How high does the mileage on a bike need to be for it to be considered high-mileage? Is it 20,000 miles, 50,000 miles, or maybe even 100,000 miles? The answer depends on various factors such as the type of bike, how it has been ridden, and its maintenance record. Some people would prefer a 60,000-mile Yamaha Tracer that has been ridden on the street over a 3,000-mile Ducati Panigale that has only been used on the track.

Speaking of track use, what if a 2001 Honda VFR800 with 100,000 miles is given to a professional racer – and not just any professional racer. For those familiar with the notorious Isle of Man TT, the name John McGuinness would ring a bell. McGuinness is an English motorcycle racer who is considered one of the legends of the TT and one of the best on the road racing circuit. With 23 wins at the IOMTT and sitting in 3rd place on the all-time win list, it is clear that McGuinness is an exceptional rider.

2001 Honda VFR 800

This is exactly what UK’s Bennets BikeSocial did to celebrate their 2001 Honda VFR800 reaching 100,000 miles on the odometer. Typically, when a bike reaches this mileage, it would be considered for replacement or at least an engine overhaul. However, in this case, the 2001 VFR800 was bought for just $639 and despite its high mileage, the valve clearances were adjusted before it was handed over to McGuinness.

To bid farewell to the bike, John McGuinness took it to the Snetterton Circuit – a request made by Bennets BikeSocial’s Consumer Editor, John Milbank, to ride it hard and flat out. Onboard footage shows McGuinness riding the VFR800 aggressively, with the sound of the Honda V4 engine revving in the background. The video also captures the bike overtaking a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and a track-prepped BMW S 1000 RR on multiple corners.

During its prime, the VFR800 produced 110 horsepower and 60 pound-feet of torque. However, it is unclear whether the age and reported lack of maintenance have affected its performance. Nevertheless, the 500-pound VFR800 performed flawlessly on the track.

After the ride, McGuinness praised the bike and mentioned that it is capable of long-distance trips in its current condition. What’s more impressive is McGuinness’ mastery over a bike that he rode for the first time. Data from the Sizzap tracker installed on the bike showed the consistency of McGuinness’ top speed and average speed throughout the track. The old VFR800 consistently reached a top speed of 132 miles per hour on multiple laps – a remarkable feat for a bike of its age.