New or used?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,491
Likes: 4,961
From: North Dakota
I bought a two year old Freewheeler with 1046 miles on it for $8K less than the new '19 sitting on the dealer floor.
The 19s are different, but nothing I would pay that much extra for...
The 19s are different, but nothing I would pay that much extra for...
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 620
From: Pittsburgh suburb
You seem to have 1) a romantic view of older Harley bikes, and 2) a very negative view of newer bikes despite what I presume is a lack of experience owning/riding one?
My '79 Lowrider pisses oil out of every crevice faster than I can fill it up. It shakes so bad it rattles bolts loose on the highway. It can barely maintain current highway speeds despite without gasping for air. I do love it, but I'm under no illusions that it's "better" than any motorcycle built after 1985 in terms of performance or reliability.
Every M8 bike does not sump. Nor does every M8 bike transfer fluids. Mine has been on the receiving end of a lot of my personal abuse without burning an ounce of fluid, and without transferring an ounce of fluid. The reason why issues like sumping/transferring that seem common is because people go on forums with their problems, not to talk about how trouble free their bikes are. Half the posts about sumping and such are people that read other people's issues, then post their worries about the same thing happening.
My point in all of this is: There are obvious benefits to buying new, despite your claims. I live in Wisconsin and realistically ride my bike for 8 months out of the year, aka whenever there isn't salt on the roads. That, to me, is still worth the price of new vs old. I like having Navigation, Bluetooth, a stereo, cruise control, ABS, and a smoother/more powerful engine than any pre-M8 bikes.
So, if you or the OP is Ok with dealing with age and mileage related maintenance/repairs/issues in order to save money, so be it.
My '79 Lowrider pisses oil out of every crevice faster than I can fill it up. It shakes so bad it rattles bolts loose on the highway. It can barely maintain current highway speeds despite without gasping for air. I do love it, but I'm under no illusions that it's "better" than any motorcycle built after 1985 in terms of performance or reliability.
Every M8 bike does not sump. Nor does every M8 bike transfer fluids. Mine has been on the receiving end of a lot of my personal abuse without burning an ounce of fluid, and without transferring an ounce of fluid. The reason why issues like sumping/transferring that seem common is because people go on forums with their problems, not to talk about how trouble free their bikes are. Half the posts about sumping and such are people that read other people's issues, then post their worries about the same thing happening.
My point in all of this is: There are obvious benefits to buying new, despite your claims. I live in Wisconsin and realistically ride my bike for 8 months out of the year, aka whenever there isn't salt on the roads. That, to me, is still worth the price of new vs old. I like having Navigation, Bluetooth, a stereo, cruise control, ABS, and a smoother/more powerful engine than any pre-M8 bikes.
So, if you or the OP is Ok with dealing with age and mileage related maintenance/repairs/issues in order to save money, so be it.
No lack of experience - just the opposite - I have experienced buying New as have many of my friends & riding acquaintances & let me tell ya.....! No good times there buddy, I had a 75 Sporty - tore it down & completely re-did it & never had a problem & that's my point - you buy new & you are still gonna have or can expect to have problems, you fix them & enjoy it. The M8 is no different & its at a time when these problems shouldn't be happening - this is the modern age and HD has a lot of time building - they still cant get one new release under their belt to be problem free.
I live in PA & the roads/climate here are freaky - I have a 2015 heritage & guess what - I have Navigation (no electric problems or update issues either) I have Bluetooth, stereo, cruise control, ABS and an engine powerful enough to have me into triple digits - so guess my romance with older HD`s is justified.
Age & mileage related issues - you need to check the used market cause there are 2012 streetglides for sale with less than 7500 miles on em - touring bike huh? theres a lot of similar years & mileages out there, I bought my 2015 Heritage with 2800 on the clock in Sept 2017 - no maintenance here, just making it mine and when done......ill still have less in it than what it costs brand new.
Look - be patient & youll find GOOD DEALS, if New is your thing - good luck & enjoy it, but guess what? itll have age & mileage issues too along with possible other problems.
I've had good luck with the 20+ used bikes I've purchased over the past 15 years, including my new-to-me '18 Street Glide.
With all of that experience with used bikes, I would still like to someday buy a brand new bike off the showroom floor, just because I want to have a bike that's truly "mine" from day one.
With all of that experience with used bikes, I would still like to someday buy a brand new bike off the showroom floor, just because I want to have a bike that's truly "mine" from day one.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,385
Likes: 1,442
From: Brentwood
Low mile garage queens because I can’t leave a bike stock.
I prefer a bike with less than 20k miles.
