^ I totally believe it all to be truth. Was just curious, and still am whether or not the engines themselves have those mileages on them. And whether or not any or all of them were rebuilt along the way.

Reggie will likely get back to you with his own answer. However in nearly a decade that I've come to know him via this site he has often detailed some of his bike maintenance projects for us, and to the best of my knowledge he's never said anything about rebuilding or swapping out a high mileage XT engine with a lower mileage replacement.

When he encourages us that the sort of mileage he puts on the bikes he rides every day, summer or winter, rain or shine, year after year in Jolly Olde England is something we can look forward to with proper care and maintenance, we have good reason to believe what he says!..

I hope I didn't come across as not believing what he, or anyone else has said. That wasn't my intention. I didn't think I asked an unreasonable question. Again, all I was wondering is if the engines themselves had the 70,000 and 100,000 miles on them. Whether they do or don't, he certainly strikes me as someone who knows how to take care of his bikes.

A useful variation of your question might be along the lines of specifics for a "re-build." Such as just rings, etc. (as well as more)

Alexd

I would say my definition of at least a top end rebuild would include a valve and or ring job. Would be interested in any procedure or repair outside of routine maintenance. I see in the shout box that Reggie may not be able to chime in for a while. Maybe its best to just put this to rest until he has the opportunity to do so. And if at that time he does not want to, then that's OK also.

In a way you did indicate an unwillingness to accept what Reggie said about the mileage he puts on his bikes at face value. Those in the UK who know him personally, as well as those who know him via this site, are aware that what he tells us about his bikes, the way they're used, the service they receive and the mileage they're ridden, is an honest reporting of what he has experienced through many years of Yamaha ownership. If he's ever had to 'rebuild' or replace a worn out Yamaha engine, to the best of my knowledge, having read just about everything he's ever posted, that's something he's never commented on -- and Reggie, bless his heart, comments on just about everything in his own inimitable way!..

Honestly I still have no idea what I typed to warrant that statement. But again, if I did then I apologize. My main reasons for asking what I asked, is so I may know what I can expect out of my bike as I rack up more miles on it.

I don't know either, other than we tend to be protective of our Reggie. You asked a perfectly legitimate question, especially when stories like this get publicized...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nat...iles/600339001/

Honda Goldwing goes 1 million miles! (But it's on it's 4th engine).

That said, the longevity Reggie gets is pretty amazing. I'm not aware of any major rebuilds, other than perhaps new rings. Which is pretty spectacular for an air cooled OHV engine.

Being protective of Reggie is no doubt true. He is, above and beyond being a nice guy, our own "Mr. Serow," a label that wasn't applied without reason! Besides, he's out of the loop at the moment and apparently won't have his Mac computers working again for some time. So standing up for him, for the things we've learned from his long time motorbiking experiences, things he's shared with us, just seems the thing to do.

I believe #brer15 voiced a legitimate question about what an XT's engine is capable of properly cared for. However it was framed in reference to Reggie's mileage reports for his bikes and implied, at least in my view, that those mileage reports might somehow be suspect -- much like the mileage report Peejman pointed out that 'USA Today' did on the million mile Honda Gold Wing.

The problem is that the article in question specifically noted that the engine on the Gold Wing had been replaced 3 times over the years on its way to a million miles. On the other hand there's nothing that I'm aware of in the reports Reggie's done over the years to indicate he's ever rebuilt or replaced an engine on any of his bikes, regardless of their mileage.

Plus, when you think about it, a Gold Wing that's done a million miles on four engines, the original and three replacements, indicates that each engine on the average was capable of 250,000 miles before being replaced. Which leaves Reggie's paltry mileage numbers in the dust!

Questioning how many miles one might expect from a properly serviced XT engine is of course legitimate. Asking such a question in a way that Reggie's reported mileage numbers become somehow suspect, not so much. If an old Gold Wing can do a million miles on four engines, or 250,000 miles per engine, then it seems that Reggie's bikes, and by extension our's as well, are capable of 70,000 miles plus on a properly cared for engine without breaking a sweat.

I reckon Reggie gets those huge mileages 'cos his bikes get used daily, they've always got oil at the top ends. Some of us, including me, might only get the XT out a dozen times a year. Top ends dry, all the oil has drained down.

I say this 'cos on my road bikes, which get similar treatment, might sit for weeks over the winter, my valve shims always need changing out at service time, while my chums who commute daily on theirs, don't.

Makes sense to me, use them daily & they'll do big mileage.

My little Serow (XT225)has now got approx 25,000 kilometres on the clock. It does use a bit of oil even tho' I change oil & filter every 600 - 800 miles. Likely down to PO doing 900 miles in 3 years of ownership. They don't take kindly to neglect.