There was something like this in another forum. I'd be very interested in seeing bikes that have easily made it over 100k and what the owner has done to get it that far. What makes this more interesting is that, aside from proper maintenance and lubrication, motorcycles don't see as many miles as cars because they are more often involved in accidents (whether it is single vehicle or multiple) than cars. Many sportbikes, for example, don't ever see over 40k with the way squids ride nowadays.
100k mile bikes...
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Blue
I know a guy that has a 2000 Honda Hawk with 55K real hard miles. Just does 3000K oil and filter changes with Honda dino oil and filter. No other maintenance other than fluid changes yearly, tires and brakes. Chain and clutch are original.
Mike
I know a guy that has a 2000 Honda Hawk with 55K real hard miles. Just does 3000K oil and filter changes with Honda dino oil and filter. No other maintenance other than fluid changes yearly, tires and brakes. Chain and clutch are original.
Mike
Have a co worker with a Honda Gold Wing (early '90s model) with almost 80K without any major work.
A year or two ago one of the motorcycle magazines had a writeup on someone with a Honda Sport bike with 200,000 miles and no internal engine work. He just used decent quality automotive oil and reasonable oil change intervals. If you don't beat the snot out of a squid bike, they will last along time. Most of them will go over 150 mph, so freeway speeds are essentially no load compared to what they were designed for.
100,000 without internal work is common on BMWs, Goldwings and some othe big bikes. It would be more common on squid bikes if it weren't for the riders. And, the fact that most of the squid bikes aren't comfortable enough to make the rider want to rack up high miles.
No, that's a Wiscowson bikequote:
Originally posted by satterfi:
What the heck is a squid bike?
Something like this maybe?
A squid is a person who rides fast, erratically and usually doen't wear proper riding gear. Usually on high powered sport bikes.
that's a Tulare bike!!!!quote:
Originally posted by satterfi:
What the heck is a squid bike?
Something like this maybe?
Superhawk or Nighthawk? I'd believe a 55K chain on a Nighthawk, not a Superhawk. I put over 33K on my '97 Nighthawk chain, but I put a 1 tooth larger countershaft sprocket so I replaced the chain and rear sprocket since I had everything apart. A guy I ride with has over 160,000 on his '83 Goldwing.
55k miles on a Superhawk chain is a stretch.
Come on guys, you hardly get 3,500 miles on a rear tire with one of these things.
Most riders replace chains at 16k miles. I've got a Scott oiler so I can go a bit longer.
[ February 04, 2004, 11:16 PM: Message edited by: satterfi ]
Come on guys, you hardly get 3,500 miles on a rear tire with one of these things.
Most riders replace chains at 16k miles. I've got a Scott oiler so I can go a bit longer.
[ February 04, 2004, 11:16 PM: Message edited by: satterfi ]
I've got close to 70K on my 1985 Yamaha Venture Royale. My 83 NightHawk 550, when I sold it, had easily over 70K on it. Ran like the day it was new. Some friends of mine have Kawasaki GPz 1100's (1995-1996) that have over 100K on them. I've had everything from full-dress touring bikes (my Venture) to 250cc sport bikes (VTR 250), and properly maintained, most any of them would go 100K. My former 1991 Suzuki katana 1100 would probably want a top-end freshen come 60-70K, but that's an air/oil-cooled 1127cc fire breathing monster. The GPz is water cooled, and has the same engine as the famous ZX-11 (with milder cams and smaller carbs), and these bikes easily go 100K. It's not the bike, it's the rider.
It's a SuperHawk. I've helped him adjusted many times. Sprocket gauge on the swing-arm still in GREEN zone. Has always used Amsoil HD metal protector. I've got 10K on the VFR. Adjusted the chain once, then had to loosen it back. HD Metal protector is doing good. We both (the Hawk even worse) ride the s$%t out of them. Many 12 hour trips down the BlueRidge parkway. Maybe this year he'll trade the Hawk in. We all wouuldn't have to stop at 125 miles to let the Hawk refuel!!
I agree, so far I have 8200 on my Sprint with only 1 adjustment. I've used Amsoil HD-MP since new. I love the smell of the stuff. Matter of fact just oiled the chain this morning before I rode to work (It was 26 degrees this am)
I recently read an article about a 70ish year old guy who had over 140k miles on a 1985 Harley Electra-Glide Classic.
This bike had never been torn down and was still running perfect. He had all of the maintenance records right down to every gallon of gas he ever put into it. He had ridden across the US multiple times to raise money for charities. He had alway had his oil changed by a Harley dealer with Harley oil at the recommended OCI.
The article ended with a story about his failing eye sight and him having to give up his licence. Harley bought the bike back from him and it is now in the Harley Davidson archives.
Aside from this, I don't see why any modern bike can't hit 100k miles if maintained properly. A Honda Goldwing may even make it without proper maintenance
This bike had never been torn down and was still running perfect. He had all of the maintenance records right down to every gallon of gas he ever put into it. He had ridden across the US multiple times to raise money for charities. He had alway had his oil changed by a Harley dealer with Harley oil at the recommended OCI.
The article ended with a story about his failing eye sight and him having to give up his licence. Harley bought the bike back from him and it is now in the Harley Davidson archives.
Aside from this, I don't see why any modern bike can't hit 100k miles if maintained properly. A Honda Goldwing may even make it without proper maintenance
i once talked to a guy at a gas station who was sitting on a vincent black shadow. it was a well worn bike, and so was he. he said it "runs good but the clutch is slipping a bit." the next month i get my new cycle world in the mail and the guy was in it with 500,000 miles on his vincent!!!!
I don't see why a bike wouldn't make it to 100k.
Most if not all have roller bearings instead of plain bearings in high wear areas like the crank and cam.
Should outlast a comparably sized car engine just due to the weight difference alone.
Most if not all have roller bearings instead of plain bearings in high wear areas like the crank and cam.
Should outlast a comparably sized car engine just due to the weight difference alone.
Jon S
The HD Metal protector is just like "Chain Wax" but alittle thicker and heavier. I bought a case a couple years ago, and, on advice from the local "Import" car shop, used it to undercoat my truck. Not as thick as I would have wanted for an undercoat, but it worked well and still there are three years. I started using it on my chain (2000 VFR) because it smelled like the Maxxim "Chain Wax" I used because it didn't fling off. Plus, it was half the price. Bottom line, it's work well for me, gives my chain that "gold look" like it's an aftermarket one and doesn't get everywhere. It does build up on the sprockets and I have to scrap it off yearly with a scraper though.
Mike
The HD Metal protector is just like "Chain Wax" but alittle thicker and heavier. I bought a case a couple years ago, and, on advice from the local "Import" car shop, used it to undercoat my truck. Not as thick as I would have wanted for an undercoat, but it worked well and still there are three years. I started using it on my chain (2000 VFR) because it smelled like the Maxxim "Chain Wax" I used because it didn't fling off. Plus, it was half the price. Bottom line, it's work well for me, gives my chain that "gold look" like it's an aftermarket one and doesn't get everywhere. It does build up on the sprockets and I have to scrap it off yearly with a scraper though.
Mike
Any solvent should take it off really easy. I haven't tried, but I would imagine that Power foam would cut it, otherwise use Kerosene
Harley Davidson
Just about all modern 4-stroke bikes use journal bearings.
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