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12k miles? Too many?

9K views 18 replies 8 participants last post by  Thomas 
#1 ·
I found an 08 ninja 650r with 12k miles. Is that too many for a sport bike? What Would you look for with a bike wih that many miles, or should I stay away from it?
 
#3 ·
When I sold mine it had 14,000 miles on it. There are several guys who have posted having more than 30,000 miles and at least two guys who have exceeded 70,000 miles on Ninja 650s. I would want to see how it was maintained. With that many miles and being 4 years old the brake fluids should have been changed so look at the reservoirs and see if the fluid is clear. If it is yellowing or looks like rootbeer maintenance hasn't been done. See if the chain and sprockets look worn or look like new. After running the engine, let the oil settle and see how clean or dirty it looks. Check the air pressure in the tires. You'd be surprised how many folks don't even bother to make sure the air pressure is correct when they are selling the bike. That is a sure sign of someone who shouldn't be on a motorcycle. The are other signs to look for that others can jump in a tell you.
 
#5 ·
"Too many" is a relative term.

12K miles isn't a lot of miles for a 4 year old bike. That's only 3K miles a year. I put about 8K miles on mine is a year so in the same about of time my bike would have about 32K.

While 12K isn't really a lot of miles, it may be a lot compared to other bikes available for sale. It's not uncommon to find bikes that are 4 years old with only a couple thousand miles. Some people would prefer to have a bike with fewer miles if they are available. But, some people also figure that people who have a 4 year old bike with only 3K or 4K miles on it didn't ride it much and probably didn't take care of it either. People who actually ride their bikes are more likely to have taken good care of them versus someone who rides once or twice a year and then parks it in the garage for 9 months.
 
#7 ·
Well this is going to be my first bike, I don't know how long sportbikes last, or if I should expect any problems with the miles on the bike.
I am choosing between this bike an 08 with 12k for 3500-4000 or an 11 with 1k on it for 6000.

06-08 is a first gen Ninja 650. 09-11 is 2nd gen. 12 is the 3rd gen.


1st Gen


2nd Gen


3rd Gen
Thanks for the pictures I thought it went 08-11 for the second gen, I like the syling for the second gen the best, but its going to be my first bike, I won't keep it forever.
 
#8 ·
Yeah, I like the 2nd gen the best too. Between the two you're looking at, i'd try to get the 11 with 1K miles on it. But I would't pay a dime over $5K for it.
 
#9 ·
Any specific reasons why you'd chose that over the 1st gen? I'd love to get it for 5k, but none of the ninja 650's I've been watching on craigslist go that low for an 11, plus I have to wait for the guy to recieve the title from paying off the loan, not sure how long it's going to take.
 
#13 ·
#14 ·
I believe the 1st gen to be a better bike, but that is my opinion. It definitely got better fuel economy than the later bikes. I think it is more aerodynamic as well and wasn't trying to be a copy cat the supersport bikes. It was it's own bike, and I recall less issues reported with the gen 1 bikes.
 
#15 ·
14k isn't that many at all. I have had my 2010 since last year. It had 0 miles on it when I bought it. I now have 15000 miles on it. So in all aspect in 4 years I would and probably will be at 60k!!!
 
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