Is 28,000 miles a lot for a motorcycle?

Question

It is a 2003 ninja 500, I am looking to buy it but there are a lot of miles, 28,000. Is this a lot for a motorcycle? How long do motorcycles last normally?

Answer 1

Nope, my 2003 has close to 40k on it.  With proper maintenance most bikes will last years.

Answer 2

For a big Harley or Gold Wing, 28,000 isn't a lot of miles. For a Ninja 500, that's an awful lot of miles.

Answer 3

if it's mishandled or poorly maintained, even 5000 miles would be too much. If properly maintained, not abused, not wrecked etc, it's really not that bad, just means it has been ridden a lot. Ask for the maintenance records for it. I put approx. 10,000 miles per year on my street bikes, and back when I rode dirt bikes, I averaged 4500 to 5000 miles per year. But I ride a lot. A good street bike, well maintained should get close to 100,000 miles on it before you start planning to rebuild or replace a motor. Let's face it though, most ninja's and similar "crotch rockets" are ridden hard, by younger riders who may or may not be really up on keeping it maintained. On the other hand, I know some younger riders that keep them looking and running like they just came off the showroom floor. I keep every receipt for parts, lubricants etc, as well as a detailed written record of every time I service it, or add or change a part etc on every bike I have owned. If the current owner has records, he probably kept it up well. If he has excuses but no records, I'd be very careful, inspect if fully, or have a good mechanic check it over before you buy someone else's problems. Also, the dealers keep records on the bikes they service and repair, so if they guy says he had the dealer do all the work on it, get the dealer's name and go talk to them.

Good luck

Answer 4

for an 03 it is high means it has been ridin alot, posabilty of problems in the near future.  Life span depends on how well they are taken care of.  Good luck

Answer 5

I suppose it depends on the selling price too.  28,000 may not be much by "warm state" ( Florida, California) standards.  It certainly would be a lot of miles for Connecticut which has a much shorter riding season.  If you're in an area where you can ride year round, 28,000 miles on an almost 6 year old bike is only about 100 miles per week.

If its not leaking oil, hasn't been dropped, appears well maintained it may be worth it.

Answer 6

it is extremely high, but as it has been ridden alot chances are it has proberly been looked after very well. good look if you buy

Answer 7

Thats not to bad if it has been serviced like it should. My buddys got a 2000 honda that has over 60,000 miles on it. But thats a HONDA.

Answer 8

For a 2003 i would look for one with a milage around 15,000 max 8,000 would be ideal.

Answer 9

If I understand your question, 28,000 miles is not close to the life expectancy for a motorcycle.  Still the chain or brakes may need to be replaced.

Answer 10

That is very high mileage for that type of bike. It is not designed for grand open road touring coast to coast like a Gold Wing/BMW tourer/Venture Royale / ULtra Classic etc etc. It is get up and go -stop get up and go stop....Really for the go fast guys and the machine comes out of the factory designed for that and fabricated to be able to withstand that sort of treatment up to a point.

How well has it been maintained over the years

How hard has it been driven.

Past rider/riders definitley stomped on it many many times and that takes its' toll. YOu can almost guarantee that this bike never put on big chunks of miles at a crack....Short trips to and fro but high speeds/jackrabbit starts/psuing the bike to its' limits many times etc.....

Be very careful when buying these bikes/ get it thoroughlyl checked out by a trained mechanic ( in other words don't get a HD mechanic to check it out as an example or your shade tree mechanic friend) Get someone form a delaereshhip that sells these types of bikes and who is trained by the factory. They know the bike and they have seen many of them /engines torn down/ so they know what to look for in theinterranl components of the clutch/engine and tranny). Signs that show either abuse or good maintenance. Don

''t let a good wash and wax job fool you

Good luck.

Answer 11

Like Live said, not a bunch if the bike was in a warm area. Used to be that 12,000 mile per year was a high mileage automobile but these days people just keep on the go and 20,000 is considered high. I would think 100 to 150 per week would be normal if the person rode it to work and maybe was single.