What is High Mileage for a Motorcycle? | Timber Town Harley-Davidson

What is High Mileage for a Motorcycle?

So, you’ve been wanting to hit the Portland roads on an affordable pre-owned motorcycle, and you see an ad for just the kind of used bike you’ve been looking for. But, how will you know if it has too many miles on it? What’s considered high mileage for a motorcycle? This is important to know because what is considered high mileage for a motorcycle is not the same as what is considered high mileage for a car.

Motorcycle mileage is often considered high by 50,000 miles—and what’s more, high mileage for a motorcycle can be as little as 20,000 miles for some bikes. Let’s take a closer look at the details.

What is High Mileage for a Motorcycle? It Depends

What is considered high mileage for a motorcycle mostly depends on the type of bike it is. Albany riders can expect to put more miles on a larger bike, like a Road King Special or CVO Street Glide than a smaller sports bike like a Sportster S—although all Harley-Davidson models are built to last. Here’s how it breaks down:

What is High Mileage for a Motorcycle?

  • Sports bike — 20,000 miles
  • Larger bike — 40,000 — 50,000 miles

Don’t Just Look at the Motorcycle Mileage

What is considered high mileage for a motorcycle also differs depending on how the bike was maintained, where it was stored, and how it was ridden. A good bike that is taken care of properly can often go for more than 100,000 miles. Here are some things to consider when buying a used bike beside the motorcycle mileage:

  • Is there a maintenance record?
  • Was the motorcycle stored in a garage or outside and exposed to the elements?
  • Was it ridden properly, or did the previous owner do things like shift without using the clutch?
  • Is there visible damage like rust, corrosion, dents, or leaks?
  • How does it perform on a test ride?

Save On a Pre-Owned Bike Near Salem

We have a wide selection of high-quality used motorcycles on our lot, including used bikes priced under $10,000. Why not take one for a test ride? You can even get a head start by filling out our online Quick Pre-Qualify credit application. Timber Town Harley-Davidson is located just down the road from Lebanon, so drop by or contact us today!


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