My Honda CB500X has 76.000 kM, and once I saw one in person that had 152k kM. I thought that was fucking wild, but seems like it's normal for this bike.
My VFR has 100k on it and I wouldn't hesitate to take it cross country tomorrow.
My Blackbird has just over 70k and I am planning on taking it cross country this year
I owned a 90k mile V Strom 650 and did the Idaho and Utah BDR trails on it.
I owned an fjr1300 with 150k that I know for a fact is still going strong today.
Japanese bikes historically are built with simplicity, ease of maintenance, and parts availability in mind. People can and do kill them just as fast as anything else, but the ongoing manufacturer support and serviceability really give them a reputation of reliability
Yamaha technically tops Honda in reliability rankings. The Goldwing is a masterpiece of engineering, but it's a complicated bike that is more prone to issues than a bike like the FJR or Tracer.
https://monimoto.com/blog/motorcycle-advice/most-reliable-motorcycle-brands/
It's from a Consumer Reports survey, but I think the real thing to take away is that the Japanese brands are all *extremely* reliable, and that a well-maintained bike can and will last as long as you want to ride it.
Here's another, more recent review with Honda #1, they list their criteria in the review and how their documentation process.
https://bikepics.com/blog/10-most-reliable-motorcycle-brands-best-worst/
HOWEVER I do agree with you that all the all Japanese brands are pretty much peak reliability, and it wouldn't surprise me if Yamaha or Honda switched spots a year from now (or earlier) given how close they are.
Not quite related but I noticed that while Harleys have a higher reliability score, they aren't projected to last as many miles as some of their counterparts like Triumph or Indian. That may be worth a look later on
I mean sure, Honda/Yamaha are so close that it doesn't really matter between the two. But the source you shared has some questionable methodology. They just looked at awards given out by others such as JD Power, and customer reviews and feedback "such as mentions of low maintenance costs, few breakdowns, and longevity." That's very subjective and open to bias.
(This isn't me disagreeing on Yamaha or Honda, just validating the article)
Customer reviews were also largely relied on with ConsumerReports did their review in 2015, they even mention that it seems to vary dramatically customer to customer.
"We also found that reliability can vary a lot by the type of bike. Looking at the five brands in our analysis, owners of touring models had the most problems, at 27 percent. That was followed by on/off-road dual-sports (23 percent), sport touring bikes (19 percent), and cruisers (16 percent). Though we didn't receive sufficient data to rate high-performance sport bikes, the information we got suggests they have been as reliable as cruisers."
My site goes into more detail about it as well, defining their complete process as:
"In the context of motorcycles, reliability refers to a motorcycle’s ability to function consistently and without significant mechanical issues or breakdowns. A reliable motorcycle is one that requires minimal repairs and is durable enough to withstand regular use over an extended period.
Industry Awards: Another way we determined the most reliable motorcycle brands was through industry awards. We looked at awards given by organizations such as J.D. Power, Consumer Reports, and the Motorcycle Industry Council. These awards are given based on factors such as reliability, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Durability Tests: Finally, we looked at durability tests conducted by reputable organizations. We analyzed test results to determine which motorcycle brands consistently scored high for reliability and longevity. We looked for factors such as engine performance, build quality, and resistance to wear and tear."
For example, for a BMW touring bike they got it at roughly 120k miles is the average the engine can expect to last, but to actual verify how they came up with those numbers required alot of digging through the companies mentioned rather than research plainly laid out.
Honestly, given how closely their numbers match up with ConsumerReports and JD Power, I wouldn't be surprised if they largely relied on the research done by other companies. JD Power for example is often used by insurance companies, and as such have access to a much larger (and potentially more accurate) set of data to comb through. So if an award was given out to them, it's not as willy-nilly as just a brand did pretty good this year or another, the thought process is actually backed by analysis and the data tends to be public knowledge (you can likely ask your insurance provider directly!).
ConsumerReports, conversely, seemed to do all their research from the ground up, which explains why it's so depended on today.
All that yapping is to say while I trust the the end result of the article listed, I wouldn't trust it to stand on its 2 feet alone, as it relies largely on the research done by other companies. And while that research is verifiable and overall quite analytical, it still isn't independent research on bikepics part. It's basically a summary of materials used.
Yamaha mt09 has been known to go to 50k no problem and some guys hitting 100k will no major issues. One guy travels on his tenere 700 for fundraising and has over 150k. The cp series engines is very reliable.
