How many miles is too many miles?

[caverman]

I'm looking at getting a FJ and a good chunk that I've seen have 30k - 35k - 40k type of miles. I'm a little worried about buying one with that type of miles on it. Maybe not as much in the fact that I think the engine would need a rebuild but more along the fact that if I bought one rode it for 5 years or so and it had close to 50k miles, I would think it would be hard to sell and I would have to get rid of it for next to nothing. What are thoughts with the FJs have lots of miles, not only mechanically but also resell value?

[Waiex191]

I've never sold a bike!  Not counting my '81 GS650E to a buddy, but I was not sad to see it go.

[Pat Conlon]

As a starting point, you are probably getting a good clean 30k mile FJ for $2500-3,000 which is a bargain. Put an additional 30k miles on it and sell it for $2000 -2500.
My point, FJ's are selling low and have always sold low and thus are a tremendous value.

If you want a bike that will appreciate in value, get a Ducati. I hear the 7k mile desmo valve adjustments are fun.

[Bones]

30-40-50,000 miles is nothing for these bikes. Mine has 125,000 km which is around 77,000 miles, still has 150psi compression in all cylinders, burns no oil and goes like a cut cat, still has a lot of life left in yet. Buy one do some maintenance on it like shim adjustment, oil change, carb sync, chain and sprockets if needed and just ride the thing, it'll give you years of reliable service.

[caverman]

As a starting point, you are probably getting a good clean 30k mile FJ for $2500-3,000 which is a bargain. Put an additional 30k miles on it and sell it for $2000 -2500.
My point, FJ's are selling low and have always sold low and thus are a tremendous value.

If you want a bike that will appreciate in value, get a Ducati. I hear the 7k mile desmo valve adjustments are fun.

I'm not looking for an investment by any means but I guess I'm thinking if I ever had to sell it does the resell value start really diminishing at say 50k miles. If I were to pick up one for say  $2,500 - $3k but then get up to maybe 50k would the value go way down to say $1,500. Again, I'm not looking for an investment just would hate to take a significant loss as opposed to moving on to find a lower mileage one if that's even possible.

[aviationfred]

As a starting point, you are probably getting a good clean 30k mile FJ for $2500-3,000 which is a bargain. Put an additional 30k miles on it and sell it for $2000 -2500.
My point, FJ's are selling low and have always sold low and thus are a tremendous value.

If you want a bike that will appreciate in value, get a Ducati. I hear the 7k mile desmo valve adjustments are fun.

I'm not looking for an investment by any means but I guess I'm thinking if I ever had to sell it does the resell value start really diminishing at say 50k miles. If I were to pick up one for say  $2,500 - $3k but then get up to maybe 50k would the value go way down to say $1,500. Again, I'm not looking for an investment just would hate to take a significant loss as opposed to moving on to find a lower mileage one if that's even possible.

My 2 cents and professional opinion using an FJ as an example that I have plenty of knowledge about.

I paid $2500.00 for the pictured FJ with just over 30k miles. In 6 years I have more than doubled the miles which are now at 62k. I ended up modifying and doing many upgrades, but let's keep this to an Apples to Apples comparison. Using the condition this FJ is in today and the idea of having kept it at the same level of mods as when I purchased it. I have no doubt at all that I could still sell it easily for $2500.00.