Over the last months I have been shopping for a nice used harleys to finance...something in the $9,000 price range...I have have been to 4 dealers and they are all hell bent on trying to sell me a new bike and told them I was not interested and still insist on me buying new...is this a trap or a bad idea..I don't want to go in debt for almost twice as much as I I tend to

 

They gotta move paper. Fresh, new, unwrinkled paper, not used. Try trading one in and you'll be even more frustrated.

 

Get financing through your bank or credit union and then go buy from a private party. The only thing the dealer is giving you is a 90 day warranty and an inflated price tag. Not sure if you're just running into crappy dealers or maybe its you but any dealer should be happy to sell any bike. Stick to your budget and don't let anyone push you into something that you don't want...there are some good dealers out there.

 

I bought a new car. They offered me $500 for my '04 Expedition with relatively low miles, excellent condition. That means they didn't want it.

New vehicle Dealers of any sort are focused on selling new vehicles. I bought a two-year-old Harley from a dealership, still had the factory warranty in effect. That's about as far back as they go. If they have any '09's on the floor I'm surprised they don't want to sell them. If they don't have any '09's on the floor I'm not surprised at all.

 

Pretty much my experience recently.

But none really had a used one like I wanted. Seems like the majority of the ones I dealt with all had experience in the car business, which I also have, so I knew the drill. Just do your homework in advance, which means visiting some different dealers, which you’ve done. Stick to what you want, and just roll with it. Be willing to walk out, and eventually you’ll walk out with keys to one.

 

Funny last month i was looking for a second bike, a new one. Thru my dealers suggestion, i bought used. Got a great bike and a great deal..

 

Only buy what you can afford. Hold tight

 

Don't go in debt....stick to your budget.

 

We are going into winter and lot of owners who plan to sell will sit it out till spring thinking they will get more money. Post a wanted add on the forum of what exactly you are looking for.

 

You will get a better value buying from an individual. I was in the market for a used Softail and every dealer had a $795 dealer fee on top of the price. That pissed me off because none would budge and said thier hands were tied. I found a beautiful Heritage with lots of accessories for $3000 less than my budget. Tax, tag and title are a given but the $795 is not.
If you are pre approved it should be as painless as possible.