Are you looking to buy a bike and wondering what would be considered high mileage for a Harley-Davidson bike? If so, then get ready because you’re about to get the answer and so much more.
High mileage for a Harley-Davidson is typically considered over 50,000 miles, but with regular maintenance, many Harleys can exceed 100,000 miles.
In this article, you’ll get to know all about the mileage of Harley-Davidson bikes, what is high mileage for a Harley-Davidson bike, the numbers on used bikes, and a lot more. Continue reading to know more.
What is high mileage for a Harley-Davidson bike?
Having a motorcycle with high mileage is essential when buying a new bike. If you’re in the market for a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle, you must find answers to what is high mileage for a Harley-Davidson bike. This way, you’ll be able to better plan what type of bike and budget you should go for. High mileage should be a consideration for not just Harley-Davidson bikes, but for all vehicles.
For small sports bikes, getting mileage of 20,000 to 30,000 miles to be on the high side. As for larger bikes, getting a mileage of 50,000 miles or more would be considered high mileage. Moreover, it’s important to know that if you take proper care of your bike, it can go over 100,000 miles.
On average, Harley-Davidson bikes that give a mileage of more than 40,000 miles will be considered high mileage. If it is maintained well, having such mileage would be an amazing output. As for Harley-Davidson sports bikes, anything over 25,000 miles will be considered high mileage. Harley-Davidson motorcycles can give a mileage of more than 75,000 miles. This is the case as long as they’re maintained well and driven properly.
What is considered high mileage for a used Harley-Davidson motorcycle?
Low-mileage motorcycles are usually more expensive, but they’re not always well-maintained or better. It’s recommended that you should always look to buy a used Harley-Davidson bike with high mileage. Moreover, if you can get the service records of the used bike, it’ll be even better. Harley-Davidson sports bikes come with high-revving engines, and their owners don’t really buy these beasts to ride around cautiously. Instead, these bikes are bought for sharp handling and aggressive riding. For used Harley-Davidson sports bikes, a mileage of 20,000 to 25,000 miles can be considered high mileage.
Harley-Davidson bikes are built to last far longer than that. If the used motorcycle has proper maintenance records, no oil leaks, and no signs of damage, then it might give 40,000 to 50,000 miles. This will definitely have high mileage for used Harley-Davidson motorcycles and will last a long time. Service records and the maintenance habits of the previous owner play a key role in the longevity of the bike. With used bikes, the mileage will impact trade-in value. It is believed that an average used motorcycle can give a mileage of 2,000 to 3,000 miles per year. Meanwhile, used Harley-Davidson touring bikes can give a mileage of 5,000 to 6,000 miles per year.
How to tell if the used Harley-Davidson bike is in good condition?
You may be hesitant in testing a used Harley-Davidson bike, thinking that buying a used bike is of no use. However, this is where you’re wrong. More often than not, even used Harley-Davidson bikes are capable of offering high mileage and a great performance. Many used bikes are still in good condition and have a lot of mileage left in them. There are some ways that you can determine whether a used Harley-Davidson bike is capable of giving high mileage. Some of those ways are –
- Look at the service record of the bike
- Get a vehicle history reportÂ
- Check the bike for any visible defects like corrosion or physical damage
- Get it checked and inspected by a professional
- Take the bike out for a test ride yourself
Once you know that your used Harley-Davidson bike is capable of giving high mileage, get it in top shape. Your work isn’t done after purchasing the bike. As good as it might be, a used bike is still a used bike. You must get it into the best possible condition. Once you’ve done that, you can expect high mileage.
- Follow the maintenance recommendations
Getting your bike serviced regularly would be a great way of getting it back into prime condition. You must maintain the used bike from your end while getting it serviced every once in a while.
- Check the air filter periodicallyÂ
You’ll have less gunk in the engine and more mileage if you’re checking the air filter and cleaning it regularly.
- Check the final drive
This component, when it is properly maintained, will give your bike far more mileage and longevity on the road.
- Use the recommended coolant and replace it on time
Regularly replacing the coolant in the bike will lead to a far longer life for your used bike.
High-quality fuel for high-quality mileage
It is very important to make sure that you’re filling your Harley-Davidson motorcycle’s fuel tank with high-quality fuel. Choose a petrol pump that is reliable in terms of quality fuel. Try to get the same time of fuel from them regularly. Using high-quality fuel will increase the fuel economy of your bike while also keeping the engine in peak condition. You should try and refuel the bike in the morning as you’ll receive denser fuel. If you get your bike filled in the afternoon, it won’t have the same density due to evaporation.
