Beginner question about mileage

I'm looking for my first XS650 (my previous bikes being Honda CBR's) and I'm wondering what would you consider a "high mileage" XS650? And if you did come across a high mileage XS650, would you still consider getting it for the right price if it was in good cosmetic shape, or would it not be worth the cost of rebuilding? Basically what I'm trying to decide is, should I only be considering bikes below a certain mileage, and what would that mileage be.

Going by mileage is a crapshoot as the speedometer clocks can be easily swapped. Seen it on a Standard model that was listed as a low mileage bike and the clocks had been swapped with a set of Specials.
Check compression and charging, those are the hiddens. Cosmetics will be mostly obvious.

Thanks, @nj1639. I appreciate the tips about compression and charging.

I pay more for a low mileage bike over 30 000 km I may not be interested at all 19000 miles
And yes the clocks can be showing wrong
Listening and looking for smoke -- compression can to some extent be felt via the kick
That is if the main goal is riding Is it a project for rebuilding it is different ..but still needs to be cheaper

+1 with NJ.

Other than that 30,000 miles, (50,000klm) might be considered high milage. Thing is there are a couple of guys on here with 60,000 +miles. Maintenance is the big issue, if the Owner has kept up on that then mileage is relevant to price and condition. With these bikes a top end refresh, (do check the con-rod freeplay and little end for wear), is usually all that is needed, Piston/rings front guide and the cam-chain, Pistons and rings can b got for a reasonable price.

if a bike ha been sitting for number of years then it is the things like brakes/caliper/MC/hoses, gauge dampers and electrical connections that will need to be replaced/upgraded and gone through to make it reliable and safe

You have had bikes, so some of this you already know, but the cost of refreshing a bike that has been sitting for years is going to cost

Do ask for any help before buying anything and we will point you in the direction of the cheapest where possible and the best quality

Clock on my, 83. Original mileage, 42,000klm +. still going strong



Most bikes now will need their front cam chain guide replaced if the PO hasn't a;ready done it. They de-laminate. I;m of the mind when the bike sits for a long time, (years), the front guide isn't being covered in hot oil and they get brittle and shrink enough to de laminate. Maybe if a bike has been ridden regular the guide may not be a problem. While in the top end replacing a cam chain sprudent

Charging Rotor needs to be rewound, Age is catching up with them. Do not buy an aftermarket one. Local member Jim does rewinds for a good price that undercuts the quality of his work. Regulator and Rectifiers can be replaced with Automotive Regulator and a bridge Rectifier, this will refresh the charging system, make it reliable and doesn't cost a fortune. In fact it is very cost effective, (maybe $180 for you US guys compared to several hundred going to a PMA), with piece of mind

This is excellent information @650Skull! Thank you for taking the time to share all that.
What a friendly community you all have here.

Upkeep means a lot. My SK has about 66,000 miles on it. I refreshed the top end at 60,000. I can ride it anywhere.
I believe any XS650 you buy will need a nose to tail service. Everything that moves needs to have the grease replaced. Fork oil, brake fluid and engine oil all need replacing. Everything needs to be adjusted. None of this is a big deal if you have the time and a little bit of money.

And in addition, you need to go over the electrics - charging, battery condition, connectors, state of the wiring. Threads on what to do in Tech. IMO most unreliability with more mature motorbikes is electrical.