I've got a buddy with well over 100K on his Thruxton and it's still going strong and reliable with out issues. No major repairs, just the expected normal wear and tear on a machine with that many miles. But no tear downs or anything like that.

 

10K is not high mileage!

 

+1 on this. 10k isn't even broke in.

Kem

 

I to have a friend with 120,000 miles, and know of more than a few with 50,000+. Bonneville Performance always tells me how over engineered the motor is. I own 3 Bonnies and a Scrambler 32,000/12,000/ 6,000 miles the only thing I have had to replace is an igniter on the Scrambler. all have original chains.
I would not hesitate to purchase one of truly high mileage 80,000+ miles providing oil/filter/valves have been done.

 

My 2006 Bonnie now has around 66,000 miles. I'm planning for the next 66,000

 

I have 46,000 miles on my 2006. I haven't even adjusted the valves. Just checked them. Everything else on the engine is original. 5 sets of tires. 2 chain and sprockets. A rear rotor. 4 sets of brake pads. Did I say 46,000 hard miles?


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You'd be better off asking this question when you have about 40,000 miles on the clock. And I'd suggest you re-arrange the Thread title to: High mileage Bonneville's are reliable!!

04 bonnie 87,000mi

 

I had a Bonnie with 74,000 miles on the clock. Ran like brand new. Couldn't give the thing away because unknowing buyers thought is was about to turn to dust. This isn't your father's Oldsmobile.

/M

 

That's just the thing isn't it. Once a bike get's over 12,000 miles on the clock folks start thinking twice about it here in South Africa. I suppose it's because some many folk rag the sh*t out of their bikes that they inevitably find the weak points or because all the "wisdom" comes from folks who had bikes in the 70's which had terrible reliability issues.

It's because of this that I don't keep a bike for more than 10,000 miles. The last time I did more than 10,000 miles on a bike was with a 2008 BMW F800ST (17,000 miles) and it took me forever to sell. Those bikes are known for being able to clock up big mileage and yet the myth and hesitancy of high mileage still persists.

 

I'm curious as to how reliable higher mileage Bonnevilles are.
... the good news is that my 2006 T100 has about 10k miles on it... Jim

Jim, did you buy your bike new? I'm over 30,000 miles on my '02 (15,000 in last 3 years) and am expecting to hit 100,000 one day. If it ever does need engine work I'll welcome the excuse to bore it out.

 

My 2002 T100 has 21,000 on it. When it gets broken in, I'll try to pile on some miles and report back on how it's getting along.

 

I don't know what you consider to be High Mileage, but my 2010 T100 All Black is bumping into 68,000 miles -- even though it's cold here, it will probably pass that before I head back to work on Monday.

I have to top up the oil now and again. My low fuel sensor is kaput and a new one is $175. The chrome is still good, the paint is still good. The headers don't look so great and the bike looks like it's been ridden.

I'll be very disappointed if I don't get 100,000 miles out of it, but I suspect it will go well past that.

 

The OP don't ride enough! 10.000 miles since 2006 averages out to less than 2.000 miles per year, 165 miles per month!

That's Harley rider mileage.

I average almost 1.500 miles monthly riding only twice a week.

You need to get out a little more son!

 

I can report that at 75,000 miles, my '09 Bonnie is a flawless performer. I ride her very hard but take very good care of her.
Two cam cover gasket leak/replacements and one counter shaft seal replacement. Otherwise, just scheduled maintenance and consumables replacement (tires, brakes, sprockets, chain, etc.).

 

78,000 mile 2007. Original light bulbs, almost worn second chain and sprockets. Took the head off once because there was carbon build up and changed the valve guides because it was a good moment to eliminate slight wear. The bike has no resale value but runs like clockwork so it is priceless, paid for and utterly stress free. Had I the time I would ride to California tomorrow on it.

 

2001 80,000 miles...with a new set of tires I would leave for California right now.

 

One of the salesman where i bought mine has 100,00 miles on his. The other salesman, who rides a 1000 v-strom, says it pisses him off because the guy wrings the bike's neck every time he gets on it, changes the oil every 10,000 miles if he remembers and still has the original chain (trust me, it shows!). He has had absolutely no issues. None.

 

100,000 miles on the chain -- and he wrings the bike's neck every time he gets on it.

What's that tugging sensation on my leg?

 

My 07 has 48K on it and still runs as good as new (better). The normal 1 valve adjustment (a couple of Honda CB shims did the trick) 5 sets of tires, on the 3rd chain & 2nd sprocket set.
The only issues were the OE Rectifier and ICU which died an early death. I think Gill is the bastard child of Lucas.
Replaced with a mosfett rectifier & a pro-com ICU. On my second set of EBC brake pads which are way better that OEM.
Make sure you check things like the wheel spacers when changing tires. The stock rear spacers were made of aluminum and showed deep grooves where the seals road. You can turn them around to put the seal on fresh metal or like I did was machine a pair out of stainless steel and they have never grooved in 35K. I ride in the desert SW in arizona so the fine sand that is everywhere can get into these areas and cause excessive wear.
My key to long life is to keep all the little bits clean of grease, oil, and sand build-up.
Other than that I think the motor will go 100K with regular oil & filter changes. I hope I live & ride long enough to see it.

 

One of the salesman where i bought mine has 100,00 miles on his. The other salesman, who rides a 1000 v-strom, says it pisses him off because the guy wrings the bike's neck every time he gets on it, changes the oil every 10,000 miles if he remembers and still has the original chain (trust me, it shows!). He has had absolutely no issues. None.

wow....the bike has 100.000 miles on it and is still on the original chain...

now that is astounding.....or he is flat out lying to you

 

Like anything mechancal , if properly maintained your bike will last forever. It's important to change oil and filters, check plugs for color to determine fuel mixture ( lean rich or just right) keep bearings serviceable. I also like to change my brake fluid every 2 years or so. It's surprizing what a difference it makes. Chain maintanance is also a priority. Keep clean and properly tightned. No reason you can't ride for many many miles.

Tex

 

I'm almost at 60,000

I ride an '07 and I am just shy of 60,000 km (about 40,000 mi), but this is Canada and if we are lucky we get 7 months a year of riding in. Same - oil, filter, tyres, battery, plugs, chain & sprockets... but no real engine work at all. Many friends with over 100,000 km (60,000 mi) with no problems.

 

2008 with over 50,000 miles here. Just regular fluids maintenance, the usual consumables, and valve shims. I did have a rectifier go bad a while back, though. Other than that, she's all good.