Lifespan for a "modern" sportbike

**stoinkythepig** · 10-30-06, 11:00 AM

My 2001 9R hit 50,000 miles about 10 days ago. I've had it since it was new in March of 2002. The only repair I have had to make was to the wiring on the tailights about 5 weeks ago. Bike has been well cared for by me, like oil changes every 6000 miles, and seems to run prefectly. How long will this thing last? Thinking it's gonna go another 50k with ease. It has a vastly different engine than well known long-lived bikes like BMWs, Gold Wings and Concours, so I don't use those as benchmarks.

**bigred875** · 10-30-06, 11:02 AM

i think you are right, seems to me a well maintained one will last a long time...

**stoinkythepig** · 10-30-06, 11:10 AM

It's still got the original battery too. Wonder how long that'll keep going? 5 years seems like a long time for a bike battery. I think bike batteries must die from lack of use.

**OreoGaborio** · 10-30-06, 11:42 AM

my bike's an '00 & still has the original battery. I don't even have a battery tender

(although I think the original owner did)

**richw** · 10-30-06, 12:12 PM

Basic motor etc should last lots more. People in warm climates run passed a 100k easy.

I would look at all suspension components. Send the shock out for freshening www.lindeman.com

If your interested it took 2 months cause the california racers needed theirs 1st.

Look carefully at the forks go for seals and slides if tubes aren't all nicked.

All pivot points and linkages clean and lube including steering heads.

**Currently** · 10-30-06, 12:29 PM

10 ... 9 .. Waiting for RandyO to come on ...

**RandyO** · 10-30-06, 12:33 PM

I have heard stories of a guy with a CBR F3 that had over 175k

I have 135k on my SV with nothing more than regular maintenance

I think regular maintenance is the key

if a air cooled pushrod hardley can make it 200k, why can't a sportbike motor

**ZX-12R** · 10-30-06, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by RandyO
if a air cooled pushrod hardley can make it 200k, why can't a sportbike motor

All the oil leaks and blow-by keep everything in a 5 foot radius well lubricated!

**gmdboston** · 10-30-06, 12:50 PM

Originally posted by richw
Basic motor etc should last lots more. People in warm climates run passed a 100k easy.

I would look at all suspension components. Send the shock out for freshening www.lindeman.com

If your interested it took 2 months cause the california racers needed theirs 1st.

Look carefully at the forks go for seals and slides if tubes aren't all nicked.

All pivot points and linkages clean and lube including steering heads.

I just did two Triumph's completely rebuilt the chassis. Fork oil, shock oil, clean & grease the swing arm, linkage and Steering head bearings. Should be done every year.

**union** · 10-30-06, 12:53 PM

I think one of the main reasons you dont see a lot of high mileage sportbikes is because they get wadded up before they can hit the higher mileage. I know a guy that had 50k on his RC51 before he tossed it down the track and totalled it. SHould be no reason most new bikes should not be able to hit 50k+ easy as long as they are taken care of.

**Karaya One** · 10-30-06, 01:03 PM

Kent Kunitsu (sp) is his Sportrider mag days did a write-up years ago on his 1993 CBR900RR with over 100K of track days, commuting and weekend canyon riding on it.

No problems at all. Just normal wear and normal care.

**Punjistick** · 10-30-06, 04:16 PM

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
It's still got the original battery too. Wonder how long that'll keep going? 5 years seems like a long time for a bike battery. I think bike batteries must die from lack of use.

It'll be dead next week when you are in the middle of nowhere now that you said that.

**Evil_Weasel** · 10-30-06, 04:39 PM

i read an artical in some mag afew years ago about a guy that did around the world type touring on a mid 90s CBR 900RR. the bike had something like 300 thousand miles on it. with peoper care and some right wrist restraint i'd imagine a bike should live just as long as a car. most sportbikes either get totaled or sold off in the intrest of upgrading long before than though. my 12R had a touch over 20 thousand when i sold it and it was still going strong.

KB · 10-30-06, 09:31 PM

I got about 30k out of my first Superhawk engine, then another 20k out of the 2nd and still going strong.

I imaginr if I hadn't beat the bag out of the first one and rode it like a normal type would have it may have lasted longer..............but what fun is that??

Stoinky you should get 100k out of it you take care of it!!!

KB

Lifespan for a "modern" sportbike

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