Newbie needing help on first bike purchase
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 784
Likes: 12
From: Texas
Best advice i can give you is ride a lot of bikes and make sure what you want.
If you don't already know......
I saved 3k~ buying from an individual compared to what dealers were asking for the same bike with double or more miles.
ETA if your going to use HD financing vs cash with a private party sell ....... check around the dealership sets the price for what they want for a paperwork fee this ranged from 300 to 1k between 4 dealers i talked to.
If you don't already know......
I saved 3k~ buying from an individual compared to what dealers were asking for the same bike with double or more miles.
ETA if your going to use HD financing vs cash with a private party sell ....... check around the dealership sets the price for what they want for a paperwork fee this ranged from 300 to 1k between 4 dealers i talked to.
Last edited by acman308; Nov 28, 2012 at 09:57 PM.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Gulfport, MS
Here's the 03 Night Train...
http://iphone.neworleansh-d.com/index.htm#used_p_2FHarley-Davidson_p_2F2003-Harley-Davidson-Night_p_2BTrain_p_2BFXSTB-25cf2f9d0a0a00e001f6d156f4962393_p_2Ehtm
http://iphone.neworleansh-d.com/index.htm#used_p_2FHarley-Davidson_p_2F2003-Harley-Davidson-Night_p_2BTrain_p_2BFXSTB-25cf2f9d0a0a00e001f6d156f4962393_p_2Ehtm
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Gulfport, MS
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 151
Likes: 3
From: The Rotten Apple
Buy from owner
The dealer is always looking for too much money. If you go with a dealer, there may be room for negotiation.
If you're trying to figure out price range, look online at sites like ChopperExchange.com, Craigslist.org, and EbayMotors.com. These can let you know what you should expect.
When you buy from an owner, ask about service records (especially with 30K on the motor). Fluid changes, oil, primary, etc. When the brake pads were last changed? If it's a carb. model, has it been rebuilt? Check all the seals, the heads, primary, trans etc. Check the front forks make sure the seals aren't leaking. Have the person do a cold start, see how it sounds when he starts it up, if there's any difficulty.
If you're trying to figure out price range, look online at sites like ChopperExchange.com, Craigslist.org, and EbayMotors.com. These can let you know what you should expect.
When you buy from an owner, ask about service records (especially with 30K on the motor). Fluid changes, oil, primary, etc. When the brake pads were last changed? If it's a carb. model, has it been rebuilt? Check all the seals, the heads, primary, trans etc. Check the front forks make sure the seals aren't leaking. Have the person do a cold start, see how it sounds when he starts it up, if there's any difficulty.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 8
From: Pittsburgh , Pa.
Keep in mind that low post numbers don't mean that they are not well informed. It just means that they just found this site. They could have years of Harley experience. I have been at this for over forty years and I had a low post count when I first joined this site. Probably you did too.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Ocean Springs MS
I bought mine from a 65 year old guy i found on Craigslist. Its a 04 Heritage with 12,000 miles and i paid $7000 for it. There are good deals out there and this is a great time of year to buy one, good luck and take your time and find one that you like!
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 521
Likes: 3
From: Colorado Springs, Co.
Yea...if you're going used, stay the hell away from the dealer, and pay cash for it.
If you look around long enough, you'll find a good deal. The economy sucks, and the first thing people sell is their toys.
I recently got a 2000 Heritage for $4500!
If you look around long enough, you'll find a good deal. The economy sucks, and the first thing people sell is their toys.
I recently got a 2000 Heritage for $4500!
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Gulfport, MS
I appreciate the advice. Had a dealer today offer to drop the price on an 06 Night Train with 19,000 miles from $10K to $7K. That sounds too good to be true to me... And makes me question why they're willing to go so low on the bike. I understand they don't make much profit at times on these used bikes, but I've checked chopper exchange, Craigslist and eBay... And can't find a single 06 Night Train listed for anywhere near $7K...