As a motorbike gets older and its mileage grows, it will inevitably begin to develop small problems that require attention and further investment. Faced by this situation, you might start to wonder if the time has come to replace your motorcycle.
There is no precise answer to how long a motorbike lasts as it depends largely how it is maintained, road conditions, its brand, model, among other factors. Keep reading here at oneHOWTO to find out more about the life span of a motorcycle, where we will be discussing what is the average life expectancy of a motorbike.
Motorcycle life expectancy
On average, if a motorcycle has not suffered any accidents or major breakdowns, it can last between twelve to fifteen years. This period can be extended if it is a high-end vehicle that has had impeccable upkeep and maintenance.
On the other hand, if its quality has not been maintained and it is a low-end motorcycle model, it’s not very likely that the motorcycle will last as long.
Motorcycle mileage chart
Mileage is another important factor when it comes to assessing the life cylce of a motorcycle engine. Once a motorcycle engine has reached up to 100,000 km, it may be time to start thinking about finding a replacement.
If you usually travel on roads that are in good condition (well paved and without potholes), you may be able to add some kilometers to this figure. If you have ridden your motorcycle hard, rough or unpaved roads, then you may have to do the opposite, and subtract a few thousand kilometers from this figure.
But, what is considered a high mileage on a motorcycle? 40,000 to 50,000 miles is considered a high-mileage motorbike, but this does not mean it is of less quality than a motorcycle with lower mileage. Again, this will depend on its maintainance, condition, model and brand.
For more, read how to calculate a fair price for used motorcycle.
How long can you ride a motorcycle?
In addition to mechanical issues, there are externally visible aspects of a motorbike that can give us clues to wether or not it’s in good or bad condition. For example, the appearance of rust or oil stains on the vehicle surface reveal that it’s been used a lot and may require a replacement.
Signs of motorcycle wear and tear include:
- Worn out tyres, check your TWI (Tear Wear Indicator)
- Low acid level in motorcycle battery.
- A worn-out clutch
- Rusty brakes and chains
- Dirty exhaust pipe
For more about motorcycle maintenance, you may be interested in reading:
- Why does my motorcycle lose power?
- How often to change a motorcycle chain.
- 10 motorcycle maintenance tips to keep your motorbike healthy.
Common motorcycle problems
If a motorbike suffers from more than one major mechanical problem in a short space of time, then it may be time to consider looking for a new bike. Even if the motorbike is not very old, if it breaks down frequently then in the long run it will be more expensive and cost you more than if you were to buy a new bike.
Replacing a motorbike that is only a few years old is can be difficult decision, but it can help to do some calculations on what we spend in the garage and compare that to the cost of a new motorbike.
If you want to read similar articles to What Is The Average Life Expectancy of a Motorcycle?, we recommend you visit our Motorbike Maintance and Repair category.