Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Re engine life

Have just returned from a run in Townsville. Queensland Aust. Triumph dealer there tells us that they have e-mails from dealers in the USA that state that some TBA and speedmaster models have reached mileages of 200,000 plus with no major engine work. Can any owners over there verify this? Seems a ****** of a lot for a 800cc motorcycle engine. My TBA has 60,000k up and goes really well.

take care of'em and they are like the energizer bunny...they keep going & going...... Most miles I've personally seen on one was about 130K (miles not thos chinchy kilometers) ....guy said it was still trucking along just fine...But I believe it...put over a 100k on my Trophy with a side hack....tough.....sold the rig ....it is still running fine...guys uses it as a daily rider.....looking to keep my Bonnie-A a long time !

These engines are, if anything, over designed. The aluminum wear points seem to be high silicon alloy, which wears very well. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them run a very long time, given decent care.

I personally know of a couple over 50,000 and have heard of a couple more over 100,000. Haven't heard of any hitting 200,000 yet, and I too am talking miles not kilometers. Hard to believe am air cooled twin can achieve such mileage but they do. As Greybeard says must be in the modern alloys. Heck of a lot more than we used to get out of the old top ends.

i have 112000mi on a 72 Triumph with no bottom end work done so i expect my 02 to get at least that

My old Ironhead had something over 200K miles on the bottom end. Topend was a whole different story, good for only 70 to 90 K. Too bad they can't work out a way to run pistons on roller bearings....

Charlie (bad406) is probably closing in on 100K by this time.

Air Cooled with an Oil Cooler is fine unless you plan city stop and go in high temps. I've got 124K (or is it 127?) on my 79 Yamaha, cant remember what oil I used back in the 80's, but I switched to Golden Spectro about 91 or so and have used it exclusively since. Good oil, proper care go a long way.

I think that winter storage makes a big difference, those who store/park the bike with the prior seasons oil will have problems long term, as acids, deposits can gum up and eat away at the alloys over the winter. I've always put my bikes to sleep with a fresh oil change and tank full of stabilized fuel. Never had a problem with Carbs, Engine or rust in tank. 24 years and counting on this one bike at least. I'll get back to you guys after 24 years with my Speedmaster to see if the same holds true. I think it will ;-)

I was just up in CT and on the way there made the mistake of trying to go up 95 on a Friday afternoon. The place was a frackin parking lot for miles. I was pushing 250 deg. F. for the first time ever. Scared me and was about to shut it down and sit until it cooled but then we started moving. I hit maybe 230 deg. F and to me that's way too hot! I rode the shoulder for miles but it wasn't fast enough to keep the engine cool in the 98 = or - degree heat of the day. I hope it didn't shorten my engine life and look forward to 100,000 or more miles.

guess we'll see how well that amsoil does

Frank