Based on our study and personal experience with BMW motorcycles, 200k would be a realistic mileage.
- The owner’s riding style
- How often is the motorcycle used?
- The example
- Its routine maintenance
- whether riding the motorcycle on or off-road
Despite the fact that BMW motorcycles have a reputation for being unreliable, this is only a misconception.
On average, BMW motorbikes may travel 200,000 miles, and later models have even known to exceed 300,000 miles or more.
Even though older models appear to be lagging behind more modern bikes, they can nevertheless travel 100,000 miles.
Despite not being known for their dependability, as previously mentioned, they are nonetheless viewed lasting a lot longer than other motorcycle brands and are said by numerous customers to have lasted for 30+ years.
A BMW client once claimed that a 1975 BMW R75/5 had logged up to 387,000 miles with relatively routine maintenance during the course of its usable life.
A different client said that their 2005 BMW R1200RT had traveled 115,000 miles in 48 states and 6 countries with only a few inexpensive repairs and maintenance costs, and that they had had an excellent overall experience.
Regardless of the model, it’s critical to emphasize the importance of routine maintenance and repairs as soon as they become necessary.
A BMW motorcycle’s durability is entirely dependent on these elements, and it will last longer with proper use and maintenance.
Here are some helpful hints for routine maintenance:
- riding your motorcycle a lot
- Observe the maintenance schedule for BMW.
- frequently check your air filter.
- standard oil changes
- Be cautious with the clutch and brakes, and accelerate smoothly.
In contrast, neglecting your BMW will shorten its lifespan and prevent it from being in peak shape.
In conclusion, BMW motorcycles are indeed tough, but it’s up to the owner to extend the bike’s lifespan.
In This Article...
around 50,000 to 200,000 kilometers
A BMW motorcycle’s dependability is frequently questioned. If maintained properly, the motorcycle may travel 200,000 miles or perhaps more. A BMW motorcycle requires more frequent maintenance than other motorcycles, and some riders may disregard these activities, resulting in less dependable operation. BMW motorcycle dependability rankings by Consumer Reports frequently place them towards the bottom. Examining a BMW motorcycle’s dependability is still worthwhile.
What kind of bike do you think has high mileage?
I want to know what you would consider heavy miles for a used R1200GS because I’m in the last stages of looking. Would a 36K bike with a clean service history still be regarded as having low mileage?
which year? I’ve seen that much weight added in a year, so 36 K is not bad for a Hexhead! I still consider my bikes to be low mileage for their ages even if they have 70 K in 2002, 60 K in 1995, and another at 50 K in 2005. If maintained consistently and the records support it, it’s a typical BMW.
Many of the bikes around here have between 150,000 and 200,000 miles on them. 36,000 is just getting started.
On our website’s flea market last year, we promoted a ’04 R1150RS with 50,000 miles on it (being sold below blue book, with documented service history).
Every potential buyer’s use of the phrase “barely broken in” disappeared.
I’m worried about the mileage, yet those high miles, and similar statements were all we ever heard.
They all continued to show great interest in the bike despite this, but they kept bringing up the odometer reading in an effort to negotiate.
On a Beemer or a Japanese bike, 36,000 miles are nothing to worry about, but be warned: if you don’t factor it into the price, the buyer you try to sell it to later, the dealer you try to trade it in at, and the insurance provider who must pay for it all will all have a lesser sense of it’s value.
You should be commended for riding so many kilometers because you love it! The mileage awards program offers up to two million miles of BMW motorcycle travel in 100,000-mile increments. See our list of illustrious riders below.
If you are eligible for an award, you can submit your request online, DOWNLOAD THE HIGH MILEAGE AWARD FORM, print it, and ship it to the MOA at 2350 Hwy 101 S, Greer SC 29651 or contact the organizer. Your High Mileage Award will be given after your miles have been verified. Additionally, the BMW MOA website will name you here and mention you in the BMW Owners News column.
The BMW Motorrad program offers cloisonne medallions in 100,000-mile increments to recognize achievements of 100,000 through 900,000 lifetime miles. Your local dealer is the first point of contact for this awards program.
BMW Morton High Milers
We feel privileged to serve such a large number of BMW riders with high mileage. Below is a photo of a few of them.
Once we have the required paperwork, we will file the claim and deliver the award to you once it has been received by BMW.
What does “high mileage” imply to you?
And now I’ll ask you a question. How much maintenance should a motorcycle with a lot of miles receive? brand-new tires? a reworked engine? a rebuilt fork?
A motorcycle is almost never “shot.” Instead, the bike’s worth as a percentage of the cost of doing more expensive and extensive repairs only keeps declining. A two-stroke top-end rebuild happens quite regularly, but it’s also a really simple task to complete. Comparably, a liquid-cooled touring bike may travel a great distance before needing extensive maintenance, but when that time does come, it might be pricey.
