Jap & German Motorcycles

How Long Can a Motorcycle Live?

The life of a motorcycle is beneficial to its owner; much like a car, its lifespan often depends on the maintenance and the way you choose to drive it. Of course, there are various other factors, for example, the motorcycles primary use and the manufacturer model or brand they are from. Overall, if the bikes have been periodically reviewed with regular MOT tests, if it's been adequately maintained over time, you can up the lifespan of your motorcycle up to around 12-15 years.

As long as you can ensure it has not suffered from bearing any falls, significant blows or accidents of any kind.  Suppose your vehicle has endured many a fall, severe accident or perhaps reached a simply irreparable state, where it cannot survive repairs; you can then begin to search for a replacement bike.  Suppose you are dealing with a luxury motorbike or vehicle that is relatively high-end in the UK market.

In that case, you will often be gifted with a much more extended lifespan than other motorcycle models. However, for those with a much more low-end motorcycle on their hands, especially one that has not been thoroughly maintained over your years of usage, it may have a shorter lifespan and therefore take less time to break down.  It will give in to many minor issues at the earliest stages and have an overall shorter duration of life. 

BMW motorbikes have garnered an immense reputation for not being as reliable of a model compared to others. Such was once the case; however, in models made after 2008, the models manufactured had grown in reliability. On average, many registered BMW motorcycles can cover at least 200,000 miles, and the much newer bikes have been known to push past 300,000 miles and even further.

Old models can definitely be perceived as slacking or paling compared to the latest model bikes; however, even the older ones can ride for a strong 100,000 miles. These motorcycles feature premium aerodynamic bodywork, top-class suspensions and some of the most luxurious designs on the market.  Whilst they have been often torn apart due to their previous lack of reliability, they can last considerably longer than other motorcycle models. A few customers have reported their vehicle stretched a good 30+ years. 

What Terrain Can Bikes Manage?

Many bike owners across the UK and world opt for a bike with a niche or specific purpose, for example, the racing bike or sports bike. These bikes tend to have mechanisms and parts that are suitable for more challenging terrain and faster movement. However, because these bikes are often put to their paces and driven rigorously, they are subject to much more wear and tear in a shorter space of time. It is a handy vehicle for those brave-hearted adventurers that enjoy rocky mountain biking; however, its lifespan will be much lesser.

What effects the life of a Motorcycle?

A motorcycle is much like the mechanisms of the human body. Much like our bodies, you can extend the lifespan and overall health of the components depending on the amount of time, attention and care put into it. It is vital that you repair all damages to your motorcycle or vehicle fast, just as it is essential to get an extremely sick person to the doctors or hospital quickly to potentially save and lengthen their life.

Instead of having your vehicle face an incredible lack of prompt or regular maintenance, it is best to ensure that all the needs and requirements are met at all times. Providing it is serviced regularly will also make sure your warranty share stays valid over time, which is most useful for those who intend to sell on their vehicle when it no longer serves them. 

However, there are numerous factors, apart from care, that significantly contribute to the health of your vehicle.  Needing to drive along streets or roads that you must use the brakes on frequently, such as rocky terrain or plenty of traffic, could be relatively harmful to the tires and brake discs and drastically impacts the motorbike's shock absorbers. The maximum output of a motorcycle powered by a 125cc engine is often around 20 bhp up to 100mph. 

However, its ability to generate such excessive amounts of energy power means that it will wear much faster than other vehicles that cost less money and produce less.  It curates such high power capacities to garner a shortened lifespan with far more heavy strain on the engine, and you will need to have it replaced for further longevity. If you consistently demand high or maximum output levels for those who live in much colder climates, your engine will get extremely hot as it strives to deliver 100% of its efforts.

As the engine overworks its oil, it shortens your bike's lifespan and is also disastrous for the environment. Again, more prompt detection, regular inspections, and quick fixing of all issues or damages you have discovered will help you gradually increase your vehicle mileage and extend the lifespan. You want the professional members of your local registered workshops to replace or rebuild your damaged parts or accessories with any original spare components they have in their stock. Doing so is a sure-fire way to reduce the overall wear and tear your motorcycle experiences and have it working again like brand-new. 

However, if we compare it to the likes of a motocross machine with a small displacement, they generate plenty of power but experience wear and tear from being ridden hard. These bikes can often wreck and crash many times throughout the year or the lifespan of the bike.

The vehicle's cosmetics can suffer due to the climate or environment the bike is meant to drive through frequently. From trekking across rocky or muddy terrain, all amounts of sand, water, dust and dirt can find their way inside the wheels and intricate mechanisms of your bike, including the chain bearings, filters, clutch, transmission and engine, all of which cause your vehicle incredible damage in the long run.

These will eventually wear down and shorten the overall service lifespan of the components and gradually the whole bike. It might be good to invest in regular maintenance and vehicle inspections to increase the mileage to ensure the parts and mechanisms aren't clogged with dirt, dust, or grime, preventing them from working efficiently. 

Are BMW motorcycles reliable?

In the early 2000s, BMW actively changed how bikes are now designed and tested and as years have gone by, they still prove to be trendsetters in the automotive industry. They chose to rely heavily on CAD and FEA during the early years and significantly reduced the overall price. They've had various input shaft bearing failures, many new flagship bike owners had DNR orders, and the valve tensioners were poorly handled and responded to. Objectively, they are excellent vehicles; however, when it comes to reliability, the truth is there are far more reliable bikes and machines to choose from, for example, Yamaha and Honda.

Many past customers have commented on the high costs of replacement parts and accessories and roughly experience electrical issues once or twice a year. However, many have reviewed their more recent models much better in terms of quality control. Bikes from after 2008 tend to be much better in this area. It will take many years to reach your final drive with a BMW bike, whereas its wear and tear factor shortened the life immensely in the past. They now provide many miles for the average customer, and their quality is only increasing as the years go on.

Many past customers have commented on the high costs of replacement parts and accessories and roughly experience electrical issues once or twice a year. However, many have reviewed their more recent models much better in terms of quality control. Bikes from after 2008 tend to be much better in this area. It will take many years to reach your final drive with a BMW bike, whereas its wear and tear factor shortened the life immensely in the past.

They now provide many miles for the average customer, and their quality is only increasing as the years go on. Many customers past and present have joined our online forum and have posted their thoughts to a thread and had several discussions on the quality of their vehicle and how they feel the company has improved their machinery. The customers can answer one another and provide advice, and the professionals can willingly answer any questions they may have regarding the maintenance they require and respond to any feedback. 

Jap & German Motorcycles provides the best services in and around West London. Whatever you require, our team can assist you with everything from BMW motorbike repairs to providing motorbike spare parts.