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

I bought my 2005 at 61k and 10 years old. The maintenance history wasn't the best, but the deal was too good to pass up. It needed some work (a thermostat and rear brake rotor) but I knew that going in. Otherwise it's been fine for the last three years. It would be best to get a bike with good maintenance history, but if not you can use that and the mileage for negotiating leverage.
 
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Pretty much the same here Robbie. My 2005 was owned by the HB PD and maintained by them. Unfortunately they do not provide their records, but generally speaking they do a good job taking care of their equipment where safety is a priority. So it was a crap shoot, but better than the private and auction sold ones I looked into. Finding a bike with complete records is a hard and valuable find.

I didnt get this bike to tour, rather for local business purposes. Most of my riding is within the 200 mile AAA Premium RV service range, so Im not overly worried about break downs. Regular maintenance should keep this BeaSTie fully operational.
 
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I personally wouldn't even worry about prior maintainence very much. If the bike looks to be in very good shape the prior owner(s) probably didn't abuse it and almost everyone that doesn't pile on a lot of miles changes the oil/filter more often than the scheduled 8000 miles and/or yearly, anyways.
Bring all maintainence up to date, fluid changes, good baseline inspection (including valve clearance) and carefully inspect/service the brake system. Then ride it. If, like me, most will never accumulate enough miles to even begin to wear the basic package out.
I'm looking at adding a GoldWing for two up tours. Not ruling out a 100k mile specimen if I keep the ST.
 
I can confirm my 2000 ST1100 burns, leaks, or consumes no oil at almost 69,000 miles. Always starts at a push of a button. I don't know what you are use too but these are no Harleys.;).
 
I read the reference to valve clearance checking so many times now, for my next service this will be high on my list to do.

How does one know if it needs it symptomatically?
 
AV8R said:
I read the reference to valve clearance checking so many times now, for my next service this will be high on my list to do.

How does one know if it needs it symptomatically?
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You read the records or go by the odometer if there are no records. No other way to know.

Edit, if there are no records a valve check is due!
 
deenshan said:
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.
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Ask the dealer to let you contact the previous owner. If it was a trade in you can check it out that way. If they bought it at an auction, then you take your changes. I just bought one with 41K on it from an individual and have the maintenance records. I would recommend buying from an owner if you can.
 
Is it practical to rebuild an engine if your bike is in great shape?

I guess for me, practical would be less than 1/2 the cost of a replacement bike with <60k miles.
 
as you already know with any used bike you are taking a chance maintenance records or not, I can make you up a set on my computer in no time :) as for high mileage, while i would rather have a lower mileage bike i'm starting to re-think things, I was looking at a 2005 with about 76,000 miles on it until I decided to get the GSA but in a couple years ill be looking to get another ST 1300 so i'll have somewhere to put my trunk and will try and find one with 50,000 or less unless I find a really good deal on one with more miles on it
 
I bought my ‘04 ST1300 in 2010 with 52k km on the odometer. It now has 157k on the clock and I anticipate riding it for another few years yet. So my answer to your question is it would depend on the price of the bike and my assessment of its condition and previous owner. Good luck with your puchase.
 
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