Bought this 07 with 5200 miles on it and 3yrs left on warrenty for $11,700...I added the 103, wheel and some chrome but there are some GREAT deals out there now...I was just looking on e-bay the other week an saw an 07 for under 12k...look around and buy used. In this market, if you buy new, you'll take a HUGE hit on re-sale.

 

Six of one, half dozen of the other. It depends on how realistic the sellers of used bikes are in your area. Most if not all of the HDs for sale around me are either priced above new bikes, because of all the useless crap they added on, or are marked around $1000 less than new. I'm sure you can find a great deal on a used one if you look long and hard enough. Keep in mind though that some dealers, especially over the winter, will mark bikes down $2000-$2500. Good luck.

 

if only $2000 less for used i would go new and get lower interest, 2 year warranty and most places give you 1500 discount and accesories.

 

I bought my first new Harley in 2006 because it was going to be 'the last bike that I buy'. I spent a lot of time looking and wanted to make sure that I used a local dealer because I believe that, except in extreme instances, doing business locally is a good idea.

I had gotten tired of waiting on Harley to come out with a 6 speed and figured I would just put in a Baker conversion.

I have since moved, so using the local dealer didn't do that much good for me. I have also decided that no combination of seat technology is going to make me want to ride my softail on long touring trips. So... I will be buying a touring bike when I retire, if I can afford it. So... there's no need to buy a Baker conversion, either... (you see where I'm going with this?)

You need to figure out what you want the bike for and what you want it to have and find a way to buy it or pay for customizing it until it's close except for maybe cosmetics. That dollar figure, plus your own wrenching ability, will be what determines the best path for you.

I rode an '09 touring bike at Biketoberfest. The new frame makes the bike so much more nimble, it can't be described. The six speed tranny is what it should be. The vibration at low speeds is stupid (which is why I bought a softail in the first place). What's my answer? Two bikes. I can afford two used bikes, if I wait for an '09 touring bike to hit the used sales market, much easier than buying the latest and greatest.

I think it boils down to knowledge. If you really, really know exactly what you want because you have a lot of Harley experience, then a new one might do it for you. Customization is expensive... and you get to throw away all of those new parts with no hope of selling them. Someone in this thread said take your time, and that's the best advice you can get.

C#

 

i have seen bikes 3 or 4 years old go for a little as $11000.00. thats worth it.

 

I like to buy used.
I do this becuase I prefer that someone else take the hit on the depreciation and pay for the performance mods and accessories. I also like to be able to switch bikes when I find something that interests me and would not be able to do that if I was outlaying the cash or taking on financing to buy new. Knock on wood, I have been lucky as the need for a warranty has never come into play. I am sure it would be a great feeling to buy a new bike. I guess I am just a creature of habit. It is kind of along the lines of one mans junk is another mans treasure, and man some people sell their bikes with alot of expensive "junk" on them ;^)

 

i bought used only cause im not rich and i just bought a brand new car and payments on it were alittle more then i was really wanting to pay. plus the bike i got i paid used for a softail what a sportster cost new and its a factory custom color so the chances of me running into another one is slim, at least in my area

 

i guess its all to each his own......i bought new because buying a used bike is like buying a used pair of shoes...you dont know were its been and plus the used bike is made up to someone else's certain style. its just like buying a used pair of nikes and really wanting some adidas. also if you look on e-bay or cycle trader or just about anywere else you will find that used bikes are goen for just as much as new, if not more in some cases. ie..look on ebay all those bikes are going for the same as new and the bikes that you see with low bids arent selling do to the sellers reserve pricing. plus new you get 2 yrs warrenty + extras, the dealers specials. i bought my 09deluxe for 17,xxx.xx out the door + they gave me a HD $250 gift card +1yrs HOG=free towing,$50 gift cert. i was happy with that. IMHO. my bike had 6 miles on it NEW

 

I have had one new Harley and two used Harleys. Can’t say any were better than the other, I was happy both ways. I guess it really depends on the deal offered and if you have your heart set on a particular model that was only available for certain years etc.

I enjoy doing my own maintenance, so I am happy with my current 10-year old bike because I don’t have to worry about warrantee issues.

Cheers

KC