Life of a motorcycle

Message

FalconGuy016 · Mon Jul 25, 2005 4:04 pm

Hey

I am looking into motorcycles, focusing on the crotch rockets, and I was wondering what a good lifespan is for a motorcycle like this. I am finding R1's for around $3000 off ebay, just one or two years old, with no more than 1500 miles! Can these bikes handle high mileage? Almost all used ones I have seen have been extremely low mileage, and I can already say I will be putting quite a few more miles than this on a bike. Then again I am just used to cars.

What is a good lifespan of a motorcycle assuming maintinence is done?

Thank you

#2 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 4:14 pm

I have over 74,000 mile on my Virago and it runs great. I know it's not a sports bike, but that should give you an idea of what maintenance will do for a bike.

You might find that some people get a sport bike and really ride it hard and want to unload it, or maybe they just realized it's either to small for them and they're upgrading or that riding a sport bike just isn't in their best interest. LOL

#3 Unread post by **Sev** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 7:57 pm

If it's an R1 it was probably some newb that went out and bought it, scared the crap out of himself and decided to sell it. Chances are good it's been down even if they say it hasn't and there's a good chance that it'll come with gear. They're getting out of the sport afterall.

iwannadie · Mon Jul 25, 2005 11:05 pm

buying a cheap r1 has its risks, if it has low miles chances are its been dropped or just beaten to death. do you want a bike that some kid has been doing non stop wheelies on? or a bike youll need to replace a frame on(price the frames). i say try to learn more about the person selling the bikes that will tell you alot about how the bike has been treated. also make it clear to them your bringing a bike mechanic to give the bike a Very good inspection before you buy it, that will scare them into not trying to hide something from you hopefully.

other wise they could have gotten in way over their head and are selling off everything related to the bike. usually those types wont sell cheap as they financed the bike and are looking to pay off their loan.

#5 Unread post by **9000white** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 8:46 am

they are probably selling the sport bikes to pay chiropractor bills because of the riding position.if all you have ever rode in is cars and you are planning on putting big miles on a sport bike i think you are in for a big surprise.

iwannadie · #6 Unread post by **iwannadie** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:12 am

9000white wrote:they are probably selling the sport bikes to pay chiropractor bills because of the riding position.if all you have ever rode in is cars and you are planning on putting big miles on a sport bike i think you are in for a big surprise.

just need a lil time in the gym to build up those lower back muscles and youll be fine hunchd over all day.

Tue Jul 26, 2005 10:41 am

I'll pass.

HITAMUDHOLE · Tue Jul 26, 2005 10:55 am

If they are selling a R1 for under $5000 with under 15,000 miles there is definitely something wrong with it. They go for at least that in "good" shape with around that many miles if they haven't been ragged out. I sold my 00' with 16,500 last year for $6500 but it looked good as a new one. Yes it was ridden hard but always maintained and never dumped. It ran as good as new.

I had 45,000 on my 95' CBR 600 and they were HARD miles. PLenty of air time for the front wheel and I had ZERO problems out of it. I had to replace the timing chain at 30,000 because it was getting noisy but it never failed me.
The miles aren't what you should be concerned with, how it was ridden and maintained is what's important. I would never buy a sportbike used if I didn't know the person I was buying it from, too easy to pass along a problem.

FalconGuy016 · Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:16 pm

This is all very encouraging I must say. As for finding the cheap bikes, I found MANY seemingly perfect condition R1's, and others, for around 3-4k. I noticed this price had dropped tremdousley too from just a few monthes ago. Everyone warns against the thought of an R1 being the first bike, but I know myself too well, after the first week ill just want the best anyways. I'll just plan to ride safe.

Now, how do I check for damage and abuse?

#10 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:20 pm

I'm not going to warn you off an R1, even though I think it's a REALLY stupid idea to start on one. But I am going to tell you to get full protective gear.

Read Me