. In fact a lotta bikes these days already have way more power than many cars.
Third wing now. Started with a '76 GL1000 , now own an '81 GL1100 and an '03 GL1800. Love them all. I've only really done about 40,000 miles on all of them combined but would go around the world if I could.
I havea 2000 Kawasaki Concours with 123,000 miles on it. Basic maintenance, valve adjustments, oil changes..... still has original clutch. Betting it will go to 2000,000.
Last 2 Harley's...2003 Road King sold with 183,000 miles on it, then my 2008 Road Glide traded in with 133,000 miles, both trouble free. Just change your oil regularly guys!
John Mattson, no cam chain tensioner problems? No oil pump problems? Those were known for those things going bad..... New cam plate and hi output oil pump at $1500 is needed on that year of HD. I have a 2003 Road King CVO with the 103 cu in motor in it. Bad cam chain tensioner at 15,000 miles!!!!
A Babbit yes, I replaced the cam chain tensioners at 50,000 on the 2003 Road King as a precautionary measure because I knew of other riders having failures. Only real issues with that bike were 2 belt replacements and a (laced) rear wheel failure due to riding two up, too fast and too long in high heat while overloaded on a 3-week trip. Didn't go down (thank God) but required a tow halfway across Wyoming to get a new rim laced onto my old hub. Put a mag wheel on the back as soon as we returned home to Washington and that solved that. (I didn't know until then that laced wheels weren't as strong as mag-type wheels...duh!)
I believe according to a Consumer Reports study the Japanese brands were the most reliable and after them the Victory was the most reliable American brand. The makers of Victory now make Indian, so they shouldn't be bad
I had a 1987 Honda VFR 700 that I bought with 79,000 miles on it. I added another 20,000 mostly touring miles before I sold it as I moved out of state. It never gave me even one problem and was a fantastic bike.
My 1992 Goldwing is working its way to 100,000 with a current 78,554 miles. I am down for some cross country rides. I just bought it two years ago at 75,372 miles
I have a electra-gluide ultra classic. I have 66,000 miles and have had no problems. Change oil at 5,000 miles and do all maintenance myself. I bought it new from Dothan Harley-Davidson in Dothan, Alabama. Rode to Sturgis in 2013, putting a total of 5,700 miles on the bike that trip. Other long trips include Key West, Savanah, Ga and a trip down the Pacific Coast Highway. It is my 4th Harley. I have been riding since I was 16 and I am 73 now and still riding.
I have a 2005 Honda ST1300 and love it, I have almost 65,000 miles and look forward to pushing it past the 100,000 mark. I am getting older so we will see if the bike last longer or I do...lol great vid.
Between 95 and 04 I was a distance courier based in the middle of England. I rode a VFR 750 FG which finally died after 289,000 miles. A friend who worked there had a deauville that had 319,000 miles. The VFR was oil tight until the end. Only real issue is that I managed to wear out the splines on the output shaft. I had to get front sprockets tig welded on and angle grinding off which was a pain.
It finally died in classic fashion. T Boning a volvo driven by a 91 year old man who ignored the Give Way sign. He was charged at the scene and I had a broken wrist.@@connor3288
2007 Honda CB 919 126,000 miles. Several batteries and sprockets over the years. Front fork seals and a couple of valve shims is about all it has needed. Well lots of tires as well. The little bike just keeps on going. My commuter ride of several years.
Great vid Sir. I'm 70 now and have owned well over 200 bikes in my lifetime. Among them have been 4 Vstroms...2 of which I still own. Bomb proof...easy to work on...nothing and I mean nothing ever breaks. I've owned 7 assorted BMW boxers and will never own another. My last one was a 2007 and between the recalls and assorted ailments I'm done with BMW.
I am in Australia and we do lots of kms (Why is the US still on miles?) I have two bikes and both are stone reliable. The first is a 1982 BMW R65 with 227,000kms. Its still on the original engine. I put new rings in it at 150,000-km. Its an easy job with the airheads. The other is a 2010 Yamaha Tenere with 185,000 kms. It consumes front for deals, but thats all. If I was to buy a new bike today I would probably buy a Suzuke 650 VStrom. Suzuki seems to make engines that last. The secret to long engine life is frequent oil changes with the best quality oil you can afford, and fix any overheating issues before they cause damage.
I'm in Oz too, the US and UK both still use miles as it Her Majest'y Sensible System of wights and measure. Besides why change millions of road signs costing millions of dollars for fuck all gain. agree about frequent oil changes, my 2007 Triumph has clocked up over 165,000 kilometrs, Silkolene comp4 15-50 (because supercrap often has it on special) every 5000 clicks
Fun video! I'd like to add a few things: My '94 ST1100 has 62,000 miles on it. Only problem is that it suffered from "Hot-Fuel-Pump-Seizure Syndrome or HFPSS. After riding a few hours in hot weather (90 degrees+), the bike would suddenly start starving for gas and eventually stop and refuse to restart. 45-60 minutes later, it would magically restart and run fine. Two dealers and two independent mechanics couldn't find the problem. On the ST11+1300 boards, others reported the same problem. A retired engineer took apart a fuel pump and found a spacer missing. Since all the bikes reported with the problem were from 1993-94, he hypothesized that Honda made a run of defective fuel pumps. When I replaced the pump, the problem ended. (It's my understanding that the pump from the late '80s Honda Accords can be easily modified to fit the ST.) The bike is a dream: comfortable, reliable, strong, nimble, and just plain fun. The only drawbacks are airflow management, which is tough but not impossible to get right and it's top heavy in the driveway. Odd notes: The ST1100 was designed by Honda of Germany, not of Japan, and Honda continued the model from 2002-07 as a police bike. The GB and Dutch police used them for many years. Many report the pre-1996 ST11's 28-amp alternator as a ticking failure, often around 60k miles. '96 and later have a 40-amp. I put a 40-amper in my '94 and it's been great. I'm not surprised about the Kawasaki Concours not doing well in a reliability test. Don't get me wrong: I like the bike. But I found its motor buzzy and it always felt like it was tuned wrong for touring, that it was trying to be a pure sport bike. This is oversimplified, but to me, the Concours is a _sport_ bike that's tolerable for touring. The ST11 is _touring_ bike that will take some hard turns. My 1972 Honda CB750K2 went 172,000 miles and was running when I had it torn down. The clutch slipped under strain but still worked, and the valves were gone. But the cylinders and rings were STILL IN TOLERANCE! I had the motor redone and changed lots of stuff. I fully expect another 172,000 miles out of it. The frame on my friend's Goldwing 1500 flexed. I don't know if Honda ever acknowledged the problem, but I suspect that the bike's frame was too light for its load. That said, it was a hoot to ride. Again, fun video--thanks!
