So purchased my 06 softail used from the local HD dealership on March 5th. In the last month I have had it in three times for drive ability issues. Today I confirmed my appointment to replace the fuel injectors scheduled for tomorrow. All ok so far but I wanted to know when I should do my next oil change.

I have put 300 miles since purchase and today I inquired about the used bike safety inspection and if they do a fluid change prior to putting the ride on the sales floor. The wonderful dealership indicated they only do an inspection and change zero fluids!!!!' Am I wrong to assume they should at least do an engine oil change prior to sale or is it standard practice to not do that

 

I just bought a 2002 Heritage a little over a month ago and the dealer did a full service on my bike. Also in the process of looking and talking to dealers about trade in value of my previous bike, 2 different dealerships told me that when they take in a trade they have to service them, even if the previous owner (me in this case) just had it done. Now maybe that's just the policy of the 3 dealerships I dealt with but I would assume that they do a service on every used bike they get in.

 

You assumed. Not a bad idea to inquire about that stuff as part of the purchase process. How much inspection did you perform? A quick pull of the dipstick would tell you if the oil was just changed. When buying used, it is buyer beware. You could negotiate for fluid changes and the like when you make an offer to buy the bike, if they don't do that maintenance for their used bikes, which it appears your dealer doesn't. But you gotta do your homework, assume nothing, ask and inspect.

 

I've read somewhere that the reason KBB and others list the bikes they have for sale at a higher price then a private seller was, they do a complete service on those vehicles before putting them on the sales floor. Now if that was the case, that would justify the added cost. But I was looking to buy a bike from a dealer a few years back. It had 10,190 miles on it. I asked if they did the 10k service on it ,and they said no. So that being the case, I said why should I pay you a higher price for it?. They said I could buy it and bring it in and they would do the 10k service, for a price. Needles to say.I walked away. It seems lately I'm hearing about people buying used bikes from dealers and having issues that should have been sorted out before, they sold it. I guess they just make more $$$ on it if they just have the low man wash it,and roll in on the sales floor.,,

 

My local dealership adds a $900 service charge on every used bike , but won't change any fluids.
They will replace very worn tyres, but that's about it.

 

I would think each dealer can do what they want. If you have no records I'd change them.

 

It sucks that it comes to this with the dealer. i trades a 05 ow rider years ago with 7k miles. when they said what they would give me on trade they said they had to put tires on it,(they were still) in my eyes but because they are a dealer they want to change them. long story short, i went to the dealer 3 days later my low rider was on the floor with a sold sticker on it. you guessed it the tires were NOT changed and they sold it that why.

I would only buy a new bike from a dealer.

 

You don't build these huge shiney dealerships, stocked with bikes, parts, clothes, accessories, personnel etc by giving stuff away or throwing in things. The customer pays for everything you get at a dealership make no mistake about it.

 

And it amazes me first that people are surprised by this, and second that they expect any dealer to be their friend.

 

they are there to squeeze every penny out of you ! they will lie to you, try to screw you anyway they can. the dealer has never given ANYTHING away. that free t-shirt, you paid for it. what a joke they are.