sport bike longevity

I am trying to convince a friend of mine that sport bikes are indeed reliable and can last a long time when properly maintained. Can you guys give me your insight on modern sport bike longevity. Does the size of the bike matter? What kind of mileage can one expect before serious problems start setting in.  

250lbs+ on a 600 not the best for it. i had a 1985 zx900 ninja w/42,000 hard miles(my neighbor said that bike will live forever since i did'nt kill it yet.beat tuning) not a drop of oil burned,cold blooded,i mean cold as it did not want to start but did even in 90 deg. weather and smooth, way better ride than my 2003 gsx-r1000 hell if i could get that gixxer motor in that ninja frame i would'nt even look at buying a zx-14. my gixxer now has 22,461 miles (good luck trying to kill one of these modern motors)  

Hey Moto!
To be honest, what you are asking for has too many variables attatched to give a concrete answer.  The reality of a Sport Bikes Longevity is based largely on numerous factors, which only begin with Proper Service, and how it is riden.  Even if you attempt to factor in regular service, with normal riding conditions (what ever that is?), Sport Bike Engines run under extreme conditions, with very high RPM ranges, which has a tendence to be detrimental over all.  Where a Car may be able to run for 200,000 miles before it gives out, a Bike will be lucky to reach 100,000.  That is not to say that you can't get more out of it, although you will have to Service the crap out of it to get there!
As an example, Bike Engines transfer power from the Engine to the Tranny via a Chain, and Chains stretch.  The Cam(s, much like any Car Engine, are also run off a Chain, and because they are made smaller, and lighter than a Car, they tend to wear out faster, especially under the extreme conditions.  A stock Timing Chain may last 40-50,000 miles depending on how the Bike is ridden, and will likely be the first major repair a Bike will see.
Other factors include how often the Bike is ridden, in addition to how many miles are put on it in a season.  An Average Seasonal Rider may only put 2-3000 miles on his ride, which will allow for years of riding, provided the Bike is stored properly.  A year round rider may reach the amount one sees in a Car, and log up to 10-15,000 miles, in which case the Bike will likely need much more service to get further years out of it.  Yet other conditions would apply to a Rider that considers Normal Riding Conditions to be all out Drag Racing, with which the Clutch may need to be changed out along with the Timing Chain within a short period!
Bike Values, what you would expect to pay for a used Bike, or recieve as Trade-in Value, refect this as well, and as a Rule of Thumb, Riders that like to have the latest Bike from the Dealership find that they get the Best Trade-in Value if the Bike is turned in at, or before 20,000 miles, so that the Dealership can resell the Bike with another 20,000 miles before it will need serious service.  Take a look at Blue Book Values, and you get the idea of depreciation, as it factors that the Rider/Owner will have put 5,000 miles per year on the Bike.
Modern vs. Older:  Modern Engines have the advantage of Years worth of Racing Technology incorporated into them, and will last much longer than Older Engines as a result.  However, Modern Bikes have also been made lighter, with various Alloy Compounds, and as a result, have a rougher ride than the heavy Older Bike, in addition to perifrial components that don't last as long as the Older Stuff (Brake Caliper, Rotors, Sprockets, ect, ect.).  The Older stuff is heavy, cause it was built heavy, and stronger.  There is a compromise somewhere.  The Older Bike will have a much longer life, smoother ride, with lots of Engine work needed, where the Newer Bike will ride like lightning, feel all the bumps and wind, although will allow for much higher miles between Major Engine Service, however will need more perifrial attention.
In reality, Modern Bikes are very reliable Machines, and will last a long time if cared for, however, Motorcycle Manufacter's don't really want their machines to last forever, as they wouldn't sell enough to make it worth building them!
Sorry this was so long winded... but you asked!  

I think the technology involved makes a difference in the longevity of material wear and tear. Since I'm only on my second year of bikeing, I can only compare this "built tough vs light" to Peterbilt trucks. I was a diesel tech for awhile and now a parts guys, and the older "heavy" trucks have stronger motors as far as taking abuse but they wear out faster. The almost old, 1990's to 2000's last on average a 1 million to 1.5 million miles, The new ones with all the plastic and "lighter" parts are continously falling apart with only around 100,000-300,000 miles. But when they work, they conquer most others in performance and a little in fuel. If they are actually taken care of, these newer trucks will always out performe the older ones.

