How many miles are too many?

[havighurst]

I am looking at a used 2016 RT that has 126,000 miles, but has been meticulously maintained. The dealer confirms all the service. It has a new driveshaft and swing arm due to some weird u joint failure. The dealer knows the owner and most of the miles are highway miles. The miles seem high to me, but the price is affordable. Would you consider an RT with this type of mileage? Would you walk/run away? Would you not be concerned? What are some of the possible future issues that could arise. I don't want to get myself into a money pit.

Any advice is appreciated.

[havighurst]

I forgot to add that I would be looking to use this bike on long cross country trips.

[Tenequip]

Seems like a lot of miles for what you want it for!

[emlevy]

There are lots of RT’s of that vintage available for sale, and the values haven’t held up terribly well, so the deals are out there. If the mileage bothers you enough that it makes you anxious and concerned, pass on it and keep looking. That said, if the bike has been properly maintained, there’s no reason to think it’s a ticking time bomb.

[Ed Harley]

What is considered high mileage is the actual question.

This is odometer (kilometers) of a 1996 R1100RT whose owner I know:



Buddy's K1100RS has around 275000 kilometers on the clock and it is still going strong.

Of course eventually high mileage bikes will need certain extra maintenance but IMHO boxer-BMWs do quite well with age.

[emlevy]

Not an RT, but my K1200RS went 134,000 miles with nothing more than scheduled maintenance, oil changes, tires, and batteries. I sold it when I bought my ‘15 RT, simply because I didn’t have the garage space. It was a phenomenal motorbike but for me, for now, my RT is even better.

[SimonD]

Well looked after boxers seem to be able to do high mileages but the question should be how is the mileage reflected in the price. I would expect a bike with 126,000 miles to be well under half the price of one with 26.000miles. If you intend to keep it until it dies then fine but reselling it could be a struggle. You might try asking another dealer what he would give for a 126,000 mile RT.

[Doctor T]

Mileage has never bothered me but some buys will look elsewhere with anything over 25000 miles. If it is one owner and has only full BMW service and is a reasonable price reflecting the miles i wouldnt worry. But you may have trouble selling it.

[havighurst]

I think the price may be high as well- $9500. It is from a dealer, but the sales guy said that they went through it, it is a one owner bike, and they have the service records. However, going through a bike and repairing a bike are two different things.

I appreciate all of the responses.

[emlevy]

$9500 seems ridiculous to me. That’s about how much I’d take for my fully-kitted, fully maintained ‘15 RT with only 19k miles.

[Doctor T]

Having a laugh at that price. I've seen 15/16 plates with lower mileage just above $9500

[havighurst]

The prices near me have been outrageous for years. Of course, having a few dealers in the state doesn't lead to competitive pricing. I guess it is time to keep looking, or look for a different manufacturers models.

[Ed Harley]

Perhaps a lower mileage 2010...2013 RT?

Prices should be very reasonable and no more possible final drive problems etc.