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Who has the most miles on their bike?

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30K views 62 replies 34 participants last post by  DomNineT  
#1 ·
We hear of the bigger brother GS bikes having 100k miles. Who here has the most mileage on theirs? Kinda curious to see what the lifespan is of the smaller boxer motor.
 
#5 ·
Lot of factors that will determine life expectancy like area, if it is snow and salt the frame will go before engine, cold conditions and short distances will shorten life and at least once a year service will prolong. I have heard of engines doing 200 000 plus km. I assume if you look after it,it will last. Generally a boxer is a solid and safe engine, that is why they are often used in aeroplane kits as well. I know of an owner that drives a 100 000 km plus a year and he gets a problem free 300 000 km out of those engines. Had the 1150, at 60 000km it was still running better and better after each service. Just ride the bike and enjoy. Usually the owner that destrouys the engine.
 
#9 ·
:unsure: How old is your bike and how many miles/kilometers is better question...

It doesn't mean anything important but very interesting for me.

Also I usually look carefully pictures from new members...I focus in their rear tires...If I see rear tire very "clean" in borders ... It helps me to know who I'm talking with.

Pure from October 2017. 45.000km. All perfect. No problems nor failures.
 
#13 ·
I think so. Many people have put well over 100,000 miles on their older air-cooled R1200GS's. 200k and even 300k isn't unheard of, which is pretty dang cool. If decently maintained, these air/oil-cooled machines should run forever.

By the way, I had just over 101,000 miles on my 2004 Honda VFR 800 when I sold it, and it was running just as well as when I bought it with just 4,200 miles on the odometer. I would expect a boxer engine to do even better.
 
#14 ·
I went to a BMW international rally in Corpus Christy Texas in the mid 70’s. To far back for complete recall. What I do remember was 300,000 miles was not uncommon on many of those motos. Seems BMW had recently released a 1000cc motor and it was a big topic of conversation at the time, everyone speculating about how long it would last. They gave away novelty trophies for all kinds of reasons, oldest rider, who came the longest distance to the event, most miles etc. and there were no less than five bikes that had over 500,000 miles, that’s miles…not kilometers. I remember distinctly two things, I was a young rider at the time and by far most of the people in attendance were over 50 years old and I couldn’t get over how many bikes were set up with side cars. …and the side car wheels were powered just as the rear wheel of the moto. They were like three wheeled Jeep’s, they could go anywhere off road. Finding a moto larger than 500cc was unusual, a few R75’s (750cc I think) .. I also remember how happy and satisfied most of them seemed to be with the dependability of their machines. People spoke of fluid changes, spark plug replacements and tire changes but that was primarily the only things these people were doing to their bikes. I also remember talk of an inner tube made from natural rubber tree rubber that was almost puncture proof, if it was punctured ..when you remove the nail or screw it would self heal if the wound was small like a nail… since those days I have heard …and used the term bullet proof when referring to the engine and it fits … if you take care to keep the fluids at their appropriate levels the engine will out live us all … I tend to agree. After all what’s the one engine you never want to let you down … an airplane, right ? These bikes are indeed more expensive than American or Japanese crap but I believe you get what you pay for. Take care of it and no matter if your 20 or 80 it will likely out live you … or your desire to get UpOn2 …. Which ever comes first. As it’s been said, it’s about how you care for it that determines how long it lasts
……..Blitz ✌😎
 
#15 ·
I went to a BMW international rally in Corpus Christy Texas in the mid 70’s. To far back for complete recall. What I do remember was 300,000 miles was not uncommon on many of those motos. Seems BMW had recently released a 1000cc motor and it was a big topic of conversation at the time, everyone speculating about how long it would last. They gave away novelty trophies for all kinds of reasons, oldest rider, who came the longest distance to the event, most miles etc. and there were no less than five bikes that had over 500,000 miles, that’s miles…not kilometers. I remember distinctly two things, I was a young rider at the time and by far most of the people in attendance were over 50 years old and I couldn’t get over how many bikes were set up with side cars. …and the side car wheels were powered just as the rear wheel of the moto. They were like three wheeled Jeep’s, they could go anywhere off road. Finding a moto larger than 500cc was unusual, a few R75’s (750cc I think) .. I also remember how happy and satisfied most of them seemed to be with the dependability of their machines. People spoke of fluid changes, spark plug replacements and tire changes but that was primarily the only things these people were doing to their bikes. I also remember talk of an inner tube made from natural rubber tree rubber that was almost puncture proof, if it was punctured ..when you remove the nail or screw it would self heal if the wound was small like a nail… since those days I have heard …and used the term bullet proof when referring to the engine and it fits … if you take care to keep the fluids at their appropriate levels the engine will out live us all … I tend to agree. After all what’s the one engine you never want to let you down … an airplane, right ? These bikes are indeed more expensive than American or Japanese crap but I believe you get what you pay for. Take care of it and no matter if your 20 or 80 it will likely out live you … or your desire to get UpOn2 …. Which ever comes first. As it’s been said, it’s about how you care for it that determines how long it lasts
……..Blitz ✌😎
It is inspiring to read the report. Bigger is not always better and I agree, why do we not see a BMW sidecar/ I have been pestering them since 2014, no reply. The Ural is still there and the technology is 80 years old. I have owned one, it was fun.
 
