What is "high mileage" for a Monster?

[Monster Dave]

Hey all,

So I just got my bike back from a major service (belts, valves, etc...) and was told by several people that having nearly 30k miles on my monster was a lot of miles. I realized that I never really thought about the issue of "high mileage" but now I'm wondering what the average lifespan is on (specifically) a 620 Monster in terms of mileage.

I have kept up on my services, but this service reflected that the previous valve job and service performed at a now defunct business in Phx, was poorly done and resulted in - needing 5 shims, discovering the my exhaust valves were too tight, my openers were too loose, and the wrong gasket seals had been used. It was no wonder my bike was running like crap.

Runs great now though!!  

So, what's considered high mileage for a 620 engine/Monster?

[WetDuc]

I would consider 80k ALOT of miles for a monster, but I have friends with air cooled cruisers that go 150k miles.  I'm not too sure if that's a good comparison, though. 

[Turf]

I had something like 62k on my 620 before I ripped it apart to completely rebuild it and I neglected the hell out of it. Internals were all still good. You've got plenty of miles to go yet 

[pennyrobber]

I would say 30k isn't uncommon. I have seen near 100k monsters that still run great with regular maintenance. As miles start to pile up though, non engine parts start to need more attention. Servicing or replacing swing arm bushings, cush drives, steering head bearings, suspension, etc. all become important.

[stopintime]

I would say 30k isn't uncommon. I have seen near 100k monsters that still run great with regular maintenance. As miles start to pile up though, non engine parts start to need more attention. Servicing or replacing swing arm bushings, cush drives, steering head bearings, suspension, etc. all become important.

+1

Mine was recently pulled apart at 32k and they couldn't find any measurable wear on anything.
So, the engine should last at least as long as your interest in the bike.

[the_Journeyman]

I've got 34,000 on my M750 and it's not had an easy life.  It runs good too.

JM

[Speeddog]

Most recent Derby:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=43822.0

[Monster Dave]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the insight.

I hadn't thought about the non-engine related issues. I'll start to keep an eye on those things. 

[erkishhorde]

Almost 70k here.

[Monster Dave]

I suppose that "high mileage" is really a general reference and is ultimately influenced by how the bike is ridden. Recently, it was brought to my attention since lots of my miles are highway miles, that for a 620, those miles are actually harder on the bike than city miles because of the engine having to run at higher revs and work harder.

[Qfactor]

in Paris (motor vehicle hell), I've seen a fair share of bikes with over 200Km on them, and a fair share of ducatis with around 120-150km on them.

Knowing that, I only have 30K mi of abuse on mine, and it runs at least as good as it was off the showroom floor. Just a little added character.

Q

[Speeddog]

Mostrobelle has over 70k miles on her M900, many of which are from San Francisco commuting.
I'd consider that harder on the bike than freeway miles.

I've had several cars go very high mileage with minimal issues doing mostly freeway.

I've got 45k on my S4, I'd say 75% of that was freeway.

[lilmonster]

40,000 on my S2R1000.  No problems yet.

[OT]

There were several guys on the old forum with well over 150K miles on their 900s.

Concur with the above points...the soft bits always go first....

[bigiain]

My '99 M750 rolled over 290,000km on the way home from work on Friday (that's a little over 180k miles).

There is, at least in my head, a few different meaning of "high mileage".

The first one, which is what you're currently hitting, is the "hmmm, the mileage is a litte high, how 'bout I offer you $2k less than you're asking for it". There's nothing at all wrong with the bike, but people are going to use the mileage against you when negotiating a price.

Some time well beyond that, probably around twice the 30K miles you've got, you'll get to the secind version of "high mileage" where there's going to be a bunch of "extra wear and tear replacement" needing doing. Things like steering head bearings, wheel bearings, clutch plates on dry clutch motors. A bit further down the track, maybe 100k miles you'll need to check/replace things like fork seals, maybe rechrome or replace fork legs, perhaps get the shock serviced, you'll need new brake disks sooner or later, check the swingarm pivots, replace the clutch slave cylinder, the seat upholstery is probably gonna be getting a little skanky is it's been parked in the sun even occasionally.

At my sort of mileage, really odd things start needing replacement - the base of my side stand, for example, it's worn completely away. The wiring round the steering head is all work hardened and falling to bits, I really need to get around to repairing that properly one of these days. I had to put a new clutch master cylinder on recently (and I've got a "spare" brake master 'cause I'll bet it's gonna start leaking as well soon). I probably need to replace the slider bushes in my forks (or replace the forks). I suspect I'll need to rebuild the shock again soon (it dumped all its oil out under the rear wheel at 160,000km or 100k miles the rebuiid is now almost at that mileage again). I've had to replace my front fender - the original cracked at the mounting bolt holes.

I'm approaching what I consider to be "proper, expensive high mileage". My motors starting to rattle and clunk in louder and louder ways. It's leaking a bit more oil than it ever has before. I get a few more "false neutrals" than I should. I had a closer assist spring fail 6 months or so back... I'm planing on babying it at least to 300,000km, and hopefully to 320,000km which'd be 200k miles, but sooner or later I probably need to pull the motor out of the frame and either rebuild it or replace it.

So, no, _I_ don't consider 30k miles to be "high mileage", but I fully expect you to start having people _tell_ you that already.

big