High Miles - How to Check?

[chiprose]

I'm looking at buying a used GoldWing, maybe a 94 model or something. Was thinking of selling my 2000 ST1100 and using the money for buying the Wing. Thought I might get about $6k (fantasy?) for the ST (got around 43k miles on it) since it's in great condition, and making it an even trade for the GoldWing. Guess I'd have to take an older model Wing, maybe higher miles, without having to come out of pocket for any extra money required for the sell&buy.

Anyway, I know Hondas are all good bikes even with high miles, but going over 100k miles still concerns me. QUESTION - a number of like 1994 or so GoldWings for sale say they have like 14k miles, and 35k miles, but I wonder if that is really 100k-PLUS miles, and have already rolled over the odometer.

How would I possibly know if they've rolled over the odometer already since they're a decade old, or are truly only 10k or 30k miles for real?

Thanks/Chip
:bow1:

[Mellow]

It's gonna be tough to hide 100k miles.. I'm not sure how to check if the mileage is accurate but a 1500 Wing with less than 20k miles on it isn't that rare, some people just don't ride much.

A guy at motocampers found a '95 aspencade w/13k miles for $6k almost too good to be true...

[dond]

I beleve the Wings have 6 digit odos w/ no .10ths?

[Fred D]

Like Mellow said, lotsa folks get Wings, thinking they're going to be doing a lot of riding, but end up puttering back and forth to the DQ ;) So finding an older, low mileage Wing isn't that uncommon.

If the odo has rolled, I think there will be subtle signs of the mileage. Paint fading, chips~scratches, dirt accumulation in hard to clean areas, etc, things that come with high mileage. Not that there's anything wrong with a high mileage Wing - I've never heard of one being worn out!

[chiprose]

It may not exactly wear out, but won't a high mileage bike have a noticably less comfy ride? Don't the springs or something lose something of the plush ride they had when "newer?" I guess springs can be replaced, but I don't know - I guess something in my mind is stigmatizing higher mileage units.

Maybe the cushy-ness of the ride might not be affected much, and they'd be just fine as long as mechanicals were kept up.

[George]

Newer Wings (1500 and 1800) have 6 digit odos, just like the ST. If it has rolled over, it has a lot more than 100,000 miles.

I'd take a moderate mileage bike over a really low miles bike. Sitting still isn't good for them either.

My opinion,

[Mellow]

Newer Wings (1500 and 1800) have 6 digit odos, just like the ST. If it has rolled over, it has a lot more than 100,000 miles.

I'd take a moderate mileage bike over a really low miles bike. Sitting still isn't good for them either.

My opinion,

I'm with George on this one.. one that's been sitting a while with too low of miles will need a good look to see that the hoses aren't dry rotted.

[DAS]

Is there still a concern that an older wing might have damage (corosive pitting caused by coolant) in the left cylinders if it is stored for long periods on its side stand?