Miles
Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 3
From: Mass.
Well even so, a well maintained bike will mostly require maintenance. There will be repairs but once again, if the sale price reflects the mileage and repairs thus needed you'll be ok. You could buy my Road Glide (not really) at 79K miles for say $5-5500 and be in good shape should there be a mechanical failure. Even a catastrophic engine failure would cost in the vicinity of four grand, a new engine in a bike that you still have under $10,000 in.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 1,846
From: Albuquerque, NM
It also depends on how much of a hurry you're in to buy a bike. When I bought mine, I set a limit of 15,000 miles. I also knew that great deals are to be had occasionally. I watched the papers and craigslist for about 5 months, so when I saw a 2 year old dyna with 1,700 miles and a low price, I jumped on it. If I needed to get a bike right away, I never would have found this bike.
It is easier to wait like that if you're already on a bike, though.
Good Luck.
Crazy
It is easier to wait like that if you're already on a bike, though.
Good Luck.
Crazy
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
My 07 Ultra has just over 65,000 on it since new. I think it is good for another 65,000 at least. I've kept the maintenance according to recommendations, and I've kept the records from day one.
My dealership wouldn't take it on consignment or as a trade in due to the mileage on it. Their thinking is anything ove 40,000 is not saleable in their showroom. I assume they know their business. I thought about quitting riding since turning 70, and my wife wants me to. But, I just can't part with it right now. It is immaculate and I get comments from people all the time about how good it looks. It is worth probably $12,500 at this point.
My dealership wouldn't take it on consignment or as a trade in due to the mileage on it. Their thinking is anything ove 40,000 is not saleable in their showroom. I assume they know their business. I thought about quitting riding since turning 70, and my wife wants me to. But, I just can't part with it right now. It is immaculate and I get comments from people all the time about how good it looks. It is worth probably $12,500 at this point.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From:
An indy wrench once told me...you either pay a monthly payment for new with warrenty, or, buy used and pay for service if not a wrench yourself.
While this is not a hard and fast rule, it does have a large grain of truth in there.
While this is not a hard and fast rule, it does have a large grain of truth in there.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 9
From: Marina del Rey
Use your head. Major service will eventually be required; when, you never know, for sure. If you stick w/ a clean, low mileage (under 10-20k) bike, you'll get to enjoy it during its most trouble-free miles. Avoid higher mileage and modified bikes and those w/ tainted titles. In other words: buy quality; find someone's cream puff.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,239
Likes: 2,290
From: Lake Seminole
Mileage is directly proportional to how much money you want to spend. Lower mileage usually means higher cost. Same with the age of the bike. Set your target mileage and price and be patient, the deals are out there.
Good luck!
Good luck!
I'd say it really depends. I bought a bike that had over 30k on it once but the price was right. That being said I hated that bike.
My first bike had 2k on it and I got it at a good price. It was always good to me and is still in family.
My bike just hit 15k but all maintenance is done by me, and she's perfect. I think personally I'd set a search for less than 10k at first and see what you come up with. But if a bike at 20k pops up and and is in good shape, I'd jump on it.
Btw, not sure if it matters, mine is a 2011 @ 15k. New model, but "high" mileage. I'm planning on 100k and then I'll rebuild, and keep riding.
My first bike had 2k on it and I got it at a good price. It was always good to me and is still in family.
My bike just hit 15k but all maintenance is done by me, and she's perfect. I think personally I'd set a search for less than 10k at first and see what you come up with. But if a bike at 20k pops up and and is in good shape, I'd jump on it.
Btw, not sure if it matters, mine is a 2011 @ 15k. New model, but "high" mileage. I'm planning on 100k and then I'll rebuild, and keep riding.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse
It also depends on how much of a hurry you're in to buy a bike. When I bought mine, I set a limit of 15,000 miles. I also knew that great deals are to be had occasionally. I watched the papers and craigslist for about 5 months, so when I saw a 2 year old dyna with 1,700 miles and a low price, I jumped on it. If I needed to get a bike right away, I never would have found this bike.
It is easier to wait like that if you're already on a bike, though.
Good Luck.
Crazy
It is easier to wait like that if you're already on a bike, though.
Good Luck.
Crazy
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,219
From: Michigan
Much can be determined about a used bike by the way it looks, starts, runs and sounds.
I've looked at bikes before with less than 20,000 miles on them that were junk.
Another factor is what has been replaced or upgraded on the bike and what is likely to be needed in the future.
The main issues are of course, the engine and transmission, and the bigger issue is, how much are you prepared to invest in an older bike?
IF, money isn't an issue...get a CVO bike (wish I could)!
I have two bikes up for sale, one for about half of what a new one would cost and the other about a third of the cost of a new one.
The first is an EVO Heritage with 25,000 miles and the other an Ultra T/C 88 with 78,000 miles but both look very good for their age and both have been very well maintained with a lot of upgades.
I will agree with Dickey about (at least some) the Shovelheads.
I bought a new '75 E/G and the engine was junk from the factory....even the dealer admitted it.
Both jugs, pistons and rings had to be replaced before it had 1,000 miles on it. After that I never had another problem with it.
I've looked at bikes before with less than 20,000 miles on them that were junk.
Another factor is what has been replaced or upgraded on the bike and what is likely to be needed in the future.
The main issues are of course, the engine and transmission, and the bigger issue is, how much are you prepared to invest in an older bike?
IF, money isn't an issue...get a CVO bike (wish I could)!
I have two bikes up for sale, one for about half of what a new one would cost and the other about a third of the cost of a new one.
The first is an EVO Heritage with 25,000 miles and the other an Ultra T/C 88 with 78,000 miles but both look very good for their age and both have been very well maintained with a lot of upgades.
I will agree with Dickey about (at least some) the Shovelheads.
I bought a new '75 E/G and the engine was junk from the factory....even the dealer admitted it.
Both jugs, pistons and rings had to be replaced before it had 1,000 miles on it. After that I never had another problem with it.