high mileage xt ???
 

Am looking at buying a 2002 xt600e.
everything on it seems ok but its got 128000km on the clock which is the
only that is concerning me. there's no excessive noise or rattles and its not
blowing any smoke. I'm confident as I can be that everything's fine but i cant
get away from high mileage.
I know the old adage "if your not 100% walk away" but the only hold up is the mileage
Any thoughts on this ??

For my two cents, the other old adage is "the complete service history".
A bike with 128K km would be OK if it has been maintained properly while a low mileage bike that has been used and abused is not such a great purchase.
I like to look the current owner in the eye when making this kind of decision, so you are on your own with this one, IMO.

I have to say that is a massive mileage for a bike. 13k km or 8k miles a year - it's had a lot of use. On the other hand, it's a simple bike, so what could go wrong? If the frame and forks are straight, the suspension isn't worn out and it brakes and steers OK, then you are really looking at an engine rebuild as the worst case. And the engine is a simple unit which can be put right (relatively) cheaply.

Provided the price takes these risks into account (in other words, it's cheap), then I would go for it. As Walkabout says, evidence of regular servicing would make me a little happier, but it's not vital. I maintain mine religiously but don't keep any records. None that would carry weight in a sale negotiation, anyway. If there is no documented history, ask the owner some penetrating questions about his maintenance schedule. You'll soon spot if it's been done.

One concern I would have other than general engine wear, etc, associated with a high mileage, is the likelyhood of 5th gear wear (usually after approx 40,000 km) & the cost to fix it.
If you're not familiar with this problem, type "5th gear wear" into the search box on this forum.
Unfortunately none of the NZ new & Aus XT600E models had the later upgraded gearbox like the UK & European models(4PT). If the clutch cable attaches to the R/H side of the engine, then it's an imported 4PT which won't give problems.
If it attaches to the L/H side of the engine it will be NZ new, and will be vulnerable.
cheers
Bob

Thanks guys
Looking at the 5th gear issue,it seems there are no real visible /audible signs ??

There are audible signs,......sounds like a high whine at speed on the open road.....I bought one and rode around the block on it and sounded ok......when I got onto open highway it sounded awful.......it depends on the amount of wear too....more wear more whine......bit like my ex.....:scooter:

Seems like an honest seller, he could easely have said 28.000km and many would have believed him.

Mines at 107.000km and only oiluse is around 100-200ml between changes, almost not worth adding.

If its cheap, put some money aside for a rebuild. Its not that old, so many things around the bike should be fine, parts you would replace on an olde bike even with less miles.

I think it all depends on price and purpose of the bike. If it's that cheap and you have a place to work on it, in the worst case, it may even be a great opportunity for a mechanic enthusiast... or for an avid learner with no fear to break something.:D
Wish you'll enjoy it (mainly on the road) if in the end you get it.

Esteban

If it lasted 128000 k it shows that it was look after, otherwise thing would have gone wrong already. I tend to think engine is ultra reliable and strong...but all the rest frame, electrics may need attention, bearings, electrics corrosion, echaust cosrrosion...

So if there is no noise, leak or smoke Jens Eskildsen says he got 107 k on it same for mine 98 XTE 100 000K and runs perfectly! I was going to do a rebore and top end rebuild but all I need was just a valve check and valve stem seal change.

On the other hand I bought an old 95 ducati monster with 72 000 km on the bike and I was told 25 000 k for these was high mileage!!

But it was an honest looking bike, well look after,...when most people says ducati are unreliable, electrics are terrible....mecanics is mecanics it's not magic, everything worns out after a while, but if bike seems ok so I got it and I commute to work ever since I got it last year while I'm rebuilding my XT( mainly to respray and derust)