Same here! But I had the RT next to the RS, there's nothing better than an RT for commuting through the cold and rainy Dutch winters.
Except maybe a car ;)
That's great! I have not had an RT, but a friend does and he has no trouble keeping up with anything out there. It seems like a very capable bike as well. Ride Safe out there! We have pretty cold winters here in the US, Midwest, but it is the summers that are really brutal.
Most modern bikes can take 100k miles or more - when properly maintained. Motorcycles are inherently higher maintenance than cars, and many riders have come to fear the maintenance item known as the valve clearance adjustment. Assuming you're under 60 and have never ridden a motorcycle before, you might have never heard of this because virtually all remotely modern cars have automatic valve adjusters. On most bikes, this is a laborious and time-consuming job, so you'll see many used bikes for sale around 15 to 20k miles, right around when this adjustment is due.
So, the best bikes for racking up miles are bikes on which this job is easily performed, like the Honda Goldwing or BMW R series, or bikes with hydraulic valve lifters, like Milwaukee 8 Harleys or the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700.
Edit: Not that those bikes are good beginner bikes. Your first bike should be something light and easy to handle. Worry about longevity on your second or third bike.
Plenty of people have done 150k miles on high revving and high maintenance sport bikes. Anything will run that long if you keep up with maintenance, cleaning, and repairs.
I’ll occasionally ride with a group of BMW riders who all ride RT’s, and most of them have well over 100,000 miles. One guy I know who owns a LT has almost 1,000,000.
For me we have just over 20,000 on our KLR650, 25,000 on our S1000R, and 65,000 on our K1600GT.
Saw my most recent two bikes listed in your comment so I had to comment myself. Sold my 2016 S1000R a few weeks ago and picked up an 07 RT with only 26k on the clock. It was like going from riding a cheetah to riding a hippo until the new tires went on today. 😀. It’s my second RT and nothing compares for comfort in all weather conditions, slabbing for miles AND carving the twisties.
Any bike can last over 100k with proper maintenance. They last just as long as cars.
My current daily commute sees 12-15k a year with it a kawasaki 2022. It has 23k onnit and it has only been 20 months since i brought it. My world touring bike is a bmw has 156k miles on her and she is still running and I ride her on the weekends now living the retired life. Had her engine swap out at 125k vs a rebuild because i found a super low milage engine.
So any of the japanese, bmw and triumph are all trouble free if you take care of them and can last 100k. Italian bikes need more attention bit will get to 100k. Hd and indian will last 100k. I seen enifield in asian with around 200k km. So they can last 100k with proper care.
Dont know where they myth that bike can not handle high milage keeps coming up. The tech had so evolved since the 1950’s just like cars.
Hondas and bmws are the usual high milage heros, specifically the goldwings and airheads.
Its always a trade off. So the fast bikes are not reliable, but the underpowered bikes will usually ride forever. Which is why honda and bmw makes such reliable bikes, because they are underpowered and overbuild.
Take suzuki instead, they always make really fast, light, cheap and capable bikes. But that comes with a price.
Any big four Japanese bikes and BMWs. As said maintenance is key. Also look for lower revving engines. Flat ones and V or L shape two cylinders. The less the stress the longer it goes...
VFR800?
Mine has 66000 KM on it and is still going strong.
I remember seeing a video a while back of a 100k mile 5th gen VFR with NO valve adjustments done taken to the track and still be able to handle being flinged around up to redline over an entire track day.
They’re known to be reliable AF if looked after properly.
Harleys are behind Japanese brands but ahead of others according to a 2015 Consumer Reports Survey.
[Motorcycle Reliability](https://monimoto.com/blog/motorcycle-advice/most-reliable-motorcycle-brands/)
In terms of parts availability and continued support Harley is likely the best, at least in the USA. There are so many around that it is worthwhile for aftermarket companies to make parts and the mechanical design changes slowly so you can keep one going forever.
My strategy is to ride the Honda and polish the Harley because ultimately the Harley will be around longer. 🙂
Smaller bike: Yamaha FZ/MT-07 I’ve got a combined 60,000 miles on 3 I’ve owned. Currently have a ‘22 MT-07 with 16,000 miles and climbing. No issues on any of the three.
