What Is High Mileage For A Motorcycle?

When you are purchasing a used motorcycle or trying to get fair value for your used bike, it is critical to know what counts as “high mileage” for a motorcycle. Mileage can give a fundamental estimation of the engine’s condition, the wear and tear the bike’s other parts might have gone through, and more.

Motorcycles are typically ridden less often than cars, and the average car is driven between 10,000 and 15,000 miles per year. In contrast, motorcycles are usually ridden for around 3,000 miles per year on average, but this can vary based on the bike, rider’s personality, and more.

High Mileage For Sport vs. Larger Bikes

Sport motorcycles, which are smaller and more nimble, typically wear down faster as they accumulate miles. For these motorcycles, the high mileage range is anywhere between 20,000 to 30,000 miles.

Larger motorcycles, like Harley-Davidson, can usually take more miles without their engines being worn down as quickly. For these bikes, the high mileage point is around 40,000 to 50,000 miles.

But keep in mind that these are just averages or basic benchmarks. They can’t tell you whether a used motorcycle is a good purchase or indicates the accurate, comprehensive condition of the engine, wheels, and more. 

How To Use Mileage When Making A Decision

Mileage is just one data point to consider before purchasing or selling a motorcycle.

It helps to consider what kind of motorcycle you are looking at when taking the mileage into account. For instance, a cruiser or touring bike is built for long-distance traversal and will accumulate miles more gracefully than a sportbike designed for high-performance instead of longevity.

In this hypothetical example, a cruising bike with 40,000 miles can still be an excellent machine, even if it technically counts as a high mileage used model. Take a closer look at a bike like this before buying — if the owner meticulously cared for the motorcycle, it might still be a worthwhile purchase.

In contrast, sportbikes operate at a higher performance level than cruising bikes at the cost of durability. Therefore, it is imperative to take the mileage into account. In addition, it's also crucial to perform an in-depth investigation of the bike's components yourself before buying.

Check Maintenance And Storage Records

You also want to investigate how a bike has been maintained over its lifespan. For example, if a cruising bike has 80,000 miles under its belt but looks to be in excellent condition, the chances are that the owner has maintained it well over the years. The maintenance records can tell you which parts, if any, have been replaced over time and what maintenance tasks have been performed.

Is Mileage The Only Thing That Matters?

Not at all. When buying a used bike or selling your used motorcycle, you will also want to consider these factors, which can affect the overall price of the motorcycle:

• Who owned it previously? Was it an experienced rider who knew how to maintain a motorcycle, or was it a beginner who skimped on maintenance tasks and did not care for the bike properly?
• What kind of bike was it? As indicated above, the type of motorcycle in question can affect whether 20,000 miles counts as “a lot” or considered a more manageable number.
• How was the bike used? Was the motorcycle used gently, or did the rider stay on the throttle the whole time and shift without engaging the clutch? The riding style the bike was subjected to can affect its overall condition and how much wear and tear each accumulated mile truly puts on the engine and tires.
• Where was the bike stored? This location - whether in a garage and well cared for with lubricant and wax or outside and exposed to the elements - can affect its overall durability and condition.

Here is the bottom line. High mileage for a motorcycle can be anywhere from 15,000 miles to 50,000 miles depending on what type of bike it is, where it was ridden, and whether the previous or current owner kept up with maintenance requirements. However, don’t just look at mileage when deciding whether a used motorcycle is a good purchase.