I know, they aren't bikes, but I think you can compare most vehicles and bikes somewhat the same as far as this subject goes.  

Congradulations you are driving a poor mans ferrari. If you can get your hands on a ferrari manual they are one in the same as a sportbike. As in every 18000 miles pull and polish the cams. Lots of remove and replace or rebuild. Or think of it like this you just bought your own race team and the factory just gave you a brand new bike set up as solid as can be. And will give you a good 20,000 miles with little service and after that point it's up to you how long you want it to go.I know the high output V-twins get around 50,000 miles on average before they start going down hill. I would think your looking at something like this on the inline 4's. And i myself have seen them with 60 70,000 miles. long term all comes down to the service and most you can do yourself for the big jobs take it to a dealer you trust  

Well I'm only 26 but my wisdom with sportbikes as daily drivers knows no bounds. I live and work in miami as a machinist and have never owned anything with more then 2 wheels. I don't race or stunt I just ride. Long distance, 700-1000 miles, or short trips like to the grocery store for a six pack and toilet paper. You could say my bike is my mom wagon. Modern sport bikes school fools out of their jewles. Period. But there is a price. A big one. Just like women they need a lot of attention. My K6 GSXR-1000 has 20000 miles on it and just today I dropped the motor so I could do a valve job, replace the valve guide seals, replace the cam chain tensioner and guides, and do a valve adjustment. 20,000 miles. To put that in perspective my 1980 Honda cb 900 had 70,000 miles when I bought it and 90,000 miles when the bike and I met the business end of a 6" curb at 60 mph and the only major service it got in it's near 3 decade life was a new clutch, and carb rebuild. But make no mistake, it was no gixxer. So what do YOU consider a "serious problem". My roommate thinks tires that only last 3000 miles a deal breaker. I think cars are sluggish and unresponsive. As far as maintenance goes just remember you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs and you can't make 170 hp from 1 litre without sacrificing longevity. My cb made less then 70 hp at the wheel at about the same displacement. So there you go, my 2 (or 10) cents, longevity and reliability are relative terms. Will they last as long as say an '87 civic? No. But there a lot more fun. Plus like women you always have something to spend money on!  

Only ever ridden sportbikes for 25 years.............

Hoonda, busuki and yamahaha's

My road bikes i have flogged from new till re-sale, being a mechanic, change the oil every 3000 miles and oil and filter after every trackday.

Never had a engine breakage.

Of course i have holed radiators, had flat tyres, broken a chain, worn out a clutch or three, blown fork seals from wheelying and my zx-9 frame cracked (factory re-call)

On the track i have thrown it down the road, written off two race bikes and the cam cover on my 99 CBR600 F4 wasn't tightened properly after the vavle service (never trust an apprentice) and the number 1 inlet cam broke off......

Never had an engine failure................

PiJ  
brmbrmmm

I agree that sport bikes were tough but look at what you typed "zx-9", that bike is at least 7 years old.Don't get me wrong that was an amazing machine but you can't deny that in order to get the 30-40 more hp that today's bikes make you have to sacrifice durability and longevity. For example I know a lot of people older then myself that talk about the old cbr 900's as being the most bulletproof sport bike motor ever built, but that's like what 115 hp stock? My gixxer makes 153 stock. Coming from an ENGINERING background I can safely say what I all ready said and that is you cant extract more from the same without sacrificing something. Also like I said I have ridden all my bikes as daily drivers. I don't own a car. My roommate does and if what the original poster is looking for is car like reliability then he won't find it on 2 wheels. I believe what you said even agreed with what I said in my post and that was old bikes ran forever but new bikes run hard. That is the big question; power or reliability. Me? I'm starting to lean towards reliability so the next bike I acquire will be a little more toned down. Hp wise any way.  

As yuo are from an engineering background you would know what materials they use in a modern engine.........

My 06 Blade has 54,000 klms, has done 22 track days, one 4 hr enduro race, has had 19 fronts and 26 rear tyres, I ride from sydney to melbourne and back once every two  months which is 3700 klm's return.

