Unfortunately this weekend we waived goodbye to the 99 400ex. Ported and polished head, DMC Alien exhaust with dual header, an absolute unit that would run 70 on the top end. Fortunately though the 400ex left in exchange for a fairly cherry 98 Honda 300..the holy grail of reliability in a mud and water toy. Previous owner added the snorkels and it was a decent job. Put some 25" swamp witches on it, now it just needs 1" spacers, 2" bracket lift, couple of pinion seals and a pound or two of dielectric grease. Hate to let the 400ex go as it was a gem, but it's hard to pass on a cherry 300. These things are just so dang reliable and easy to work on.

There seems to be an inverse relationship between year of manufacture and lifespan. I had an 85 Honda 185s a few months ago that was raggedy but still purred like a kitten and would rip your wrists off. I have a friend with a late model 420 that has had electrical gremlins and odd other issues. Even the new XMR1000R's at $15k have a few issues right off the bat with poor wire routing by the frame rail and clutch hiccups. Much like a new car....they are way more efficient and powerful but woe be it to the one that has issues. Older machines are less complicated and less powerful but seem to have a longer lifespan....due to their simplicity.

My 86 kx80 was bought new. I still have all the papers. Last count was 25 rebuilds on oem everything. Runs like a dream when I put the new piston and rings in. That’s a spring project. But yeah. Maitenence. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk My 86 kx80 was bought new. I still have all the papers. Last count was 25 rebuilds on oem everything. Runs like a dream when I put the new piston and rings in. That’s a spring project. But yeah. Maitenence. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As a lot of people have said the key is good maintenance I’ve had bikes with over 1000 hours that ran like new

I know of some from the days of the early 1980's 3 wheel ATVs still going strong . As Freedomflyer says , maintenance is the key.

Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance! When you buy used, change or have the fluids changed before anything else. Research what your machine uses and how often fluids should be changed, then make sure to use specified fluids for your particular machine. Keep a detailed record of your service, if there are grease zerks make a habit of greasing them. I try to do that after every 3 rides or so, change all fluids at the end of the riding season so they are ready to go before I take them out in the spring. Take care of them and they will take care of you.