A bike’s age, rarity, and cost should all be taken into consideration when determining what you mean by “heavy miles.” “High mileage” can refer to a well-kept motorcycle with a lot of miles on it and an asking price much below book value. Additionally, it can be a pretty nice offer with a ton of dependable service left in it. A 1948 Panhead with 100,000 miles on it that is still in its original condition is rare to find, expensive, and also averages (as of this writing) less than 1,500 miles a year, which seems very acceptable to me!
How far is too far in miles? I’m not certain. A motorcycle can never have too many miles on it if you love it deeply enough. And if you truly adore it, you’ll add a lot of them.
What is the maximum miles a motorcycle can handle?
Between 20,000 and 30,000 is on the high side for tiny sports bikes. 50,000 km and higher is regarded as high motorcycle mileage for larger bikes. However, take into account that a properly maintained bike can live long above 100,000 miles before you write off any models.
How many kilometers are too many for a BMW?
With good care, almost any BMW has the ability to last up to 200,000 or even 250,000 miles, and there will always be outliers that last even longer.
How many miles should a used motorcycle have?
You might definitely conclude that any motorcycle with less than 10,000 miles on the odometer is low mileage and still has a lot of life remaining if you’re talking about one intended for regular street use. Regarding high mileage, the majority of contemporary motorcycles ought to be good beyond 20,000 kilometers. However, in the past, many of the Japanese entry-level motorcycles began to exhibit top end issues at this point.
Due to their understressed engines, the 500cc–1100cc CB/GS/KZ/XS motorcycles from that era often had many miles left to travel but the 250cc–450cc UJMs from that era frequently started to rattle at 20k. Does that imply that smaller motorcycle engines won’t be as reliable as bigger ones? Perhaps, but given the state of engineering today, current-generation motorcycles in the same 250cc-450cc class may outlive their forebears from the 1970s and 1980s by enduring long into the 20k mile mark.
In light of this, you should look beyond the odometer and ask a few other questions if you’re actually interested in determining how much life a bike has left. Was the bicycle in good condition? A bike will quickly wear out if you neglect to perform a few oil changes. Was it kept there? Even if the motorcycle isn’t traveling far, the sun will degrade the paint. Was it ever reconstructed? If the owner regularly rebuilds the worn-out parts, a BMW GS adventure bike will last well over 100,000 km. Was the terrain rough? A Honda Gold Wing that transported its rider across the country at leisurely speeds will wear down much more quickly than a Kawasaki ZX-7 that experienced race usage. The most crucial question is, what was the bike’s intended use? A Honda CRF450L is built to tear through sand dunes with routine maintenance, while a Yamaha FJR1300 is meant to travel across the country without taxing the engine. Which do you anticipate deteriorating first?
Ask yourself these questions if you’re seeking to purchase a used bike, and perhaps join a Facebook group or forum. Nearly all motorcycles have enthusiast clubs, and if you have questions about a particular model, the group members will typically be eager to answer them. They may also advise you on improvements you should make and whether or not the Kawasaki KLR650’s 40,000 miles are cause for concern.
Is buying a motorcycle with a high mileage acceptable?
This weekend, if you want to look at used motorcycles, you’ll probably check the odometer to see if the bike has a lot of miles on it.
Two comparable motorcycles will frequently be listed for sale at markedly different costs; the cheaper bike will typically have the higher mileage.
But is the bike’s mileage really a good indicator of its value, and should you avoid buying a bike with a lot of miles on it?
Yes, a bike with a high mileage may require extensive work on the engine and moving components like bearings.
A bike with a lot of miles on it, however, might also have just had the engine rebuilt and those other concerns fixed, making it practically as good as new.
On the other hand, low mileage on an older bike could be a sign that someone has illegally “clocked” or wound back the odometer.
Is it worthwhile to purchase a BMW with a lot of miles on it?
In order to wrap up this article, let’s review everything we’ve covered. In general, BMW vehicles get good gas mileage. They typically reach their maximum range of 150–250,000 miles. Therefore, anything in the range is considered to have a mileage that may be too high to justify owning the car. But when they reach 60–80,000 miles, the majority of BMWs fall into the high mileage category. Therefore, it is clear that there is still a long way to go before you reach the “too high” point.
With all of that in mind, purchasing a high mileage BMW might be a wise financial move because you’ll receive a great car that’s dependable, has plenty of miles remaining in the tank, and is much less expensive.
I’m Scott, a huge fan of BMWs and a long-time owner of these incredible vehicles. I’m here to chronicle my encounters with BMWs over the years and, hopefully, to be of use to others.
Does mileage factor into a motorcycle purchase?
The quick response? No. Not often is mileage the most crucial feature to look for in a used motorcycle. Although mileage can be used to determine a motorbike’s “worth” before buying it, it doesn’t always indicate whether a secondhand motorcycle is good or bad.
While mileage does matter when determining the worth of a late-model bike, RevZilla claims. Of course, a used motorcycle’s durability and dependability depend on a variety of factors.
While one of those factors is mileage, it’s not likely the most crucial. You may choose the ideal motorcycle for you by considering mileage along with other aspects. While miles are by no means everything, they can give you a reasonable idea of the motorcycle’s age and condition.