"High mileage" is relative, right? Would anyone flinch at picking up a 2004 ST with 64,000 miles?

deenshan

Joined
Nov 18, 2018
Messages
2
Location
Pittsburgh, Pa., U.S
Bike
1992 Honda Nighthawk
I've seen related threads and posts but I'd like to get some direct feedback on my situation in particular.

I'm looking to purchase my first Honda ST, a 2004. Seems like a good deal but the bike has 64,000 miles and that seems "high". I already imagined how some ST owners here will think that's laughable, perhaps because they have double or triple the miles (or more). But that's exactly what I'm looking to confirm, that 64K on an ST means it's barely broke in?

Some background on me: First post to this forum. This will also be my first sport tourer. I've been riding for about a decade, but have rode standard bikes and dual sports until now, and one cruiser but that was a mistake (I like to feel connected to my bike as opposed to feeling like I'm laying back on my couch). I live in Pennsylvania and ride year round--most bikers in the area go for 4-6 months at most, I hardly ever see anyone else out from Dec-Feb, but I gear up and stay warm and have a blast (but snow is no longer fun since I got rid of the KLR a couple years ago).
 
As most will tell you, it depends on how it was maintained. Without maintenance records, any vehicle is a crap shoot. If the seller has proof that the bike was well maintained, 64,000 is not really high...There should still be plenty of life in it
 
Bmacleod said:
As most will tell you, it depends on how it was maintained. Without maintenance records, any vehicle is a crap shoot. If the seller has proof that the bike was well maintained, 64,000 is not really high...There should still be plenty of life in it
Click to expand...

Yes, that's fair and helps. It's from a dealership but maybe they know something about the maintenance history, receipts or a log. I was focused on other things but service history should be a primary focus.
 
A dealer may not be your best source for maintenance information unless the prior owner had them or another shop doing the work. It might have simply been a trade in and a lot of owners do their own work. With 64K on the clock it would have had a least 8 sets of tires and the same number of oil changes (maybe more). At least 4 valve inspection/adjustments. If they can't give you any service history look at wear on the bike and get them to let you test ride it before you make your final decision. My numbers are based on my own experience of 8K between oil changes base on my 2006 service manual and tire last about as long give or take some miles. If I loose track of the next oil change I simply change it at the next tire change. valve checks are every two oil changes but don't always lead to any adjustments needed.

Good luck on your shopping and don't rush into it if you can avoid it.
 
I keep maintenance records on both my bikes along with the cost whether it was Farkles or needed maintenance.
So I agree with the above comments.
The longevity of these Honda's was one of the reasons I purchased my 2010 ST after reading the posts on this forum.
I would say from my experience of owning Honda's the motor will outlast most of the other components that are around it.
Love my ST!!
 
I've never owned an ST, but I did own the baby brother of the ST, the NT700V. It was designed to take you across multiple states and when you got to a point where there was some nice twisty roads, you could enjoy yourself with it. In other words, it was a sport-touring bike like the ST. That means it was made to munch up the miles. You buy a bike like that expecting that it will not let you down and you have visions often of putting on over 100,000 miles with no issues. Yet, when we (in general) buy sport-touring bikes, we want one that has hardly been used in case it might break.

What?!?! We are afraid to buy a bike with more than 5, 10 or 15K on it because it might not hold up? Yet we have every intention of riding it for 100,000-200,000 miles and fully believe it will do so. It's like our buying minds are very hypocritical. ;)

I sold my NT with 30,000 miles on it. It had every conceivable option to make it more suitable to tour with, and that on a bike that was already designed for touring. A potential buyer only wanted the bike if it had less than 5000 miles on it. And yet I'd be willing to simply put gas in the bike and head across the country with it. It was that reliable.

At 64K, I wouldn't be afraid to buy it. I'd just do so with my eyes wide open to see if it has been maintained. And since you know that (a) this is not the buying time of year for any motorcycles, and (b) he'll have a hard time selling it with 64K miles...just use that to your advantage in your negotiations.

...unless he's a member of the ST-Owners forum, in which case we should be nice to him/her. :)

Chris
 
Unless they drag raced, or purposely abused the bike......the ST is tough break. If the dealer is the seller, I would ask for a general inspection and valve inspection. Those items are cheap and easy for them to do. If the valves need adjustment, then that might cost ya.
Look at the plastic covers on the tip over bars.....has it gone down hard? They can be replaced, but it might tell you something.

64k is nothing...
ToddC
 
during the valve check, look for gunk deposits..there shouldn't be anything as long as the oil has been close to being changed timely.. look at the final drive oil too.
That is about the only thing I would worry about..Suspension and brakes are easily corrected and relatively cheap too..
 
64,000 is just broken in. I’m in the “triple that club”. My worry however would be brake system history. Everything about the ST is bulletproof but the brake maintenance cannot be neglected. The brakes have to pass inspection that the rear caliper is not dragging and you can do it yourself in the dealership showroom. There are lots of threads on this subject but basically does the rear wheel spin at least 1.5 to 2 turns with a good push of the foot before and after manipulation of the secondary master cylinder by hand.
 
64K and barely broken in? I don't think that is an accurate statement, but since these bikes will go 2 to 300K miles and more, it certainly has a lot of life left. Your bike is, however, about 15 years old so absent complete service records, I would go over the bike thoroughly, and probably change out some rubber hoses as well as the usual list of things to check/do on a new used bike.
 
It's all been said but it can't be stressed enough, yes the 11's and 13's will go forever, whatever that means; but they won't go forever on dirty oil. If there are no records or you can't speak to the previous owner then don't buy. There are plenty for sale so unless you are in a rush wait for a good one, maybe one listed on here. I hope it is a good one with full history but if not one will come along soon.
Hope it helps and happy hunting.
Upt'North.
 
deenshan said:
I've seen related threads and posts but I'd like to get some direct feedback on my situation in particular.

I'm looking to purchase my first Honda ST, a 2004. Seems like a good deal but the bike has 64,000 miles and that seems "high". I already imagined how some ST owners here will think that's laughable, perhaps because they have double or triple the miles (or more). But that's exactly what I'm looking to confirm, that 64K on an ST means it's barely broke in?

Some background on me: First post to this forum. This will also be my first sport tourer. I've been riding for about a decade, but have rode standard bikes and dual sports until now, and one cruiser but that was a mistake (I like to feel connected to my bike as opposed to feeling like I'm laying back on my couch). I live in Pennsylvania and ride year round--most bikers in the area go for 4-6 months at most, I hardly ever see anyone else out from Dec-Feb, but I gear up and stay warm and have a blast (but snow is no longer fun since I got rid of the KLR a couple years ago).
Click to expand...
I would not worry about the millage as much as the condition...
 
The mileage would not bother me if the overall condition is good. Have the valves been checked lately? Tires ok?
 
Bought my '04 with 129,000km's on the clock. It is at 178,000km's now,,, and still running strong. The reports from my PO's indicated that it had been well maintained,, and what I read on this forum was encouraging. I am very happy with my purchase,,, Cat'
 
If you are looking at an ST1100, be sure to check the crankcase for cracks.
 
High mileage is for sure relative. I'm at 261,907 miles. I just finished a 5 day 2577 mile trip Monday. I'm not sure mine is even high mileage yet as it ran like a top running 82 mph for hours on end down I-10 from Florida to Texas and back. For real, cruise control set on GPS indicated 82 mph for 2 entire tanks Sunday.

So to answer your 64,000 dollar question no that's not high mileage if the bike looks and runs fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom