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It just so happens that a person on a motorcycle is always concerned about two parameters: the year of manufacture of the motorcycle and the mileage. Unscrupulous sellers know this and are trying in every possible way to breathe new life into worn-out motorcycles by exaggerating mileage.
The winding procedure takes no more than 20 minutes and costs $30, but the result is excellent: sales instantly increase.
Are these odometer readings so important when purchasing a motorcycle? Let's try to figure this out.
Without seeing two motorcycles of different years of production in person, you involuntarily give preference to the more recent motorcycle. However, let's take a closer look at the details of motorcycles that are subject to wear and tear during operation and, as a result, are indirect evidence of the actual mileage of the motorcycle.
What mileage is considered normal for a car?
Optimal mileage
for a used car it should be approximately 20-30 thousand km per year, and only if the car was used regularly. If it was used occasionally, many drivers drive no more than 5 thousand km per year.
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Mileage is not the main thing
This short and succinct fact will require explanation, but the main idea can be conveyed literally in a nutshell: it is not the remaining life of the engine “up to capital” that is important, what is important is the condition of the entire motorcycle, which is influenced not by the mileage traveled, but by operating and storage conditions. Externally, an almost new bike may look “A”, sparkling with a pleasant number on the odometer, and its engine, meanwhile, will have liters of oil. Or vice versa - a 20-year-old shabby "classic" with mileage well over 50 thousand will be very cheerful "inside". The difference is that in the first case, the motorcycle was driven at maximum speed, without thinking about maintenance, and in the second, it was taken care of, riding in the recommended mode, and did not skimp on good consumables. Before making an unambiguous choice regarding the motorcycle you are interested in, find the answer to several questions: who rode it, how much, and on what roads, how was it maintained, where was it stored?
To the question of owners - who has ridden the bike before?
It is quite logical that a motorcycle that has belonged to one owner for many years will be better maintained than one that changes owners every year. By the same principle, it is much more practical to choose a bike that has been “ridden” by an adult, or even an elderly motorcyclist who, unlike young people, is not inclined to ride “at full throttle”. A seasoned owner understands that saving on spare parts is illusory and that later you will have to spend more on repairs, so he diligently takes care of the motorcycle, servicing it even more often than required. Young motorcyclists who are not burdened with work often have no time for maintenance. For financial reasons, because of laziness, or ignorance (not always, but usually), their “engines” look and drive worse.
The saddest situation is with Chinese small-capacity models. Taking a used 150cc pit from your hands, especially from a teenage owner who received it for training, is a “lottery”. In addition to a “tired” CPG, it may contain: a burned clutch, broken plastic, a broken steering column, guides in the front fork and wheel bearings, leaking stays and shock absorbers. And all this - on a mileage less than two thousand kilometers, which is ridiculous for any average “classic”. As a result of inept, careless handling.
How does the type of motorcycle affect its survivability?
The golden rule: “the larger the cubic capacity of the engine, the greater the service life”, with regard to two-wheeled vehicles, 90 percent is true, the rest depends on the type and timing of the engine, as well as the category of the bike itself. A large “tourist” with a low-speed engine can boast 10 times more mileage than any of the motocross motorcycles, despite the latter’s high-quality, timely maintenance. Because the tourist’s “kilometers” were driven mainly on smooth asphalt and did not create an increased load on either the engine or the chassis. You can indirectly understand the degree of wear by looking at the service life included in the motorcycle from the factory. Two-stroke and single-cylinder engines wear out faster than four-stroke and multi-cylinder engines, and air cooling is less efficient than water cooling.
Two-stroke sneakers “live the least”, the “mileage” of which is calculated in engine hours, not kilometers. Most people need a piston inspection after 30 hours, and the oil has to be changed after less than a thousand kilometers. Plus, every sports motorcycle – no matter whether it’s a “dirt” motorcycle or a “ring” supermoto – can withstand a certain number of falls in its life. In enduro and cross-country, he will face difficult landings with impacts on the terrain, often leading to the appearance of hidden defects: cracks in the subframe, frame, engine mounts or attachments. This is not to mention “cosmetic” defects, such as burst plastic and broken levers. The worst option (which the mileage will not tell you about) is if after the fall the motorcycle lay upside down for some time, and its engine was running in conditions of oil starvation.
Custom and vintage bikes with a “hardtail” (dry suspension), as well as poorly maintained motorcycles, the suspension of which has long been in need of repair, are susceptible to vibrations emanating from the unsprung masses and the engine (especially if the engine is a powerful high-volume twin). Due to vibrations, fasteners are constantly unscrewed, stress concentrations arise in loaded parts of the frame, and overall wear of the chassis accelerates.
The architecture of the engine itself is an important point that determines the resource, since some motorcycles are equipped with well-balanced in-line or boxer engines, while others are equipped with single-cylinder or two-cylinder V-shaped engines with a cylinder camber of 45 degrees (sometimes with two connecting rods on one neck) – generating a crushing level of vibrations.
Getting ready for the season. Top 10 popular motorcycles from the USA for any budget
The new motorcycle season is just around the corner, so you can already think about which motorcycle to buy. And in the case of motorcycles from the USA, you need to think about this now, since delivery will take time. Together with Caromoto we have selected 10 popular motorcycles with prices for you.
“Caromoto in Belarus is a representative office of the famous American company of the same name, which has branches almost all over the world,” says Pavel, director of the Belarusian office . – We not only buy cars and motorcycles at well-known and little-known auctions, but also actively fulfill orders from customers who want to buy new cars from official dealers in the USA. Also, Caromoto recently became the official broker of the IAA auction, in this regard, we invite wholesale clients to cooperate. But we transport not only cars. Already in our name, we have been dealing with two-wheeled vehicles for a long time. We ride it ourselves, and specifically on bikes from the USA. Motorcycles are actually not as expensive and inaccessible as they seem. This is a very comfortable and economical vehicle that brings a lot of fun.”
Recently, the company has increased the number of orders for motorcycles from the USA. They take everything: from cheap motorcycles to very expensive ones. One motorcycle was even more expensive than a Tesla - an exclusive limited edition Triumph Rocket 3 TFC. Customs clearance does not depend on the year of manufacture. Up to 800 cc – 15% duty and 20% VAT on the cost of the motorcycle at auction, from 800 cc – 10% duty and 20% VAT. Often motorcycles are taken at preferential customs clearance, which saves the budget even more. On average, the cost of a good bike in Belarus with all payments and repairs will be 4000-5000 dollars. A completely normal motorcycle can be bought for $3,000 turnkey. If you try, you can get it cheaper, but the mileage on the motorcycle will be longer and the year of manufacture will be older. However, expensive bikes are also often ordered. The more expensive the equipment, the greater the difference will be with the market value in Belarus. Oddly enough, it is more profitable to buy more expensive motorcycles in the USA - they are much cheaper compared to similar copies here. Mostly, the motorcycles are practically intact, after minor falls, requiring repairs of 100-200 dollars. These bikes are recommended for purchase. There are severely damaged motorcycles that cost $500, but restoring them will cost a pretty penny, not to mention the safety of further use.
“I saw an article about Caromoto and found out that they bring motorcycles,” says Alexey, the owner of a Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 imported from the USA . – I’ve long dreamed of a two-wheeled friend, so I decided to look at the options in America. I spent a long time choosing between the Yamaha Bolt and the Harley-Davidson Sportster 883. In the end, I bought both to sell one and keep the other for myself. After testing them, I still chose Harley-Davidson, and sold the Bolt at a profit. I really like the Sportster: cool sound, vibrations, appearance. Brutal American bike. Why not a dream?
So, our top most popular motorcycles from the USA. You can pick up your dream bike and win it at auction directly on the Caromoto website, which features all American and Canadian sites.
1. Harley-Davidson Sportster 883
Probably the most ordered motorcycle from the USA. Beautiful, brutal, and at the same time quite affordable. The 883 cc V-twin engine with two cylinders pulls well from low revs, so the bike is quite good for beginners. And the seat height is low. We found a 2007 XL883 C at a Copart auction. with minor damage and scratches. Approximately, such a copy will cost around $3,500 with all expenses. This is one of the most inexpensive options. But a new year bike will cost up to $6,000 with all expenses and repairs.
“They often say about it that this is the first step into the world of Harley-Davidson,” comments Pavel. – In the USA there are a lot of options for such bikes, with different modifications and in different conditions. A very comfortable bike for the city, maneuverable, with a very thoroughbred “Harley” sound.”
2.Honda CBR 600
Sportbikes are very popular in Belarus, although they are not the most practical type of motorcycle. Nevertheless, a large number of customers are interested in this particular class of motorcycles. Speed and adrenaline are our everything. So, at an auction in the USA we found an almost complete 2009 Honda CBR 600.
“A similar copy will cost 4-5 thousand dollars,” says Pavel. – At the same time, you can buy it cheaper, but with more damage, which is not always advisable, since the cost of parts for restoration is quite high. Almost new CBR 600s are expensive, starting at $8,000.”
3.Honda VT 750
One of the most inexpensive and popular motorcycles from the USA is the Honda VT 750. If you take older models, you can spend up to $3,000. A copy of 2013, as in the photo, will be obtained in Minsk with all expenses up to $4,000.
“I had one like that. It handles like a bicycle and is quite good for a beginner. The rear brakes are drum brakes, but they are sufficient. At the same time, it does not look like a small bike; visually it is quite large. The engine is a low-speed 750 cc and pulls quite well. But, of course, this is not a sportbike. After “hundreds”, acceleration is no longer so assertive. This is a motorcycle that you can ride slowly and contemplate the surroundings.”
4. Kawasaki Vulcan
Anyone who loves classic bikes will definitely pay attention to this motorcycle. The entire line of modern Vulcans, from 650 cc versions to 2-liter ones, is suitable for absolutely any motorcyclist, both beginner and experienced. At an auction we found a 2000 model with a 1.5 liter engine. Such motorcycles, fully kitted out, cost around $4,000.
“In a fall, the safety arches work well, but the attachments suffer: panniers, windshield, headlights, turn signals and mirrors,” says Pavel. “And this is enough for the cost of damage to exceed the cost of repairs.” By American standards, where the repair of any equipment is very expensive, this is enough for an insured event to occur. That is, the owner receives an insurance payment, and the motorcycle is put up for auction. This particular example looks very good, we will definitely bargain for it.”
5. Kawasaki Ninja 400
Ninja 400, which appeared in 2022, is perfect for beginners and girls. A 2022 copy is up for auction. with 1800 miles. Almost new! In Belarus, such a motorcycle will cost about $4,200. At a minimum, a 2022 bike can be purchased for $3600-3700 with all expenses and repairs.
“You need to understand that the choice for beginners is not between 125 cc and 600 cc motorcycles; there are also intermediate options. The Ninja 400 is not a bike that you will get tired of after the first season. The power is quite enough for quick starts from traffic lights. At the same time, maneuverability and efficiency are beyond praise. Both in the second and third seasons he will only delight with his capabilities. I know bikers who, having extensive driving experience on motorcycles of different classes and cubic capacity, prefer to ride precisely such bikes in the urban cycle. Because it’s simply convenient.”
6. Ducati Monster
Oddly enough, motorcycles from the Italian brand Ducati are quite popular in the United States. The most common is the street Monster, with mid-sized versions like the 696cc one being the most common. This example is from 2009. up for auction in the USA. Judging by the photo, the fall occurred on the right side, but there was no major damage.
“Approximately, such a motorcycle in Minsk will cost $4,000 including repairs. In general, this model costs from $3,500 to $8,000 depending on the year of manufacture, engine size and degree of damage. Stylish, fast, eye-catching. The bike is especially good in its signature red color.”
7.Honda Gold Wing
The Honda Gold Wing touring motorcycle needs no introduction. It’s almost a car, only on two wheels: there’s a stove, a 1.8-liter 6-cylinder engine, reverse gear, an audio system, cruise control and that’s it. A 2002 copy is up for auction. in good condition with minor damage to the rear. Such a copy will cost approximately $7,500. The cheapest option in good condition from the 1990s with a 1.5-liter engine can cost up to $5,000. Fresh copies of the latest generation with low mileage will cost from $10,000 with all expenses.
“I’ve seen options with mileages of 200 thousand kilometers, which indicates a long engine life,” comments Pavel. – It’s very comfortable to travel on a motorcycle; you can take your wife and two dogs with you – and there will still be room for things. For long trips there is no better motorcycle. But this bike is definitely too big for the city.”
8.Honda CRF 250
For lovers of active recreation, to ride through fields and forests, there is a lightweight enduro Honda CRF 250. This class of motorcycle is not particularly popular in our country, but recently requests for this particular model have increased. A simple and reliable engine, durable and strong suspension, the ability to drive on public roads.
A 2022 copy is being sold at auction, which in Minsk with all expenses will cost around $3,500. But you can find an older option to keep it under $3,000.
9. Harley-Davidson Electra Glide
Electra Glide is one of the most recognizable, prestigious and comfortable motorcycles. Americans love this bike, so there are a lot of them in the USA. But demand is also high, so prices remain at a fairly high level.
A 2007 copy with a 1.6 engine and minimal damage in Minsk will cost about $6,000 with all expenses, which is much lower than the market value. Options in good condition from the late 1990s to early 2000s can start at $5,000. But prices for fresh copies can reach up to 20,000.
10. BMW 1200GS
The famous “goose” is an ideal motorcycle for traveling around the world. The popular touring enduro is often found in the United States. A copy of 2014. with a boxer 1200 cc engine and damage on the left side it turns out in Minsk for approximately $7,500. Prices for this model start at $7,000, but newer options will cost around $12,000.
“If you fall on this motorcycle, you can safely call a crane,” says Pavel. – It’s also not very suitable for short people. For the city, the lighter 800GS track is better. “Goose” is still more for highway use with the ability to go on light off-road conditions. It can also be driven on severe off-road conditions, but the pilot needs serious skills.”
The main problem of the Belarusian motorcycle market is the poor selection and fairly high prices. There are a lot of “killed” specimens that have been passing from hand to hand for years. Therefore, buying a fresh, inexpensive bike from the USA with minor damage is a rational choice. Moreover, there are motorcycles for any budget, from $3,000 with all expenses to infinity.
Caromoto is your best guide to the world of cars and motorcycles from global manufacturers:
- supplies of equipment from auctions Copart, IAAI, Impact, NPA, Manheim, Adesa, Pipeline, etc.;
- access to all auctions on the company website;
- the ability for clients to place bets on their own;
- tracking your equipment 24/7 through your personal account;
- partner service stations for restoration of cars and motorcycles;
- completing purchased equipment with spare parts in the USA;
- working with wholesale buyers on favorable terms.
PS Discount on the provision of services for the purchase of motor vehicles - 150 rubles until the end of March.
+37529 340 41 42, +37529 241 41 42
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How to choose a used car
When considering any option, you need to know:
- Make of the car, and in which country it was assembled.
- The roads along which she drove from the factory to the sale itself.
- In what mode was it used?
- What can you say about the driving style of its owner and his care for technology?
What mileage can be called “normal” - there is no such guideline. You can, of course, look at the odometer and compare it with the year of manufacture, but this is not always informative.
Brake discs.
Perhaps everyone knows about the relationship between brake disc wear and motorcycle mileage. Indeed, brakes are a mechanism that is constantly subject to a lot of friction and overheating during braking. The metal gradually wears out and the brake discs become thinner.
Determining the thickness of the disc is very simple: just run your fingers along both sides of the disc. If you feel a groove larger than 3 mm, you know: the motorcycle has a mileage of more than 50 thousand km.
By the way, on touring motorcycles the brake discs are often in better condition. This is due to the fact that the driver rarely uses the brakes when traveling.
Where was the bike used?
The question, which smoothly “follows” from the previous one, will help clarify what the numbers on its odometer actually “cost” the device. Each category of motorcycle equipment is designed for a specific mode - if the operation corresponded to the “resource” built into the design, feel free to rely on the manufacturer’s data (maintenance intervals, warranty period). If not, inspect the vulnerable part first. For derated “civilian” versions of “ring” sportbikes, forced to “vomit” in the city, these will be clutch and suspension designed for smooth asphalt of the track, and not continuous potholes.
The chassis of “cross bikes” and enduros experiences enormous dynamic loads during competitions and training, and therefore requires repair almost three times more often than the chassis and suspension of light enduros or sports tourists, which are used mainly on the highway and “see » off-road only on weekends for a couple of hours. If you ride a “parquet” endurike exclusively on a cross-country track, it will begin to “crumble” before any sports equipment.
Take, for example, a medium-sized air-cooled motorcycle that was used in the urban cycle for five years, having covered less than 5 thousand km during this time. Most likely, it often had to overheat in traffic jams, so its condition will be worse than that of a bike of the same volume that has traveled 5–7 thousand km on the highway. On four-stroke “air vents” it is necessary to periodically adjust the thermal clearance of the valves, and the older the motor, the more often. By neglecting this, you can quickly bring the engine to a “coma”. Motorcycles with “dropsy” do not overheat and are more durable, but only if the owner is responsible for maintenance, filling in on time all the technical fluids recommended by the manufacturer.
Most road motorcycles are two-seaters, so it will be very important to find out whether the bike was overloaded, regularly loading a couple of hundred kilos of cargo on it, in addition to the “second number”? If the device is single-seater, the problem of “overload” can be removed, but another assumption arises: did the driver “anneal” the engine to the limit? Did you warm it up in the cold, or did you start right away, “laying” the needle to the red zone?
Low mileage - how long did the motorcycle sit and why?
A motorcycle that has had several owners in a short time either has a hidden defect that is expensive to fix, or is expensive to maintain regularly, or simply did not fit the parameters of the previous owners. There are often cases when, having bought a prestigious powerful model, people simply kept it in the garage for years, because they lacked the courage or ability to ride such a bike. It would be good if it was deliberately “mothballed”, prepared for storage, and not just thrown “under a tarpaulin” for many years. In any case, if the motorcycle has not been ridden for a long time, before putting it back into operation, the device will have to undergo comprehensive maintenance, replacing all consumables.
Due to long periods of inactivity, elastic parts (tires, pipes, oil seals, boots) dry out, become covered with a network of cracks, become unusable, an empty tank rusts from the inside, aluminum parts become covered with oxide, rings “stick”, jets (and injectors) sour, in the radiator - The antifreeze separates, sulfate crystals form in the battery, and the engine oil loses its properties. In conditions of high humidity, the entire motorcycle slowly rusts, even under the paint and layer of chrome. Over long periods of time, neither preservative lubricant nor periodic ventilation help - the paint fades and cracks on its own, and the seals no longer hold oil. The vinyl of the seats warps and turns white, and the leather becomes moldy. After such storage, you may not need maintenance, but quite serious repairs. Openly storing a bike in a parking lot also does not add “points” to it. Even with regular use and care, it will age faster - under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes and humidity, so if you have a choice, give preference to a device stored in a dry room with a constant temperature.
The saddest option, which makes you suspicious of a good model with a good price and low mileage, stored in a garage for a long time, is the possibility that the motorcycle was stolen and hidden with the expectation of resale after the expiration of the “statute of limitations”. Check the title documents first.
New Chinese or old German
Cars made in China, like any Chinese thing, are designed strictly for the warranty period. There are entire scientific laboratories dedicated to ensuring that the car begins to crumble exactly after the specified period. First the electronics will fall off, then the body and chassis. So a “Chinese” with mileage is a chronic patient in the terminal stage.
The complete opposite is a car made in Germany. Legends not only circulate about German quality, but are also confirmed in practice. As a rule, the Germans begin to get rid of their cars after the first 100 thousand km, and after that the car will last for hundreds more, I guess.
External condition of motorcycle parts.
By the appearance of the motorcycle you can judge the conditions under which it was used. This is easy to see by looking at the plastic cladding, metal engine parts, and frame. The absence of damage in the form of chips, scratches and rust indicates careful use of the motorcycle.
However, it is extremely difficult to judge the actual mileage by the appearance of the motorcycle, since it depends on the previous owner. There are motorcycles with quite high mileage, and at the same time their condition can be assessed as ideal.
