New member & new rider outta NJ, Im hunting for a pre-owned HD. I see Bikes for sale being 1 to 3 years old. Most have stage 1 (my interest) most have 300 to 500 miles or less at good values.

Im trying to understand why one would buy a brand new HD, take the bike to stage 1 level and sell it with such low miles. I mean I see 2013's with 300 to 500 miles on them at stage 1 up for sale. One guy I spoke to (85 miles away from me) said he was broke and needs the money, claimed the bike wasnt even insured to test drive it but has the title. Should I be skepticle of this particular seller or others ? I can only think that maybe bike ownership wasnt for them ? Any thoughts on this, Thanks all.

 

I have seen guys buy bikes,because their buddy has one, then they ride a little bit , and find out it isn't for them.
Or they bought it thought it makes them cool to have one in the garage.

 

A lot of people buy a Harley as there first bike because of the image Harley portrays and that usually equates into making an irrational decision which they soon regret.

 

I see your in NJ also, what I can tell is that a lot of people seem to think the 2014's are such an upgrade that they have to have one. Even if it means selling off their low miles 2013's & 2012's.

 

there are a lot of hurricane bikes in our market. Some that have gone through insurance, some that haven't

be careful with a deal that seems too good to be true

 

OP wrote above:
[[ Im trying to understand why one would buy a brand new HD, take the bike to stage 1 level and sell it with such low miles. ]]

What part of Jersey are you in?

There are -some- areas of New Jersey where I wouldn't want to be on a motorcycle, period.

Perhaps some of the owners of those low-mileage bikes discovered this reality after they had bought them!

My opinion only. Others' may be different...

 

I'm in lakehurst & yes there are some places I simply will not go on the bike.

 

A lot of low mile bikes were repo'ed during the housing/financial/recession/unemployment meltdown. If you aren't working the last thing you do is make payments on a bike.

 

My man, if you are a new rider, you shouldn't be looking at a full sized HD. It does not make for a good first bike. An 883 would be much better because it weighs a lot less and handles better. This is a reason that many sell their next-to-unused big boys because they can be a handful to the uninitiated.
Now that's out of the way.
Buy used, Buy Evo (1997-99)! Half the price of newer bikes and you can work on 'em.
What's not to love?
Good luck.

 

Thanks, Not sure what to look for on a bike that had flood damage.. Good point you raised here..