Hds press release below doesnt say when zien started riding his harley, but assuming he started in 1991, he has averaged more than 55,000 miles per year for the past 18 years on his motorcycle. In november 1991, jim rogers investment biker and his girlfriend tabitha estabrook returned from a 2year aroundtheworld journey, riding 57,022 miles and setting a world record for longest motorcycle ride by a couple twelve years later, in august of 2003, we returned from our 4year trip an odyssey over 6 continents and through 50 countries, while riding a whopping 101,322 miles. This is why very high mileage engines tend to have been used for long journeys rather than many short journeys. I am having a discussion with a harley owner as to what high mileage means. What is the recommended mileagemaximum when looking for a. I have seen a list of high mile bmws somewhere on the internet. The courier owner driver forum, the only independent forum just for courier owner drivers.
By now, you understand that what is high mileage for a mo torcycle would often vary because of the various reasons highlighted above. I am looking to pickup a r1200gs or maybe even an older model. I see a lot of good bikes on craigslist that appear to be in excellent condition at a good price. Find all you need to know about being a courier owner driver without having to pay out for an expensive courier guide. He seems to think that my 02 r1150rt has high miles at 43k, and my k1200gt must be worn out at 60k. Please do not attempt this record unless you are above the age of 18 and trained as a professional stunt man. Dyna glide super glide, super glide sport, super glide custom, low rider. Was curious to know what high mileage on a motorcycle really means, and why. At motorcycle classics, we have been tracking down the most interesting and rare classic motorcycles and collections for more than 15 years.
And do africa twins, trans alps, vstroms, capo nords come even close in engine resistance side. Often found in dilapidated condition, a bike thats been restored often has parts that have been rejuvenated, replaced, and recoated. Mileage tracker provides an easy way for motorists to maintain mileage and maintenance records for their cars and motorcycles. Im assuming you mean the number of miles on the motorcycle, not the amount of mile per gallon the motorcycle gets for fuel mileage. Although i receive many compliments about the bike i always reply that it is still a low mileage bike. The worlds first recognised motorcycle speed record was set in 1903 by us aviation pioneer glenn curtis, who rode his hercules vtwin at 64 mph over a measured mile at yonkers. Ive seen a cbr with over 90k miles on it, the bike was babies and had its maintenance done on time every time and it ran like it was brand new, but for example, most sport bikes dont live past 20k miles because some idiot beginner rider will go wreck the shiz out of it before it even has a chance to reach. Inspired by the original german award scheme, the us initiative first began with butler and smith, who imported bmw bikes to the usa from the early 1950s to 1980. When they are shopping for a bike they are afraid of anything with over 15,000 miles. I would consider 60 to 70,000 miles to be high mileage on any harley under 6.
If i remember correctly, the mz racing engines were rotary valved, an entirely different beast to the piston ported engines of the mundane road bikes. In a feat that took almost 20 years to accomplish, former wisconsin senator dave zien put a world record 1,000,000 miles on his harley davidson fxr motorcycle. To help out bigchris99 and curious others, post here the mileage of your over 100,000 mile valkyrie. In 1907, he became known as the fastest man on earth when he increased that to 6. Here ill try to summarize the wisdom of humanity as it appears in online discussions feel free to add your own opinion as a comment to this post. As skeeter says, with 2 stroke snowmobiles especially the point of mileage has to be considered along with the point of ifwhen has it been overhauled. I know with most streetbikes ive owned i considered 10k a lot. Last saturday evening during the vtwin expo, as preannounced here by marketing director chris wall, metzeler introduced the me888 marathon ultra. On a car engine thats nothing obviously, but does that same measurement apply on a properly maintained motorcycle. I ask this question becuase i get the impression that 50,000 miles on a 20 year old car is really good for its age, but hearing those figures on a motorcycle at the same age is bad right. So, finally with a lot of research, i will like to answer the question how many miles is a lot for a motorcycle. Most miles ridden on a motorcycle world record dave zien. Ill modify the post from time to time and put them in order for you. Is 34k considered high mileage on a 2003 harley davidson heritage softail classic 100th anniversary.
