High Milage Concerns?

I'm in the process of shopping for a 6th gen and have come across a bike with 50K miles on it. My question is, are there any issues that arise on a machine with that many miles?

I'm not too concerned about the function of the engine but rather suspension and bearings. I'd like to know if a high milage machine will definately need things rebuilt or replaced to bring the bike up to par.

A comment or two from anybody with experience with a high milage bike would be much appreciated so I know if I should just ignore bikes with more than XXX miles on them to avoid spending a bunch of money just to get it sorted.

Thanks

[image: View Post]russell62, on Aug 2 2009, 02:16 PM, said:

I'm in the process of shopping for a 6th gen and have come across a bike with 50K miles on it. My question is, are there any issues that arise on a machine with that many miles?

I'm not too concerned about the function of the engine but rather suspension and bearings. I'd like to know if a high milage machine will definately need things rebuilt or replaced to bring the bike up to par.

A comment or two from anybody with experience with a high milage bike would be much appreciated so I know if I should just ignore bikes with more than XXX miles on them to avoid spending a bunch of money just to get it sorted.

Thanks

I got 63,000 mile, no bearing failures yet , I do prepping along the way of the bikes life though. The rear axle should be over a 100 k item as long as it hasnt been submerged.

Does the bike look ragged, mine still looks good

At that mileage the rear shock is probably about done, probably need steering, maybe wheel bearings. Really not much I would be concerned with over any other bike. My 02 has near 70K miles on it, I have replaced the front wheel bearings, steering bearings, and cush drive. That is about all that has 'worn out.'

Thanks guys.

Jeremy, mind if I asked approximately how much you spent sorting those items?

The bike is an 02' and looks good for it's age and milage but it's hard to tell in low res pics.

unless you're getting a smoking deal, you may want to pass. there are many low-mileage VTEC's out there at good prices.

I used AllBalls for the bearings. Steering head bearings are $33.54, wheel bearings are $16.33, cush drive is $22.96 from Ron Ayers, also had to get a socket for the rear axle from ebay for like $13 shipped. Spent probably 5 hours to install, but I also serviced the forks while they were off, and spent most of the time trying to get the old front wheel bearings out. Would be a good idea to borrow or buy a bearing puller.

[image: View Post]jeremy556, on Aug 2 2009, 02:55 PM, said:

I used AllBalls for the bearings. Steering head bearings are $33.54, wheel bearings are $16.33, cush drive is $22.96 from Ron Ayers, also had to get a socket for the rear axle from ebay for like $13 shipped. Spent probably 5 hours to install, but I also serviced the forks while they were off, and spent most of the time trying to get the old front wheel bearings out. Would be a good idea to borrow or buy a bearing puller.

Thanks

I put 100k on each of these 3 bikes (Bmw/750 '72 ; Yamaha 750 '78 ; VFR '99) no problems (the Yamaha was burning some oil)..... But as stated, just take care of things wheel/steering bearings, valves on the duc, just ride it. When it gets boring, or gives you problems, then think about something else..... If you need to convince your OP ....Then high milage may work. :rolleyes:
Woops... I thought you were talking about your Duc.... Same goes with the VFR..... Just shop around $$$ wise .... but you should have another 100k left of riding in it with little money involved in repair/maint..........

plenty of folk on here who have put BIG miles on VFR's. It's one of the many things the bike has a lot of respect for.

Although like others have said, there are plenty of low mileage vtecs around :fing02:

Could be time for a front fork freshen-up, seals & oil, which is then a chance to change springs if you feel the need. Same with the rear shock unit, and there are a few really good posts about different options there like what other bikes could give up their rear shock with a little mod work to fit to the 6th gen VFR. That's really about all I would worry about if it passes muster otherwise.

I got my 03' 7 months ago with 60,000 miles on it. Had to change front bearings, and thats it. Its in great condition.

[image: View Post]danielvfr, on Aug 9 2009, 06:31 AM, said:

I got my 03' 7 months ago with 60,000 miles on it. Had to change front bearings, and thats it. Its in great condition.

Thanks Daniel. I'm looking at one with 50,000. If it looks like it has been taken care of, I'll be taking ownership as the price is right.

[image: View Post]danielvfr, on Aug 9 2009, 05:31 AM, said:

I got my 03' 7 months ago with 60,000 miles on it. Had to change front bearings, and thats it. Its in great condition.

So far my front bearings have been holding at 63 thousand , everytime I replace the front tire I try to force some gear lube in the bearings, hopefully alittle seeps in. I should probably pop the seal off, but I've done this before on other bikes and havent had to replace any wheel bearings yet.

I broke down the head set when new , it was well greased so I just added a litle gear lube to the grease, hopefully will stay fluid, so far those are still holding up okay.

Also the bike has never had a water hose on it, other than some wet rags I wipe it down with, Full faired bikes are so easy to keep clean looking.

The VFR is the easiest maintenance full street bike on the market, I'm sure glad there's no chrome.