How long does an engine last before noticeable power loss?

Message

seansinisi · Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:33 am

I am looking for my second 600 bike, (wrecked the first, fluke accident):frusty: , and i am looking around for something cheaper. I found a nice 1999 honda CBR 600 F4, but it has 28,000 miles on it.

I know cars and bikes aren't the same but i know honda cars can go 200k miles + and be all good.

So my question is, how long does an engine last before noticable power loss? How many miles is too many to buy a bike at? I don't want some junker. I don't know if that many miles makes a difference on a street bike. (the place says its "mechanicly and structurly perfect")

any input is great
thanks

telefunkin · Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:06 pm

It really depends on how hard it was ridden and how well it was maintained.

seansinisi · Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:38 pm

would you think 28k miles is too much?

mgdavis · #4 Unread post by **mgdavis** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:36 pm

Like he said, it depends on the bike. If it was babied it might go 100k miles. If it was beat, its time might be up. you just can't tell over the internet.

#5 Unread post by **Sev** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:03 pm

28k miles is nothing if he had the proper maintenance done, and it was garaged correctly. If he skipped out the engine/bike in general might be "poo poo". Bikes are run to such fine limits that you HAVE to take things on a case by case basis, there are NO generalizations.

rwp · #6 Unread post by **rwp** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:25 am

Power loss in an older engine is usually from poor compression in one or more cylinders. This could be from poorly sealing valves or maybe from bad rings. If you're concerned, take a compression guage and a spark plug wrench with you to the test drive. If you ask nicely and look like you're a serious buyer, most owners would be more than happy to let you check the compression.

seansinisi · Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:14 am

thanks a lot guys