Never buy a first year anything. I had an 09 Rubicon and now drive a 14 Rubicon. Not a single issue.

There are smoking deals on used Harleys. I'd look to buy a used one before a new one, unless I just couldn't find exactly what I wanted.

 

Its ones choice I guess, after you buy new & realize there are problems & you just ate a bunch of depreciation, you learn real quick that its not really worth it.

 

It was convenient for me to trade my '48 in for my Street Glide last year. I only took a small hit on the Sportster and I wanted the M8. I also don't have the patience to deal with all the BS that comes with craigslist as both a buyer and seller.

 

Because 90% of the late model low mileage Harleys have been screwed with so-called upgrades, cats hosed and what not. They run like crap and if there is a problem, who really know what is causing it.
Good deal on one someone has not messed with it, go for it.

 

Without sounding like an ***. Some people have been where you are and have bought used. Auctions are crap shoots. Never been to an auction where you can ride or check a bike out before bidding other than look at it. Never buy a used police bike unless you plan on a rebuild. Trust me. Some people have a lot of problems but money ain't one of em. I don't buy used bikes anymore unless I know the bike and previous owner. I've had good ones and I've had bad ones. If you get a bad one and have to sink cash into it you seldom recoup the loss reselling. If I am gonna pour money into a bike and take a loss it's gonna a new one.

 

One word...almost. Used bikes could have been misused by the last owner and/or have mods that aren't my choice.

 

I buy used because I can't afford new. Its as simple as that.

 

I've bought both new and used and tend to prefer new. Its fresh, clean and ready for the mods that you want to throw on it. There's peace of mind knowing that you installed what you wanted, properly and a host of other non worrisome considerations (like has it been dropped, abused, or in a crack up). You can't guarantee any of those things when you buy used.


I get a chuckle when I read that some ppl will NOT buy something in the first year of retail availability. Do they actually believe that companies are willing to sacrifice their reps on putting out a crap product for profit. New release models are engineered and field tested up the wazoo and the rest is usually caught within the first year or so (that's why you have a 2 yr warranty with every new bike). Each to their own. Good luck to the OP on landing a good deal on his Sporty - hope you don't end up blowing that $2500 you saved on some unforeseen repair!

 

I tried to buy used from a few people but a lot of them overprice thier bikes because of the mods and work they put into them. My credit union would not let me finance a used bike for more than the blue book value was.

 

A lot of people trying to sell a late-model bike don't want to eat the depreciation and overprice their stuff. If you're that close to MSRP, might as well go new. A lot of time you can get a better deal from a dealer buying a trade-in, maybe with a little warranty thrown in, than buying a crap shot off of Craigslist. Just my $0.02.