While thats only 2200year, its still 22k miles overall. The only cause why most motorbikes cant reach a very high mileage is because they usually crash, or are misused severely, or arent paid attention to. That includes researching and sourcing the best books on collectible and rare bikes available anywhere. Motor oils free delivery possible on eligible purchases. Weve all heard people talk about short lifespan of motorcycle engines. Could i take something with this kind of mileage halfway across the world without constant breakdowns. Buy mobil 1 120769 high mileage 5w30 motor oil 5 quart. We have all heard of super high mileage bikes, but it seems like they are rare what is your high mileage bike and how many miles does it have on it. All i have for it is the vin, but it wont be made until the 15 of. Well i know the maintenance record for my bike is nothing. I am on a budget and found one 07 bmw r1200gs adventure with almost 30k miles is that high miles for a bmw. Motorcycle world records world records recordsetter. One of the goals of her ride around the united states was to break the guinness world record for the longest continuous motorcycle journey in one country, so the spot was an important accessory to document her trip. It cannot be leaned that much in corners because of the shape of the aerodynamic fairing, that also makes the vehicle very sensitive for side wind.
What is considered high mileage on a harley davidson motorcycle engine. In other words, a 4year old car should have no more than 60,000 miles. A mate of mine racked up 100,000 on his 54 plate r1 a couple of years ago must be up to 120 by now. One woman, one motorcycle, one year, one record revzilla. A motorcycle with high mileage and several rebuilds on major components can be as reliable or moreso than a comparable unit with a lower odometer reading. Last trip to thailand ive been on a little honda wave 125cc rental scooter with over 90,000 miles. A lot of the older bikes, for one reason or another sat around and never got many miles. Dave zien put more than one million miles on his 1991 harleydavidson fxrt pictured. Seen a yamaha cygnus 2007 with 29k on the clocks, is this high for a scooter.
Youll find this question and its counterpart whats low mileage for a motorcycle all over internet forums and message boards, and those who ask it, i guess, are people looking for their first and used motorcycle. High mileage bikes page 1 biker banter pistonheads. A sled that has 4000 miles and has had at least a topend rebuild might be a better choice than a sled that has 300 miles with nothing done. A textbook example of this is the restored motorcycle. A high mileage bike thats been looked wont be a big risk, my fazer is on 40k, used for instructing and us immaculate. I rode all day for the last two days in hilly and curvey roads in western arkansas with a friend. After a delay of two and a half hours and a call to tech support, she rode miles to tucson and made her first gas stop. Are motorcycle engines somehow not as long running as car engines.
And as we bmw riders say, they are more fun miles, too. Because of the amount of people who buy and own harleys that they seldom ride. I feel that the the bmw k series has one the best records for high mileages. I dont know if it was on the moa site, but it seems likely. This high mileage award draws its inspiration from a similar program first initiated by bmw in germany back in 1929. How much mileage would you consider too much for a used motorcycle. Bmw motorrad usa high mileage program revamped facebook. Cool diy streamliner motorcycle gets 214 mpg wired. What is considered high mileage on a harley davidson. And of course for an otr diesel tractor, 150k is nothing. If you want the real high mileage stories, look to the bmw bikes. Street bikes last a lot longer than most people think.
As a comparison, a car is considered to have high mileage if it averages i believe 15,000 miles per year, based on the year of the car. The bikes record is 214 mpg, and jacobs says it averages 199. What is considered to be high mileage when looking at used bikes. Btw, the rotary valve was a scott invention, dating back to 1912. Well its not the 60s anymore and road bikes today can endure quite a lot of miles.
I riden along side joe to newfoundland once and nova scotia twice. We will not accept submissions in this category from minors. What kills all engines is the number of cold starts and how hard the engine is used before its oil is warm. I love joe, his stories, his bike everything about joe is amazing. Each time you are looking to buy a used bike with high mileage, it is always important to do a proper research about the model first. Obviously, different kinds of engines age differentlygasoline, diesel, small engines, etc. The most common mileages seen are 510,000 on a 35 yr old bike. Highest mileage motorbikes motoring discussion back. I wouldnt really consider the average passenger car or truck to be high mileage until about 150k if well maintained. Juli moody restrained a running harleydavidson motorcycle for one minute, 4. A bikes motor if maintained right and not beat on too much will run forever, ie. Metzeler just launched a very high mileage tire to. Heres what causes me to ask i just saw a 98 vstar with 22,000 miles on it.
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