Evaluating the Life Expectancy of a Used Powersports Vehicle
Buying a used powersports vehicle can get you the tool or toy you’re looking for without breaking the bank, but it’s important to understand a vehicle’s life expectancy before you buy it. We here at Moroney’s Motorsports want to help you avoid buying anything that won’t last as long as you need it, so we’ve put together some tips on evaluating the life expectancy of a used powersports vehicle, below. To learn more, or to see the used powersports vehicles we have for sale, contact our store in New Windsor, New York, today!
Past Maintenance
First and foremost, you’ll need to ask about the vehicle’s maintenance history. Life expectancy for a vehicle is often measured in miles traveled, and a poorly-maintained machine will give out fairly quickly. However, if past owners have been diligent about maintenance and repairs, that used vehicle could last you up to 10 times longer!
Don’t just take their word for it, of course. Give the vehicle a thorough inspection and look for signs of neglect, and look over the maintenance records to see if there are any long gaps between preventative maintenance visits.
How It Was Ridden
Powersports vehicles tend to be ridden pretty hard, but there are always variations in just how hard they’re used. Ask the seller how the vehicle you’re interested in was ridden. If it was driven recklessly, aggressively, or at constant high RPMs, the powersports vehicle may have a shorter lifespan than you would otherwise estimate.
The Type of Vehicle
Obviously different categories of vehicle will differ in terms of life expectancy, but some expected lifespans of well-maintained powersports vehicles are:
- Motorcycle: on average 80,000 miles, though some types of motorcycles last longer than others
- Dirt bikes: between 20,000 and 50,000 miles
- Snowmobiles: between 10,000 and 15,000 miles
- ATVs: upwards of 10,000 miles
- UTVs: around 5,000 miles
- PWCs: around 300 hours
Engine Size
On average, larger engines are going to be built more durable than smaller engines, so the larger the engine your vehicle uses, the longer its lifespan might be.
The Age
The year the vehicle in question was manufactured plays a big role. Not only are the gadgets and designs getting better every year, but the older the powersports vehicle is, the more use it’s likely seen. Newer powersports vehicles will generally have longer lifespans.
The Brand
Different brands also build their powersports vehicles to last different amounts of time. Typically speaking, Japanese powersports manufacturers utilize high-end manufacturing techniques and high-end design practices, so vehicles made by Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha will be long-lasting.
We hope these tips help you find the right fit! For more information, or to see the used powersports vehicles we have available, contact us at Moroney’s Motorsports. We proudly serve the people of Newburgh, New York—let us serve you today!