Mileage Question

[pick]

My best friend has been really jealous of my RSV since I bought it. He has two Kaw Drifters and is looking at a 1999 loaded with extras for a REALLY great price. The only issue is it has over 200k on it. Looking at it, it looks sound, clean, never dropped and all the reciepts for maintenance.

Anyone have any idea of problems that might arise with buying such a high mileage bike?

[V7Goose]

I personally have not seen any specific information on high-mileage problems with a 2nd gen, but I'd be worried about 200K on any engine, and even more so on a unit construction (where engine and tranny share oil). At a minimum I would do a full compression test and leak-down test on each cylinder. On the frame I would worry about steering head bearings and swingarm bearings - these rarely get serviced as they should.

Goose

[pick]

thanks Goose, I explained that to him also. But for the price (about $3500) I figured if the motor fell flat out of it, he could part it out and almost break even?

[Semi-retired]

Agreed, Goose, I'd want to do a compression check bigtime. I'd be a lot more worried about rings and valves than I would the steering and swingarm bearings. Those can be replaced fairly inexepensively.......but a full motor tear-down is getting into real big lunch money.

 

Squidley claims he's seen RSV4's with 400 K on them and still running fine, though, so I think at that crazy low price......you gotta take a chance...........and, if push comes to shove, YEAH BABY....part it out!!

 

Mike

 

I personally have not seen any specific information on high-mileage problems with a 2nd gen, but I'd be worried about 200K on any engine, and even more so on a unit construction (where engine and tranny share oil). At a minimum I would do a full compression test and leak-down test on each cylinder. On the frame I would worry about steering head bearings and swingarm bearings - these rarely get serviced as they should.

Goose

[V7Goose]

The compression and leak-down test will check the rings and valves, but not much you can do about checking the condition of main bearings, rod bearings, cam lobes and bearings, etc. If the oil hasn't been changed in several thousand miles, them you could get an analysis done, but even that won't tell a whole lot without the trend reports from past oil changes. Frankly, you take a substantial risk with a vehicle that has been run that far - it is a pig in a poke. I was just trying to list a couple of things that could be quickly checked and might provide some indication of overall condition. I decided to ad this response only to emphasize that even if those tests look good, there are still many things to worry about. When you buy something old for cheap, you generally get what you pay for!

 

Personally, I wouldn't consider buying a bike that old (and high mileage) for long distance riding unless I was going to strip and rebuild the whole thing. A low enough price might make that plan palatable.

Goose

[pick]

sorry it took so long to reply, been really busy. Well, he bought it. gonna fly out to vegas and ride it home. Owner kept great reciepts, retired cop. Hes gonna ride it home back to Ga. after a few side trips. Looks good, but I do agree its a lot of miles, but hell, if anything goes wrong, the experts can walk us through just about anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest BillyMac]

I figured this would be a good place to post this question. I ride a 05 650 V-Star but I'm getting ready to step it up to my dream bike a Venture.

 

I can't believe 200,000 on a bike that's great. I'm looking used and found one with 28,000 on it. I guess it's safe to say that's "Low Mileage" for a Venture.

 

I'm looking forward to gathering much needed info here before my purchase, Thanks in advance for your help

[SaltyDawg]

For the price I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it AFTER seeing the records and giving it a shakedown run. I have a 99 with 78,000 miles on it and I bought it without hesitation already having 40,000 miles on it. If there are good maintenance records and it runs good I see nothing wrong with 200,000 miles.

 

With a Venture I am more concerned about LOW mileage than I am about high. Usually a high mileage bike has been maintained very well and been ridden, and that is the key being ridden. An older low mileage Venture would cause me to be a bit hesitant, because a bike not ridden much tends to develop problems. Just my opinion.

[BOO]

Squidley claims he's seen RSV4's with 400 K on them and still running fine,

Mike

 

Man talk about a rider, that's over 120 miles a day 7 days a weeks for the 9 years they been around, doubt that Lowel does that kind of mileage.........

Bottom line though is maybe the engine is okay but the whole bike has 200,000 miles on it and like Goose indicated it needs to be completely redone.

Jerry

[Yammer Dan]

For the price I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it AFTER seeing the records and giving it a shakedown run. I have a 99 with 78,000 miles on it and I bought it without hesitation already having 40,000 miles on it. If there are good maintenance records and it runs good I see nothing wrong with 200,000 miles.

 

With a Venture I am more concerned about LOW mileage than I am about high. Usually a high mileage bike has been maintained very well and been ridden, and that is the key being ridden. An older low mileage Venture would cause me to be a bit hesitant, because a bike not ridden much tends to develop problems. Just my opinion.

 

 

You hit this one. My 85 with 20k had a few problems and all of them from lack of use I think. 2000 miles since I got it I'm going to cure that!!!