Torn between New and Used
Torn between New and Used
As of late, I have been looking religously at used Harley's. Found some very nice ones. Some expensive and some not. One thing the used Harley's have in common, at least from what I have come across, they have accessories installed. Whether it's aftermarket pipes, grips, footpegs, shift pegs, floorboards, etc., it's there. Downside is mileage. This is where it gets frustrating. I find a nice bike, with accessories that I would put on it if I bought a new one, pretty decent in price, but HIGH miles. Now, if I get a new one, it will be the color of my choosing and the miles will come from me. Again, there is a downside. Spending more money for accessories.
So, what's a poor guy to do? Get a new Harley or a used Harley? Decisions, decisions...
So, what's a poor guy to do? Get a new Harley or a used Harley? Decisions, decisions...
Novice
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23
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RE: Torn between New and Used
I looked at new and used and the price difference/value was to great to ignore. I ultimately found my '04 Fatboy, in blue/black, not my 1st choice of color, 540 miles, stock + quick release luggage rack + extended warranty for $14.5K. I put V&H stagggered bigshots & CV carb YOST kit for $1000 and it runs/sounds perfect. New I was looking at $17-18K.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
RE: Torn between New and Used
A couple of years ago I found my Heritage, which already had several accessories and it only had 7800 miles on it at the time. It was a 2000 model. The bikes are out there if you just keep looking. Down side though, my 2000 had one of the bad cam bearing problems and I ended up forking out some $$$$$$ to fix it.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
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RE: Torn between New and Used
I just went through this myself looking for a glide to replace my Sportster. I went with a n 04 standard with 2,800 miles and very few add ons. I'm adding the things I need but would have added to a new bike anyway. My savings over the new should be about $3,000 give or take a little. This savings combines a lower price for the glide and selling the Sportster versus trading it in.I haven't taken the time to update my avatar since I just brought the glide home today. The new/used decision is a tough one. Good used and you save some money. New and you pick the color and you get a warranty. Have fun deciding!
RE: Torn between New and Used
06dynablack: Think a 2003 with 14,000 miles is high? I kinda do. Looked at it the other day and noticed a little rust on the back side of the windshield frame, around the edge of a bolt that is on top of the engine head (guess that's what it's called) and where the detachable saddlebag frame connects to the bike (right behind passenger footpeg) and around the spokes on the front rim.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: Torn between New and Used
Look for a poser bike........lots of mods & chrome......low mileage. There are a lot of them out there. I know a guy who has a 95 (I think)softail with 6200 miles on it. I will wait until he's tired of moving it around in his garage and get it. Look in the wealthy neighborhoods, talk to dealers, talk to service managers, watch the papers. There are thousands of them out there just waiting to be had. My $.02.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 902
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RE: Torn between New and Used
I'm all for used. Bought my 2004 Heritage Classic about 2 mos. ago, only had 1360 miles on it. Quite a few add ons and about 4-5K cheaper than it would have cost me new. Keep looking, low mileage bikes (<5000) are pretty easy to find in my experience. Pay to have it checked out by a local dealer or mechanic you trust, cost $75 at my local dealer and the seller actually paid for it for me because he still had a store credit there from when he bought the bike!
If the seller's not willing to let you have it checked out or something just doesn't seem right about the seller or the bike, walk away, another one will come up soon.
Dave from Georgia
If the seller's not willing to let you have it checked out or something just doesn't seem right about the seller or the bike, walk away, another one will come up soon.
Dave from Georgia
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 1
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RE: Torn between New and Used
BRrian 14k miles it is just getting good and broken in.as far as some rust little elbow grease will cure that.Now that is considering you can buy the bike right also.As far as a 03 that is low milage in my book.my 06 has 9500 on it now.