I bought my Triumph T 100 (865cc twin carburetors) new in 2007. She has just over 22K miles now. At the peak of my riding, I was putting 120 miles per week on her. No major issues, only two minor oil leaks I fixed myself. I still have her. I ride her at least once a week.
I've got 34k miles on my 2015, my commute is about to be 300 miles a week, with my other riding I should get in about 30K a year,,,, we'll see how that works out
Great video - thanks for this info. I do recall seeing a Vstrom recently for sale on Craigslist with over 100k. I put a third of that on my KLR650 in 8 months without issues - I don't know how much more to expect form a thumper.
I have a Honda st 1300 2009 model with 194000 thousand kilometres , done touring in Tasmania Australia still as strong as the day I purchased it excellent machine. Cheers Kerry
Speaking as an automotive line tech of 27 years (now retired), I always enjoy, and agree with your long term auto results (I currently own a Mustang GT and a Lincoln TC). Im also an avid motorcycle rider of 50+ years (Im 70yrs young). Have owned numerous bikes over the years. One often quoted survey is a Consumers Report Survey on Motorcycle Reliability and Owner Satisfaction. To me, frequency of repair is the most important category. You can't enjoy riding if your bike is always in the shop. After surveying 12,300 owners from 2008 to 2014, CR results were: 1) Yamaha 2) suzuki 3)Honda 4) Kawasaki and 5)Victory. Victory shutting down its operations in January of 2017 due to lack of profitability. These results match my personal experience. My best experience was the purchase of a 1976 BMW R75/6. Purchased new and owned it for 24yrs! Had ZERO problems with it. Just the usual maintenance items. The old air cooled Beemers were built like a tank and are now sought after by collectors. Always enjoy you vids CTL. Keep up the good work.
Hey all! I finally got a bike! It's a 2015 Suzuki DRZ400SM. What a blast! Hope to see you on the road one of these days. :-)
You cant go wrong with the DRZ400SM. Great choice!
Very glad to see you didn’t buy any of the bikes in this video as your first bike. I currently own a Suzuki V-Strom 650 which I’ve put 73,000 miles on so far. Enjoy your bike and please take the motorcycle safety course if you haven’t already.
Please be a student of safety!! You can change the odds to favor your self drastically, and still have a blast!
2003 Vfr 800s are amazing too! They will run for ever!
and all japanese bikes last minimum 250000 miles , especially yamaha fjr1300 and honda goldwing ,suzuki hayabusa they last 300000 miles before any major problem
I purchased a 2003 Goldwing and eventually sold it (for 50% of price paid) in 2018 with 287,000 miles. The bike made me money hand-over-fist: I rode it for business and because of tax mileage deductions paid the bike back every 18 month's. Best motorcycle I ever purchased.
Legendary
I have the Honda ST 1300, 2007, with over 130,000 miles and I still hop on it at a moments notice and head across country. I've been riding for 50 years, and owned lots of bikes, This is the best bike by far that I have ever owned. I'm 70 years old and I love getting out in the mid-west and hit it on 130 mph. Even at that speed it rides like a Cadilac. My nephew, a Harley dealer, recommended this bike to me. Thank you Buddy.
A perfect bike. So good it’s boring. My st1300 at 75k. Never turned a bolt on it except battery and similar maintenance
I also have a ST1300. It’s a 2006 and I love this bike. I have owned and ridden Electra Glides for years. Wish I would have had this ST much sooner. Two up riding, this Honda is much roomier and the ride quality is much better. Down side is luggage capacity for two up but is a small price to pay for such a fantastic machine. Honda needs to bring this bike back.
@@Glyder1959 Agree. Honda needs to bring back this bike.
275k miles on my 1982 BMW R100. Had to do a couple valve jobs, but that is simple on this engine. Being able to do one's own work makes a difference.
I have an R90/6. There are a number of updates you can do to make them a little more modern, primarily an electrical system that makes more juice to run more lights and electric clothing. And, yes, there are a few tricks to know to maintain an Airhead but they are easily learned and the Airheads Beemer Club (www.airheads.org) provides good enthusiasts support. If you are not a member, it would be a good idea to look into it.
Run 10 gallons of racing gas every 50000 miles. This will keep the valves clean.
I recently bought a ‘74 R75/6 that the first owner put over 145,000mi on
Early 80's airheads had valve seat issues, metal was changed due to discontinued leaded gas and they didn't get the alloy right the first try. Seats wear down causing valves to get out of adjustment frequently. If you havent already look into getting valve seats done.
Try to repeat this milleage on 2010+ model. I am ready to bet... you won't.
Loved this. My bf and I went to Stuttgart in 1968 to pick up a 650 R ( I think I remember that right. He couldn’t afford the 950) we traveled over 3000 miles that summer all over Europe, and he shipped it back to New Jersey to finish college at the end of the trip.
At the time the choices were Triumphs and Norton’s. But BMW was unique because it had a drive shaft and not chain drive. Only problems were a couple of leaky seals. Got fixed in London.
I was the passenger of course. Never had a second of back pain nor did he. Those were the days when you had to wear kidney belts. We were required to wear helmets in Europe. Not required in US.
