Used Bike mileage -- what is too high?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,913
Likes: 8
From: Darlington WI.
RE: Used Bike mileage -- what is too high?
I didn't say too high, I just said high. Id be willing to bet that 75% of the bikes out their don't see half that many miles in a year so compared too the rest of the bike riding public 12,000 miles a year is a lot a miles. I don't ride near as much as I used too Ive only been gettingfrom 8,000-10,000 a year on and people around here think I ride a lot. Used to average about 16,000 with a few years well over 20,000.
ORIGINAL: rydermike
12,000 a year too much???? Geez! I just made my 1st payment and have already done 1st service (1000 mile) and have 3800 miles on it!! Is a touring bike for crissakes!!
12,000 a year too much???? Geez! I just made my 1st payment and have already done 1st service (1000 mile) and have 3800 miles on it!! Is a touring bike for crissakes!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 0
From: Hoboken, New Jersey
RE: Used Bike mileage -- what is too high?
The way I look at it is like this.....there are so many bikes out there right now with VERY low milage...I am talking <10K, and in plenty of cases <5K, why would you want to buy one with 20K?
I'm saying...why take a chance?
If I was looking for another bike right now....(In my case it would be a Dyna I got a Softail and a FLHX) and since they are not touring bikes I would not get anything older than a 07, with no more than 4K miles. I know I can find one of those in the late fall/early winter for thousands under what a dealer would want for a 08'.....and I am talking with some modes already done.
I'm saying...why take a chance?
If I was looking for another bike right now....(In my case it would be a Dyna I got a Softail and a FLHX) and since they are not touring bikes I would not get anything older than a 07, with no more than 4K miles. I know I can find one of those in the late fall/early winter for thousands under what a dealer would want for a 08'.....and I am talking with some modes already done.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: West Palm Beach
RE: Used Bike mileage -- what is too high?
Wear is wear.........no matter how you add it up. The way I feel about it is that parts only last so long. Whether youhave babied your machine or not. Yes there is a life time lite bulb, but I have never seen one. If I was considering buying a high mileage vehicle, I would factor in rebuild costs. All manufactures design/engineer parts to last only so long. If they didn't, their wouldn't be any parts sales.Between parts sales and service iswhat the dealers live for. Ihave always been leary of the used market.Problemscovered up only to unload on the next guy. Sure there are plenty of legit hard luck orthe "I want to move" on stories out there. I've seen too many peaches being traded in at dealersfor new only to find some real serious skeletons in the closet. I always recommend if you are buying something used. Have a professional tech do a thorough check of the vehicle before purchasing. If it's out of state, find a local shop and contact them yourself. Plenty of people here can help direct you all over the country. Know what your getting into before you spend your money. It will make you feel a lot better about your decision.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Used Bike mileage -- what is too high?
Now I feel bad. I have too many miles on my `06 to ever sell it used.
bought mid Apr. `06 and I now have 33864 miles. Of course I do change the fluids ever 2500.
Oh Well I guess i have to keep it and ride it like it's no good.
:-)
bought mid Apr. `06 and I now have 33864 miles. Of course I do change the fluids ever 2500.
Oh Well I guess i have to keep it and ride it like it's no good.
:-)
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ
RE: Used Bike mileage -- what is too high?
The market is soft right now. You can find used bikes on the internet (eBay and Craigslist for starters) being sold by guys who bought nice bikes, fixed them up with chrome and Stage 1, and then lost interest. Very often, they were hardly ridden but well cared for. These sellers are usually ready for a different toy. I just bought a used Springer FX that way and I feel like I got a very good deal. Less than 5k miles on an 06. I figure the bike is better than new (TONs of chrome and Stage 1)and I saved at least $10k. Probably more when I factor in no sales tax (no sales tax on used bikes in AZ when purchased from a private party).
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 790
Likes: 6
From: AZ
RE: Used Bike mileage -- what is too high?
I have two bikes I plan to sell. The Nostalgia has 37k miles at $12,500. The ultra has $40k invested, 27k miles selling for $21,500. What do you think about the price and milage. I plan to sell both to purchase another bike. I aslo live in Az.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 7
From: North Georgia
RE: Used Bike mileage -- what is too high?
18k - 20k per year wouldn't scare me a bit. If the bikewas well maintained, looks good up close, garage-kept, etc; I wouldn't think twice about proceeding with a real-close look-see, checked at an indy shop, test driven, then a reasonable offer.
Conversly, looking over a 2004 with only 1600 miles on it would have me scared to death. Nothing worse on any motor; just sitting.
Conversly, looking over a 2004 with only 1600 miles on it would have me scared to death. Nothing worse on any motor; just sitting.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 12
From: Texas
RE: Used Bike mileage -- what is too high?
I bought my 05 Ultra with 19.8K on the clock - looked almost as good as it did the day it was new. While the MOCO can produce some crap (lemons - like any other manufacturer), it is usually the owner's maintenance that determines if the milage is high for a given machine. my .02
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,273
Likes: 7
From:
RE: Used Bike mileage -- what is too high?
look at the condition of the bike. get documented maintenance records. I keep a 3 ring binder with clear document sleeves. I put all receipts with mileage recorded in the book. All of my toys are documented. Helps when assigning a value.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ
RE: Used Bike mileage -- what is too high?
ORIGINAL: PoorBoy
Conversly, looking over a 2004 with only 1600 miles on it would have me scared to death. Nothing worse on any motor; just sitting.
Conversly, looking over a 2004 with only 1600 miles on it would have me scared to death. Nothing worse on any motor; just sitting.