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High mileage for a motorcycle depends on the type: small, high-revving bikes are often considered high-mileage around 25,000–30,000 miles, while larger touring bikes and well-maintained engines can run 50,000 to 100,000+ miles. Maintenance history matters more than the number on the odometer.
How to make your bike last
Change the oil on time (see how often to change your oil), keep the chain lubed, warm the engine before riding hard and store it properly (see how to winterize). Check recalls via the NHTSA recall lookup.
High mileage by type of motorcycle
| Type | Often considered high mileage | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sport bikes | Around 25,000 to 30,000 miles | High-revving engines, often ridden hard |
| Small commuters and singles | Around 20,000 to 30,000 miles | Small engines work hard at highway speed |
| Cruisers | Around 50,000 miles | Lower-revving, larger engines |
| Touring bikes | Around 75,000 miles or more | Built for long distances; Gold Wings often exceed 100,000 |
| Type | Often considered high mileage |
|---|---|
| Small commuters and scooters | From about 20,000–30,000 miles |
| Sport bikes | From about 30,000–40,000 miles |
| Standards and middleweights | From about 40,000–50,000 miles |
| Touring and cruisers | 50,000–100,000+ miles |
These are rough guides, not limits. A well-serviced bike can go far beyond them, and a neglected bike can be worn out much sooner.
What matters more than the odometer
- Service history: regular oil changes and valve checks on schedule.
- How it was ridden: long highway trips are easier on an engine than short cold-start trips.
- Storage: a bike that sat outside for years may be in worse shape than one ridden daily.
- Age: rubber parts, hoses, seals and tyres age even when the bike isn’t ridden.
What to check on a high-mileage bike
- Ask for receipts and the service book.
- Start it from cold and listen for knocking, ticking or smoke.
- Check for oil leaks around the cylinder head and base gaskets.
- Inspect the chain, sprockets, brakes and tyres; replacing them adds up.
- Test the clutch for slipping under hard acceleration.
- Check the suspension for leaking fork seals and a bouncy rear shock.
For the full checklist, read buying a used motorcycle, and see which bikes last longest in most reliable motorcycle brands.
FAQ
Is 20,000 miles a lot for a motorcycle?
Not for most bikes, especially with good maintenance.
Should I buy a high-mileage motorcycle?
It can be a bargain if it’s well maintained and priced accordingly.
How many miles do motorcycles last?
Many last well beyond 50,000 miles with proper care.
The bottom line
Judge a bike by its condition and history, not just its mileage.
Browse all our how-to and safety guides.
