first harley, need advice

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Jul 18, 2012 | 01:55 PM

#11

rancid13

Cruiser

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 222

Likes: 1

From: Jacksonville, Fl

I agree with all of the responses. I bought my first Harley 2 years ago. 2001 fxst with 39k miles for $6300. The guy was asking 7k but cash talks. Also, I found it on craigslist. Be patient and you will find something a little newer that you might not have to worry about. Mine had decent mileage for the year, not low, but I def know it was ridden. It was in wonderful shape though. Now days you can find steals when you look and wait for the right one.

Jul 18, 2012 | 02:31 PM

#12

Harley_Dude

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 5,716

Likes: 103

From:

Quote:

Originally Posted by a99miata

do a pass on the bike unless you like to work on them. Been outside for 5 years?? It is carb'ed. With 66K on the odo means time to look at some things inside the motor. Keep the v star and look in the craigslist, might find a much better deal.

Looks pretty good for being outside. 66k sounds high but thats only 4000 a year. If it ain't leaking oil then chances are good she'll go much farther before and major work needed. You could wake it right up with a cam, change the cam bearing while there. Ask if the rear belt has been replaced (it's due at 60K). I have several evo running in the same mileage, no problems. Make sure the primary is not leaking. The market is very soft, offer $5k and go from there. Trade in is $5300 so bank will have no problem. Retail is $7315, so $5k is a good deal.

Yes there are newer bikes out there, but you won't find one for that money and a Heritage Twin Cam is gonna be $4-5K more, even an early one.

Big differences between the evo and the TC as far as ride. The evo is gonna shake (like it is suppose to) and the TC is balanced and will be similar to your Star. Very smooth ride.

You can damn near part it out for $5K, good deal in my book.

The miles would not scare me at all. Looks like it will go many more miles if taken care of. AND IT'S BLACK, SO IT'S FASTER>>>>>

Last edited by Harley_Dude; Jul 18, 2012 at 02:34 PM.

Jul 18, 2012 | 02:32 PM

#13

jay72

Road Captain

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 647

Likes: 7

From: Corning, Ohio

Pull he VIN and take it to a dealer. If maintenance was pulled at a dealer, there will or should be a record of it in their data base. Looks like it has a lot of extras on it too. Probably a 5 speed with an 88 motor. There are a few internals that might need attention but if you take it to a reputable dealer they should be able to give you an honest opinion and a good estimate of value.

Jul 18, 2012 | 02:54 PM

#14

2006FLST

Road Master

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,232

Likes: 8

From: Powder Springs, GA

That is a good price but it all comes down to risk as others have said. You can also most likely get it cheaper. Once you get her up and running right you will be just fine but that is where the risk comes in. The tranny could be a simple fluid change and clutch adjustment to fix the shifting and finding neutral. But then again it may not.

Also if the miles and concerns bother you there are all kinds of 80inch evo softails out there in the 6000-8000 range you just got to search. There is an example below of a heritage near me. Also I found my evo for 6800 bucks last year. Put about 500 into it to fix the primary problem that I was not aware of (I just put a whole new primary in it). Then another 1000 to do some things to make it mine and now I would not trade it for anything.

EVO's are wonderful bikes and getting rare. You just have to search to find one that was actually taken care of.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/mcy/3073865117.html

Jul 18, 2012 | 04:03 PM

#15

Man In Black

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 354

Likes: 8

From: Pittsburgh , Pa.

Run as fast as your legs will carry you ! It sounds like you will have more money in that bike than you could find an already good bike considering the price for the bike and all of the repairs. Most likely a bike that has been let sitting outside is a bike that has been neglected in many other ways. Look around , the economy is slow and there are good deals out there. Sell your bike outright.

Jul 18, 2012 | 04:07 PM

#16

ghoticov

Elite HDF Member

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 3,747

Likes: 5

From: Central Cali

I think you could find a better deal. I would be afraid with it being outside... but maybe its just me.

Jul 18, 2012 | 04:19 PM

#17

Harley_Dude

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 5,716

Likes: 103

From:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghoticov

I would be afraid with it being outside...

It's ARKANSAS. Maybe it got rained on.

Jul 18, 2012 | 04:34 PM

#18

2006FLST

Road Master

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,232

Likes: 8

From: Powder Springs, GA

Another thing I will mention is if you are looking in the 5-6K range for a heritage or maybe even a fatboy you will be mostly limited to higher mileage EVO's. They are just higher priced bikes. There are softail customs out there from the late 90's that are cheaper but you are still running a risk of what you may have to fix. If you want a turn key Heritage that you feel strongly nothing is wrong with it (well hopefully!!!) then I would be ready to get some more cash.