Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?

[WyckedZX10R]

I have an 03 ZX9R (hence my name). It is hands down the best bike I have ever owned and I have had quite a few others in my time. The problem is that although it's not all that old, at 18,000 miles on the odo it feels as if it is getting long in the tooth. This is the most miles I have ever clocked on any single bike and although I keep her well maintained, I'm a little concerened that there may be issues just around the next curve. I use my bike not only for mountain jaunts on the weekends, but also as my commute vehicle (50 miles to work...one way) so the numbers will continue to add up quickly. I have heard that the life expectancy of a late model Japanese bike is somewhere in the 100,000 plus range...but news from the real world is always more useful.

A little feedback from some others with high milage late model Japanese sport bikes (and esp any other ZX9 owners) would be a great help in my decision to keep her or trade her in for a new toy.

Thanks in advance,

Doc

[old-n-slow]

I would say 18000 miles is nothing but what do I know............. You might be getting a little premature here if it's not giving you problems.

[Mintbread]

The sports bike market moves so quickly, you will eventually go broke trying to keep up.

[Scott58]

18,000 miles is nothing. i had over 35,000 on my old 77 RD-400 and it still ran like a top when i sold it. That bike saw 100mph at least once everyday I rode it.

[Lion_Lady]

Shucks, so long as you're keeping up with maintenance and catching any problems before they get big and dangerous you shouldn't have any issues.

Heck... a BMW at 80,000 miles is just getting broken in. But they have a lower 'cruising' RPM - between 3800 and 4500, so parts don't suffer as much wear.

P

[V4underme]

Place a piece of black electrical tape over the odo so you can't see the numbers, then continue to enjoy that fine piece of machinery. That bike has many many many thousands of miles of life left, just change the oil regularly and keep riding.

[Ladymx]

If you take care of the bike, it will take care of you for many years. I have an old 77 GS400 that should have died 4 years ago, but its still going. Have had a lot of older bikes with over 48000km on them and they where still running when I sold them.

[totalmotorcycle]

My bike, a 1982 Yamaha XJ650R Seca (a sport like bike in it's day) has 57,000km on it.

Age seems to be more of a factor than mileage for the older bikes as parts don't get any younger even if they are not used.

18,000 miles does seem low to start to worry about longevity.

But, the ZX9R and really any high powered, modern sportbike is purpose built for speed and light weight. That means skimping on EVERYTHING from the smallest gauge wiring, hollow bolts, to minimal frame construction, engine head thickness and more.

That being said, I personally don't think these supersport bikes will last as long as the older bikes did as there just isn't a lot of "extra" on the bikes to compensate for deterioration.

Mike.

[V4underme]

Interesting point... I know there's substantial weight and power differences, but are the sportbikes sold to the general public as pared down as the actual race bikes?

[ronboskz650sr]

My bike has over 45,000 miles on it. It just uses all the typical consumables like spark plugs, battery (current one is a year old), tires, light bulbs, oil changes...you know. It runs great, rides smooth, gets 50 mpg, takes curves at 30 mph over the posted speeds with great ease, and no drama. It is one of the old ones, though. I say, Keep it! Like an old friend.