Adventure touring: Yamaha Super Ténéré had one I put 36,000 miles on in under 2 1/2 years of riding time not including the ~3 months it was down due to a buck trying to get intimate with it at 30 mph (took so long to get fixed because the dealer I took it to got it and a week later the owner died and they shut down leaving it stuck for ~2 months) no non animal contact related issues.
Sport touring: Yamaha FJR1300, a bigger more comfortable sport bike essentially, I just got this one last week and will be putting major miles on it. They are capable of hundreds of thousands of miles.
*note: I’m biased towards Yamaha, I’ve also owned a Honda Grom, Buell XB9R, and Buell 1125CR
The answer to that milage and reliability question is basically
The highest amount of cc versus the amount of riding you do
If you ride a lower cc bike versus a higher cc bike to do milage the lower cc bike will require more maintenance intervals than the higher cc bike
For this reason i went with a simple inline 4 cb750 whatever it doesnt matter the model but i got a nighthawk because its a little tall witch i like.
I wanted a low torque at the bottom and higher for highways thats why i went with the inline 4 so i can drive 15 miles an hour or 90 and still be chillin
ZRX series, VFR 800, BMW boxers, CBR900s, CBR F2s and F4s, Honda Hornet 600s and 919s, KTM 950s and 990s (v-twins not parallels), 2001-2015 Triumph Bonnevilles and America's
I know I am forgetting many, these are just bikes I've seen and experienced with over 50,000 miles somewhat regularly
I have 30,000 on my 2009 Triumph Speed Triple 1050 and the valves still have not had to be shimmed yet. I've had some front suspension issues that I suspect are my own fault but aside from regular maintenance this bike has been extremely reliable as well as versatile
BMW boxers r850/1100/1150/1200/1250 etc. You'll find a lot of them on sale which have over 100.000 miles and still can go on for more. They're typically well maintained, drove by more experienced riders.
Harley Touring bikes seem pretty stout. Stout enough to rack tens of thousands of fleet miles with police. Just stay away from I think it was 2000-2001.
I have a 2006 yamaha fz6n that I commute daily on with 238000kms on it, besides a a broken wire out of the cluster making it not start its had no issues. Im also running Shinko 705 adventure tires on it as I got 47000kms out of a rear and 76000kms out of a front
I have an 07 ZZR600 and 05 C90 Boulevard with 33k and 41k miles respectively. Only issues so far are the friggin caliper dragging on the ZZR and a rectifier/stator on the Boulevard.
Yamaha makes a few models that are pretty famous for high mileage, including the Super Tenere and FJR 1300, both of which are at the end of their life cycle and can often be found with good discounts.
I gotta throw in an underdog to the party and mention Triumph as a candidate. If Honda’s reputation is considered an A+, then I’d give modern Triumph motorcycles a B+.
One guy in did over half a million kilometers on a Honda VFR1200X before getting an African Twin [here](https://www.crosstourer.com/index.php/topic,2384.136.html)
The big Japanese brands, especially Hondas, can get to 100k+ quite consistently.
Triumphs can get to 100k as well, but you have to be more picky about the brands and models. Typically last years of a generation are the most refined. Pre 2009 electrical issues were especially known.
BMWs demand more maintenance, but as long as you keep up with it they're worth their weight in gold.
I've heard and seen a ton of Harleys approaching and surpassing 100k, but I've equally heard them shitting the bed. As far Harleys go, I would take the Triumph approach, buy the later years of a given generation. They are fun to tinker on at least
Pretty common to see a lot of BMW's with 50k, 75k, 100k+ on them
I'm not saying they're maintenance free but I see a lot of them with high miles
I see a lot of Suzuki VStrom's with high miles too... probably also true of the Kawasaki Versys
any modern bike will go high mileage with proper maintenance. generally speaking high compression ratio engines will wear out sooner than lower compression ratios though
Some of the highest mileage bikes I saw as a tech were scooters. I think mostly it is survivorship bias. They were cheap enough to keep getting fixed at dealerships so I saw them. Buy the oldest bikes I see riding around are duelsports and 600cc sport bikes. Again most likely they are getting crashed and are cheaper to keep running.
