Can I get a Sportster for $3500 MAX?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: Wild West
However, if you want more power (and comfort at highway speeds), in a solid yet inexpensive starter bike, I'd suggest that you and your wife each get a Kawasaki Vulcan 500LTD. You will get more hp out of that parallel twin 500 (46hp) than you get out of the 883 Sportster (40hp), and it has a 6 speed tranny.
Also, I'm a big believer in starting out on a lighter less expensive used bike, before getting your "dream bike." If you save up for your dream bike and then drop it while you're still really learning to ride you'll hate yourself. Plus it's easier to develop confidence on 500# bike, than a 800+# Touring bike, and since you will be building your confidence on a light used bike you won't be stressed out about damaging your expensive heavier dream bike.
Last edited by NR4TW; Oct 30, 2010 at 06:45 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: Wild West
Here is a good example of why I think it's a good idea to start on a lighter less expensive used bike:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...-too-well.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...-too-well.html
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 12
If you gotta ride now, and want two bikes. I would search out a couple Yamaha XV1100s. You could get both for under $4000 probably. I love the XV line.
Might have to do some catchup maintenance, but you will be riding 1100s, and still have $3000 in the Harley fund. When you get back to $7000 you will have two XV1100s to sell. When you sell those you should have $11,000, and have been riding the entire time.
I see Sportsters around here (AR) for $3500 all the time. They look to be in good shape. I am thinking of buying my wife one, and making a custom once her silly spell ends from having our second child.
Might have to do some catchup maintenance, but you will be riding 1100s, and still have $3000 in the Harley fund. When you get back to $7000 you will have two XV1100s to sell. When you sell those you should have $11,000, and have been riding the entire time.
I see Sportsters around here (AR) for $3500 all the time. They look to be in good shape. I am thinking of buying my wife one, and making a custom once her silly spell ends from having our second child.
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Here in NC things aren't selling very well. A 2004 1200 Custom with loads of extras and added chrome asking $6000 actually sold for $4500. A 2003 1200c , very nice, 9000 miles asking $4100. It must be the same elsewhere as well.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 15
From: Pratt, KS
Been sitting on my 04 1200c loaded for a while and I priced it to sell. The market sucks around here right now. The good news, I was able to buy my new bike for $2k under book, but I'm probably going to take a beating on my sportster. Thinking about parting out the extra's to get the bike price down.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 432
Likes: 62
mine is an older Sporty but i got mine from a Dealer and it has a ton of extras on it and runs like a champ and didnt even have 6k miles on it and i got it for $2500
its my first HD and so far i love the bike. we have plans in a year or so to buy something bigger like a Softail but so far we havent had any problems with the Sporty. im 5'10 and 180lbs and its a XL883H and it carries me just fine. havent got the wife on it yet cause its to cold for her to be out she hates the cold but we are hopeing to get to do some riding when it warms up again
its my first HD and so far i love the bike. we have plans in a year or so to buy something bigger like a Softail but so far we havent had any problems with the Sporty. im 5'10 and 180lbs and its a XL883H and it carries me just fine. havent got the wife on it yet cause its to cold for her to be out she hates the cold but we are hopeing to get to do some riding when it warms up again
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
A friend of mine just bought an '02 1200 with 11K for $3000 even.
My advice is that you should buy a Sportster if you want a *Sportster*. If you are buying it just because it is the cheapest Harley you can get into, you'll never be happy with it and you'll always look at it as a compromise of your dream.
If you get one, it will handle a guy your size just fine. Don't worry about that. But, if you look at used metrics, you can get a lot of bike for $3500. And they'll be a lot of fun to ride.
With a Harley, you are paying a lot for that brand, new or used.
My advice is that you should buy a Sportster if you want a *Sportster*. If you are buying it just because it is the cheapest Harley you can get into, you'll never be happy with it and you'll always look at it as a compromise of your dream.
If you get one, it will handle a guy your size just fine. Don't worry about that. But, if you look at used metrics, you can get a lot of bike for $3500. And they'll be a lot of fun to ride.
With a Harley, you are paying a lot for that brand, new or used.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
Keep looking, you'll find one. I did. Found a 93 90th anniversary Sportster for under $2K... Granted mine needed a little care.. small dent in the front fender
and some general cleanup you know, spit & polish... Otherwise in good mechanical shape. Keep checking with the dealers in your area. Tell them what you want so they can keep an eye out for it.
and some general cleanup you know, spit & polish... Otherwise in good mechanical shape. Keep checking with the dealers in your area. Tell them what you want so they can keep an eye out for it.