#25 ·
Hey mate, where abouts in Aus are you? I only have 19,000 odd on mine with no issues but only purchased in late July last year as we entered a subsequent 260 days of hard lockdowns in Melb 🥴. I hope this bike lasts 200,000+ without major issues as I plan to keep it for the longer term - at least until IC vehicles aren't allowed on the road :). Interested to hear of high usage examples.
 
#27 ·
Only 23000km - no riding since lockdown :-( as my 2014 nine T is my commuter. Previous owner put 5000km on in 5 years (he had 7 motorbikes).

Not a single issue. In fact, my bike has not been back to the dealership since it left the showroom floor. And I intend to keep it that way. Services are simple, parts are not expensive. Fluids are easy to change. Regular maintenance will see the engine last as long as we do.

Only issue if some rust on the frame and engine bolts and oxidation on engine/valve covers. Not yet unsightly, but when it gets to that point, should be easy enough to replace bolts and ceramic coat the engine bits.
 
#28 ·
I’ve gone easy on my 9T… six years old and only 13,000mi. It’s been babied by me. I’ve been to BMW rally’s where I've seen many riders with side cars and trailers with 500,000mi so I know it’s not so exceptional…. if you take care of them …. I’m pretty sure those were highway miles and not off road. I was very pleased to find that they did all their own maintenance. All of those motorcycles were old Beemers and none of them were FI so our motorcycles should do even better. ……Blitz
 
#30 ·
Bought my 2002 1150 GSADV 3 years before Charley and Ewan did the very inspiring “Long Way Round”. They did 19,000 very cool mls in 4 months, me 70,000 mls in 20 years. The engine is pretty much the same as our NineTs, with slighter less 85bhp.

I had one(!) technical mishap when a rear wheel bearing gave up on the highway, in hindsight a result of spending too much time on the center stand without moving the wheels at all. I know, she shouldn’t spend 10 months of the year garaged up, but when I’m in Europe with my folks, we do get crackin’. 800 mls in one session? Done. On top off-road Mount Olympus in Greece, with only wild horses around? Done. Stuck in clay in Andalucia, conquered huge landslides in France, sure thing. Solo through Portugal, Romania, Norway? All done, and many more.

Would I ever hesitate to go for the next big one, on this 20 yo bike? Hell, no. This engine, and everything around it, is simply amazing.
Don’t worry.
 
#34 ·
Bought my 2002 1150 GSADV 3 years before Charley and Ewan did the very inspiring “Long Way Round”. They did 19,000 very cool mls in 4 months, me 70,000 mls in 20 years. The engine is pretty much the same as our NineTs, with slighter less 85bhp.

I had one(!) technical mishap when a rear wheel bearing gave up on the highway, in hindsight a result of spending too much time on the center stand without moving the wheels at all. I know, she shouldn’t spend 10 months of the year garaged up, but when I’m in Europe with my folks, we do get crackin’. 800 mls in one session? Done. On top off-road Mount Olympus in Greece, with only wild horses around? Done. Stuck in clay in Andalucia, conquered huge landslides in France, sure thing. Solo through Portugal, Romania, Norway? All done, and many more.

Would I ever hesitate to go for the next big one, on this 20 yo bike? Hell, no. This engine, and everything around it, is simply amazing.
Don’t worry.
Know of 1150 doing 200 000 plus kilometers, just service it. Less than 100 000km and I think you are still running the engine in. Owned an 1150 till 60 000km and no problems.
 
#31 ·
I put 11,000 miles on my 2017 pure (purchased in August of 2018), and had no issues with it so far. I reckon 11,000 miles is nothing for this engine so I do not really expect any issues to come up just yet since I do care for it well (I service it regularly and keep it in the garage when not in use, plugged to a battery tender). I even talk to it when no one is looking!
 
#32 · (Edited)
It’s not a NineT but my dad has around 72,000 trouble free American miles on his 2012 R1200 which has the same motor. He takes it off road a lot and commutes to work too. Edit July 2023 he is well over 100k now had the bike split in half to replace the clutch and some other big service items but the motor runs as smooth and strong as my 11k mile r NineT.

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