Thought/Suggestions??
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 2
From: Eton, GA
Thought/Suggestions??
Posted in another forum. Pretty sure it was wrong place, and cannot figure out how to delete original post, so I'll try here. Hope this is a better place to post. If not I'm sorry.
Hey ya'll. I do not know if I posted this in the correct section, but here it goes. I'm still saving money up to make my first HD purchase, but as I do this, I am wanting to learn as much as I can, as the HD motorcycle seems to be a little different than the metrics I'm used to playing with. I got burned on my first purchase. The bike lasted me 6 months before I sold it, but it had its issues that showed their teeth early on once I made the purchase and drove the bike a little more. With that being said, when I go to look at my first motorcycle, it will most likely be a used bike and I don't want to get taken by someone tryin to sell me their problem.
This brings me to my question. What all should I be looking for when I go to looking at a HD bike? My last bike was a 08 VTX1800 which was FI so i'm a little spoiled by that and that I cannot afford to buy a FI HD motorcycle just yet with cash. So, what do i need to be particularly mindful of when I'm test a carb'd HD? And in general, is there anything special I should be looking for when I'm looking at HD bikes?
With all of this being said, I'm not very familiar with motorcycles in general, so this is why I'm asking. When I bought my 08 VTX, it was new with 0 miles so I had nothing to worry about other than the fact that it didn't' ride as soft as I wanted. Obviously, if the bike is smoking when I start it up, that's not a good sign or if there is a puddle of under it I know to be suspicious, but I'm looking for other "little" things to watch out for if that makes any sense.
Hey ya'll. I do not know if I posted this in the correct section, but here it goes. I'm still saving money up to make my first HD purchase, but as I do this, I am wanting to learn as much as I can, as the HD motorcycle seems to be a little different than the metrics I'm used to playing with. I got burned on my first purchase. The bike lasted me 6 months before I sold it, but it had its issues that showed their teeth early on once I made the purchase and drove the bike a little more. With that being said, when I go to look at my first motorcycle, it will most likely be a used bike and I don't want to get taken by someone tryin to sell me their problem.
This brings me to my question. What all should I be looking for when I go to looking at a HD bike? My last bike was a 08 VTX1800 which was FI so i'm a little spoiled by that and that I cannot afford to buy a FI HD motorcycle just yet with cash. So, what do i need to be particularly mindful of when I'm test a carb'd HD? And in general, is there anything special I should be looking for when I'm looking at HD bikes?
With all of this being said, I'm not very familiar with motorcycles in general, so this is why I'm asking. When I bought my 08 VTX, it was new with 0 miles so I had nothing to worry about other than the fact that it didn't' ride as soft as I wanted. Obviously, if the bike is smoking when I start it up, that's not a good sign or if there is a puddle of under it I know to be suspicious, but I'm looking for other "little" things to watch out for if that makes any sense.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,282
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
There are certain issues that may be more common on various years and models, but I would say that there's no single thing you need to look for. Besides the obvious signs of abuse and neglect.
If you are not that familiar with bikes you should have the one you're interested in checked out by a competent mechanic with a good reputation. Well worth the $100 investment.
If you are not that familiar with bikes you should have the one you're interested in checked out by a competent mechanic with a good reputation. Well worth the $100 investment.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 36
From: Houston, TX
Just look for the obvious really.
If you can get the bike off the ground rotate the wheels, check to see if anything is warped or damage, try to wiggle the wheels at 3 and 9, and 10 and 6 o clock, and side to side play. Look for oil leaks, or small patches of dust which is where an oil leak has collected dust, dirt rings around the fork seals, make sure it starts fairly quickly even on a cold start, and it has no problems firing back up after it's hot. Listen for odd sounds once the engine is hot, make sure the starter clutch doesn't drag or hang up, same with the clutch for the engine. If you can get the bike up off the ground check the fall away, which means get the bars straight, and then tap them to the left and right, and make sure they fall away freely.
If you can get the bike off the ground rotate the wheels, check to see if anything is warped or damage, try to wiggle the wheels at 3 and 9, and 10 and 6 o clock, and side to side play. Look for oil leaks, or small patches of dust which is where an oil leak has collected dust, dirt rings around the fork seals, make sure it starts fairly quickly even on a cold start, and it has no problems firing back up after it's hot. Listen for odd sounds once the engine is hot, make sure the starter clutch doesn't drag or hang up, same with the clutch for the engine. If you can get the bike up off the ground check the fall away, which means get the bars straight, and then tap them to the left and right, and make sure they fall away freely.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 2
From: Eton, GA
Kinda what I was thinking. I'm eyeballing a few bikes a a dealer. So maybe when the time comes i can use them to buy or at least check the bike out for me. Last thing I want to do is take over someone's problem that they either created or bought. LOL
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,730
Likes: 9,163
From: Georgia
Figure out which Harley you're interested in. Go to a dealership, look around and get a catalog. Go home and study it. Test ride a few at a demo day, or used bikes at the dealers around you. Then come back and ask the same question about a specific bike in a particular year range that you're looking to purchase, or ask for a recommendation based on your price point.
Right now you're saying, "what do I need to know about a Harley Davidson". Even if it were possible to answer such a broad question, I wouldn't, just out of the sheer laziness of it.
Right now you're saying, "what do I need to know about a Harley Davidson". Even if it were possible to answer such a broad question, I wouldn't, just out of the sheer laziness of it.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 2
From: Eton, GA
Thank you for that info.
Maybe a noob question, but what does the fall away mean? I know you explained it, but what does it mean if it doesn't fall away freely? I would assume an issue with the triple tree?
Maybe a noob question, but what does the fall away mean? I know you explained it, but what does it mean if it doesn't fall away freely? I would assume an issue with the triple tree?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 36
From: Houston, TX
If it doesn't fall away freely it means your adjustment could be too tight, but it usually means the neck bearings are shot.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
What you're asking is a life long experience, how not to get burned.
My suggestion is figure out your bank roll, now the model, and take your time looking for the right one. Most folks get burned simple because they're in a rush. Remember you can pay an a dealer or indy to check the bike out.
My suggestion is figure out your bank roll, now the model, and take your time looking for the right one. Most folks get burned simple because they're in a rush. Remember you can pay an a dealer or indy to check the bike out.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 36
From: Houston, TX
Also, make sure it shifts well too. HD's have straight cut clunky gears, but you shouldn't have to put any excessive effort into grabbing each gear, upshifting or downshifting.