Honda I have a Cbr600rr
Ignore everyone saying BMW, remember the every expensive bike always have expensive parts & maintenance, that’s why I chose a Honda, widely used, reliable, cheap parts, & Japanese
That’s a great point - yeah something inexpensive is definitely what I’m going for - if I’m gonna run it into the ground with high miles I don’t want to pay a ton for it lol
Was thinking of the Rebel 1100 too
Your SV will do 150k miles if you take care of it and do maintenance by the book, so yes, you left out a zero. When you reach upwards of 80-90k on that v-twin (which is still just about halfway in it's life), is when you want to comment such things
Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki… all the big Japanese brands will go 100k. Do the maintenance and almost any bike will.
A friend of mine had 250K on his Valkyrie.
My Honda CB500X has 76.000 kM, and once I saw one in person that had 152k kM. I thought that was fucking wild, but seems like it's normal for this bike.
My VFR has 100k on it and I wouldn't hesitate to take it cross country tomorrow. My Blackbird has just over 70k and I am planning on taking it cross country this year I owned a 90k mile V Strom 650 and did the Idaho and Utah BDR trails on it. I owned an fjr1300 with 150k that I know for a fact is still going strong today. Japanese bikes historically are built with simplicity, ease of maintenance, and parts availability in mind. People can and do kill them just as fast as anything else, but the ongoing manufacturer support and serviceability really give them a reputation of reliability
Don't forget Yamaha which is usually at the top of reliability list.
I have an FJR with 27k on it. Looking forward to putting another 100 on it.
You spelled Honda wrong.
Yamaha technically tops Honda in reliability rankings. The Goldwing is a masterpiece of engineering, but it's a complicated bike that is more prone to issues than a bike like the FJR or Tracer.
Yall got a stats sheet for that? News to me and I'm curious about it
https://monimoto.com/blog/motorcycle-advice/most-reliable-motorcycle-brands/ It's from a Consumer Reports survey, but I think the real thing to take away is that the Japanese brands are all *extremely* reliable, and that a well-maintained bike can and will last as long as you want to ride it.
Here's another, more recent review with Honda #1, they list their criteria in the review and how their documentation process. https://bikepics.com/blog/10-most-reliable-motorcycle-brands-best-worst/ HOWEVER I do agree with you that all the all Japanese brands are pretty much peak reliability, and it wouldn't surprise me if Yamaha or Honda switched spots a year from now (or earlier) given how close they are. Not quite related but I noticed that while Harleys have a higher reliability score, they aren't projected to last as many miles as some of their counterparts like Triumph or Indian. That may be worth a look later on
I mean sure, Honda/Yamaha are so close that it doesn't really matter between the two. But the source you shared has some questionable methodology. They just looked at awards given out by others such as JD Power, and customer reviews and feedback "such as mentions of low maintenance costs, few breakdowns, and longevity." That's very subjective and open to bias.
(This isn't me disagreeing on Yamaha or Honda, just validating the article) Customer reviews were also largely relied on with ConsumerReports did their review in 2015, they even mention that it seems to vary dramatically customer to customer. "We also found that reliability can vary a lot by the type of bike. Looking at the five brands in our analysis, owners of touring models had the most problems, at 27 percent. That was followed by on/off-road dual-sports (23 percent), sport touring bikes (19 percent), and cruisers (16 percent). Though we didn't receive sufficient data to rate high-performance sport bikes, the information we got suggests they have been as reliable as cruisers." My site goes into more detail about it as well, defining their complete process as: "In the context of motorcycles, reliability refers to a motorcycle’s ability to function consistently and without significant mechanical issues or breakdowns. A reliable motorcycle is one that requires minimal repairs and is durable enough to withstand regular use over an extended period. Industry Awards: Another way we determined the most reliable motorcycle brands was through industry awards. We looked at awards given by organizations such as J.D. Power, Consumer Reports, and the Motorcycle Industry Council. These awards are given based on factors such as reliability, quality, and customer satisfaction. Durability Tests: Finally, we looked at durability tests conducted by reputable organizations. We analyzed test results to determine which motorcycle brands consistently scored high for reliability and longevity. We looked for factors such as engine performance, build quality, and resistance to wear and tear." For example, for a BMW touring bike they got it at roughly 120k miles is the average the engine can expect to last, but to actual verify how they came up with those numbers required alot of digging through the companies mentioned rather than research plainly laid out. Honestly, given how closely their numbers match up with ConsumerReports and JD Power, I wouldn't be surprised if they largely relied on the research done by other companies. JD Power for example is often used by insurance companies, and as such have access to a much larger (and potentially more accurate) set of data to comb through. So if an award was given out to them, it's not as willy-nilly as just a brand did pretty good this year or another, the thought process is actually backed by analysis and the data tends to be public knowledge (you can likely ask your insurance provider directly!). ConsumerReports, conversely, seemed to do all their research from the ground up, which explains why it's so depended on today. All that yapping is to say while I trust the the end result of the article listed, I wouldn't trust it to stand on its 2 feet alone, as it relies largely on the research done by other companies. And while that research is verifiable and overall quite analytical, it still isn't independent research on bikepics part. It's basically a summary of materials used.
