I'm researching buying my first Harley (I'd be buying used on Craigslist or a forum and I'm favoring private sellers over dealer pre-owned) and I'm currently located in northern PA. Was wondering if it would be better to buy right before the winter (so basically buy it, just in time to winterize it) in the hopes that I could get a better deal than if I bought it in the spring, or if I should just wait until the spring?
The biggest issue I have is that if I buy it right before winter, I might not know of any potentially major issues for several months until I get it out on the road in the spring.

 

What's more important to you? Cost, riding, knowing the bike?

I don't know how the market is in the North East. But, if you think you might get a desperation sale attached of the season gong into winter, the sellers may think the same and simply not sell then. So, your selection may be limited.

IMHO..if you are not very experienced, don't be too quick to throw out dealers. The few extra 100 mAy be worth not getting a POS.

 

Some say the best time to buy is when the new models come out, since they say the "older" ones are marked down to move. I don't know.

 

If you're buying from a dealer (which you aren't) the two best days are, in order:

1. The last day of the month in the dead of winter.
2. The last day of any month.

If you're buying from a private party, the best time is right at the beginning of the winter, because he knows if he doesn't sell it to whatever interested buyer is there, he might just end up looking at it sitting in his garage until spring.

Good luck!

 

You may be able to get a better price in the fall just before winter but isn't the idea of having a motorcycle being able to ride and enjoy it?

The motorcycle market, especially used ones is "flat" in most regions of the country so you may be surprised at the prices that some bikes.

Buyer beware of buying used bikes, and especially so for craigslist.

Price isn't everything and you may be better off going thru a dealer on a Rider-2-rider program.

If not, use ALL safety measures at your disposal.
Never go alone, and never go to an unfamiliar neighborhood or anywhere that you fell is unsafe.

Good luck on your new purchase.

 

$0 down and 2.99% rates tell me the time is now. Sadly I bought a week too soon and paid a slightly higher rate.

 

I bought my bike on January 27, 2011. My salesman was desperate. Not too many people looking at bikes in January. Spring is absolutely the worst time to buy.
I like buying from a dealer, but would buy private party if a good deal.

 

Lots of good advice here, the best time to buy a bike is right after you find the one you really want. You might save a little $ with purchasing it at a certain time of the year or at the end of the month but in the end your goal is to buy the bike that you want not to steal a bike to have. Good luck with finding your bike

 

Tough call,,
Guy's in southern states don't understand,, but yeah,, buying in the fall is/was better,, But times have changed the market.
There is a glut of used HD in the private sales market now,, Harley corporate handed down a mandate this past winter that dealers should only carry 10% of their "for sale" stock in used bikes,, the push is for new sales.
Problem is many private sellers are trying to get full retail price,,(high book).

First determine what bike you want then search for that model,, find 3-4 and make offers,, then let'm stew for a month or more,,

 

I've bought used from the local HD dealer a few times and was always glad I did. Even when something happened a few months down the road, which was rare, they covered the cost saying "they should have caught it before I bought it." I'm not complaining...