We’ve all heard the stories: there are motorcycles out there that can (and do) put a frankly insane number of miles on the odometer, and all they need is regular preventive maintenance. The holy grail seems to be 100,000 miles for most of these marathon-running motorcycles, so we decided to compile a list of ten motorcycles with unkillable engines. The benchmark being that magic mile figure.
As expected, the list is dominated by Japanese touring motorcycles, but there are a couple of surprises as well. There is a German motorcycle (no points for guessing which marque that is), and even an American one. Another expected feature is the dominance of touring motorcycles. It is but logical that they are the ones most likely to reach the 100,000-mile mark because of the nature of their specialization. There is one surprise, too.
Honda NX500
Price: $6,899 (New)
The NX500 is technically the CB500X but with sharper styling. Honda made the switch in 2024, but the CB has been around since 2013. This is a refined, frugal motorcycle that offers a genuinely comfortable experience. The NX has switchable traction control, ABS, and a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation, but owners of the CB500X have been exploring it without fear or much technology simply because it is so reliable.
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Engine Type |
180° I2 |
|
Displacement |
471 cc |
|
Max Power |
46.9 HP @ 8,600 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
31.7 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Honda VFR800 Interceptor
Price: $8,400 (Used)
The VFR800 Interceptor is one of the sport-touring greats. It shot to fame because it was one of the first motorcycles to sport Honda’s VTEC variable valve timing system. It was a little different in the VFR800, though: the VTEC opened only a single intake and exhaust valve at low revs, and added a second one for each at high revs. This was a 90-degree V4 engine with DOHC, liquid cooling, and PGM-FI fuel injection. In other areas, it had an aluminum twin-spar frame, a single-sided swingarm, adjustable suspension, and optional ABS. Despite cutting-edge tech for its time, it was an extremely reliable motorcycle, getting to 100,000 miles with no fuss.
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Engine Type |
90° V4 |
|
Displacement |
782 cc |
|
Max Power |
110 HP @ 10,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
60.5 LB-FT @ 8,500 RPM |
Honda ST1100
Price: $8,500 (Used)
The ST1100 also has a 90-degree V4 engine like the VFR800, but unlike the Interceptor, this is a longitudinal engine. The ST was called the ‘Pan European’ in Europe, and its reliability is legendary. The performance wasn’t bad, either – you could hit 130 MPH with one of these, but the real advantage is being able to sit at 90 MPH at 4,500 RPM in top gear. The service intervals are just 4,000 miles, but other than that, this one is a joy to own and ride.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal 90° V4 |
|
Displacement |
1,084 cc |
|
Max Power |
101 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
81.9 LB-FT @ 6,000 RPM |
10 Affordable Adventure Bikes That Refuse To Break Down
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Yamaha MT-07
Price: $8,599 (new)
The MT-07 was launched a little over a decade ago, and the public likes it for the obvious reasons: it is light and fun, and it is inexpensive to own and maintain. It got a significant update in 2025, with new styling, a 5-inch TFT display, and self-canceling and lane change indicators. In some markets, a Y-AMT automated manual gearbox is available. However, its one truly stand-out feature is how reliable it is, with some owners covering well over 100,000 miles – on a naked!
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
689 cc |
|
Max Power |
73.4 HP @ 8,750 RPM |
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Max Torque |
50 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Suzuki V-Strom 650
Price: $9,299
Suzuki’s 650 cc platform is an old-school one, with a 90-degree V-twin supported by either a twin-spar or a trellis frame. We’ve picked the 650 here because it is more comfortable since it is a tourer, so hitting a high-mile mark will be less painful (literally) to the rider. But the SV650 will be able to do it equally well. There is also the V-Strom 650XT with the spoke rims, in case you’d like to throw some dirt riding into the mix. It remains on sale as a new model, with an old-school LCD and analog instrumentation, but that looks likely to change soon, thanks to emissions norms.
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Engine Type |
90° V-twin |
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Displacement |
645 cc |
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Max Power |
70 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
46 LB-FT @ 6,400 RPM |
Honda Africa Twin
Price: $14,799
The Africa Twin has had two distinct generations, with the older one having a slightly smaller displacement engine and no six-axis IMU. The second generation is the current one. In typical Honda fashion, not much goes wrong with it despite tech like a large TFT touchscreen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Both variants are available with a six-speed dual clutch gearbox, but if you’re going for the high miles, it’s probably best to stick to the manual.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
1,084 cc |
|
Max Power |
100.5 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
82.6 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM |
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BMW R 1250 GS
Price: $17,400 (Used)
The R 1300 GS has taken its rightful place at the head of the full-size adventure bike segment, but its predecessor was also a leader. The R 1250 GS had the chops to be a round-the-world bike, and it has proven it multiple times. It doesn’t have fancy visible tech like a TFT display, but it does have tech where it counts. There was electronic suspension, and the boxer engine is dead reliable despite being the first with variable valve timing.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal boxer twin |
|
Displacement |
1,254 cc |
|
Max Power |
136 HP @ 7,750 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
106 LB-FT @ 6,250 RPM |
Yamaha FJR1300ES
Price: $18,299 (New)
The FJR might be from an older generation, but it still manages to stay relevant if you like the whole inline four sport tourer type of motorcycle. It has a diamond frame, electronic suspension in its current form, and an analog/LCD cluster. There is strong performance from it as well, with a top speed of nearly 155 miles per hour. As with most Yamahas, it is simple, reliable, and the shaft drive means very little maintenance between services. If you like your sport tourers of the old school type, the FJR1300ES can still be had as a new model!
|
Engine Type |
I4 |
|
Displacement |
1,298 cc |
|
Max Power |
144 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
102 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
Harley-Davidson Road King Special
Price: $24,999 (New)
The Road King Special got the axe for the 2026 model year, when Harley-Davidson updated its touring range. However, you can still net a new one from your friendly neighborhood dealer as long as stocks last. While any of the Milwaukee Eight-powered Harleys will get to 100,000 miles, the M8 114 that powers the Road King has done duty powering the Trike range. It is one of the simpler versions of the engine, with oil-cooled cylinder heads, which reduces complexity. The fact that you can bargain for one now because it is discontinued is merely a bonus.
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Engine Type |
45° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
1,868 cc |
|
Max Power |
95 HP @ 5,020 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
122 LB-FT @ 2,750 RPM |
10 Affordable Touring Bikes That Refuse To Break Down
One of these affordable touring bikes can be your perfect travel companion
Honda Gold Wing
Price: $25,500 (New)
The Gold Wing was one of the pioneers that married loads of technology and reliability in touring bikes. The 100,000-mile target can be done with pretty much any of the generations, but the second-to-last generation has been proven to do it multiple times, and it has enough tech and comfort to keep today’s premium customer happy. Like with the Africa Twin, we’re going to recommend avoiding the dual-clutch automatic simply because the manual gearbox is a proven component for these distances.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal flat six |
|
Displacement |
1,833 cc |
|
Max Power |
125 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
125.3 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM |
Sources: Honda Powersports, Yamaha Powersports