Spectacular episode in my life. Our longest daily mileage was 350 miles from central Italy to Austria through the Dolomites pass.
Thanks!
What happened to the bf?
That was a young man's dream, too. I had a couple friends who spent a year poking around Europe in the early '60's on motorcycles. You are very fortunate to have such nice memories.
I did not get to Germany till the 80s The gear was the same then You dressed Road Race leathers just to ride anything bigger than a moped. But hey I guess better safe than sorry.
My longest day trip was from Marseille bottom of France to Belfast, Northern ireland, 600 miles and two boat ferries on a bmw r100 Rt. Two up with luggage and camping gear.
Sorry correction over 600 miles to calias
I had a hearty chuckle when you said the harley had a high output engine.
My 2013 Goldwing (F6B) has 144,000 miles, has never broken down, has done everything I’ve ask of it, and performs every bit as good as it did new.
love that bike
I love the look of it. And the low gravity feel to it. Not top heavy like other gold wings.
@@a.barker7792 Touring Wings are not top heavy at all. That's why it handles so well (low center of gravity called the engine.)
@@mikeporro3311 two up with a full clam shell. Yes the are. BMW is way worse of course. I like the f6b. For me...that's the way to go.
@@a.barker7792 LOL! yes any bike will be heavy 2 up. I am in sane and carry around about 40to 50 pounds of sluff in between saddle bags and trunk and i never had a top heavy feel and i like to scrape pegs. I throw my tour master bag on the back seat and that's another 50 pounds.. F6b nice looking but not functional for me plus lack of substantial wind screen makes it suck in the rain.
Actually most anything will go over 100K miles, and then some.... if you're willing to throw parts at it and wrench on it enuff. So the real question is, how _often_ and how _expensive_ does all that 'wrenching' *_total_* out to be?
you're correct. I've done all the maintenance on my 2005 concours which i donated just this past year. it had 120,000+ miles on it. still had the original clutch.
@@MrBikercat Cool, and yeah, have owned a couple high mileage beemers where I noticed on both that 120K seems to be about when any remaining clutch adjustment is kinda on its last legs. BTW, ever need to do any serious repairs or maintenance beyond the usual 'consumables'?
my 98 honda transalp did 800000 miles with only oil and filter change.my v strom 650 i thinkwill be the same.
@@peterpyke1213 LOL... even the likelihood of just the chain and sprocket alone lasting '800,000 miles' sounds kinda _'dubious'!_ ;-p
@@mingonmongo1 oh dear i added a 0.of course i had tyres and chain,i head bearing but thet was all.been stood in my garage for 2 years abd still starts on the button.motobat battery fitted.
I've owned 2 harleys with more than 75k miles on them. A 2006 with 76k and a 2011 with 78k miles. I had no mechanical problems. Bought both new and used full synthetic oil, changed at 3000 mi. I trust my harleys, been riding 49 yrs. Stay safe.
I think his data was captured from bikes listed for sale around the USA.
Yea and at 4:22 he said the Electra glide had recalls for coolant leaking issues...on a air-cooled bike 🤷♂️
Hands down the most reliable bikes I have ever owned have been the Harley's and I have owned most brands. Been riding for over 45 years and never been stranded on my Harley's. I have had issues on the road but was always able to make it home. However, my other brands no such luck.
I agree you can get lots of miles out of a Harley. I've owned 4 of them. The difference with my 04 Wing is you can push it hard if you have to and it's so damn comfortable.
Cam chain tensioners ?
1997 Honda Valkyrie Tourer with 120,000 miles. Still in service. Still purrs like a kitten. Never had the engine opened. Changes timing belts at 95,000 miles. This bike is amazing and fun to ride.
I just renewed my "riders passport" by getting back into the sport with a purchase of a 1998 Gold Wing Valkyrie Tourer by Honda. I couldn't be happier then a pig in s#1t! However, soon after I picked it up, BMW released it's R-18 Transcontinental. This models IMHO, picks up where Honda left off with it's Valkyrie; adaptive cruise control, infotainment, anti-lock brakes, heated seats, I only wish I could upgrade my F-6 to these specs!
I have 109,000 miles on my 2009 Triumph Street Triple. No major issues to report 🤘🏽🏍
ua-cam.com/video/e6YMkN49P5o/v-deo.html
That’s a great scoot, I rode one from Shreveport to Iowa once. Outstanding engine.
Wow that’s surprising to hear. Nice
I have a 1990 Honda Transalp with 140,000 miles. It still starts immediately and runs like a dream
Got the Africa Twin 750 and it's the same
2013 fjr1300. plenty of miles ridden. plenty more to go. i do love this bike. engine and drivetrain great and rock solid. and yammies are super reliable. safe riding!
I own a Honda Valkyrie 1520cc model (marketed as the F6C in Europe) there are many owners with 250k plus miles on theirs, a few around 400 and 500k and apparently one owner has almost 600k miles on his. They are exceptionally well engineered and well built machines.
Kilometres or miles?
A Gold Wing by any other name!
@@waterhouse235 sorry, I’ve only just seen your reply, it’s miles, I believe one Valkyrie owner is at almost 700,000 miles.
They are big, big mileage bikes and virtually bullet proof, that flat 6 boxer engine is something else.
My 1985 Honda Goldwing interstate is over 240,000 miles. The only work I've done is fluid changes, spark plugs, brake pads, tires and a alternator conversion, along with eliminating wiring connectors by soldering and shrink tubing. Still runs like a dream, I'll probably keep it forever. I bought it almost 10 years ago with 120k for $500, not running, mice got to the wiring over the winter and the owner thought it was shot, he sold it for parts.
Good on you for bringing it back to life instead of scrapping it!
@@telcobilly Ditto!
I'm considering soldering and shrink wrapping my rectifier wires because the connecter burned up. I haven't seen others doing it that way. Have you had any issues with the connections?
