I have been searching for a project bike and have been looking closely at the Springer Softails. The 2004+ seem to be north of $12K. I have always owned a touring so the forward controls is new to me along with the smaller bike. Pluses/minuses of the Springer Softails? I am looking at a 2005 with 2K miles so not ridden much but has been sitting.

 

My 2004 FXSTSI;

 

Nice looking bike. I am looking at a 2005 with 2200 miles. 16 of 200 custom paint set. Pretty good price too.

 

At those prices wouldf it be cheaper to add springer front end? Get it chromed or polished.

 

Springers are going up in value every year.

But… collectors want original versions/parts.

If you plan on changing a lot, you could just get any softail and add a springer front end.

The front end of a springer does require a different type of maintenance - and many dealers/independents are not knowledgeable as to how to do this. You may want to learn how to do this on your own.

 

First let me say good luck with your search. It can be an ordeal, but know what you want, and be patient.... There is a sweet spot on mileage. Some bikes with many years, but very few miles, can be a money pit.... Condition and maintenance is often more important that the model and year.

All Harleys, both new and used, were selling for stupid, silly prices during the pandemic......

That is all coming back to earth. With the rise in interest rates, and other economic factors, it is returning more to a buyers market....

Harley motorcycles attract more emotional buyers than most other brands. As such, there are people willing to overpay for a Harley motorcycle. Everyone selling a bike is looking for "that guy" and starts by asking a high price for their bikes.... Some will find "that guy", but most won't. They'll have to reduce their asking/selling prices if they want to actually sell their bikes.

I still use online pricing guides. I prefer Black Book Powersports, or JD Power. JD Power seems to always be higher than Black Book, but I believe Black Book to be more realistic numbers.

In Jan 2023, I found a 2016 Low Rider, with 11K miles, for $300 below Black Book Powersports Average Retail number. I had been looking for two years and found many at $800 to $2K above Black Book Powersports Average Retaiil number. It also just happened to be in the best condition, by a long shot, of all I had looked at... I scooped it up...

When it comes to Springers, their owners have always asked silly high prices. I looked for 2 years, 2016-2018, for a Springer. It took that long to find one in great OEM condition, and low (9.8K) miles. That one was definitely an above average bike. So I paid $400 above Black Book Powersports Average Retail number for that one.

I love that Springer, but I am not delusional about its value like some. Mine is a joy to ride. But it is an FXSTS, not a touring bike. Different feel, and different comfort level. A great ride just the same...

The Springer front end does need some special attention, as mentioned above, but it's not rocket science. The rest of the bike is just another Harley Softail. Get the year/model Factory Service manual for whatever you buy, and you'll have a leg up on giving it good service and you'll be able to handle almost all the repairs...

There are good used bikes, at realistic prices out there if you are willing to look and be patient.... but be ready to buy when you find it...

I took my time, stuck to my goals/standards, and eventually got each bike I wanted...... without paying silly high prices...

Again, good luck with the search....

 

I guess it depends on your goal. If you want to make money, you will make a lot more in a mutual fund. We tell ourselves guns and bikes are good investements, but they are not.


You want a springer, buy a cheap softail, tons of them, put a better than factory springer front end on. enjoy it.

 

Thanks for the responses. All good feedback and advice. Just looking for a second in the stable and one I can customize to my taste. Still looking at a 2005 Springer but came across a 2009 Crossbones. Need to read up on the Crossbones models.

 

I expect the Springer models to hold their value or appreciate better than other Softail models for the simple reason that Harley-Davidson no longer makes them and never will again. I've been told that the Springer front end doesn't play nice with ABS. It also could be that Harley has decreed that "rettro" is dead.