Hello,

I'm a new rider with a HD Street 750 and I found the bike to be small but it gave me the confidence of riding on a motorcycle. I went to my HD dealer that I truly like very much and they had this one owner, dealership maintained 1200C Sportster with nice bags and windshield and super clean with 46K miles with two month warranty for $3200. Is it ok to buy a HD with that many miles?

Peace, Love, and Jimi Hendrix

 

You might want to ask that question in the sportster section as to get more responces. However, around my area you can get sportsters around that same price with less milage. But, welcome and good luck.

 

You can do better. There are thousands of Sportys out there with way less miles. BTW what year is the Sporty?

 

Depending on how well the bike was maintained and ridden, 46K may/may not be a factor, but I do agree on the recommendation to keep searching...there's a ton of low mile garage queens out there. If you're not too mechanically savvy, diving into a well used Sporty may not be recommended. I say, keep searching and the right bike will soon follow...IMO.

 

It is a 2004 maintained by a HD dealership employee. The owner was a nice lady and the bike was never dropped -- super clean. One thing I like about this particular deal is that I was able to get HD Financing with a low rate, no money down, and a two month warranty. Yes, I went on Craigslist and saw tons of 2004 Sportsters with 4K miles going for a few bucks more but I don't know the history of those bikes and plus I need cash for those craiglists deals. Any advice?

 

They will definitely run many more miles than that ... But with so many out there with very low miles, I wouldn't be inclined to lock on a high-mileage one just because of financing and a short warranty. No matter which Sporty you end up with, I can predict you'll love it. I'm on my seventh H-D, and my '93 Hugger from back in the day will always be one of my favorites.

 

If the bike is in great shape as you say and you know the history of it (one owner well maintained) that is worth something in my opinion. Buying one off Craigs list is caveat emptor all the way.

The prices on the ones you saw on Craig's list were asking prices - you show up with cash and make a reasonable offer you could likely get a better price. If financing is your only option then I'd say go for the deal your dealer offered. The warranty they offered is nice to have on a used bike and they are willing to back it up.

 

check with your local credit union. They will often do a loan right after joining at a better rate than Harley Financing. Then you can search the craigslist ads for a better deal.

 

Even w/HD financing & bike history...I'd still walk. Don't let that be your deciding factor. You can find a better deal/bike...JMO.

 

Couple of ideas:

1. Don't limit your options to the Sportster. This idea that the Sportster is the easiest progression in size for a new rider to manage is seriously flawed.

2. Though a higher mileage bike may have decades of functional life left, don't forget you may wish to sell it. At that point high mileage becomes a problem for you, functional or not.