I have two Africa Twins - one at 100,000 miles and the other at 70,000 miles; No major problems. Lots more miles to come.

I'm not saying buy an @, as they're old tech now. Though you could do much worse. And you won't get skinned alive for repair costs. But there's your "100K bike".

Give us some history please? What do you call a major problem? I consider any ride on the recovery truck or not getting where I want the same day to be major, but it's a hard one to define.

I have my own theory, but it's going to take a while to prove as I am now a bit of a weekend warrior and don't get to put the miles in as much as I'd like. The theory is:

1. Buy a new bike and run it in yourself by simply riding in a gentle-normal way (or get one with a history you know).
2. Get one whose technology you understand.
3. Never let a "workshop technician" near it, use a well trusted mechanic (if you can find one) or DIY. Stuff the warrenty it's worthless compared to a well sorted bike five years down the road.
4. Get a design that has been in production for over three years in roughly the same form.
5. Get something other people are saying is tough.
6. Do the service work religeously, but don't go OTT.
7. Don't be afraid to change what's not tough enough.
8. Get something other people are using, so parts are easier to get.

The Bonneville is only on 14000 miles, but out of all the bikes I've ever owned is showing least signs of any problems. I've had the recovery truck to it twice, but not since I re-wired the battery/fuse area and replaced the coil with one that I sealed. This compares very favourably to other bikes I sold before this milage due to bigger issues, but on which I didn't follow the points above due to inexperience/lack of skill/believing advertising.

Can we beat the manufacturers by careful use?

An interesting, possibly point. In 2006, Triumph sent me a new service book changing the oil change intervals from 4000 miles to 6000. Could it be they were getting more hassle from their grease monkeys stripping drain plugs and their dealerships not stocking oil filters than they made from selling the oil? Maybe BMW/Harley/Ducati were selling more bikes because of the down time difference? I'm certain Triumph service had no concern for how many weeks a year I get to ride my bike.

Andy

I completely agree - the whole concept of putting a bike into a dealer to do the servicing is anathema to me, partly because I enjoy doing it but also because I want to know it has been done and done right. This is one of many reasons why I am going to buy the low tech carb fueled KLR650 and change the doo spring with its first major service. I will also rejet the carb and hey presto, for 2-3 hours spannering and $150 (+the buy cost!) I will have a bulletproof low tech bike. 'Nuff said.

Well, Bonnie; hassles were as expected - fuel pump and regulator/rectifier; they're known for this. If I had been wise I'd have changed them before failure. But I wasn't. I don't call this major; for me major is a big stripdown, not replacing an external component like those mentioned. Part of the reason for longevity is this bike's detuned/softtuned state -there is a price for reliabilty. You win some, you lose some. That's OK.

PS My @ choice fits most of the criteria you've created. But I repeat, I'm not promoting this bike or any other. Run what ya brung.