When does high miles matter?

[fjr agent]

Sold my gen 1 Feej a couple of years ago and have wanted a gen 2 since. On paper they seem to answer the issues I had with the gen 1. There is a nice 08 local that has 30k miles on the odometer and I am hesitating a bit. I have never bought a bike with that many miles. I know the FJR is a long lived bike but in the real world of resale value will I have a hard time selling with 40 or 50K on the bike in a couple of years? How much should I knock off the price if any for the 30k instead of very low mile bike? I've been away for a while and would like to be back on the FJR soon. Any feedback much appreciated.

 

[SLK50]

30K is low mileage for a 6 yo bike.

I'd rather have a well maintained bike that was ridden

than one that sat around and dry-rotted or rusted.

 

[Monty]

Seems there are quite a few bikes on the forum with well over 100K. Not sure about the resale as that would be whatever market value when you get ready to sell or trade.

 

[Vmaxrider]

It is way more about how it was taken care of over how many miles it has. Check out the owner's garage does it look like they take care of their other vehicles? Was it garage kept? Were oil changes done regularly ? Does the previous owner brag about how well it will wheelie? Or how long it will do burnouts? That all being said! 30k is not much on these engines, but you should still look for a discount due to the fact that other components like the suspension may be getting a little tired at this point. Plus there are some good deals out there on low mileage examples I recently bought my 2007 with 5000 miles on it for 7500, which I feel is a greeat deal, others have posted even better deals out there. Best of luck to you in whatever you decide.

 

[escapefjrtist]

VMax hit it on the head. It all depends on how well the bike was taken care of and maintained. If the bike is squeaky clean and has great records, then I wouldn't hesitate one bit. If it's filthy dirty, run away. Take a good look underneath the machine to look for clues.

Second question -- You will have a harder time selling a bike with 50K miles. Strip off all the extras, sell them separately and then price aggressively. Many of the bikes in the classifieds are priced according to NADA or KBB, but over-priced and out of touch with market conditions. Look at the ones that move fast and others that are for sale months later...a bike is only worth what someone else will pay for it.

Hope this helps.

--G

 

[101stpathfinder]

Great points made already. I might add that the way in which the miles were ridden also

matters. Were they "Highway miles" or not. A bike that has 30,000 miles on it used for 10

mile trips daily might have more wear on the bike than the bike which took long road trips

with many highway miles. The matter in which the engine was cared for (Dare I say- Type of

oil) also matters on the wear issue. I laugh at myself now for the way I used to think. I would

see a bike with 40,000 on the OD and not even consider it, as I felt it was near the end. Now

I have a bike with 90K that I feel is just midlife. Check the mileage charts out. It seems to me

the 140,000 mile mark is the time to be "Concerned" (Unless you are SkooterG)

 

[SkooterG]

Not sure why you would want to buy a bike to only put 10k miles on it?

 

[fjr agent]

Not sure why you would want to buy a bike to only put 10k miles on it?

My past habits have been 1 or two bikes a year. I hope to find the gen 2 feej a 10+ bike for sure.

Very good feedback, I appreciate the pointers. From what I can tell the bike has been kept well. The bike has a tow bar and small two wheel trailer that was used for his long rides, "not included". If he went to this much trouble I imagine it would be mostly highway miles. He took his wife to Florida last year on the bike. He seems a straight shooter and is a bike lover like myself, has different bikes for different riding like myself. Has a bike for his wife also. I'm actually trading a bike for this one and I did not think I would get as much for my bike as he is asking even discounted. He's moving away from the feej to get an adventure bike but my tiger 1050 suits him too. I am going to test ride again and I will ask for records or proof of maintenance. The thing has some nice extras too, helibars,vstream windshield,highway pegs,passenger platforms,throttlemiester,BMW grips with large weights, 2 helmet give top case, and yam bag liners, it's also wired for electric accessories. I like the PR2 tires also. Oh, and you guys will love this.....it has heated Russel all day seats but I am not getting it with these seats, I don't like the feel of sitting up too high on the bike and I am 29 inseam and REALLY on my tip toes with the Russell........but I know my wife will love the pillion. And just so you know, he is asking $7500.00 for the bike with the Russell. Bottom dollar I figure he is looking to get $7k for the bike.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Oh, and you guys will love this.....it has heated Russel all day seats but I am not getting it with these seats, I don't like the feel of sitting up too high on the bike and I am 29 inseam and REALLY on my tip toes with the Russell........but I know my wife will love the pillion. And just so you know, he is asking $7500.00 for the bike with the Russell. Bottom dollar I figure he is looking to get $7k for the bike.

That seat will get you 10,000 miles... in 10 days- NO problems

Buy a stock seat for the short stuff if you want.

 

[karstenp]

30,000 miles is just nicely broken in. My FJR only has 50,000 miles and it just started to loose its new smell. Today I just delivered my ST1100 that had about 80,000 miles and it was still running great and reliable. As indicated, the maintenance by the previous owner is the key.

 

[fjr agent]

All info greatly appreciated. Sounds like I am heading in the right direction. Bout ready to pull the trigger. Many thanks....more opinions and info are still accepted..

 

[TomInPA]

At 30K, the bike has had its first valve check. Get the results. If he has them, that fact alone tells you the bike was well cared for.

 

[Bounce]

Don't go by their garage (mine's **** right now). Go my their maintenance log book and the details of it. If they take the time to keep one it's a good thing. If it's detailed and well-maintained, then odds are the bike is too.

 

[pmspaul]

Oh, and you guys will love this.....it has heated Russel all day seats but I am not getting it with these seats, I don't like the feel of sitting up too high on the bike and I am 29 inseam and REALLY on my tip toes with the Russell........but I know my wife will love the pillion. And just so you know, he is asking $7500.00 for the bike with the Russell. Bottom dollar I figure he is looking to get $7k for the bike.

I'd keep the Russell, give it some time and see if you like it. Like pathfinder said, you can pick up a stock seat and you'd easily be able to sell the Russell if you change your mind. To buy it new would be $7-800 with those options or more depending on material. I'm a 29 inseam at 5'8" and am on my tip toes as well, but the seat is so comfy that it no longer concerns or bothers me.

As far as the bike, lots of good advice. I wouldn't worry about the miles at all.

 

[fjr agent]

I'm going to ride it again tomorrow. Don't know if I can't get used to feeling of riding on top of the tank? IE very high. But I'll try. I would be interested to know if anyone knows how much taller the russel is vs the stocker seat. Feels 2 plus inches higher to me.............

 

[mferriter]

OK, let s take this string in a different direction:

When does high miles matter?

When you're trying to get into the mile high club.

Anyone else want to get in on this?

 

[pmspaul]

I'm going to ride it again tomorrow. Don't know if I can't get used to feeling of riding on top of the tank? IE very high. But I'll try. I would be interested to know if anyone knows how much taller the russel is vs the stocker seat. Feels 2 plus inches higher to me.............

I can refer you to this Russell FAQ

If it was built for the current owner you could ask if he requested anything special in that respect. I asked Russell to minimize the height increase because I'm a short, fat, fu FJR rider. If you're thinking of buying the bike w/o the Russell, does the seller have another seat to go with the bike?

 

[Bounce]

Russells are truly custom seats. How different is the current owner's body type from yours? Consider buying the bike, parting out the Russell and ordering a new one from them made just for you if you two are vastly different.

Russells are also one of the top of the line custom seats (which is why getting one that works for you is a great thing).

 

[rockmurf]

110k miles and still running better than new. No valve adjustments during that time.