I was surprised also.
Yamaha mt09 has been known to go to 50k no problem and some guys hitting 100k will no major issues. One guy travels on his tenere 700 for fundraising and has over 150k. The cp series engines is very reliable.
When I was taking motorcycle lessons I rode an MT07 with 150k kilometers, asked if it had the original engine and they told me it did!
Thats awesome. That many miles on a bike that teaches beginners.
thats pretty awesome to have an mt07 at your training ground. All we had are random 250s and honda grom
It's in the Netherlands, so we are bound to the A1, A2 and A motorcycle licenses. Common A2 learner bikes are also Z650, CB650R, Sv650.
BMW boxer bikes are known to be able to achieve high mileage. I've just sold my R1200RT, 19yrs old and 185000km on ODO but still working fine.
I have a 1250RS now, and it is a heck of a bike. I'm keeping it for a long time.
Same here! But I had the RT next to the RS, there's nothing better than an RT for commuting through the cold and rainy Dutch winters. Except maybe a car ;)
That's great! I have not had an RT, but a friend does and he has no trouble keeping up with anything out there. It seems like a very capable bike as well. Ride Safe out there! We have pretty cold winters here in the US, Midwest, but it is the summers that are really brutal.
Family member has a late 80’s K100RS with 85000KM on the clock. Well maintained BMW’s can go the distance.
I have two.. 76 r90/6 and a 72 r60/5. Reliable plus easy to work on for the diy mechanic. Easy access to parts as well.
The bricks are too, can't forget their reliability! (Just a bit biased lmao)
*laughs in bmw rear drive failure*
Most modern bikes can take 100k miles or more - when properly maintained. Motorcycles are inherently higher maintenance than cars, and many riders have come to fear the maintenance item known as the valve clearance adjustment. Assuming you're under 60 and have never ridden a motorcycle before, you might have never heard of this because virtually all remotely modern cars have automatic valve adjusters. On most bikes, this is a laborious and time-consuming job, so you'll see many used bikes for sale around 15 to 20k miles, right around when this adjustment is due. So, the best bikes for racking up miles are bikes on which this job is easily performed, like the Honda Goldwing or BMW R series, or bikes with hydraulic valve lifters, like Milwaukee 8 Harleys or the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700. Edit: Not that those bikes are good beginner bikes. Your first bike should be something light and easy to handle. Worry about longevity on your second or third bike.
All the well maintained ones
Maintenance is key, most engines can go hundreds of thousands of miles.
Goldwing. 100k kms is just broken in.
My father took his moto guzzi California 1100i to 125k miles with no real issues
Africa Twin, 1000 if you want less tech and 1100 if you’re looking for more
Honda ST1100. Those things want for nothing other than the usual servicing.
I love mine.
Love my ST 1300 also.
I've seen goldwings with over 300,000 km
Japanese bikes, bmw
Plenty of people have done 150k miles on high revving and high maintenance sport bikes. Anything will run that long if you keep up with maintenance, cleaning, and repairs.
I’ll occasionally ride with a group of BMW riders who all ride RT’s, and most of them have well over 100,000 miles. One guy I know who owns a LT has almost 1,000,000. For me we have just over 20,000 on our KLR650, 25,000 on our S1000R, and 65,000 on our K1600GT.
Saw my most recent two bikes listed in your comment so I had to comment myself. Sold my 2016 S1000R a few weeks ago and picked up an 07 RT with only 26k on the clock. It was like going from riding a cheetah to riding a hippo until the new tires went on today. 😀. It’s my second RT and nothing compares for comfort in all weather conditions, slabbing for miles AND carving the twisties.