It uses no oil, makes 155hp at the rear wheel and is the most fun I have had on a sports bike..........

They are fast and reliable.............

BTW: Can you fellas put paragraphs in you post so i can read em  
brmbrmmm

Sure..............

Could you spell check your posts????????????????????????

Could you also limit your punctuation use to the necessary amount required to accurately complete a sentence??????????????????

I wouldn't bring it up but, if you  feel the need to correct someone's use of the English language you should, "protect ya neck"...............

Sorry, a little Wu Tang Slang slipped in there...............................

"BTW" I am very familiar with the materials used in a modern sport bike engine. The majority of it is die cast aluminum with some surfaces machined for there desired purpose, some of those surfaces are anodized or plated to maintain wear resistance. The cylinders are a perfect example of this.

I don't deny that a sportbike is reliable and or durable to a motorcyclist but the original post was asking about trying to convince SOMEONE that sport bikes are reliable. My original response was that reliability, durability, and longevity are all relative terms that only apply to the type of vehicle at hand. A motorcycle will not last as long as a car, a sport bike won't last as long as a lower hp bike like a standard, and you can forget about getting "54,000 klms" out of a dirt bike that has only seen DIRT without a good going through. Relative.

Oh and "BTW" again, I have no idea how distance is calculated in Barter Town so could you tell me how it took 3700 klms to get to Melbourne...or to get from Sydney to Melbourne and back. The Hume Highway should get you there in 900 kms. 1200 if you take the coast road.

Now because you 1; corrected my grammar, and 2; over exaggerated the amazing journey you have taken every 2 months for the last month I say (and I've had this in the holster for a while) BUST A DEAL FACE THE WHEEL!  

raw ima give it to ya wit no trivia!!!
love that wu-tang man  

Yes..my thoughts entirely..

Couriers use some Honda Sport bikes and cover over 250 000 miles..

I have a CBR900RR that has covered over 200 000 miles and another with over 60 000.. I think.
Honda are not known for building bad engines.. save some early V4's

I used to take the 200 000 miler to the workshop for a service and people used to ask if it was a "crash repair".... the mechanics used to laugh and say.. "no just an oil change"..
The plastic did suffer..the manifold rusted through.. and things wore out.. Clutch,fuel pump,wheel bearings and so on.. but the heads never been off..same cams..
Stan Stevens at Brands Hatch.. said,"nice to see a bike that's used a ***
His son was swearing whilst trying to drill the manifold studs out of the heads.

And it still starts first or second try..

How do they do it?  

How do they do it?

Lets see your bike makes what 110,120 hp at the wheel. And what does it red line at? Mine stock is 13,500. Also your compression ratio is 11:1 Mine is 12.5:1. But this talk is pointless, I'm tired or people with 50 year old bikes comparing them to new ones. My stance has always been that reliability is a relative term. I know people that have spent a lot of money on their 900rr to get the kind of power new bikes make off the showroom floor. We're talking 30-40hp+. That power comes at a price. That price... Anyone? RELIABILITY!  

Well for what it's worth, and on a slightly more modern bike.... I have a 2004 CBR 600 F4i that I bought new on 10-17-04 with 3 miles on the odo, and now currently has 161,694 miles.  Original motor has never been touched other than a manual CCT, still runs and rides like new, and a recent compression test was near spot on

Still ridden daily and on long trips... taken me safely through 18 states and she's never once let me down or left me stranded anywhere... ever!  

When it comes down to longevity of any motorized vehicle whether it is powerful or not, the most important thing is frequent oil and coolant changes. I would say that the high revving sport bikes of today need a lot of TLC when it comes to engine oil management. Frequent oil changes allow the limited acid buffering capacity of the oil to always be available. If you allow the oil changes to go on for too long especially under extreme conditions like track usage or constant aggressive riding the acids of combustion will start to deteriorate the engine, not to mention the loss of friction reducing ability of the oil as it picks up dirt and contaminates.

In a liquid cooled engine the coolant also needs to be changed frequently if the bike is being driven aggressively (more speed and acceleration = more heat = quicker breakdown of the coolant).

Sport bikes can handle a lot of mileage they are maintained in accordance with how they are used.  
Ride Proud, Ride Safe, Have Fun.