Having a used bike checked out by a shop
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,311
From: Virginia
If you are not mechanical, a good riding mechanic can listen and ride it and pretty much get an idea of the condition.
One thing about Harleys is they are full of roller bearings. They can sound pretty bad after a lot of miles and be OK. Also can be broken and only going to get worst.
They sure are not going to guarantee it.
My guess is most people are selling a bike for a reason and it is because it has problems.
I personally wouldn't buy a used Harley unless you can work on one.
One thing about Harleys is they are full of roller bearings. They can sound pretty bad after a lot of miles and be OK. Also can be broken and only going to get worst.
They sure are not going to guarantee it.
My guess is most people are selling a bike for a reason and it is because it has problems.
I personally wouldn't buy a used Harley unless you can work on one.
I've had two friends in the last 3 months that have had job losses and/or divorces give them a major hit in the finances. They needed some cash, so they sold their bikes.
I had a Boss buy a Harley because he had always wanted one. Had ridden dirt bikes as a kid. First day out riding he hits some sand in a corner and dropped it. Insurance fixed the bike and he put I up for sale.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 561
Likes: 311
From: Depends on the season
I've bought used trucks, cars, SUVs, RVs, motorcycles, airplanes and boats and never had a problem and, NO I couldn't fix anything significant on any of them.
So I disagree with RIPSAW's is point of view on people's motivations for selling AND his view that you shouldn't buy used unless you are able to fix the bike yourself.
So I disagree with RIPSAW's is point of view on people's motivations for selling AND his view that you shouldn't buy used unless you are able to fix the bike yourself.
I've bought 5 used Harley's. Two 1997's, one 1998, one 2001, and one 2006. None of them were being sold because the bikes had problems. Four of the five were Sportsters and the owners were getting bigger bikes. One is a Dyna, the owner bought it without his wife knowing, when she found out, she had a fit every time he tried to ride it. He decided quiet wife was better than a Harley.
I've had two friends in the last 3 months that have had job losses and/or divorces give them a major hit in the finances. They needed some cash, so they sold their bikes.
I had a Boss buy a Harley because he had always wanted one. Had ridden dirt bikes as a kid. First day out riding he hits some sand in a corner and dropped it. Insurance fixed the bike and he put I up for sale.
I've had two friends in the last 3 months that have had job losses and/or divorces give them a major hit in the finances. They needed some cash, so they sold their bikes.
I had a Boss buy a Harley because he had always wanted one. Had ridden dirt bikes as a kid. First day out riding he hits some sand in a corner and dropped it. Insurance fixed the bike and he put I up for sale.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,218
Likes: 4,930
From: England
The roadside service companies, The AA and RAC, etc offered that service for cars. I don't know if they still do. They would perform something akin to a MOT test and a road test. Of course there were caveats that they can't see inside the engine but as a trained mechanic I'm sure their analysis was pretty good. I know this because I used them once and it got a good used car better as things he pointed out got fixed as part of the sale.
I haven't seen or looked for the same service available when buying a motorcycle.
I haven't seen or looked for the same service available when buying a motorcycle.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,311
From: Virginia
I wouldn't and I would never bring anything back to that shop again.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
Some sell their bikes because they can't commit the time, and it's just taking up space; a buddy of mine bought one of my used bikes 12 years ago, and has put less than 2,000 miles on her since he bought it. He is now selling it again.
Some get spooked, maybe by a close call, maybe by a friend getting in an accident, maybe a news story... and they decide to hang 'em up.
Some get too infirm to ride. Perhaps they've been in an accident in their car, or at work, or even just getting too old to hold the bike up any more.
Many of us have sold off our rides because we have young kids at home, and we spend some time without a bike until they grow older.
There are hosts of reasons why people sell their bikes. Only one of them is because they are having problems.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 94
Likes: 21
From: Phoenix, AZ
As most of you already said, the claim that most are selling used bikes because of problems is simply absurd. If there are known issues that are not disclosed, that's negligence and the seller is a douche bag. If they are disclosed, well it's on you to decide at that point. All of my cars and motorcycles have been purchased used from private party sellers. I'm no mechanic, but I have a decent eye for what to look out for when buying used, such as leaks, sounds, etc. First bike was spotless, and the deal SEEMED too good to be true...2007 XL1200N with 4k miles for $4,700. 8 year old bike with 4k miles, clearly the reason was because they didn't ride it. It was in immaculate condition, got it inspected and all fluids changed by HD dealer before putting any of my own miles on it. Only thing I had to do while owning it was replace the fuel pump, seller could't predict the future for that. Sold it for a profit last May. Second bike again seemed too good to be true...2014 FXDB with 7,500 miles for $8k. I bought it the day it was posted. The guy was in Eloy, AZ (small town far from the city) just had a baby, and wanted to get a UTV instead. Kinda rough house, dirty car parked in the driveway, the bike was in the garage AND under a cover. He clearly put the bike before everything else. Absolutely perfect upon visual inspection. Took it home, got it inspected and fluids changed at an indy...happily ever after unless something happens under MY ownership.
In terms of detail of inspection, I honestly have no idea how far they go. I trust the shops I've been going to are being honest with me. That might bite me in the *** one day, but so far having a good relationship with them has been a benefit.
Just have to be smart, ask a lot of questions, look at fluids, get to know the seller a little bit. If they don't instill confidence, then I would keep looking.
In terms of detail of inspection, I honestly have no idea how far they go. I trust the shops I've been going to are being honest with me. That might bite me in the *** one day, but so far having a good relationship with them has been a benefit.
Just have to be smart, ask a lot of questions, look at fluids, get to know the seller a little bit. If they don't instill confidence, then I would keep looking.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 480
Likes: 349
From: Wilmington, NC
Getting married, having kids and buying rides are all a total crap shoot. Your best odds are with the rides. An indy shop can ride the bike; listen to it; check out electrics and give you a very very good estimation of its condition. Better than nothing and that's all you can expect. No used bike is going to come with a bumper to bumper lifetime guarantee. If you do not have enough money to fix a bike or the knowledge how to, you should not be buying one. They are a toy. If a bike is going to be your only means of transportation there are other things in your life you may want examined. A mechanic will have a better idea of condition than a non-mechanic buyer will.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 561
Likes: 311
From: Depends on the season
If you took a bike to a shop for an inspection and they said "Yeah this bike is in great condition, buy it" and a couple months later it has major problems, would you trust that shop to fix those problems they couldn't detect?
I wouldn't and I would never bring anything back to that shop again.
I wouldn't and I would never bring anything back to that shop again.
That way the dealer is not responsible for determining if it is good to go, but just telling you the results of their tests/procedures.
This is probably the best thing to do all the way around anyway.
Really guys .....just use your heads.