Bought an mz in 1986. Still use it and 320.000 km later, still looks and drives as new. Most underrrated bike ever. Yearly cost....roughly 150 euro. No electrics, no computers but honest straightforward mechanic
mz 250 would take 2 people, cost very little to run and contrived to be stable in a crosswind... superb
From the sounds of it, he factors the number of bikes in the mileage samples and the number of bikes with high miles that are available for sale. I am in the USA and think I have only seen one late model MZ on the road near me and I know all the bike shops/dealers in the Seattle, WA area and I couldn't tell you where to go to buy an MZ. So, I'll take your word for it that an MZ is a low maintenance, good running bike,
2005 Suzuki DR 650 , 500,000 kilometres, 2014 Suzuki DR 650 280,000 kilometres, both bikes still going strong.
As far as sport touring goes, between the Honda ST1300, Concours, and FJR1300, I'd recommend the FJR1300 personally. I think it's the best combination for sport and touring between those 3 bikes. The Concours is quite top heavy. The Honda feels more "scooter-ish" and maybe a bit soul-less, it weighs the most but more of it's weight is lower than the C14, so it's still manageable.. The FJR I think has the best combination of chassis, suspension, and engine to do everything well, be comfortable and perform well at the same time. It is the lightest of the bunch.
My 2013 FJR checked all of my boxes: EFI, ABS, liquid cooling, shaft drive, cruise control, low cost of maintenance (I do my own), and a good dealer network. Good range with a 6.5 gallon fuel tank - and being able to run on regular 87 octane (US) gas is a bonus. Plus in the 2013 Iron Butt Rally (think 11 day, 11000 mile - to be competitive - scavenger hunt), 2005 and 2006 FJRs took 5 of the 6 top places.
Honda bailed on the ST market in 2012 (no new STs or NTs since then). C-14 is too complicated and had too many teething problems plus no cruise control. BMW: too expensive, plus poor dealer network. Suzuki is not in the sports-tourer market (hanging saddlebags and a windshield on a bike does not make it an S-T.
The RT is a lot lighter than the FJR, C14 and ST. The ST is very heavy. Over 700lbs wet. Then there are ergonomics. The FJR and C14 aren't as tall person friendly.
I agree, the only bike I have ever been hurt on was dropping my Concours 14 making a u-turn on a dirt drive way. It is too heavy.
I replaced an FJ1200 which I loved with an FJR which I can admire, but basically it gained 120lb with the shaft drive and it shows. The bike beats up its front tire walls to the detriment of its handling. I would replace it with a Tracer GT, but the riding position is a mess. The bars are fine, but the foot pegs were left on sport bike rear sets. Who wants a touring bike with feet tucked up behind your ass throwing your weight forward?
@@67daltonknox Not me
I own a Harley Davidson Ultra Classic 2009 , mileage 137,150 miles and still cruising.. love this Glide .. a gift from my twin brother… love that guy too.
I have a hammer that originally belong to Hannibal the great. . Since he had it, it has had five new heads and 17 new handles
Ooygin Jardl ok Trig 😂🤣
Triggers broom?
My 2012 RT is a dream to ride . Light , nimble , fast ( enough ) and killer brakes . I can ride it for over 4 hours straight or rip through city traffic both being extremely addictive
Basically any Japanese bike is good.
Exactly.
@munchkin42 Hahahahaha, ha. It's funny because it is true.
My Yamaha was and still is running great (my brother owns it now) but my honda needed a new transmission and I sold it to a mechanic instead of paying the cost to repair. I'm on my second Harley and not once have I had to put a dime into anything other than maintenance and wear items. Any manufacturer can have issues.
@munchkin42 My 2013 ultra has over 114,000 miles on the original engine it and it still runs like new.
Unless it has the words Kawasaki and GPz anywhere on it.....
Got my 08 Harley Roadglide in 2010 with 8,000 miles.Sold it in 2019 with 136,000 miles still running excellent
What about the cam chain tensioners ?
Great topic!! Honda VFR 700 - 800!!! V four motor like the ST. Super reliable and strong. Many in Europe have racked up closed to 500k miles. I have put over 100k on two VFR’s. My ‘98 has 71k. They are also used by police in the East. I had a V-Strom 650 and can attest to its endurance. Currently have a KLR 650 that will go the distance even after flipping over me and the deer we hit. 99 Honda VTR with 21k, just breaking her in. Bikes you listed are also a reflection of what are mostly being ridden in the US. Thanks again!
Got a 2000, 1500 Honda Gold Wing with 1,055,000 did it in 16 yrs! Tuned a mill in August's of 2016!
Miles or Kilometers? Super impressive either way!
Miles!
@@mrmile5911 That’s awesome! I imagine I might end up on a Gold Wing one day…for now I want to see how many miles I can get my Rebel 500. Hondas are insanely good vehicles.
Have a 2010 triumph thunderbird 1600 with 82,000 miles.bought it used with 37000 on it 4 years ago. Absolutely no issues. Have not had a valve adjustment done ever. No issues at all. Basic maintenance done religiously but thats it. Still in love with it.
The Honda Valkyrie should also be on the list. One of mine has around 100k miles on the meter.
My Moto Guzzi LeMans 3 from 1982 has travelled 162 000 miles (260 000 km's) without any big problems. It's still fun to drive! 😎🏍
Since he did not include Moto Guzzi, he is not well informed for sure...
I rode a 1978 Moto Guzzi 850 T3 from New York to California years ago. Fantastic motorcycle. It was old back then! 😊
I've got a Suzuki Hayabusa. I bought it in 2005 and run 120000 kilometers (75000 miles) without any fault or breakdown. I use it for touring. Every part of it works excellent. Every part of it are original.
2012 BMW R1200RT with 160K miles. I'm the 4th owner, and bought the bike in July 2020 with 153K miles on it. I'm replacing the front and rear shocks, and I'm waiting on a new fuel pump in the current recall. I live in northern Virginia and commute regularly on this bike so I can use I-95 express lanes and park close to my work place. Heated seat and grips and the big windscreen make it a comfortable ride year-round.