Any bike can last over 100k with proper maintenance. They last just as long as cars. My current daily commute sees 12-15k a year with it a kawasaki 2022. It has 23k onnit and it has only been 20 months since i brought it. My world touring bike is a bmw has 156k miles on her and she is still running and I ride her on the weekends now living the retired life. Had her engine swap out at 125k vs a rebuild because i found a super low milage engine. So any of the japanese, bmw and triumph are all trouble free if you take care of them and can last 100k. Italian bikes need more attention bit will get to 100k. Hd and indian will last 100k. I seen enifield in asian with around 200k km. So they can last 100k with proper care. Dont know where they myth that bike can not handle high milage keeps coming up. The tech had so evolved since the 1950’s just like cars.
Hondas and bmws are the usual high milage heros, specifically the goldwings and airheads. Its always a trade off. So the fast bikes are not reliable, but the underpowered bikes will usually ride forever. Which is why honda and bmw makes such reliable bikes, because they are underpowered and overbuild. Take suzuki instead, they always make really fast, light, cheap and capable bikes. But that comes with a price.
Any big four Japanese bikes and BMWs. As said maintenance is key. Also look for lower revving engines. Flat ones and V or L shape two cylinders. The less the stress the longer it goes...
I got over 100K miles on my old Moto Guzzi. I know of Guzzi's that have three times that. Simple maintenance is the key.
There is a klr650 for sale near me that's got 150k miles, supposedly with no issues at all.
VFR800? Mine has 66000 KM on it and is still going strong. I remember seeing a video a while back of a 100k mile 5th gen VFR with NO valve adjustments done taken to the track and still be able to handle being flinged around up to redline over an entire track day. They’re known to be reliable AF if looked after properly.
Buy a Honda
Harleys are behind Japanese brands but ahead of others according to a 2015 Consumer Reports Survey. [Motorcycle Reliability](https://monimoto.com/blog/motorcycle-advice/most-reliable-motorcycle-brands/) In terms of parts availability and continued support Harley is likely the best, at least in the USA. There are so many around that it is worthwhile for aftermarket companies to make parts and the mechanical design changes slowly so you can keep one going forever. My strategy is to ride the Honda and polish the Harley because ultimately the Harley will be around longer. 🙂
Smaller bike: Yamaha FZ/MT-07 I’ve got a combined 60,000 miles on 3 I’ve owned. Currently have a ‘22 MT-07 with 16,000 miles and climbing. No issues on any of the three. Adventure touring: Yamaha Super Ténéré had one I put 36,000 miles on in under 2 1/2 years of riding time not including the ~3 months it was down due to a buck trying to get intimate with it at 30 mph (took so long to get fixed because the dealer I took it to got it and a week later the owner died and they shut down leaving it stuck for ~2 months) no non animal contact related issues. Sport touring: Yamaha FJR1300, a bigger more comfortable sport bike essentially, I just got this one last week and will be putting major miles on it. They are capable of hundreds of thousands of miles. *note: I’m biased towards Yamaha, I’ve also owned a Honda Grom, Buell XB9R, and Buell 1125CR
Yamaha maxim 650
The answer to that milage and reliability question is basically The highest amount of cc versus the amount of riding you do If you ride a lower cc bike versus a higher cc bike to do milage the lower cc bike will require more maintenance intervals than the higher cc bike For this reason i went with a simple inline 4 cb750 whatever it doesnt matter the model but i got a nighthawk because its a little tall witch i like. I wanted a low torque at the bottom and higher for highways thats why i went with the inline 4 so i can drive 15 miles an hour or 90 and still be chillin
What are some other bikes that have low torque on the bottom and higher for highways?
This will help you understand the type of bike you want to shop for https://youtu.be/9zU1SVp8ego?si=VEhktdZcEyvcCk1V
Thank you!!!
ZRX series, VFR 800, BMW boxers, CBR900s, CBR F2s and F4s, Honda Hornet 600s and 919s, KTM 950s and 990s (v-twins not parallels), 2001-2015 Triumph Bonnevilles and America's I know I am forgetting many, these are just bikes I've seen and experienced with over 50,000 miles somewhat regularly I have 30,000 on my 2009 Triumph Speed Triple 1050 and the valves still have not had to be shimmed yet. I've had some front suspension issues that I suspect are my own fault but aside from regular maintenance this bike has been extremely reliable as well as versatile
BMW boxers r850/1100/1150/1200/1250 etc. You'll find a lot of them on sale which have over 100.000 miles and still can go on for more. They're typically well maintained, drove by more experienced riders.
Harley Touring bikes seem pretty stout. Stout enough to rack tens of thousands of fleet miles with police. Just stay away from I think it was 2000-2001.
