How Long Do Motorcycle Engines Last

• Table of Contents
• 1. How Long Do Motorcycle Engines Usually Last
• 2. How to Make Motorcycle Engines Live Longer
• 2.1 By Properly Following the Maintenance Schedule
• 2.2 By Using Your Motorcycle More Often
• 2.3 Using High-Quality Fuel and Engine Oil
• 2.4 Using Quality Air Filters
• 3. How Modifying a Motorcycle Can Impact the Engine’s Life?
• 4. Motorcycle Engines that Last Longer
• 5. Motorcycle Engines that Do not Last Longer
• 6. Takeaway

An engine is the heart of a motorcycle. How well a motorcycle performs largely depends on how powerful its engine is. Being the most integral part of a motorbike, the engine must be taken good care of to ensure your ride operates properly. This article explains how long motorcycle engines usually last.

1. How Long Do Motorcycle Engines Usually Last

One of the most frequently asked questions among motorcycle riders is how long do motorcycle engines usually last? Unfortunately, there is no definite answer to this question; not even motorcycle companies can provide a set number of years or miles on motorcycle specs charts.

Several factors determine how long a motorcycle engine lasts, including the quality of the components, riding conditions, a motorcycle’s make and model, and frequency of maintenance. Usually, a motorcycle engine is estimated to last between 50,000-250,000 miles or 12-15 years. No two motorcycles, even similar models fitted with the same type of engine, will have the exact same engine life.

A motorcycle engine’s life is measured by the number of miles rather than by years. This is because the number of miles a motorbike is ridden per year can differ. A touring motorbike is designed for long-distance travel and the number of miles travelled per year tends to be greater than the amount of distance covered by a sports bike or a café racer. There is a simple formula for calculating the average life expectancy of a motorcycle. All you need to do is divide the expected total mileage in the expected lifetime by the average number of miles travelled per year.

For example, a Honda Goldwing has an estimated life expectancy of 250,000 miles and typically covers an average of 2,500 miles per year. Using the formula, the equation should look like this:

Estimated life expectancy / number of miles per year = 250,000 / 2,500

After doing calculations, you should be able to determine how many years the Honda Goldwing’s engine will last:

250,000/2,500 = 100 years

However, if the same Honda Goldwing covers only 5,000 miles per year, then the average life expectancy of this motorcycle will change:

250,000/5,000 = 50 years

2. How to Make Motorcycle Engines Last Longer

2.1 By Properly Following a Maintenance Schedule

A manual is often provided with your motorbike after purchase. The manual should include a schedule for maintenance checks. To ensure the motorcycle engine does not wear out too quickly, The owner must strictly follow the maintenance check schedule every year.

If you keep on riding an old motorbike with worn-out parts, this could damage the engine. Regular maintenance checks include oil changes, air filter changes, brake checks, cleaning engine components, and a close inspection.

2.2 Using Your Motorcycle More Often

Motorcycle engines begin to malfunction if not properly maintained and inspected. Also, motorcycle engines start to fail if they are unused for a prolonged period. To improve a motorcycle engine’s average life expectancy, make sure to turn on the ignition on your motorcycle at least once every two days.

2.3 Using High-Quality Fuel and Engine Oil

Photo Credit: @bikesrepublic

Much like how humans require a good diet containing vitamins, proteins, and other essential nutrients, motorcycle engines also require high-quality fuel and oil to run properly. Low-quality fuel and oil can cause a motorcycle engine to break down early. Therefore, make sure to use the best quality fuel and oil to ensure smooth operation and prevent damage.

2.4 Using High-Quality Air Filters

Motorcycle riders must not forget to also replace and use high-quality air filters. Clean air intake is as important as high-quality engine oil. Changing the air filters regularly can enhance your motorcycle engine’s life. A clean air filter does not let debris or dust particles enter your engine and damage the internal parts. It also results in lower emissions.

3. How Does Modifying a Motorcycle Affect an Engine’s Lifespan?

Modifying a motorcycle is a very common practice nowadays. Many riders love to modify their motorcycles to improve their performance. Modifying a motorbike with non-standard and unsuitable engine components to increase power output can cause the engine to wear out faster due to aftermarket components putting extra stress on the engine.

4. Examples of Long-Lasting Motorcycle Engines

V-Twin, L-Twin, Boxer, and In-line engines are well-known for being reliable and durable. However, even these high-quality engines will wear out quickly if they are not maintained regularly. Though these high-performance engines last longer, they have complex builds and are expensive to maintain.

5. Examples of Short-Lived Motorcycle Engines

Two-stroke engines do not last as long as four-stroke engines due to the former being difficult to maintain and wearing out more quickly. A two-stroke engine requires oil to be mixed with fuel to operate, causing an increase in temperature inside the engine which can result in damage. Also, a two-stroke engine consumes oil and fuel more quickly and must be refilled more often.

6. Takeaway

The average life expectancy of a motorcycle engine varies between 50,000-250,000 miles or 12-15 years. A motorcycle engine’s life expectancy depends on how well it is maintained, ridden, and checked. Strictly following the maintenance schedule in the motorcycle manual, turning on your motorbike at least once every two days, and using high-quality fuel and oil help extend a motorcycle engine’s lifespan.

If you want your motorbike to look and perform like a new model fresh off the assembly line, there are several aftermarket parts available at Viking Bags, including handlebars, fairing, sissy bars, saddlebags, tour packs, and saddlebags for Harley. Viking Bags also has crash bars to keep your engine from scraping against the ground.