I've had 2 harleys with high mileage. A 2006 with 78,000 mi and a 2011 with 76,000 mi. My 2019 has 51,000 miles on it and none of these bike gave me any mechanical problems. It really depend on how well you take care of them. Change oil ever 3,000 miles. Greatvideo as always.
Thanks for the comments!
Good to hear that! Been reading and watching videos about how the Evo is the best engine and how HD cut corners on the TC. At the time the TC came out, I read that HD increased the fin area, improved the crankcase/gearbox union to remove the previous flex, vastly improved oil pump/circulation, better metallurgy, and pushrod geometry. I gave my 2001 Roadking to my son and I have a 2006 Springer. Did you have any issues with the cam chain tensioners? My son and I upgraded the tensioners and oil pumps.
At 60k miles ST1300 valves are in specs, which say a lot about precision and quality build.
I also have an ST13 ,Honda quality.
My Varadero 100000kms valves have been cheeked ,but so far have not needed adjustment.
Don't forget the Honda CX500/GL500/GL650 series (the Goldwing's little brother). The CX500 was the quintessential courier bike, reputed to go over 300,000 miles, while the GL500I/GL650I Silver Wing were fully dressed light touring bikes which are still around, and relatively "modern" for nearly 40 years old. A GL500I was my ride 2007-2016.
I see/hear a distant neighbour ride his CX500 past my house every day, sounds great.
Out of all of Honda's inventory of bike platforms & powerplants, it is the CX series which Honda choose to utilizes for their factory Turbo bikes. Nuff Said!
Original owner of a ‘97 Honda Valkyrie with 104,000 miles. Major maintenance has been a final drive at 60,000 and 102,000 miles at $1,500 each. Runs great! Bought a 2009 BMW 1200RT: fuel gauge strip required four attempts to fix. Maintenance is expensive, but I am doing it myself now. I paid $7,300 for it with 13,004 miles...a good deal on an $18,500 bike. I also own a’94 RS with 59,000 miles (I put on 5,000 miles) and a 2014 Triumph Bonneville T100 with 14,000 trouble free miles. My thoughts: the more complicated the bikes, the higher potential for problems...especially the digital, computerized, high tech stuff. All great when it works; PIA when it doesn’t. I suspect the older, analog bikes have a higher resale value for that reason.
An important point to consider regarding a bike that has reached 75,000 to 100,000 miles is how many unscheduled repairs were needed in order to reach that point, as well as how much of the bike is original. I suppose you can make any motorcycle last to 100,000 miles if you just keep fixing what breaks.
Well said. Truth be told when buying a mcy it may not be which model you choose but which manufacturer's dealer network you choose. The Moto-company goes along way to making the buyers of their bikes feel more like investors. While only based on anecdotal evidence, I feel that far and away, H-D owners spend more money at their authorized dealers than any other brand loyal clientele.
I had a broom which lasted over 40 years, I only had to replace the handle 6 times and the brush 5 times.😄
@@nelsonphilip4520 Called the Harley Tax. I refuse. Any bike that makes the hands go numb from vibration is a giant POS in my humble opinion. With that said, IF you service your bike at the dealer, most folks stop paying and sell it off. I have an Old Wing 1983 Interstate with far over 200k on it. These bikes have been known to go over 400K. If all you whining poosay's wanna talk about broken parts then remember even your Car breaks sheet. So stop complaining about incidentals, and MAN UP and service your own ride. You will learn a lot and even may find that your ride needs to move on cause it too breaks too much. My rides typically never break cause I do my own maintenance and repairs. So thumb in your eye bunch of crybabies.
Yes. But some bikes are a hassle to maintain so people just avoid the maintenance.
@@kornelhuppert5654 That point was brought up. Welcome to the party. The ONLY hassle is in your mind.
I got a 2001 Fatboy FLSTF that has 75K and still running strong. I replaced the Cams and upgraded to the more modern cam chain tensioner and oil pump. Beyond that I have not done anything internally to the engine. I have turned it into a touring bike with the modern hard bags that I can open up while riding with one hand and a full tour pack, fairing, stereo and power outlets to charge my cell phone and stuff.
Just buy Japanese bikes. I work the highways and freeways for 28 years as a CHP officer before retirement. I stopped for hundreds of brokdowm Harleys. I still see them on the side of the throughout the summer when I travel.
At Sloan’s in Murfreesboro Tennessee, met a guy trading his goldwing that had 410,00 miles on it, it still looked in great shape. He rode off on a brand new 2019 goldwing
I had a Honda CB750K3 that bought new in 74. I put over 100k miles on it in stock trim. Then turbocharged it (with appropriate upgrades such as 820cc low compression pistons and extensive top and bottom end work.) This doubled the HP and I still rode it another 40k miles as a sport tourer with full Windjammer SS fairing, lowers, bags, Lester mag wheels, air shocks, etc. It was running great when I sold it. No telling where it's at now.
When I worked at a BMW Dealership, I witnessed several R1200GS's with miles over 200,000 miles and one that went over 700,000.
And did they have all original engine parts? As in just standard maintenance to get to that milage? Thanks
@@allenfazer I highly doubt it and I am not anti BMW since I have a slew of GSes. Unless the motorcycles were serviced at the same dealer where records are kept from day one, who knows. Maintenance and how they are driven makes a huge difference. But I have no complaints with my GSes, or I would not have 4 of them from a 1986 to a 2016. But this video is kind of useless due to not having all the facts.
80 year old Phil Steiner has a Honda GL1800 Goldwing with 681,000 miles. The engine has never been rebuilt. Phil also had an earlier model with 500,000 miles. Phil is known to put 100,000 a year on.
Had a 1985 BMW K100RS with 230,000ks (143,000 miles), never had a spanner on the engine, other than valve clearances, still had the original fork seals, was fast, handled, quiet and smooth. I've owned 6 BMW's, presently a R1100S, love em. AUS
My 1996 H-D heritage softail has over 161,000 miles & have worked on my transmission 3: times due to my getting 2nd & 3rd gear rubber when I shift. good videos, thank you.
