Buying a Bike with 50K miles

[Dave Mc]

What kind of concerns should I have if I buy a bike with 50K miles on it. What kind of maintenance might I have to put into the bike (Shocks, etc..) ? What should have already been done to the bike? The bike is a 2005 FJR.

 

[RadioHowie]

What kind of concerns should I have if I buy a bike with 50K miles on it. What kind of maintenance might I have to put into the bike (Shocks, etc..) ? What should have already been done to the bike? The bike is a 2005 FJR.

It would be due (in 2k miles) for its second valve check/adjust. That would be the "major" maintenance issue.

It should have had a Throttle Position Sensor recall done.

Oil change, final drive service, coolant change, brake and clutch fluid change. Unless the previous owner had documentation they'd been done recently, I'd count on them needed, but I wouldn't take them to a dealer for that unless you were a ham-fisted Michigander who can't put a tire on the right way.

Many will say the shocks are toast at 15-20k. YMMV.

Biggest expense would be to scrape off that ugly, blue, abomination of a paint job and painting it the same color as the superior 2004 Cerulean Silver.

 

[wheatonFJR]

wiser words were never spoken.

 

[N_Lindz]

Bought a '03 with 65k on the clock last summer. Previous owner didn’t have any of the maintenance records as he did everything himself, but after taking one look at his other bikes and the state of his garage (I've never seen a showroom that looked that clean) I figured I could take his word on it.

Good luck!

 

[Bigbeavk]

What kind of concerns should I have if I buy a bike with 50K miles on it. What kind of maintenance might I have to put into the bike (Shocks, etc..) ? What should have already been done to the bike? The bike is a 2005 FJR.

It would be due (in 2k miles) for its second valve check/adjust. That would be the "major" maintenance issue.

It should have had a Throttle Position Sensor recall done.

Oil change, final drive service, coolant change, brake and clutch fluid change. Unless the previous owner had documentation they'd been done recently, I'd count on them needed, but I wouldn't take them to a dealer for that unless you were a ham-fisted Michigander who can't put a tire on the right way.

Many will say the shocks are toast at 15-20k. YMMV.

Biggest expense would be to scrape off that ugly, blue, abomination of a paint job and painting it the same color as the superior 2007 Black Cherry.

There fixed it for ya at no charge! :yahoo:

 

[Bounce]

doing your own maintenance doesn't mean skipping a log book of when they were done. check for service records and consider it a plus if they have detailed records.

 

[FJReady]

If it's getting #2 valve adjustment, may be a good time to replace the cam chain tensioner.

 

[blueman]

Wax the tank. Keep up the paint job. Its by far the best color FJR.

 

[Fred W]

doing your own maintenance doesn't mean skipping a log book of when they were done. check for service records and consider it a plus if they have detailed records.

+1. :thumbsup:

I would not care if the guy claims to have done his own maintenance. In fact, I'd kind of prefer that to the prospect of having had the regular shop monkeys "learning" FJR service on it.

But I would definitely want to see a detailed (read: anally precise) service log of what had been done and when.

Ask to see these records, off the cuff and in person. And then expect them to be produced immediately, not days, weeks, months later when they can be conveniently created. Look for lots of gory (and maybe boring) details, probably in pencil, or better yet in meticulous spreadsheet format, on valve clearances, oil changes, PM parts replaced (and costs), mileages on tires and probably even how much weight it took to balance them... you get the picture. Anyone who is exacting with doing their maintenance also keeps exacting records of it. DAMHIK.

If any recalls have not been done yet, you can still bring it to a dealer and have them do it. That's no big deal there, IMO. But whatever wear has occurred in the prior 50k miles due to poor maintenance habits can't be undone.

YMMV

(and the Bass Boat Blue '05's w/ ABS ARE the best!!

 

[Patriot]

bought Jay da SouthernCruiser here's superior '04 with 72k miles in Sept '08...he meticulously maintained it and it had some nice farkles...I'm the third owner

no issues because of the mileage...it just just broken in and any problems were long before indicated...just turned 112k

btw, I got it at a trade in price plus $200 after lowball offer on it by the shop he bought his brand new, but inferior Gen II '08.

I'd do it again in a New York minute...specially since it was the superior to all years '04. My only change would be to insist on a Gen I '04 or '05 with ABS.

I would have Yamaha run the VIN though their system to gather additional info that way. My Honda mini van and cars allow me to register on the Honda car web page and run the VINs there. Mostly good to check recalls and record that they were performed: includes when and where.

Listen for any weird noises: look up tickers and CCT (cam chain tensioner) issues. there's lotsa info on tickers including sound files to listen to...google Gen I Bin o Facts

CCT, listen when started ice cold at idle for marbles in a can sound from right side of the engine. That would be a CCT issue and it should be replaced...there is an improved part (new part #) which is believed to diminish future problems.

