How high is too high?

[djmaynard]

Brand new to this site and loving it. Just wondering how many miles is too many miles? I found a 82 Honda CB900 in great shape with 43,000. Would that be too much or would it depend on the carbs and seals? What should I look for?

I did a search to see if this was talked about before as I know it has to be a common question and didn't find anything.

Thank you.

 

[coyote13]

Compression test will likely tell you what you need to know without digging in too deep. Find a shop manual for that specific motor and it will tell you what the acceptable range is. That is a decent amount of miles, and I would be very thorough in your investigation (with this or any other motorcycle, new or old) of any wear items such as, but not limited to: tires, brakes, fluids, clutch, check inside tank for rust, check that all electrics work (headlight, brake/tail, blinkers, idiot lights, gauge lights, horn, starter, etc.), make sure all cables move freely, check chain and sprockets for excessive wear, make sure filter is clean or serviceable.

High miles don't necessarily mean its bad. Could've been babied all its life and is in just peachy condition. Could also just look real nice and have been beat to shreds and with its insides barely hanging on. Post a pic, we all like pics!

 

[Barnburner]

Trick question - you can never be too high.

P.S. In all seriousness - with proper maintenance, mileage is less significant. I'd buy a high mileage bike that was well maintained over a poorly maintained bike with low miles. For a reliable, quality built bike, like a BMW or Honda, I don't see 43,000 being necessarily too high. Like Coyote 13 said, find a service manual to see service limits and check specific components over well.

 

[wahvtec]

I know you said it is in great shape, but is it currently running? And how thorough you can be is really going to depend on what the owner allows. At the very least when you go, ensure that the bike is cold and hasn't recently been started. I always want to start the vehicle I'm looking at when its cold to look for smoke, or see how stubborn it is. If you buy a non-runner (as i have twice) its always a gamble. I'm currently working on a crank shaft, and I was told it just needed carb work. lol

 

[djmaynard]

It is running and seller said that it was leaking oil out of the return lines. But here is the following what was done: it has 43k miles and it was all cosmetic mods basically. lowered front end, repainted, new headlight, took off vetter fairing, took off sissy bar back rest, fixed rear suspension, new tires, new leather on seat

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[hillsy]

43K miles is not high if it's been properly maintained and used frequently.


Nothing hurts a bike more than long periods of non-use /sitting / storage.


It's a massive fallacy to think that a low mileage barn find is a better option than a higher mileage daily rider.

 

[djmaynard]

Well I also found a kinda barn find. 81 cb650 with 12,600 miles. I was planning on working on that until I came across the cb900. The 650 has sat for 2 years, but he did get it running, the last picture was right before he put it away.

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[djmaynard]

I know you said it is in great shape, but is it currently running? And how thorough you can be is really going to depend on what the owner allows. At the very least when you go, ensure that the bike is cold and hasn't recently been started. I always want to start the vehicle I'm looking at when its cold to look for smoke, or see how stubborn it is. If you buy a non-runner (as i have twice) its always a gamble. I'm currently working on a crank shaft, and I was told it just needed carb work. lol

Very true. A lot of bikes seem to "just need carbs cleaned"


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[stillatwork]

Buy 'em low. Half the time anything you buy "running" or "ready to ride" it isn't high mileage and old motorcycles are always fun...