Harley Electra Glide is very underated. Reliable, fun to ride and pretty easy to work on.
For what it costs it should fly.
@@jamesgossweiler1349 It kinda does, find a used one with low miles and you'll save a ton.
A must do thing is change the oil on just about every type of motor. Cheap insurance. You can even make a GM motor last longer.
@@johnnyshd8250 How about on a Ford..... you know the deal 90% of Ford's are still on the road & the other 10% made it home! lol
@@henryhonda8408 That's a good one. lol
My 95 R1100 GS will flip 85K miles this week. Minor maintenance mostly done by myself. I have rode two 1K mile days on it, commuted, toured, camped and even a little dirt. Favorite bike of all time.
My '07 Lowrider is 100 miles short of 129,000 miles (207,605km). Did a solo 4200 mile ride across 7 countries in southern Europe last Oct and plan to almost repeat the ride again this year.
That 750 HD behind you lasted so long, it outlived its Gas Tank.
My first bike was a Kawasaki Ninja 500r (ex500). It lasted 109,000 miles before I dropped a valve. Not bad for a "disposable" beginners bike. I commuted on it, did my first track day on it, and my wife loved riding on the back of it. It claimed 50hp, was light, easy to work on, and was versatile. The only drawback was the lack of aftermarket parts.
I got a 2010 Suzuki gsx 1250 fa with 75000 km, still smooth and full torque.
I love it !
ua-cam.com/video/xEH2lzrhUu8/v-deo.html
Bajaj pulsar 2 lak km
There's an 80 year old gentleman featured on UA-cam that rides a Honda Gold Wing with about 800,000 miles on it. 😊
I have a. 03 k1200gt got it with 42000 miles on it. It's got 72000 now, just got back from a cross country trip where I put 10,000 miles on it in 30 days. It runs like a champ. I love it.
2014 Yamaha FZ-09. just hit 68,000 miles today. Oil/Filter changes every 4000 miles, Spark plugs every 8000 miles, Coolant flush every few years (when I remember). Only repairs have been the gear position indicator sensor and throttle position sensor had to be replaced. It's my daily commuter bike and still runs great.
I just bought a 1993 ST 1100 this summer I cant go on long trips at this time but I have out 500 miles on it so now it has 55,900, purrs like a kitten and goes straight as an arrow!
Sold my '92 Goldwing with 257,000. A friend is pushing 350,000 on his Goldwing. Both without any major problems.
I have a 2005 R1200GS with 174,000 on it and still going strong. Love it. My Swiss Army Knife of bikes.
I have owned four 5th generation Goldwings over the last 14 years and have never been left stranded on the road. I did have the recall done on the dragging brakes done but other than that they have been bullet proof so far.
What is really important is to list all the repairs required to achieve those miles. You can put any amount of miles on a vehicle if you throw enough money at it.
The video is based on what is for sale. There's a reason you don't see 1980s Yugos for sale, they are scrapped well before this. Most people aren't going to throw money at something that isn't worth it.
R1200GSA 2008. 232’342 miles. Replaced driveshaft after uni failed and new shocks at 215’000. STD servicing are home. Awesome bike.
I own a 2010 Honda Interstate VT1300CT. I purchased it as a leftover in May 2011. I currently have 144k on the odometer with the original clutch and completely stock other than some accessories. I purchased it new and has been serviced by Des Plaines Honda ever since. Maintenance is the key to longevity. Enjoy your journey on the road and ride safely.
Agree. Just need your correction for 144K: 144,000 km or miles? And one more question. Type of oil that you using. My 2010 Sabre has only 56,000km on it.
My '99 Yamaha Royal Star Venture 1300 is currently at just over 100,000 miles. Still running strong.
2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250 with 60,000 miles. I like the upright riding position, 55 mpg and dirt cheap insurance. What do I dislike? Chain drive!
I won't own a shaft drive bike Chain and sprockets are easy to inspect and replace Shaft drive not so and expensive to repair I have witnessed a number of bike's mainly BMW that the drive locks up at high speed and nearly seriously injured the rider and destroys the rear tire One bike only had 50000 Kay's on it and was dealer serviced
What only 55 mpg?! 60k is impressive keep riding brother🤙
Shucks. I can squeeze nearly 55 mpg on regular gas out of my 2013 FJR1300, if I set my cruise control on 60 mph. OTOH, I didn't buy an FJR to go 60 mph.
@@JR1300r Well, see? THERE's the problem. The problem isn't shaft drives. The problem is BMW shaft drives.
I have around 70k miles on my 1998 R1100S and it still pulls like a train. Never misses a beat.
I note the Suzuki v-strom reference, makes sense, indestructable. Would be interested in your views on the Busa - such low stress on the engine in most cases, very capable but rarely ridden at the speeds or stresses it can cope with - I've seen a lot of them at over 60-70 thousand miles without any major problems and minimal repairs needed. You can tell I like Suzukis.
Hey Bill, l was shocked to see a BMW R1100 GS once at mechanics workshop that had 365,000 km on the odometer. As l owned the next model in that range, l thought it boded well for a long life.
Got a 2002 BMW K1200LT WITH 80,000 Miles at runs like new. Doing my own maintenance on it now. Great bike!!
Until the clutch starts slipping because of a defect of oil leaking onto the disc plate
I have 2 Honda Scooters with over 25,000 miles on both. A Honda Elite 110cc(2010), and a Honda Forza 300(2014). Combined over 50,000 miles. They both still have their original batteries.
I’ve never kept any bikes that long but I’ve owned a number of goldwings now and currently own a 92 with 174,000 miles on it, unfortunately the transmission is failing due to towing a trailer AND a heel toe shifter install(previous owner). I would agree the Vstrom is very reliable my 650 got 25k miles on it in less than two seasons with nothing but routine maintenance. Another great cruiser is the 1600 Vulcan from Kawasaki, put 25k miles on that as well in a short time with only routine maintenance. Yamaha super tenere is another great machine, long haul Paul put 300k plus on two of them with very little issue.
