How many miles is high milage on a HD?
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
It depends on several factors, the two big ones being how it was ridden and how it was maintained. Skratch makes a good point about bikes with suspiciously low mileage for their age. Bikes that sit around most of the time can have problems, too, like carbs clogged with cruddy old gas, weather-cracked tires, condensation in the fuel tank and crankcase, fuel and oil lines deteriorating, etc. Dealers do want bikes with lower mileage because that is what most customers are looking for as they tend to judge mainly by mileage, which paints only part of the picture. A 50,000 mile bike that was well maintained and ridden sensibly can be a better deal than a 5,000 mile one that did only burnouts and bar hopping.
Smokey
Smokey
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 902
Likes: 0
From: pennsylvania
traded in a98 rkc with70,000 on it for my 07 rkc....... the 98 was a jem the 07 is as well. simply change the oil and lube it and it'll move on for a long time. Whoeever said they are made to be rebuilt is absolutely right. neighbor has a 71 shovel with 235.000 on it. And I ride with a guy that has 145,000 on a 96 glide no issues......
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 1
From: St. Albans, West Virginia
my 06 883 Sportster is getting new tires today and will be going in for 30,000 miles service in the next couple of weeks. I have had NO issues with it. I ride it every day and don't especially baby it.
My Indy was doing service on a 05 RK with 50,000 on it. The bike looked great and the owner says it is totally dependable.
My Indy was doing service on a 05 RK with 50,000 on it. The bike looked great and the owner says it is totally dependable.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,438
Likes: 6
From: Gulf Coast of Mississippi
An elderly guy lives around here... he's got 345k on the clock...
The second time he sent his motor to moco to have it rebuilt... they sent him a new engine as a replacement @ the same price...
He puts a minium of 200 miles a day.... he says if he don't ride he has to get on the oxygen...
Charlie D.
The second time he sent his motor to moco to have it rebuilt... they sent him a new engine as a replacement @ the same price...
He puts a minium of 200 miles a day.... he says if he don't ride he has to get on the oxygen...
Charlie D.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 13
From: georgetown ky
I have 55k on my 05 ultra no engine issues yet. still has the original cam chain tensioners. I run the dog crap out of it. But I change the oil and service it regularly.
Issues I have had were
3 Motor mounts
2 primary seals
2 trany seals
1 shifter shaft seal
all cover under extended service plan. I will retire this bike,sell, or trade in once the ESP gets close to exp. Depending on the economy what will happen to this one. I'd love to retire it and keep it.
I'd say it will have at least 100k on it by then. The end of 2011
Issues I have had were
3 Motor mounts
2 primary seals
2 trany seals
1 shifter shaft seal
all cover under extended service plan. I will retire this bike,sell, or trade in once the ESP gets close to exp. Depending on the economy what will happen to this one. I'd love to retire it and keep it.
I'd say it will have at least 100k on it by then. The end of 2011
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: North Jersey
I agree 100% with Skrap. I ride with some who put 15,000 miles a year on their bikes and never have a problem while others who ride much less have constant trouble from not using their bikes or from not maintaining them. One buddy has a 02 Dyna WG with real low mileage, just over 3K I think and hes always having trouble from letting it sit all the time. I sold my 2000 Dyna Lowrider with 30K on it not because of the mileage - I just fell in love with the Rocker and one of my bikes had to go. My 99 Road King has just under 30K on it and I'll be riding that for a few more years atleast. Dealers like low mileage bikes becasue they sell more quickly, its easy to steer a newer rider who was looking at a new bike by saying " well, over here I have a used one for a few grand cheaper that only has 4,000 miles on it " I think a more seasoned rider would look more at the bike and less at the mileage.