at what milage should you start getting concerned about on the 1200 and 883's?

i understand that each owner rides differently and does different maint. but just looking for a general idea. its looking like i can afford about $6k in a bike right now and im coming up with about 9,000 as average miles for that price range for a bike 2006 or newer, is that something to be worried about?

 

I've got a little over 20k on my '08 with no major issues. Starts up and runs like the day I got it

 

Motor?
100,000 miles.
The clutch, starter, stator might give problems well before that, but motor wear is no issue till 100,000 miles.

Some depends on use, lots of short trips is worse then hiway miles...same as it is with a car.
People who drive 100 miles or more every day often get 300,000 miles no problem, the short trippers may go 120,000 miles before rings and valve guides wear out.
Once an engine is up to temp, there is really no wear on things, oil is flowing and the metal does not touch.
Its the cold start that wears things, loads of gas and moisture, no oil on top end parts, thermal cycles (takes out head gaskets) that kills things.

Brett

 

9000mi is nothing. Personally, I like buying used bikes w/ between 5,000-10,000mi on them. That way I know they've been ridden (sitting for long periods is worse than miles any day).
I've got over 20,000mi on my GSXR and you know how those things are ridden (mine starts every time and doesn't use a drop of oil- never done anything to it). My Sportster has roughly 11,000mi on it and I'm not concerned in the least about it. There are guys on here w/ 100,000+ on their Harleys.

There is a very common misconception that bikes can't make it past 20,000mi or whatever. That is totally false. In fact, I've never seen a bike die w/o several times that # of mi. on them (so long as they were taken care of).

Is there a reason you're looking at 06' and newer? I bought an 04 w/ 7000mi for $4G out the door. Just sayin', you can get a lot of bike for $6G around here- plenty of low mile ones too.

 

Ridden on regular basis with normal maint. should be fine 75-100k before needing top end work. Stator, Battery, volt reg. will go up before that. Fork springs and fluid and shocks proabably wont last that long either and perform well otherwise should have no worries with hi mileage.
Have 36k on my 06 and have been through the stator, battery and volt. reg. but otherwise just normal oil changes and tires is all I've had to worry with.

 

My 07 1200 have over 17K on the clock and it runs better then new. So far I have had to replace the rear rocker box gasket twice, front one once, was not leaking, but did it at the same time as the rear and the rear head gasket. Also the stock clucth spring plate broke so I had an SE clutch installed. The bike has never broke down or failed to start. They will last a long time.

 

I'm rely looking to get the fuel injection and I think it started in 06. Thanks guys.

Now to find a nightster for 6k Round Chicago.........

 

EFI started in '07. '06's are carbed.

 

Nightsters started then too

 

Carbs aren't so scary once you learn a few things about them. There a heck of a lot cheaper to tune as well for when you start changing things. The minor inconvienance of having to use a choke (oh excuse me, "enricher") is far offset by the simplicity and cost advantage, IMHO. I can tune a carb for less than $20 and a few test runs on a back road, try that w/ an EFI bike.
Whatever floats your boat though. I'm sure there's some good deals out there on an EFI bike.