How Many Miles Will a Harley Last

Are you a biker looking to buy a new Harley-Davidson bike, but first want to know how many bikes does it last? If so, then you’re definitely in the right place at the right time.

A Harley-Davidson can last over 100,000 miles with proper maintenance, including regular oil changes, part replacements, and timely servicing.

In this article, you’ll get to know all about Harley-Davidson’s longevity, how many miles will a Harley last, how many years can you ride a Harley-Davidson bike, why are some bikers able to ride their bikes for decades, how to prolong the life of your bike, and more. Continue reading to get all the answers that you’re looking for.

How many miles will a Harley last

Before proceeding, it should be worth mentioning that there isn’t a specific number for how many miles will a Harley last. It entirely depends on the biker and a number of factors, which collectively define the longevity of the bike. Generally, Harley-Davidson motorcycles last between 70,000 miles and 100,000 miles. However, some bikers also claim that their bikes can last between 150,000 miles to more than 200,000 miles.

The longevity of the bike should be counted in terms of the point when you buy the bike to the point the bike isn’t rational to ride. If you have an old bike, there will be issues like the engine starts malfunctioning, rust starts killing the body, or the transmission requires repair. In such situations, it’ll be cheaper to purchase a new bike than to repair the old one.

However, other bikers love their bike, and they’re more than willing to invest more money into them. The longevity of the Harley-Davidson bikes according to the initial purchase will be near 75,000 miles. However, many bikes go over 100,000 miles while on rare occasions the bikes can even exceed 200,000 miles.

How many years can a Harley-Davidson bike last

On average, a Harley-Davidson biker can ride their bike around 4,000 miles per year. However, these aren’t actually average figures. Say that a biker rides around 30,000 per year, whereas 7 other bikers ride just 1,000 miles per year. On average, the eight bikers are still riding around 4,000 miles per year each. When talking about the longevity of the Harley-Davidson bikes, average figures aren’t applicable.

Still, a Harley-Davidson bike is likely to be used around 10,000 miles per year at maximum. This mileage will include a lot of intercity rides and almost every day riding in the city. There are also bikers who use their motorcycles on a daily basis, and they still use those old classic Harley-Davidson bikes from the 90s. On rare occasions, their odometer could show 200,000 miles and sometimes even more, indicating that they have been riding their bike for 25 years or more. This isn’t the norm, so it cannot be said that most Harley-Davidson bikes live that long.

Say that you’re riding your Harley-Davidson bike for around 10-12 years until it starts having issues and needs an expensive repair. For those 10-12 years, you’ll likely ride around 70,000 to 100,000 miles according to average mileage.

Why are some bikers able to ride their bikes for so long

Harley-Davidson has long been known for making quite remarkable, long-lasting bikes. These bikes are highly enjoyable and durable, so people tend to buy these bikes and ride them for a long time without wishing to change them to new bikes. However, time takes what is its and any Harley-Davidson motorcycle starts malfunctioning after a few years of riding. After a certain point, the engine, fuel injection system, transmission, cooling system, etc. start giving more problems to you.

At this point, you will need to answer a simple question – is it worth it to invest more money into your Harley-Davidson bike? 

Here is what you will need to think about –

• You’ll have to repaint the frame and rearrange the rust protection or else your bike could rust down pretty quickly 
• You’ll have to replace many small systems like fuel injection systems and certain parts of the cooling system to keep things going 
• You’ll have to invest money into the engine as a thorough engine will be needed with changing piston rings and revising the systems 
• Suspension parts might break as the problem is that the original parts would cost a fortune to purchase and install 
• You’ll have to repair or replace the transmission or the clutch as it’ll likely wear out 
• Numerous small parts will ask for replacement in the near future, and you’ll need to be ready for this financially 

Repairing a Harley-Davidson bike isn’t that cheap. Financially, it’ll be a wise choice to sell your old motorcycle, add some extra money, and purchase a new bike entirely. However, many Harley-Davidson bike owners love their motorcycles and don’t want to buy a new motorcycle. In this case, you will have to prepare for expenses. When you mention the maximum longevity of the Harley-Davidson bikes, they can last for as much as 200,000 miles. In the last 100,000 miles, you will have to constantly invest money into your bike. 

Which Harley-Davidson bike engines are the most durable

Generally, Evolution (EVO) engines are considered to be the most durable and reliable option in the Harley-Davidson scene. Twin Cam engines are also considered to be pretty good. You won’t find them in new bikes; however, they are spectacular in terms of longevity. Moreover, these motorcycle engines can be rebuilt if needed. You will be able to ride your motorcycles with these units for around 250,000 miles with no critically big expenses.

They still come with a few common problems –

• Cam chain problems are often possible in Twin Cam engines and these issues could destroy your unit 
• Oil consumption might occur in both engines, and you’ll have to repair the engine or change the piston rings or valve seals 
• Overheating is one of the most dangerous issues for Twin Cam and EVO engines, but EVO engines suffer more 
• Fuel supply problems are quite common, especially in older EVO engines that have poor technologies and big mileage 

However, it can be said that these engines are quite durable, and they have rarely displayed any big problems. Even if you have to thoroughly repair the motorcycle engine, you should understand that it is because of the mileage or due to poor maintenance. If you are going for a used Harley-Davidson bike, you can choose the one with a Twin Cam or EVO engine. These both are great and quite reliable, and they won’t require any expensive repairs.

How to prolong the life of your Harley-Davidson motorcycle

Everyone wants their favorite things to last longer. So, why not get to know about a few rules that will help you enjoy your Harley-Davidson bike for years without the need to invest money into it? Here are a few tips that will assist you in prolonging the life of your Harley-Davidson bike.

1. Always use original oil or specially prepared motorcycle engine oil. This will help you in saving your bike’s engine from extensive wear and give it a long life.
2. Pay attention to your bike’s cooling system. In most situations, Harley-Davidson bike engines can start to break because of overheating.
3. Look at your bike’s frame parts from time to time. Try to figure out if these parts are OK or if they require additional rust protection.
4. Remember to register the fuel consumption changes. In case your Harley-Davidson bike burns more fuel, you must check the fuel supply system and the engine.
5. Follow all the necessary service requirements mentioned in the manual. This way, you’ll be able to ensure the longest possible life of your Harley-Davidson bike.
6. Be careful with any minor breakdowns. They might just be the start of your problems, you should get your motorcycle repaired as soon as possible.

Every biker makes their own choices. You might forget about the necessary oil changes and only be able to ride your bike for around 30,000 miles, or you might be regular with your service requirements and ride it for more than 150,000 miles with no major problems. Motorcycles aren’t as durable as cars. They can rust faster, and the engines start showing problems sooner. However, with the right care and maintenance, you will be able to ride your bike for years to come.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading. Hopefully, now you know a lot more about Harley-Davidson’s longevity, how many miles will a Harley last, how many years can you ride a Harley-Davidson bike, why are some bikers able to ride their bikes for decades, how to prolong the life of your bike, and more. How many miles will a Harley last largely depends on a number of factors including the way you drive, how well you maintain your bike, the terrain in which you drive, and more.

Generally, a Harley-Davidson bike is capable of lasting between 70,000 miles and 100,000 miles. In rare instances, the bike could go as much as 200,000 miles. With proper investment, maintenance, and taking better care of your bike, you will be able to make your bike last longer.