I guess I should do some googling and see if Yammy has something like that. Never looked.

The Yammy top case recall was done adding the metal plate, but the TBS replacement was not. I haven't had any issues and probably because it's flat in LA and MS, and the two trips to the Smokeys are so much stimulating, the throttle doesn't stay at the same position for any time at all.

let's ride safe and be careful out there,

Mike in Nawlins'

 

[scubabiker]

I'm at 48,000 miles on my '05. No problems. I'm a bit anal about my maintenance, but hate paper work, so I don't really keep records. I write the date and mileage of the oil change on the filter and just watch that. I flush the brake and clutch fluid, anti-freeze, change rear diff fluid once a year. Re grease the rear gear and splines with Krytox every tire change. Valves were all in spec when I looked at 32,000 miles. Will change the CC and tensioner next time I'm in there if I don't hear any noises first. No product is ever perfect all the time on all the units made, but I have no qualms about hopping on the FJR and going anywhere. Lot depends on how picky you are and if you push the machine. I've owned a lot worse and been happy with them. The FJR is a good bike that has a reputation for running a lot of trouble free miles. Go with your gut. Just about everything made nowadays is a good motorcycle. I'd rather buy a Feej with 50,000 miles from a guy that talks about all the places he's been on it instead of a R1 with 5,000 miles from a guy with a "wheelies forever" tattoo.

 

[Patriot]

I'd also do a close inspection with flashlight and fuel below 1/4 tank of the inside of the gas tank...storing the bike with gasohol can be bad...ask RadioHowie and the new fuel pump on his '04 that lives in Florida

I don't keep any personal records on what I've done to the bike...I have a folder with every purchase bike related and can state the oil is changed every 5k on the even 5k miles showing on the odometer...plus I change the final drive hypoid oil every 10k miles.

plugs and TBS are whenever Walt da WFooshee feels like working on my bike

I know the miles I get out of the PR2's has been consistent on the 3 sets I've purchased

Work done by a mechanic (independent) is filed away by his work order.

I check the mileage periodically and what "brand" and if gasohol that mileage came from.

I remember when brake pads and other worn out parts were installed by me.

 

[Tom Edison]

[biggest expense would be to scrape off that ugly, blue, abomination of a paint job and painting it the same color as the superior 2004 Cerulean Silver.

Silver would be the under coat for the Superior Blue '05. :assassin:

 

[Fred W]

I'd also do a close inspection with flashlight and fuel below 1/4 tank of the inside of the gas tank...storing the bike with gasohol can be bad...ask RadioHowie and the new fuel pump on his '04 that lives in Florida

While that is always a good idea on any used motorcycle purchase, I believe that Howie's circumstance is pretty rare. He must have got some gas contaminated with sea water from somewhere. I've looked inside of mine and there is not even a hint of rust, as one would expect considering how the tank is sealed and vented. It's very hard for any significant amount of moisture to get in the tank unless you pump it in there.

Keeping meticulous records doesn't matter unless you are anal retentive (like me), or you expect to be re-selling the bike some day. If you intend on keeping the bike forever then keeping track in your head is fine. But a new buyer wants to see documentation. When it comes to laying out cash, the seller's word is not good enough.

 

[Patriot]

I'd also do a close inspection with flashlight and fuel below 1/4 tank of the inside of the gas tank...storing the bike with gasohol can be bad...ask RadioHowie and the new fuel pump on his '04 that lives in Florida

While that is always a good idea on any used motorcycle purchase, I believe that Howie's circumstance is pretty rare. He must have got some gas contaminated with sea water from somewhere. I've looked inside of mine and there is not even a hint of rust, as one would expect considering how the tank is sealed and vented. It's very hard for any significant amount of moisture to get in the tank unless you pump it in there.

Keeping meticulous records doesn't matter unless you are anal retentive (like me), or you expect to be re-selling the bike some day. If you intend on keeping the bike forever then keeping track in your head is fine. But a new buyer wants to see documentation. When it comes to laying out cash, the seller's word is not good enough.

storing a bike with a partly filled tank that has gasohol a few months, or ordinary gasoline for a year or more would be a bad thing.

I can say/show that I do my own work which I do. When time to sell, could easily whip up a good looking spreadsheet with perfect records in record time to present to buyer. Can give them what they want. It would be a good picture of the bike as I produce a record from memory.

part of the reason to purchase a used bike is thrift...my thorough inspection is good enuf for me to make a decision. When it comes to cars, I bring the potential vehicle to my mechanic for a complimentary inspection and advice. I would suggest a buyer either bring a experienced friend or pay a shop to check the bike out.

I don't think anybody is going to save receipts on parts or supplies purchases or be expected to do so unless it's big expensive stuff.

I do keep any workorders from a shop.