Newbie needing help on first bike purchase
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Gulfport, MS
Newbie needing help on first bike purchase
I'm brand new to the Harley scene, and admittedly don't know much at all about the important factors involved in buying my first bike. I know that I want a used, older model, 03-06. I also know that I'd like either a Softail or a Dyna. Aside from that... I'm not sure how to go about pricing bikes from dealerships. Several have given me price quotes on bikes, but does anyone have advice on how I should go about getting the best price on a bike? I've tried comparing online, but with so many mods and customizations, prices are all over the map. I'm looking at a 2003 Night Train with 31,000 miles right now for $8,000. Seems about right to me... any advice? Thanks, I really appreciate it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 3
From: Central Jersey
That's about right for the mileage, depending on mods made.
Hopefully it's never been dropped or anything that they're not telling you about.. just go over it with a fine tooth comb.. check for leaks around the gaskets on the motor, and grease leaking from the neck (where the frame meets the forks).. ask to take it for a test ride and such.. when(if) you get it, you're going to want to do a complete fluid change anyways (motor oil, tranny fluid, primary fluid, grease the neck, etc) .. it's not hard at all to do even if you're not familiar with bikes, as long as you know clockwise from counter-clockwise you can do it. and if anything else comes up, just post about it and there's plenty of people who can probably help out.
Hopefully it's never been dropped or anything that they're not telling you about.. just go over it with a fine tooth comb.. check for leaks around the gaskets on the motor, and grease leaking from the neck (where the frame meets the forks).. ask to take it for a test ride and such.. when(if) you get it, you're going to want to do a complete fluid change anyways (motor oil, tranny fluid, primary fluid, grease the neck, etc) .. it's not hard at all to do even if you're not familiar with bikes, as long as you know clockwise from counter-clockwise you can do it. and if anything else comes up, just post about it and there's plenty of people who can probably help out.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
I went through the same thing a few years back, I would personally sugest you buy "by owner", seems like the dealerships always add on a few grand atleast for the same bike you can buy from owner. remember 03-06 you can still find the option of carbuerated,or fuel injection. Carbuerated can save you money when puttin on pipes and aftermarket air cleaner. Just have to get it tuned as opposed to getting a dyno test/new control module
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
I found mine on Chopper Exchange. 100's of bikes to look at, both dealer and private, stock or mild to wild to give you ideas. You'll be happiest on a Softail!!
The price you got on that Night Train is in the ballpark for year, model, and mileage. Check it or have it checked thoroughly, though.
The price you got on that Night Train is in the ballpark for year, model, and mileage. Check it or have it checked thoroughly, though.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
My advice is to take your time and do a lot of looking first. There are a whole lot of bikes on the market. Online you can go to Craigslist and narrow your search by amount you want to spend and look to see what's available. It'll give you a good idea of values and the differences between dealer and private owner. You can also use ebay. Even if you don't buy online, these are great research tools to find out what's available and how the market is running. You might find that you're able to afford a newer bike or one with less miles on it for the same money - or not. Good luck in the hunt!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,294
Likes: 149
From: FL
Better prices by owner but you have to be careful. Lots of crooks out there. At least with a dealer you have some fallback.
My advice is to really take your time. I bought my 2008 Night Train in January of 2010 from an auto dealer on ebay. It had less than 800 miles on it with stage 1, big air air cleaner, V&H pipes, tri-bar tail light and a few other small upgrades for $12,000.
Deals can be had if you take your time. I wasn't even looking, I just ran across it one day.
My advice is to really take your time. I bought my 2008 Night Train in January of 2010 from an auto dealer on ebay. It had less than 800 miles on it with stage 1, big air air cleaner, V&H pipes, tri-bar tail light and a few other small upgrades for $12,000.
Deals can be had if you take your time. I wasn't even looking, I just ran across it one day.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Again, buy from an owner, not the dealer (but only if you are interested in keeping an extra $1k or so).
Oh, and the mods done... Those were done for previous owner(s), NOT you. So they (with a few exceptions) do not add value to the bike by their sheer presence, but only if you would have done the same thing anyway.
Take your time. Don't let your urge to ride override your desire to spend wisely.
Oh, and the mods done... Those were done for previous owner(s), NOT you. So they (with a few exceptions) do not add value to the bike by their sheer presence, but only if you would have done the same thing anyway.
Take your time. Don't let your urge to ride override your desire to spend wisely.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I haven't bought anything that has a motor used in the last 30yrs.
Even back when I did, I wanted a complete history of it and I usually only bought off owners I knew.
Just to many people like to wrench on their own who really shouldn't be, I don't mean the minor stuff, I mean the major items and do it either the cheap way or the incorrect way.
I've read in here a bunch of times where someone buys a Used bike and end up pouring money in it to get them to run right or fixing things.
I'll say that not all are like that, but U have to be able to at least inspect the bike Ur self or if not, Then take it to someone who can go over it to make sure Ur getting a solid bike and not just someone else's problem.
Price varies depending on the time of Yr, where U at, and how bad someone wants to sell.
Best is not to get in a hurry, takes some time to first know what U want,, Dont let just the looks and money be Ur only reason buy a bike.
Figure out if U'll be going on long trips, or just bar hopping kind of rides (2-3)hrs.
So many different kinds of bikes and each one made for different kind of riding comfort.
Go sit on them. Feel the ERGO of the (bars, seat and height) . Forward controls or Floorboards make a BIG diff in comfort on longer rides too..
After U buy one if U need to change the above it can cost easy $1500 to $3k easy depending of what U buy and who does the work..
Good luck finding a bike for Urself..
.
Even back when I did, I wanted a complete history of it and I usually only bought off owners I knew.
Just to many people like to wrench on their own who really shouldn't be, I don't mean the minor stuff, I mean the major items and do it either the cheap way or the incorrect way.
I've read in here a bunch of times where someone buys a Used bike and end up pouring money in it to get them to run right or fixing things.
I'll say that not all are like that, but U have to be able to at least inspect the bike Ur self or if not, Then take it to someone who can go over it to make sure Ur getting a solid bike and not just someone else's problem.
Price varies depending on the time of Yr, where U at, and how bad someone wants to sell.
Best is not to get in a hurry, takes some time to first know what U want,, Dont let just the looks and money be Ur only reason buy a bike.
Figure out if U'll be going on long trips, or just bar hopping kind of rides (2-3)hrs.
So many different kinds of bikes and each one made for different kind of riding comfort.
Go sit on them. Feel the ERGO of the (bars, seat and height) . Forward controls or Floorboards make a BIG diff in comfort on longer rides too..
After U buy one if U need to change the above it can cost easy $1500 to $3k easy depending of what U buy and who does the work..
Good luck finding a bike for Urself..
.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 647
Likes: 7
From: Corning, Ohio
We bought one new from the dealer and two used from one owners. If you buy from an owner, when you go to look at the bike, look around at the owners residence/property. If it seems really clean that would indicate to me that the bike is more likely to be kept well. The same is true if the place is AFU'd. Most bike owners have a sense of pride about themselves and will maintain their bike before their home. We have had no issues buying from owners. Just saying.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Gulfport, MS
Thanks guys. I'm realizing that I definitely need to slow down with this process. I've got 3 different Harley dealerships calling me nonstop like vultures right now. The 03 Night Train I was interested has been talked down to $7K... But I'm a little uncomfortable with the whole "I'll do whatever it takes to get you on this bike by Saturday" routine from the dealer. I still haven't been told jack about the mods or condition of the bike. Guess I should wait and look to buy a better deal from an owner without the crazy sales tactics and pressure. Not sure why I thought these guys would be better than car salesman, but so far they've been worse...