older model vs later model ???
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Joined: Mar 2010
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older model vs later model ???
I am going through a few scenarios with importing or buying local (Melbourne, Australia) on a softail either Fatboy or Heritage...
Here's where I'm at:
Locally:
looks like the best deal I can get for my budget (around $15k AU) is an early to mid 90's model... most are over $16500 AU though, with a min of 50,000kms on the clock.
Importing:
looks like I can pick up a early to mid 2000 model (with around 15,000 miles on the clock) for about $8,000-$10,000 US ... THen I have to import it...and have it complied...whicjh I'm prettysure will ad approx another $5k (so within my budget).
Seems like a no brainer...but I know it will still be a whole lot more complex importing....
So what I want to know really...is Is there a considerable difference in the bikes from the early 90's compared to the softails 10 years later ????
I.E> techically, ride, handling reliability etc.... ??
Here's where I'm at:
Locally:
looks like the best deal I can get for my budget (around $15k AU) is an early to mid 90's model... most are over $16500 AU though, with a min of 50,000kms on the clock.
Importing:
looks like I can pick up a early to mid 2000 model (with around 15,000 miles on the clock) for about $8,000-$10,000 US ... THen I have to import it...and have it complied...whicjh I'm prettysure will ad approx another $5k (so within my budget).
Seems like a no brainer...but I know it will still be a whole lot more complex importing....
So what I want to know really...is Is there a considerable difference in the bikes from the early 90's compared to the softails 10 years later ????
I.E> techically, ride, handling reliability etc.... ??
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 249
Early 90s bikes have got Evo engines, said by many to be bullet proof,I certainly had little trouble with mine in the 13years that I had it. 10 years on the bike will have 88 twin camm engines which do have problems with the camm shoes breaking up, there's plenty of posts on here about that happening, though it seems to be luck of the draw if and when it might happen. You'll find you'll get a lot more vibration when you ride an Evo bike than a Twin Camm as the TC has a balanced motor, having said that I should think both bikes handle pretty much the same, never had an Evo Softail so I couldn't say for sure.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 7
From: Clermont, GA, CSA
I'd get the newer one. Yes it has the cam chain tensioners that have to be replace about every 30,000 miles. But you've go 15,000 miles to go and when you do it can change to the gear driven type and the problem is gone.
.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 288
Likes: 2
From: Sweet Home Alabama!
I am going through a few scenarios with importing or buying local (Melbourne, Australia) on a softail either Fatboy or Heritage...
Here's where I'm at:
Locally:
looks like the best deal I can get for my budget (around $15k AU) is an early to mid 90's model... most are over $16500 AU though, with a min of 50,000kms on the clock.
Importing:
looks like I can pick up a early to mid 2000 model (with around 15,000 miles on the clock) for about $8,000-$10,000 US ... THen I have to import it...and have it complied...whicjh I'm prettysure will ad approx another $5k (so within my budget).
Seems like a no brainer...but I know it will still be a whole lot more complex importing....
So what I want to know really...is Is there a considerable difference in the bikes from the early 90's compared to the softails 10 years later ????
I.E> techically, ride, handling reliability etc.... ??
Here's where I'm at:
Locally:
looks like the best deal I can get for my budget (around $15k AU) is an early to mid 90's model... most are over $16500 AU though, with a min of 50,000kms on the clock.
Importing:
looks like I can pick up a early to mid 2000 model (with around 15,000 miles on the clock) for about $8,000-$10,000 US ... THen I have to import it...and have it complied...whicjh I'm prettysure will ad approx another $5k (so within my budget).
Seems like a no brainer...but I know it will still be a whole lot more complex importing....
So what I want to know really...is Is there a considerable difference in the bikes from the early 90's compared to the softails 10 years later ????
I.E> techically, ride, handling reliability etc.... ??
I don't know how common parts or places to get work done is in your part of the world, but I'd have to think it would be more difficult than things are here. The FI bikes require tuning when you make certain mods like exhaust changes, etc so that should be considered if you are going to be making changes. A carb'd bike would be much simpler to work on yourself (whether it be a carb'd EVO or TC).
Either way you go, good luck, and post pics of whatever you get!
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: USA
I agree on the 00-02 though. They definitely have stronger bottom ends than 03+ motors (forged crankshafts and better bearings).
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hmmm now I'm really confused ! SO what's wrong with softails from '04-'06 ???
The best deals I've seen on ebay are 2006 Heritage softail...so now I'm concerned ;(
I must say..I recently rode an old '96 Roadking with very low mileage...but it felt like an old buss...vibration madly and too tall...heavy etc... so that made me shy away from the older models too...mindyou, it may not have been typical either..
Also, can anyone recommend other trusted online dealers of used Harleys that will be happy to ship to me in Australia ???
The best deals I've seen on ebay are 2006 Heritage softail...so now I'm concerned ;(
I must say..I recently rode an old '96 Roadking with very low mileage...but it felt like an old buss...vibration madly and too tall...heavy etc... so that made me shy away from the older models too...mindyou, it may not have been typical either..
Also, can anyone recommend other trusted online dealers of used Harleys that will be happy to ship to me in Australia ???
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 288
Likes: 2
From: Sweet Home Alabama!
hmmm now I'm really confused ! SO what's wrong with softails from '04-'06 ???
The best deals I've seen on ebay are 2006 Heritage softail...so now I'm concerned ;(
I must say..I recently rode an old '96 Roadking with very low mileage...but it felt like an old buss...vibration madly and too tall...heavy etc... so that made me shy away from the older models too...mindyou, it may not have been typical either..
Also, can anyone recommend other trusted online dealers of used Harleys that will be happy to ship to me in Australia ???
The best deals I've seen on ebay are 2006 Heritage softail...so now I'm concerned ;(
I must say..I recently rode an old '96 Roadking with very low mileage...but it felt like an old buss...vibration madly and too tall...heavy etc... so that made me shy away from the older models too...mindyou, it may not have been typical either..
Also, can anyone recommend other trusted online dealers of used Harleys that will be happy to ship to me in Australia ???