Being totally new to Harley I am up in the air with buying new vs used. On one hand new I get all the new features and warranty and what not, but buying used I can get a bike with some of the accessories I already want anyhow.

When looking at a used Harley how does mileage come into play? For example I am currently looking at a 2013 Road Glide Custom with 10k miles. Too high of mileage for that year?

 

Mileage is low. Don't sweat it.

Every reason to buy used. Let the other guy take the depreciation hit. Things have changed quite a bit from 25 years ago when the dealers all had long waiting lists and that 3yo bike was worth all or most of what it cost new. It's a buyer's market now.

 

To me it's very low. 3k a year is nothing. On my current bike, I've almost have 10k on the first year I've had it and on my first bike, we put 20k the first year. So 3k isn't anything.

 

So what should I be looking at for buying used? I am mainly looking at Street Glides or Road Glides.

I mean 2013/2014 isn't a bad way to go right?

 

The bigger thing you need to look at is mileage compared to cost when looking at new vs used, a lot of people will include the cost of any accessories in to the value of their bike when selling used even if there is no value in some of those changes to you. So a three year old bike with 10k on it could be almost the same price as the same bike brand new. Personally if it's less then $5000 differance between a new bike and a used bike I would take the new

 

I don't get people who spend $25k or more for a Harley, then don't want to ride it because they will have miles on it. Thinking it will hurt the resale. Here's a newsflash, after you buy a new bike , finance it for up to 6 years, you won't get squat for it due to age depreciation. Putting loads of motor work, chrome crap, or a airbrushed picture or your kids or dogs on it, won't make a difference in it's value. You will lose half or more what you paid for it. The only way to get your bought paid for value out of it, is to ride the damn thing.,,

 

I prefer to buy new, but when I was looking to buy my Fat Bob, all the dealers around here really pissed me off (except Cajun HD, who didn't have the bike), so I bought used. Saved several thousand $$.

 

To me there's nothing like owning an older Harley. But then again I'm good at fixing them! I consider that every dollar saved can be used on upgrades and accessories.

 

Buy used, it's a buyers market, even now in the riding season. If you can wait til December OH Boy!

My stock 12' Limited with 750 miles was 18 mos old when I bought it for $19,500, $5k difference buys a lot of warranty and parts.

My 14' SGS was again 18 mos old with 2500 miles, had bells and whistles, invoice new was $26,700 and a year later the owner put on stage 2 Boom, I paid $20,800 for it.

I haven't bought any vehicle new in 20 years, let someone else wear off the new. If you are diligent in your search there are a BUNCH of deals out there!

 

Depending on when the 2013 was originally purchased, it is either low miles or "really" low miles. If having a warranty on your first Harley is that big of a deal then shop around for an extended warranty.


Having ridden for over 40 years I have never purchased a new Harley. I have purchased 3 or 4 new metrics, one of which seized the motor within the first 1,000 miles. Current ride is 2013 used and it has been a great bike!