engine life expectancy?

[rider1086]

Does anyone have any idea what the life expectancy is for a 2005 XB12R, provided its been loved properly? I'm at 17500 miles and want to make sure it still has some life left.

[Theycallmecrash]

300,000 billion years!
Too many factors come into play, there is no accurate answer, some tank at 10k others have hit 100,00 miles. I literaly beat the crap outta mine, wheelies everyday running to red line, lots of engine braking, but i keep on my fluids and maint. Ill be hitting 23,000 on the way home. Not a tick, bang stumble, pop or complaint. Thrstrmech hit just over 60k on his 03 suspected trans issues pulled it apart with no signs of major failure so its getting a full rebuild premature.

[Doc13]

I'm sitting at 22K+ and I've had zero issues on my 05. I know a guy with an 03 9s that's got somewhere in the 70's. Love her and take care of her and she'll be good to you.

[PaulPud]

34k without a problem on my 06 xb12ss
But just picked up an 05 xb12r the previous owner didnt believe in using a clutch trans was blown to piece at only 6800!

[thrstrmech]

63k+, new IAT sensor and used cooling fan replaced last year, new shift forks replaced recently and new clutch plates on order...have own my '03 9s for 7 yrs, bought her with 2500 miles...still running the original belt also :D stay on the maintenance schedule as much as possible and you'll be fine

[konarider94]

I had a base gasket go at 20k miles, well it was before that but thats when I bought it. And trans output bearing went out around 25-27k I think. I think the PO beat on it and didnt maintain it too well. It was a repo bike that went to auction. YMMV

[iman501]

40k with new VR, new oil lines, and regular maintenance....

[Lesley]

2005 XB12scg
39,000 miles(bought with 5,700 June 2007)
clutch cable failed at 20,000 miles

[Lesley]

Too many factors come into play, there is no accurate answer,
I also agree with this completely. Even if you buy brand new (any vehicle) there are always chances you bought a lemon. It would be unfair for us to guess or say how long your bike will last. Change the oil every 3,000 miles and use synthetic ALWAYS.

[d_adams]

Change the oil every 3,000 miles and use synthetic ALWAYS.

Pretty sure that's a myth for oil in today's market. I personally run 6k miles between oil changes on my 1125 and 15k miles on my cars. Only did the initial oil change on the XB, so not enough miles to tell what it needs yet. Still change the truck's oil anywhere between 3-5k miles though, it's got 125k miles on it and seems to get dirty (the oil) in a hurry. If nothing else, have an oil analysis done to check the oil condition.


Yeah, it's wikipedia, but searching around will get you this same info from multiple sources.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3,000_mile_myth


The cake is a lie.

[Lesley]

Change the oil every 3,000 miles and use synthetic ALWAYS.

Pretty sure that's a myth for oil in today's market. I personally run 6k miles between oil changes

I agree but he said :
I'm at 17500 miles and want to make sure it still has some life left.
So I figured if he was worried he could change the oil more often. I think you should be able to get at least get 5K miles per change with the synthetics. Not sure about the austrian motors because they are a completely different motor design.The OP has a Harley Davidson powered bike.

[user_deleted]

agree with all of the above and today's modern lubricants are so good that they've rewritten the books on change intervals as well as engine life expectancy. and then you get into what i call super-premium oils like amsoil and castrol act-evo, etc which "may" even add to a motors' longevity expectations. having said that, 100,000 miles should be achievable with a well-maintained and non-abused Buell motor as i've seen several sportsters in here with well over 100,000 miles on unopened motors and still running strong. EXCESSIVE HEAT is the destroyer of Buell XB motors over and above anything else, IMO.