High or low miles when buying used?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 5
From: SoCal
The majority of Harleys roll on to high mileages without knowing these things can go wrong! It is just that some do and the owners make a lot of fuss here on the internet and the news goes around and around and gets repeated until it becomes a fact they ALL will go! Don't be bothered by it. I never changed the bearing on my 1990 Evo.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 535
Likes: 14
From: Highspire Pa
Some of us are rather fortunate, we could easily tell the right one at first sight. Some have a harder time, some unfortunate individuals never find the right one but they keep buying different ones in hopes it will be the right one. Trust your feelings, if it feels right, price and mileage etc. will become secondary. The next fellow may look at the same bike and ask himself why you spent so much or why you bought that particular one. It doesn't matter what others think, a good deal is only a good deal if you are happy with the purchase.
I know several Harley owners that question why I keep the bike I have, but they don't feel the way I do about it. Many are constantly looking for the next one, heck one coworker has about 4 of them now, still trying to find the one to bond with. It doesn't matter if others have newer, better, bigger, brighter, faster, none of it matters, it doesn't matter to me that I have more money invested in mine than it would cost to buy a new one, it doesn't matter to me that I will never get my money back, all that matters is it is "our" bike, my wife and I have great times riding it. Just last Saturday morning we were on a quiet, tree covered road as the sun was coming up and the light was shining like small stage lights through the gaps in the leaves marking the way, it was beautiful, even the smells were great - we hit that road just at the right time to make a memory that will last forever - it doesn't matter that no one else was there or even cared any more than it matters if they like our bike.
I know several Harley owners that question why I keep the bike I have, but they don't feel the way I do about it. Many are constantly looking for the next one, heck one coworker has about 4 of them now, still trying to find the one to bond with. It doesn't matter if others have newer, better, bigger, brighter, faster, none of it matters, it doesn't matter to me that I have more money invested in mine than it would cost to buy a new one, it doesn't matter to me that I will never get my money back, all that matters is it is "our" bike, my wife and I have great times riding it. Just last Saturday morning we were on a quiet, tree covered road as the sun was coming up and the light was shining like small stage lights through the gaps in the leaves marking the way, it was beautiful, even the smells were great - we hit that road just at the right time to make a memory that will last forever - it doesn't matter that no one else was there or even cared any more than it matters if they like our bike.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 5
From: SoCal
[QUOTE=pajoe;6924449]It doesn't matter what others think, a good deal is only a good deal if you are happy with the purchase.[quote]
absolutely crucial point right there. It's your money you want to spend on what will be your bike.
I just caught myself tonight yet again looking at my scoot and literally feeling the same heart-swell that I'd feel looking at the woman I love. Probably has to do with the fact that the damn thing's been just as much trouble as a woman would, but the connection's there no matter what. I've put more time and effort into this thing than any other mechanical device in my entire life. I've made it mine and did most of it myself.
pretty sure that's a given and a prerequisite!
great post all around, bro
absolutely crucial point right there. It's your money you want to spend on what will be your bike.
I know several Harley owners that question why I keep the bike I have, but they don't feel the way I do about it.
it doesn't matter to me that I have more money invested in mine than it would cost to buy a new one,
great post all around, bro
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I've often wondered how much is fact and how much is sensationalism. At least as far as the evo and later go. It seems that there's a LOT of stories about brand new twinkies having major issues and ya gotta wonder. There's no question that Harley has monopolized the American bike market and continues to sell based on mystique alone. It can't be all drama when you hear about 2 year old bikes blowing primary bearings or failing cam chain tensioners, can it?
The number of Harley owners who use forums like this one is tiny, compared with the total number of Harleys out there. Only a small proportion of that tiny number report problems, which means their number is almost immeasurably small. Most of them here are bothered about what oil or tyre to use next!
So be aware that some Harleys give problems (think of the recent Toyota car trouble, to put things into perspective!), but they will not hit every bike and there are solutions out there if yours suffers, also there is help on HDF. Don't stop buying a bike because someday something rare might happen to it!
Meantime best of luck in your search. We are getting quite excited!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 5
From: SoCal
[QUOTE=grbrown;6924470]Only a small proportion of that tiny number report problems[quote]
"when we do good, no one remembers. when we do bad, no one forgets"
not me doin the search, just another spectator
"when we do good, no one remembers. when we do bad, no one forgets"
Meantime best of luck in your search. We are getting quite excited!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 2
From: Hallsville, Tx.
To the OP; I looked at the pics you have of the first FatBoy and like to throw 2 pennies in the ring. I would ask the owner if he ever rode 2 up with those pipes, The high/lows can be pretty uncomfortable for a passenger and might actually burn the bottom of the right bag. Also, JMO, but that crossover pipe is brutal on the eyes! If it were my bike, I'd either cut it off and patch or buy new pipes! Maybe you like that style and that's fine but if you had to change pipes right after you got it, you're talking more Jing.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 842
Likes: 47
From: New Hartford CT
I was one of those lucky ones. The previous owner kept it covered in his garage. When he pulled back the cover and I saw the bike for the first time, I immediately knew it was 'my bike'.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
