New rider looking for help!
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: woodbury
New rider looking for help!
Hey all, I'm looking to finally buy myself a Harley! It would be my first bike besides from dirt bikes growing up and a few buddies motorcycles. I feel best getting a pre owned from a shop just because of the added security in buying new from a dealer especially in such a large investment. I went down to a dealer and found a few bikes I liked.
2003 Dyna Lowrider (100th anniversary edition) 11,500 miles $10,995
2010 Dyna super glide 4,500 miles $10,495
2011 super glide custom 670 miles $11,995
All the bikes seem to be in decent shape and how relatively low miles but I still have several questions.
1. Is the extended warranty plan a worthwhile investment? Most these bikes are low mile, but is there anything within a break in period I should be worried about?
2. If I change pipes or do brakes by myself will that some how void the extended warranty?
3. I like the custom and the Lowrider but would prefer them to have higher bars and forward controls. About how much would it cost (parts and labor) to Have this work done given that cables and wires would need to be lengthened on the bars. If I did that work myself would that void warranty?
3. The super glide is cheaper but doesn't have the nice chrome engine and parts, are these parts easy to add on over time as I get more money?
I plan on riding solo atleast at first but do not want to rule out riding two up, mostly riding back and forth to work (town and highway) and out the buddies on the weekends. if anybody has any other experience with these bikes or tips they would be appreciated!
2003 Dyna Lowrider (100th anniversary edition) 11,500 miles $10,995
2010 Dyna super glide 4,500 miles $10,495
2011 super glide custom 670 miles $11,995
All the bikes seem to be in decent shape and how relatively low miles but I still have several questions.
1. Is the extended warranty plan a worthwhile investment? Most these bikes are low mile, but is there anything within a break in period I should be worried about?
2. If I change pipes or do brakes by myself will that some how void the extended warranty?
3. I like the custom and the Lowrider but would prefer them to have higher bars and forward controls. About how much would it cost (parts and labor) to Have this work done given that cables and wires would need to be lengthened on the bars. If I did that work myself would that void warranty?
3. The super glide is cheaper but doesn't have the nice chrome engine and parts, are these parts easy to add on over time as I get more money?
I plan on riding solo atleast at first but do not want to rule out riding two up, mostly riding back and forth to work (town and highway) and out the buddies on the weekends. if anybody has any other experience with these bikes or tips they would be appreciated!
Last edited by Will Mosher; Mar 7, 2017 at 04:12 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 233
From:
i am not trying to detur you from buying from a dealer, but at least in my area i have concerns about how well they know the used bikes they are selling more than someone off of craigslist that has owned it for a while. The few times i went in with a buddy to check out the used bikes i noticed how the mechanics dont seem to know much about its history or really how good of condition its in. Thats just the two dealerships here in oregon that im by. I also took mine in to have it "checked" out before buying it and i would be surprised if they did anything more than drive it around the block. They told me it was in great condition, when i asked about the oil they said it was fine. When i looked myself the oil was blacker than night....and a quart low. Its a good thing the bike was in nice condition other than that.
I think you can save yourself thousands of dollars, and get a bike thats in better condition if you just take the time to find a bike with one or two owners, and make sure that hes owned it for at least a few years before selling it. You can run a VIN check through the DMV and you can also run a carfax on bikes...ive done it. It does show you the previous owners, ect. Thats just my opinion.
I think you can save yourself thousands of dollars, and get a bike thats in better condition if you just take the time to find a bike with one or two owners, and make sure that hes owned it for at least a few years before selling it. You can run a VIN check through the DMV and you can also run a carfax on bikes...ive done it. It does show you the previous owners, ect. Thats just my opinion.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,625
From: along the shore of Mishigami
IMO the 2003 is over priced, too many anniversary models produced to make it a collectible priced. I'd go with the 2011 FXDC, 96" engine, bugs worked out of the primary, I believe it would be a six speed, bigger forks. If you are mechanically inclined and have a service manual you can do most jobs your self. I think the extended warranty is a different party than HD, ask that question to the dealer if that's who you are dealing with. Good Luck.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 204
Likes: 27
From: Huntsville, AL
Check out cycletrader.com also. A lot of really good deals there. I picked up my 08 Ultra with 13K miles up for 10K. Extended warranties are really good, if you ever need it. If you are financing you can get better deals going through your local bank. Agree with what the other posts say, too. Good Luck on your choce
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 17,750
Likes: 3,347
From: maine
Welcome from up here in the Great State of Maine. Like others here have said look around, do some research, and ask questions. There are lots of low mileage bikes out there with one owners that have taken good care of their rides. Good luck with your search.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,732
Likes: 9,241
From: Snow Hill, NC
Expand your buying horizons...buy the most bike you can for the money...The Super glide is a hell of a building platform, you can add so many things to it or leave it blank and it's a great bike....
Like above, it's ok to buy from a dealer but look at metric dealers and cycletrader.com as well...as far as warranty goes.... if you are going to put 15000-20000 miles a year in it , it might be a good thing but, if you are handy with tools, buy a manual and a lift instead...
Like above, it's ok to buy from a dealer but look at metric dealers and cycletrader.com as well...as far as warranty goes.... if you are going to put 15000-20000 miles a year in it , it might be a good thing but, if you are handy with tools, buy a manual and a lift instead...
Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 17,008
Likes: 14,675
From: in a cave at the foothills
Keep looking and go with a Road King, the most versatile bike HD has to offer. When I strip mine down it is almost like riding an overweight Sportster. Ya just can't go wrong and since your heart is set on a Harley (God bless) go for the gold and don't rule out CL but be careful.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,013
Likes: 7,139
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
OP~
Are you licensed to operate a motorcycle?
How much will maintenance cost me?
How much will insurance cost me?
How much will professional motorcycle training cost me?
How much do "consumables" cost me?
How long should I wait until I get my "first Harley?"
How long should I ride a smaller/lighter, more forgiving motorcycle?
How much is a quality full face helmet?
How much is a pair of riding pants with kevlar inserts and CE body armor?
How much is a quality riding jacket with the same kevlar/CE body inserts?
How much is quality eye protection?
How much is quality hand protection?
How much are quality boots?
Yes, you got some thinking to do.
Are you licensed to operate a motorcycle?
How much will maintenance cost me?
How much will insurance cost me?
How much will professional motorcycle training cost me?
How much do "consumables" cost me?
How long should I wait until I get my "first Harley?"
How long should I ride a smaller/lighter, more forgiving motorcycle?
How much is a quality full face helmet?
How much is a pair of riding pants with kevlar inserts and CE body armor?
How much is a quality riding jacket with the same kevlar/CE body inserts?
How much is quality eye protection?
How much is quality hand protection?
How much are quality boots?
Yes, you got some thinking to do.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 105
From: Kentucky
Stay away from the Dealer, to many garage Queens for sale by owner. Extended warranty 👎👎. Take the money it would cost and put it in a savings acct if that will give you piece of mind. Good luck
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: woodbury
Thanks for the responses! Believe it or not that dealer was the best prices out of the three around me (western CT). from what you've said and responses I've seen on other forums the extended warranty seems more like a money maker for HD. Besides from offering the extended wars th (for an additional $1500 of course) it seems there aren't so many pros of a dealership, especially when a used bike same condition is 2-3k less private sale! I'd probably be putting down a several thousand dollar deposit and taking out a loan for the remainder from a credit union or my bank (more so to build credit).
Anyways I'll keep searching CL for a deal and I'll check out cycle trader, thanks!
Anyways I'll keep searching CL for a deal and I'll check out cycle trader, thanks!