If you apply the same rationale as car owners, you update your car every few years, or when a new model arrives on the scene, so you have the latest and the best. But when it comes to motorcycles, the life of the motorcycle does depend on a few things, such as the service records, the mileage and how the motorcycle has been ridden.
Is the mileage on a motorcycle the death knell of the machine? It could have had one lady owner who would ride it to church and back every Sunday morning and then care for the bike. Or it could have been ridden by Francesco Bagnaia and been thrashed within a thousandth of an inch of busting the piston rings.
This article will indicate how long you could keep your motorcycle and have a reliable steed when needed. We answer frequently asked questions providing you with facts.
Let’s get into it.
How long does the average person keep a motorcycle?
It is not a straightforward answer, as the demographic of riders has changed dramatically with older riders coming back and older riders getting their licences.
It makes sense to look at how motorcycles stand up to the rigours of commuting.
A variety of factors influence a motorcycle’s lifespan. The way a bike is treated, in general, affects how long it will last, and the owner is ultimately accountable for this.
Nevertheless, there are techniques to make a motorcycle survive longer, while some habits drastically shorten its life.
Although motorcycles are wonderful inventions, they do not survive as long as we may want. A motorcycle’s lifespan, barring accidents, depends on how it is handled, maintained over its lifetime, and used.
For instance, touring bikes endure longer than
Sportbikes and larger motorcycle engines have a longer lifespan than smaller ones. However, each bicycle
if properly cared for, is capable of living a long life.
If properly maintained and driven responsibly in terms of mileage travelled, an average motorcycle can endure for more than 80 000 miles (nearly 129,000 km). If the same motorcycle is not properly maintained and is driven carelessly, its lifespan could be reduced to just 5000 miles (8000 km).
Larger engines and well-maintained bikes have been known to last up to 200 000 miles (almost 322 000 km). That’s a lot of miles to travel!
When should you stop a motorcycle?
The decision to stop riding your motorcycle is a contentious one. Many motorbike riders say they will continue riding as long as they can breathe. Therefore, many families will eventually have to deal with this issue.
When should one cease riding a motorcycle, then? Depending on their physical, mental, and total health, motorcycle riders should cease riding when they reach a certain age.
Depending on their confidence level, skill, and local rules, most motorcycle riders discontinue riding between the ages of 60 and 85.
It may depend on where you live
The statistics may change depending on where you live, but generally, riding a motorcycle daily is relatively frequent among folks in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s.
Therefore, when to cease riding a motorbike is regularly brought up in families with motorcycle riders.
As you may have guessed, the question typically involves more than just age.
Listen to your body
Be aware of your body. It will let you know when you are too old to ride a motorcycle. The best judge in this situation is you, your body, and yourself.
It is possible that riding a motorcycle at age 85, 70, 60, or even 50 is too advanced for certain people. Therefore, it will be individual-specific.
However, the reality that older motorcyclists are more likely to sustain catastrophic or fatal injuries in a mishap is one of the more dismal aspects of life.
Fatalities and injuries
It has been discovered that riders under 39 had a lower risk of serious injury than those over 60. Riders between the ages of 40 and 59 are twice as likely to sustain a severe injury as riders under 40.
There may be a few very telling signals that you should quit riding your motorcycle. Act your age. Your strength, balance, eyesight, reflexes, flexibility, and mental clarity must all be considered.
How long can you store a motorcycle?
Motorcycles can be stored indefinitely in the right conditions. The air has the correct humidity, and the area is temperature controlled. These places are often called motorcycle museums, such as the one close to the NEC.
But for most of you, long-term storage means winterising the bike.
Clean the motorcycle
Give it a thorough wash before leaving it parked for a while. Who would want to throw a leg over a dirty motorcycle?
You would want to remove all the mud and grime from your recent rides. A buildup of muck, grime, or bird droppings on the bike’s surfaces could harm the paint and eventually lead to corrosion.
Before parking it for long-term storage, clean it thoroughly and allow it to dry in the sun if possible.
Fuel
If your tank is nearly empty or even halfway full, top it off to ensure it is filled. Your bike may have maintenance issues if the tank is just half full.
A fuel tank that is only partially filled with ethanol-based gasoline may experience condensation, eventually drawing moisture from the air and condensing, which will coalesce and cause the tank to corrode.
Whether your bike has an electronic fuel injection or a carburettor, this condensation can jam your fuel system.
You have two options for long-term storage: fill the tank to ensure no room for condensation to form internally, or run the bike until the tank is empty and allow it to air dry.
Oil change
Before putting your motorcycle away for an extended time, it would be wise to get an oil change if it has been some time since the last one.
The oil’s acidity level rises with time and use, which can lead to severe etching and corrosion on the soft metal parts of the engine, such as the transmission gears and bearings. Long-term storage of old, dirty motor oil caused carbon deposits to finally rise to the surface and adhere to the engine’s parts.
Two situations could happen. First, the carbon build-up might obstruct airflow through the engine’s intake port, preventing the valve from closing correctly.
Disconnect the battery
You can extend its lifespan by disconnecting the battery to prevent “parasitic discharge.” Additionally, this would stop the battery’s acid from seeping, which might damage the terminals.
Even though you disconnected the battery, don’t count on it to be in the same state as when you last left it. Be prepared for it to gradually lose its charge without being used and finally require replacement.
Cover
Always adequately cover your motorcycle when in long-term storage. The body and paint of your motorcycle would be shielded from moisture and dust by a decent motorcycle cover.