Figured I'd come to the experts in here for honest opinions.

This bike has been for sale for a few months. Hasn't really moved on the price but wanted to know what you all thought about it? Anything in particular I should be looking for when I take a look at it?

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/mcy/4799428790.html

Thanks,
Dave

 

Look for maintenance records.
Listen for abnormal engine noise.
Check for leaks around the cylinder bases.
Look in the tight spaces for cleanliness.

Low miles is good.
The owner put money into it. That means he probably cared about it.

Don't let the paint and mods weigh on your decision too much. These things can be changed. For example, the flames aren't my thing, and I don't care for Thunderheader, but these things don't change the value of the bike IMHO. You're going to end up making your own style.

 

Yea, I'm not big on the flames myself.

Think the price point is good?

 

Current NADA and Kelley Blue Book prices are right in the $6,800-$7,000 range, so the price is fine.

I think that the main reasons it hasn't sold are:

1. Not everybody would like the same mods the owner has done.
2. When I look at it the mods that were done, I assume it's been ridden hard.

That doesn't mean it hasn't been well taken care of...no way to know that...and just because it's been ridden hard isn't automatically a bad thing at all, but it would be a concern, and I'd want to be careful.

 

Thanks Idaho,

Why are you assuming because of the mods it's been ridden hard? Not a lot of miles on it.

 

"Hard" and "long" aren't necessarily the same. There are easy miles and there are hard miles.

That Thunderheader exhaust is a performance mod, as is the air cleaner. Many, many HD riders want to bump up the performance, and have the bike run much stronger than the the "EPA stock" tune. No problem at all. You can either go with HD Screamin' Eagle stuff, or you can go aftermarket, and get, generally, a lot more bang for your buck. I'm doing it, and it's not an issue at all.

The mods that were done, including the tape wrapped header, just gives me a "feeling" that the bike spent some significant time above 4,000 rpm.

Again, really, not a problem, and not a deal-breaker at all, but looking over a bike like that you simply have to pay a little more attention to details than if you were buying the traditional "Only ridden by a little old lady on Sundays" bike.

 

If you really love the look than that is fine. If you decide to resell. You maybe in for a rude surprise. I would not buy it for 1/2 the asking price. What I see is a poorly coordinated collection of mods that just dont work. I think you could do a lot better for $6500.

2011 sportster $6k FROM A DEALER, no less.

http://nh.craigslist.org/mcd/4814247154.html

 

Here is another 2011 for $6k. And another DEALER too.

http://nh.craigslist.org/mcd/4778948066.html

 

I would have to pass on this one. NADA and Kelley Blue book are like MSRP sticker on a vehicle. Who the hell pays MSRP on anything these days?
Plus the mods look terrible.

 

This^^

The bike is hideous to me. You have to figure in the cost to repair and/or replace items. My neighbor is a dealer. Took a nightster in on trade recently for $5500. He ended up selling it for $5000 just to get rid of it because it wouldn't move. Price is too high. I'd personally peg that bike at $5500 minus the cost to repaint and repair, or about $4500...on a good day.