High mileage sports bikes - any good?

I'm looking at a ZX6-R tomorrow morning that I'm considering as a winter hack. It's cheap at £850 but for a reason. It has 49000 miles on it.

However, it has a full stamped dealer history, is one (mature) owner from new and is in half decent cosmetic order. It's also a 636cc 2002 model.

Just out of interest I'm wondering how people respond to a bike with such high miles?

Putting my cards on the table, I reckon that as long as any engine is maintained properly, it should be good for a long time.

What do y'all think guys and gals?

[yorkie_chris]

Those are pretty reliable and can do big miles.

If it has done 49000 miles going steady on motorways it's probably not even noticed. If it's had the knackers thrashed off it it will probably be a bit rattley with it.

It's more chassis parts than engines, if it needs all bearings, suspension etc reworking it's worth putting some money aside for. But TBH if it's a 2000ish bike then any that age will need same work and higher mileage may well have been better looked at.

[Biker Biggles]

If you dont want it Ill have it.Is it in good cosmetic nick?The biggest problem could be hidden damage like bent yokes or oval headstock tube from a crash.I had a 2000 version of that bike and it was very good mechanically.

As I say, it's a 2002 and has been used as a daily commuter. The owner tells me it's been very well maintained and that he has a file of service receipts. I'm assuming that some of them will be for consumables and bearings etc. Will know once I've seen it I suppose.

He also says it's never been down and the pics I have show no signs of damage.

[dizzyblonde]

It depends on the condition of it overall.

Our ZZR14 was born in 2008, and up until this time last year had done 28000 in the 18 months of ownership, which is big miles as far as that particular bike is concerned.

Shes still in almost immaculate condition(much better than expected with a hight volume of commuting), has had Peg as the only owner, all dealership services etc until he moved here permanently. When we went to a dealership up here to get a quote on valve clearances and the biggy service, they almost fell over, as they've never heard of one with high mileage and didn't want to go near it.

Have a good look through the file of receipts and see what hes had done over the years. As the only 'mature' owner....how mature do you think he is? Is it possible hes been a wheelie king? Or is he more the pipe and slippers?


I personally wouldn't overlook it, just because of the mileage

No idea but I'd say closer to pipe and slippers age!

[Biker Biggles]

Sounds like a good deal to me,and Im hard to please.

I reckon that if it rides ok I'll buy it and take my chances at this price. I'll use it this winter then fleaBay it in Spring.

[littleoldman2]

Have a chat with the owner about his best days out and his favorite runs, you'll soon get a feel for if its had a hard life. Of course you always get a good idea from a good look, listen and feel round the bike. BTW I like my slippers and the Grandson told me they are "cool", but he was 4 at the time.