My 1999 BMW f650 has 164000 miles on it. Replaced one burnt valve , replaced rings , and timing chain. Still runs great. Synthetic oil for the last 130000 miles.
There's a guy in town that has an old 80s early 90s Honda elite scooter he bought new and he rides just to ride,it's got over 250,000 on it,he has had it serviced regular .. Honda's are awesome
Most any bike will go 100,000 miles if for keep fixing it. The question HOW OFTEN. And the cost of repairs. The real question is high mileage with little or no repairs. Otherwise it means nothing. Roadie
@@carlcanfield2198 well... Starters,brakes,battery,tires,belt,lights,are all things that go bad just because they do... But,if you maintain your stuff,do the upkeep before bad things happen,then,you can get 2-300,000 outta it
For years I rode a BMW R100RS (shows how old I am) in and out of London, and did well over 100,000 miles on it. I did my own servicing which was very easy (oil, brakes, spark plugs), and only took it took it to a garage for tyre changes and on two occasions a new clutch plate. Apart from that it literally never missed a beat. Did a compression test on the pots and it was virtually like new.
I've seen a honda valkery with 300000 miles on it with no rebuild.
It's actually the goldwing's engine,no surprise.
its japenese
@California Dreamin if you pleez.
@@Leifr57 Yep, which is basically an 'automotive' engine anyway, and really not much different than what's in a Subaru. In fact a lotta bikes these days already have way more power than many cars.
I know what you mean I have old 1500 Valkyrie just piddling around 50,000 miles wish I had that bike many many many years ago
Third wing now. Started with a '76 GL1000 , now own an '81 GL1100 and an '03 GL1800. Love them all.
I've only really done about 40,000 miles on all of them combined but would go around the world if I could.
I had a 91 St 1100 with 172,000 miles on it when I sold it for a Concours 14. Also as a side note I had a 2008 klr that I put 78,000 on.
At my former repair shop only for BMW, l'atelier du roule toujours, they had one K100 beyond 600 000 km… and still running !
I havea 2000 Kawasaki Concours with 123,000 miles on it. Basic maintenance, valve adjustments, oil changes..... still has original clutch. Betting it will go to 2000,000.
Last 2 Harley's...2003 Road King sold with 183,000 miles on it, then my 2008 Road Glide traded in with 133,000 miles, both trouble free.
Just change your oil regularly guys!
John Mattson, no cam chain tensioner problems? No oil pump problems? Those were known for those things going bad..... New cam plate and hi output oil pump at $1500 is needed on that year of HD. I have a 2003 Road King CVO with the 103 cu in motor in it. Bad cam chain tensioner at 15,000 miles!!!!
A Babbit yes, I replaced the cam chain tensioners at 50,000 on the 2003 Road King as a precautionary measure because I knew of other riders having failures.
Only real issues with that bike were 2 belt replacements and a (laced) rear wheel failure due to riding two up, too fast and too long in high heat while overloaded on a 3-week trip.
Didn't go down (thank God) but required a tow halfway across Wyoming to get a new rim laced onto my old hub.
Put a mag wheel on the back as soon as we returned home to Washington and that solved that.
(I didn't know until then that laced wheels weren't as strong as mag-type wheels...duh!)
I believe according to a Consumer Reports study the Japanese brands were the most reliable and after them the Victory was the most reliable American brand. The makers of Victory now make Indian, so they shouldn't be bad
I bought a 2008 Aprilia SL750 Shiver new. Sold it in 2018 with 117+K miles on it. It still ran as good as the day I bought new.
If you can find a BMW R1200GS / GSA / RT of 2006-2012 with low mileage you won’t regret 🥳🤩
I had a 1987 Honda VFR 700 that I bought with 79,000 miles on it. I added another 20,000 mostly touring miles before I sold it as I moved out of state. It never gave me even one problem and was a fantastic bike.
Triumph rocket 3 tourer 340k KMs in Australia
My 1992 Goldwing is working its way to 100,000 with a current 78,554 miles. I am down for some cross country rides. I just bought it two years ago at 75,372 miles
Lol my bike is 2 years old and has a measly 2,800 miles. But I’m gonna try to rectify that this year
Madison TSX hope so ✌🏼 I had my 2020 Ninja 400 for 3 weeks and it’s got 1477 miles 🏍 (oregon)
I have a electra-gluide ultra classic. I have 66,000 miles and have had no problems. Change oil at 5,000 miles and do all maintenance myself. I bought it new from Dothan Harley-Davidson in Dothan, Alabama. Rode to Sturgis in 2013, putting a total of 5,700 miles on the bike that trip. Other long trips include Key West, Savanah, Ga and a trip down the Pacific Coast Highway. It is my 4th Harley. I have been riding since I was 16 and I am 73 now and still riding.
I have seen yamaha fjr's that has done 300.000 miles without the engine been opened (only for valve adjustment)
I have a 2005 Honda ST1300 and love it, I have almost 65,000 miles and look forward to pushing it past the 100,000 mark. I am getting older so we will see if the bike last longer or I do...lol great vid.
Between 95 and 04 I was a distance courier based in the middle of England. I rode a VFR 750 FG which finally died after 289,000 miles. A friend who worked there had a deauville that had 319,000 miles. The VFR was oil tight until the end. Only real issue is that I managed to wear out the splines on the output shaft. I had to get front sprockets tig welded on and angle grinding off which was a pain.
How did the VFR die/fail?🙃 Those VFR's sound amazing😯
It finally died in classic fashion. T Boning a volvo driven by a 91 year old man who ignored the Give Way sign. He was charged at the scene and I had a broken wrist.@@connor3288
I have a 2002 Honda CBR1100XX with 183K miles. Original engine and clutch. Last valve check was 50K miles. Solid bike.