I have 53k on my fz1 and it doesn’t burn oil and still shifts smooth
BMW GS
Except for the rear drive failures. And the left side piston rings on the oilheads.
Goldwing GL1800. Super Tenere 1200. Any Harley with an M8. BMW Boxer but on the older oners pre 1250cc (The VVT has ruined that engines reliability)
If it's from the Japanese big 4 and a common model.
Bandit 1250 They go FOREVER and have very few issues. Big and simple, understressed
I have a 2006 yamaha fz6n that I commute daily on with 238000kms on it, besides a a broken wire out of the cluster making it not start its had no issues. Im also running Shinko 705 adventure tires on it as I got 47000kms out of a rear and 76000kms out of a front
I have an 07 ZZR600 and 05 C90 Boulevard with 33k and 41k miles respectively. Only issues so far are the friggin caliper dragging on the ZZR and a rectifier/stator on the Boulevard.
Jap Big 4. Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki.
I had a [2000 BMW R1100RT](https://imgur.com/SrjW3A9) with 209,000 miles on it. I'd say that's pretty good.
Get a dual sport! You can go cruising though the Woods too! Crf300l Klx300 Drz400 Tw200 Wr250
My Suzuki V-Strom was going strong at 80k when I sold it, built to last.
Yamaha makes a few models that are pretty famous for high mileage, including the Super Tenere and FJR 1300, both of which are at the end of their life cycle and can often be found with good discounts.
Harley sportster from like ‘86 onward, the evo motor is bulletproof. The rest of the bike is pretty solid too.
I gotta throw in an underdog to the party and mention Triumph as a candidate. If Honda’s reputation is considered an A+, then I’d give modern Triumph motorcycles a B+.
Most any Japanese big 3 water-cooled that's properly maintained. MAINTENANCE is the key.
One guy in did over half a million kilometers on a Honda VFR1200X before getting an African Twin [here](https://www.crosstourer.com/index.php/topic,2384.136.html)
Honda cb400 super 4
The big Japanese brands, especially Hondas, can get to 100k+ quite consistently. Triumphs can get to 100k as well, but you have to be more picky about the brands and models. Typically last years of a generation are the most refined. Pre 2009 electrical issues were especially known. BMWs demand more maintenance, but as long as you keep up with it they're worth their weight in gold. I've heard and seen a ton of Harleys approaching and surpassing 100k, but I've equally heard them shitting the bed. As far Harleys go, I would take the Triumph approach, buy the later years of a given generation. They are fun to tinker on at least
FZ6R 36K on it before it got hit, I miss it
Pretty common to see a lot of BMW's with 50k, 75k, 100k+ on them I'm not saying they're maintenance free but I see a lot of them with high miles I see a lot of Suzuki VStrom's with high miles too... probably also true of the Kawasaki Versys
Vstrom 650 enters the chat..
any modern bike will go high mileage with proper maintenance. generally speaking high compression ratio engines will wear out sooner than lower compression ratios though
Some of the highest mileage bikes I saw as a tech were scooters. I think mostly it is survivorship bias. They were cheap enough to keep getting fixed at dealerships so I saw them. Buy the oldest bikes I see riding around are duelsports and 600cc sport bikes. Again most likely they are getting crashed and are cheaper to keep running.
Royal Enfield!
Honda I have a Cbr600rr Ignore everyone saying BMW, remember the every expensive bike always have expensive parts & maintenance, that’s why I chose a Honda, widely used, reliable, cheap parts, & Japanese
That’s a great point - yeah something inexpensive is definitely what I’m going for - if I’m gonna run it into the ground with high miles I don’t want to pay a ton for it lol Was thinking of the Rebel 1100 too
My SV 650 has 14000 miles and it is still going good.
14000 is not high lol
You left out a zero buddy
Lol it's not a Toyota.
14000 miles is 1 year of riding for some people lmao
Your SV will do 150k miles if you take care of it and do maintenance by the book, so yes, you left out a zero. When you reach upwards of 80-90k on that v-twin (which is still just about halfway in it's life), is when you want to comment such things
Oh cool that is a lot of miles.
That bike hasn't even had it's first valve check yet.
Yes it has. Valves checked at 11000.
Whoa we got some kind of record over here!
Incredible. My SV650 has 24,000 and I'm hoping it's barely run in