2002 Harley Davidson XL 883 Sportster value.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
2002 is a nice year. Not much goes wrong with 'em. Very simple and reliable.
I bought one a couple years ago that had 1500 miles on it. A guy bought it for his wife, and she was afraid of it. I paid $4k. Put a set of tires on it, changed the fluids, and put several thousand miles on it. I sold it for more than I paid, but with the tires and such, about broke even, and now wish that I hadn't sold it.
Honestly, I'd rather pay a bit more for a real nice bike, than to try to cheap out and buy one for less that needs work or has a lot of miles on it.
Best thing you could do is to go look at it with someone who is knowledgable. Have that person ride it to check for issues.
There's a lot of good reasons for older bikes with low mileage. Could be as simple as buying with good intentions and just "not getting into it," or the person situation simply changed and didn't have time for it.
I bought one a couple years ago that had 1500 miles on it. A guy bought it for his wife, and she was afraid of it. I paid $4k. Put a set of tires on it, changed the fluids, and put several thousand miles on it. I sold it for more than I paid, but with the tires and such, about broke even, and now wish that I hadn't sold it.
Honestly, I'd rather pay a bit more for a real nice bike, than to try to cheap out and buy one for less that needs work or has a lot of miles on it.
Best thing you could do is to go look at it with someone who is knowledgable. Have that person ride it to check for issues.
There's a lot of good reasons for older bikes with low mileage. Could be as simple as buying with good intentions and just "not getting into it," or the person situation simply changed and didn't have time for it.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: California
2002 is a nice year. Not much goes wrong with 'em. Very simple and reliable.
I bought one a couple years ago that had 1500 miles on it. A guy bought it for his wife, and she was afraid of it. I paid $4k. Put a set of tires on it, changed the fluids, and put several thousand miles on it. I sold it for more than I paid, but with the tires and such, about broke even, and now wish that I hadn't sold it.
Honestly, I'd rather pay a bit more for a real nice bike, than to try to cheap out and buy one for less that needs work or has a lot of miles on it.
Best thing you could do is to go look at it with someone who is knowledgable. Have that person ride it to check for issues.
There's a lot of good reasons for older bikes with low mileage. Could be as simple as buying with good intentions and just "not getting into it," or the person situation simply changed and didn't have time for it.
I bought one a couple years ago that had 1500 miles on it. A guy bought it for his wife, and she was afraid of it. I paid $4k. Put a set of tires on it, changed the fluids, and put several thousand miles on it. I sold it for more than I paid, but with the tires and such, about broke even, and now wish that I hadn't sold it.
Honestly, I'd rather pay a bit more for a real nice bike, than to try to cheap out and buy one for less that needs work or has a lot of miles on it.
Best thing you could do is to go look at it with someone who is knowledgable. Have that person ride it to check for issues.
There's a lot of good reasons for older bikes with low mileage. Could be as simple as buying with good intentions and just "not getting into it," or the person situation simply changed and didn't have time for it.
Was it a 2002 Sportster that you bought couple of years back?
thanks
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: California
Looks awesome, I really like the chrome finish that older HDs use to come with, really not a big fan of dull black finish that sportsters are coming with now a days.
Thanks for the pictures, are you in LosAngeles area by any chance?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
Thanks! The fit and finish on the bike was excellent. Much better than other bikes in that price range. And I like chrome too. Not a fan of the blacked out look. A good contrast is what can make it pop!
250 miles north in Clovis, next door to Fresno
250 miles north in Clovis, next door to Fresno
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: California
Don't know much about HDs, how come yours came with spokes and the one I was looking to buy doesn't? is this a different model?
thanks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
Some came with mags, some came with spokes. I think this was a pretty basic model. It had no indentifying markings indicating what it was other than the 883 on the tank.
Some prefer one type of wheel over the other. Some worry about blowouts with tube type wheels (spokes). I like spokes, so every bike I own has had spokes.
Some prefer one type of wheel over the other. Some worry about blowouts with tube type wheels (spokes). I like spokes, so every bike I own has had spokes.
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: California
Some came with mags, some came with spokes. I think this was a pretty basic model. It had no indentifying markings indicating what it was other than the 883 on the tank.
Some prefer one type of wheel over the other. Some worry about blowouts with tube type wheels (spokes). I like spokes, so every bike I own has had spokes.
Some prefer one type of wheel over the other. Some worry about blowouts with tube type wheels (spokes). I like spokes, so every bike I own has had spokes.
So do you think, its a good deal to buy the one I was looking at for $3750? planning to take it to HD dealer to get everything checked to make sure everything is good before buying.
thanks