I didn't catch how you gathered the data, that can change the results on this test.
2007 Honda CB 919 126,000 miles. Several batteries and sprockets over the years. Front fork seals and a couple of valve shims is about all it has needed. Well lots of tires as well. The little bike just keeps on going. My commuter ride of several years.
I'm surprised there were no Yamaha Royal star ventures. ?? Lot of high miles.. great video!!!
Great vid Sir. I'm 70 now and have owned well over 200 bikes in my lifetime. Among them have been 4 Vstroms...2 of which I still own. Bomb proof...easy to work on...nothing and I mean nothing ever breaks. I've owned 7 assorted BMW boxers and will never own another. My last one was a 2007 and between the recalls and assorted ailments I'm done with BMW.
I am in Australia and we do lots of kms (Why is the US still on miles?) I have two bikes and both are stone reliable. The first is a 1982 BMW R65 with 227,000kms. Its still on the original engine. I put new rings in it at 150,000-km. Its an easy job with the airheads. The other is a 2010 Yamaha Tenere with 185,000 kms. It consumes front for deals, but thats all. If I was to buy a new bike today I would probably buy a Suzuke 650 VStrom. Suzuki seems to make engines that last. The secret to long engine life is frequent oil changes with the best quality oil you can afford, and fix any overheating issues before they cause damage.
I'm in Oz too, the US and UK both still use miles as it Her Majest'y Sensible System of wights and measure. Besides why change millions of road signs costing millions of dollars for fuck all gain. agree about frequent oil changes, my 2007 Triumph has clocked up over 165,000 kilometrs, Silkolene comp4 15-50 (because supercrap often has it on special) every 5000 clicks
Fun video! I'd like to add a few things:
My '94 ST1100 has 62,000 miles on it. Only problem is that it suffered from "Hot-Fuel-Pump-Seizure Syndrome or HFPSS. After riding a few hours in hot weather (90 degrees+), the bike would suddenly start starving for gas and eventually stop and refuse to restart. 45-60 minutes later, it would magically restart and run fine. Two dealers and two independent mechanics couldn't find the problem. On the ST11+1300 boards, others reported the same problem. A retired engineer took apart a fuel pump and found a spacer missing. Since all the bikes reported with the problem were from 1993-94, he hypothesized that Honda made a run of defective fuel pumps. When I replaced the pump, the problem ended. (It's my understanding that the pump from the late '80s Honda Accords can be easily modified to fit the ST.) The bike is a dream: comfortable, reliable, strong, nimble, and just plain fun. The only drawbacks are airflow management, which is tough but not impossible to get right and it's top heavy in the driveway. Odd notes: The ST1100 was designed by Honda of Germany, not of Japan, and Honda continued the model from 2002-07 as a police bike. The GB and Dutch police used them for many years. Many report the pre-1996 ST11's 28-amp alternator as a ticking failure, often around 60k miles. '96 and later have a 40-amp. I put a 40-amper in my '94 and it's been great.
I'm not surprised about the Kawasaki Concours not doing well in a reliability test. Don't get me wrong: I like the bike. But I found its motor buzzy and it always felt like it was tuned wrong for touring, that it was trying to be a pure sport bike. This is oversimplified, but to me, the Concours is a _sport_ bike that's tolerable for touring. The ST11 is _touring_ bike that will take some hard turns.
My 1972 Honda CB750K2 went 172,000 miles and was running when I had it torn down. The clutch slipped under strain but still worked, and the valves were gone. But the cylinders and rings were STILL IN TOLERANCE! I had the motor redone and changed lots of stuff. I fully expect another 172,000 miles out of it.
The frame on my friend's Goldwing 1500 flexed. I don't know if Honda ever acknowledged the problem, but I suspect that the bike's frame was too light for its load. That said, it was a hoot to ride.
Again, fun video--thanks!
No brainer that touring bikes have high mileage.
I bought my Triumph T 100 (865cc twin carburetors) new in 2007. She has just over 22K miles now. At the peak of my riding, I was putting 120 miles per week on her. No major issues, only two minor oil leaks I fixed myself. I still have her. I ride her at least once a week.
I've got 34k miles on my 2015, my commute is about to be 300 miles a week, with my other riding I should get in about 30K a year,,,, we'll see how that works out
Great video - thanks for this info. I do recall seeing a Vstrom recently for sale on Craigslist with over 100k. I put a third of that on my KLR650 in 8 months without issues - I don't know how much more to expect form a thumper.
Put 78,000 miles on my 08 klr.
I have a Honda st 1300 2009 model with 194000 thousand kilometres , done touring in Tasmania Australia still as strong as the day I purchased it excellent machine. Cheers Kerry
Great video I even enjoyed it over here in little old blighty. You forgot one The Honda deauville 650 it's a v twin and regularly go over 100k easily
There must be some big mileage Honda vfr s out there too
@@richardsloan3982 I bet there is Richard
Are there any other marques that can match Honda mileages I wonder?
Speaking as an automotive line tech of 27 years (now retired), I always enjoy, and agree with your long term auto results (I currently own a Mustang GT and a Lincoln TC). Im also an avid motorcycle rider of 50+ years (Im 70yrs young). Have owned numerous bikes over the years. One often quoted survey is a Consumers Report Survey on Motorcycle Reliability and Owner Satisfaction. To me, frequency of repair is the most important category. You can't enjoy riding if your bike is always in the shop. After surveying 12,300 owners from 2008 to 2014, CR results were: 1) Yamaha 2) suzuki 3)Honda 4) Kawasaki and 5)Victory. Victory shutting down its operations in January of 2017 due to lack of profitability. These results match my personal experience. My best experience was the purchase of a 1976 BMW R75/6. Purchased new and owned it for 24yrs! Had ZERO problems with it. Just the usual maintenance items. The old air cooled Beemers were built like a tank and are now sought after by collectors. Always enjoy you vids CTL. Keep up the good work.
Thank you and for the comments. 😁