It is very simple to get better fuel economy and have higher mileage with your Harley-Davidson bikes. All you’ll have to do is take proper care of your bike and get it serviced regularly. By taking care of the fuel, you’ll be taking a big step in ensuring that your bike delivers high mileage.
Important tips to ensure high mileage for your Harley-Davidson bike
Mileage is one of the most important things to consider when buying a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Mileage is even more important for people who have to use their bikes for their daily commute. In the stop-and-go traffic, it can be tough to maintain the performance and mileage of your Harley-Davidson bike. Sometimes, you need to throttle the engine to the full while the next moment you’re riding extremely slow. Such things can take a toll on your bike’s performance and affect the mileage.
However, there are certain measures that you can take to ensure high mileage on your Harley-Davidson bikes. Here are some of the important tips to keep in mind.
1. Avoid heavy gear shifting
If you’re constantly shifting gears, it’ll put a heavy load on the club. This will damage the clutch and greatly affect the mileage of your Harley-Davidson bike. Heavy gear shifting normally includes shifting at high RPM, quick gear shifts, and driving in low gears. These things will affect the clutch pad and the engine, affecting the bike’s mileage.
2. Regularly lubricate the bike
If you’re residing in an area that has a lot of dust and dirt, you must regularly lubricate the bike. If the parts of your Harley-Davidson bike aren’t lubricated enough. If the components aren’t lubricated, they’ll consume more power for working, absorbing more fuel and decreasing the mileage.
3. Avoid roads that have heavy traffic
During heavy traffic, you will need to constantly change gears and this will cause the fuel to burn. If you’re stuck in traffic and you cannot avoid it, then simply shift the gears slowly. Try to have the engine switched off when not needed. You can also switch the engine off during traffic signals or huge traffic jams when you aren’t moving the bike.
4. Ensure that you’re driving at a constant speed
Most of the Harley-Davidson bikes come with a set economy speed. For instance, one of the techniques is to ride your bike on the top gear if you’re above 60 KMPH. This will ensure that there is steady fuel consumption and you’re not burning through the fuel quicker than expected.
5. Check the tire pressure regularly
You should keep checking the tire pressure from time to time. This will help you avoid tire bursts while also keeping the mileage quite high. If the tire has low pressure, it’ll consume more power to run. More power will lead to more load on the engine, decreasing the mileage of the motorcycle.
6. Carburetor issues might degrade the bike mileage
If you’re experiencing issues with the mileage, you might want to have a look at the carburetor. Check and see whether it is properly tuned or not. You should ensure that it isn’t covered with dirt. In such situations, the fuel loss will be quite heavy. To improve the mileage, you must keep the carburetor clean and re-tuned every once in a while.
7. Avoid sudden acceleration
Sudden acceleration will mean high-speed and high RPM, which will burn the fuel heavily. It is recommended that you should slowly accelerate by using appropriate gear shifting at the right RPM. Moreover, heavy braking will cause fuel loss. During such scenarios, it is recommended that you should apply brakes at a safe distance. This way, you’ll be able to avoid sudden braking and avoid any potential accidents.
8. Make sure that you check the type of fuel you’re using
You must ensure that you’re using the right type of fuel recommended for your Harley-Davidson bike. Avoid using any adulterated fuel or anything that isn’t recommended for your motorcycle. If you use the wrong type of fuel, the engine’s health will start deteriorating due to irregular fuel intake.
9. Park your bike in the shade
Many might consider this a myth but parking your bike under shade will help keep the mileage high. Parking your Harley-Davidson bike under sunlight for an extended period of time under sunlight will evaporate the fuel. Normally, the amount is minimal. However, if your bike is parked in the open for 9-10 hours, eventually the mileage starts getting affected.
10. Check the engine oil regularly
Lastly, you must remember to check engine oil regularly. Having proper engine oil will improve the performance while also ensuring that your bike has high mileage.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading. Hopefully, now you know more about Harley-Davidson bikes, their mileage, and what is high mileage for a Harley-Davidson bike. While Harley-Davidson bikes come in a wide variety of models, in most cases, a mileage of 40,000 miles is believed to be high mileage. It is possible to take certain measures to help keep the mileage figure quite high. Small things like avoiding traffic and driving slow will keep the engine functioning properly and improve the mileage.