How many miles does a biker ride?

  • March 20, 2009 1:19 AM PDT

    I was reading a rag on touring which is the type riding the wife and I are into. We want to see it all. However, I was totally taken by suprise when I read that the average biker only puts on 800 to 1,500 mile per season. I average 14,000 mile a season and thats in 6 at best 7 months. So I put this out to all of you, what do ya put on the clock in a season? Is this truly the average?

    • 5419 posts
    March 20, 2009 2:37 AM PDT
    Coley,

    I'm about with you at 15,000 per year (but I get 12 months). Some years like last year I had a lot going on and only did around 10,000. Other years, when we do some long distance stuff like Sturgis, I can co 20,000 - 25,000.
    • 834 posts
    March 20, 2009 3:52 AM PDT

    I'm somewhere between what they say is the average, and what Lucky and Coley do. In a good year I ride about 8,000 miles. Next year my youngest will be moving out and hopefully I can start doing more multi-day trips.

  • March 20, 2009 5:46 AM PDT
    Last year, I put in 12000 mainly riding back & forth to work, with some rides for pleasure.
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    • 19007 posts
    March 21, 2009 7:01 PM PDT
    A few years ago I was a member of a SE PA MC. A really good MC and they would have a high mileage award every year. Far from average but the winner was always over 20,000 sometime way over and usually someone retired. Personally I do 8,000 to 12,000 but since I retired this winter there are plans for that to go higher.
  • March 22, 2009 1:40 AM PDT
    I just got back into riding a couple years ago. I've put 8000 on the glide since November. When the weather warms a bit more I'll put 70 miles a day just riding to work.
  • March 22, 2009 4:07 AM PDT

    Remember the old song "I got a band new pair of rollerskates, you got a brand new key" when she sung "I don't go to fast, but I go pretty far".   Well I'm the exact opposite, I don't go to far, but I go pretty FAST!!!

     

    I only ride about 4,000 a year, and I live in Florida!!!

  • April 1, 2009 2:47 PM PDT
    I am somewhere between 8,000 to 15,000 miles a year. Last year I tore my bike down late, like early May to do some work on it as well as upgrade to a 6 spd, and still got 8,000 on my bike. Living in a state that only gives 5-6 months of good riding, other wise I'm plaing the pic out and putting in some chilly riding days.
  • April 2, 2009 6:48 AM PDT
    97 miles oneway to work daily, 6 months out of the year, mornings can be cool but the evenings are fantastic, between 15,000 and 20,000 miles depending upon the weather.
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    • 1364 posts
    August 9, 2009 3:18 AM PDT
    Living in SUNNY Seattle, I ride as much as the weather permits..... If it's not raining I'm riding.... I've had the Road King for a little over 3 1\\\\2 years. Bought it new in Feb 06 with 0 miles..... Just last week I turned over 45 K...   
    • 0 posts
    August 12, 2009 10:08 AM PDT
    My Star is just over a year old and it just went over 16k miles.
  • August 12, 2009 3:20 PM PDT
    I ride a 08 Road King and I put 10,000 on it so far.
  • August 13, 2009 5:03 AM PDT
    I would have to say that a biker is an attitude more than an amount of miles. It's the brotherhood/ sisterhood of being in the wind. Maybe I'm biased, with a wife and two young'uns at home I probably only get in about 4 to 5K per year. However I have no idea for real as I haven't had a speedometer (hence, no odometer) for the past few years. I generally put more miles on my scoot than most others in my situation but way less than most of you. I ride an 04 and the speedo was removed in 07 with about 12K on the clock, and that time included one 6 month deployment and one year of not being able to ride because of a run in with johnny law. Just my one cent (economy sucks).
  • August 13, 2009 5:09 AM PDT
    My wife and I enjoy touring also and in the past we have averaged 10-12K miles. Over the past few years with some heath issues I have had to deal with I still am putting on 4-6K miles. Back on the mend now and this month alone I have done 2300 miles and that is just on weekends. Living in the northeast we only get 6-7 months to ride. Weather doesn't have to be perfect for me to ride. As long as it is above 40 degrees when I leave and not raining, I am gone.
  • August 14, 2009 2:54 AM PDT
    2007 bought in november of 07 got about 44000 on it and prop another 5 to 6k on the sidecar rig depending on when and who i ride with
  • g
    August 14, 2009 3:08 AM PDT
    waz 10,000 miles last year ,only on sunday runs .
  • g
    August 15, 2009 6:58 AM PDT
    seen some of ur photos ,would love to blast over ur side for a tad .roads look gid like
  • August 16, 2009 3:06 AM PDT
    bout 18,000 miles since I got my Nightster (now a Springster) March 2008 with average of 4 months downtime customizing.
    • 844 posts
    August 16, 2009 3:57 AM PDT
    I normally put 25,000 miles on my bike a year. I ride everywhere including fun rides and to work. The only time I don't ride the bike is when I need to take both the kids with me or the weather is really bad.
  • August 29, 2009 1:54 AM PDT
    have about 3500 so far this year (work sucks)
    • 19 posts
    September 16, 2009 10:36 AM PDT
    as many as he wants! it's called freedom! free to ride where ever the hell we want when ever we want with who ever we want o though my wife might disagree with the last one! i only got 25,000 on my 2003 vtx but got to work to ride!
  • September 16, 2009 10:39 AM PDT
    i've got to agree being a biker isn't about mileage. : )
  • September 16, 2009 3:04 PM PDT
    Cant be a biker if you never ride!But seriously,its about the mind set and the passion...gotta love to ride!I do about 10,000 a year and we have a short riding season...if you are in the wind its all good!
  • September 16, 2009 6:39 PM PDT
    I average 10,000 to 12,000. In 92 I put 15,000 on my ol' shovelhead. But it was my only transportation at the time. I do ride to work, when I have a job...ha
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    • 19007 posts
    September 16, 2009 11:42 PM PDT
    roadqn wrote...
    I average 10,000 to 12,000. In 92 I put 15,000 on my ol' shovelhead. But it was my only transportation at the time. I do ride to work, when I have a job...ha
    WOW 15K on a shovelhead. That is a bunch. What was it?