Find one with all the stuff you were going to buy anyway. Comfortable bars and seat are a must and you can find used bikes with Great Seats and those perfect 12” bars that make riding a pleasure. Then there’s the performance stuff let someone else pay for Cams, Pipes, A/C’s and Porting. Then you got Shocks, Mirrors, Chrome/Black, and other must have stuff.
New Bike + Upgrades 40k
Used Bike with same stuff and low miles 20k.
Let someone else take the depreciation and buy the upgrades. Jus Say’n
Now if I had cash to burn.... Sure I would buy a new bike.
I prefer a bike with less than 20k miles.
Find one with all the stuff you were going to buy anyway. Comfortable bars and seat are a must and you can find used bikes with Great Seats and those perfect 12” bars that make riding a pleasure. Then there’s the performance stuff let someone else pay for Cams, Pipes, A/C’s and Porting. Then you got Shocks, Mirrors, Chrome/Black, and other must have stuff.
New Bike + Upgrades 40k
Used Bike with same stuff and low miles 20k.
Let someone else take the depreciation and buy the upgrades. Jus Say’n
Now if I had cash to burn.... Sure I would buy a new bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,070
Likes: 5,321
Originally Posted by 23Seven
Low mile garage queens because I can’t leave a bike stock.
I prefer a bike with less than 20k miles.
Find one with all the stuff you were going to buy anyway. Comfortable bars and seat are a must and you can find used bikes with Great Seats and those perfect 12” bars that make riding a pleasure. Then there’s the performance stuff let someone else pay for Cams, Pipes, A/C’s and Porting. Then you got Shocks, Mirrors, Chrome/Black, and other must have stuff.
New Bike + Upgrades 40k
Used Bike with same stuff and low miles 20k.
Let someone else take the depreciation and buy the upgrades. Jus Say’n
Now if I had cash to burn.... Sure I would buy a new bike.
I prefer a bike with less than 20k miles.
Find one with all the stuff you were going to buy anyway. Comfortable bars and seat are a must and you can find used bikes with Great Seats and those perfect 12” bars that make riding a pleasure. Then there’s the performance stuff let someone else pay for Cams, Pipes, A/C’s and Porting. Then you got Shocks, Mirrors, Chrome/Black, and other must have stuff.
New Bike + Upgrades 40k
Used Bike with same stuff and low miles 20k.
Let someone else take the depreciation and buy the upgrades. Jus Say’n
Now if I had cash to burn.... Sure I would buy a new bike.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,385
Likes: 1,442
From: Brentwood
Most of these bikes have the stage kits installed by the dealer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,111
From: Florida
A new vehicle is the absolute worst investment you can make. I always buy garage queens used from private sellers ONLY; never buy used from a dealership.
FWIW; I have had just as many issues with new vehicles as I have with used. Hint: Check the undercarriage. If a vehicle has been abused, you can almost always tell from the condition of the undercarriage.
FWIW; I have had just as many issues with new vehicles as I have with used. Hint: Check the undercarriage. If a vehicle has been abused, you can almost always tell from the condition of the undercarriage.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 628
From: IE, CA
Ive bought alot of new and used bikes..... Ive bought HD new and used.... The new was a 17 Dyna LRS.... A bike I knew I would keep and there wasnt any used..... So i dealt with the HD games with a bunch of dealers..... The best I could find on BS fees tacked on because of HDs premium mindset.....
When it came to get my 16 Streetglide..... F that..... Bought used..... Super low miles, 1 owner, garage queen that wanted out for what owed.... Skipped the games, fees and BS...... Have the 2 HDs I wanted and dont plan on another..... Doubt Id buy one new ever again if I did.... Harley dealers are a weird bunch when it comes to selling MCs.....
Theres alot of great hardly used HDs sitting on cycletrader... That bike is no different.... If you can get a hardly used one with bars, seat, exhaust, tuner, etc for less then new, why buy new? Thats not a bike Id have to buy new. And only private sellers..... Know the history and who has been in the seat.
When it came to get my 16 Streetglide..... F that..... Bought used..... Super low miles, 1 owner, garage queen that wanted out for what owed.... Skipped the games, fees and BS...... Have the 2 HDs I wanted and dont plan on another..... Doubt Id buy one new ever again if I did.... Harley dealers are a weird bunch when it comes to selling MCs.....
Theres alot of great hardly used HDs sitting on cycletrader... That bike is no different.... If you can get a hardly used one with bars, seat, exhaust, tuner, etc for less then new, why buy new? Thats not a bike Id have to buy new. And only private sellers..... Know the history and who has been in the seat.
Last edited by Highwaymans; Jul 27, 2019 at 02:15 PM.
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May 1, 2010 09:57 PM
