Scared to buy used!
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 2
From: Oregon
I bought my bone stock Softail in Sep of '08 from the original owner. Only had 1100 miles on it. Paid $14,200. Just 18 months before he paid $21K for it.
I've talked with this dealer. Honest and has nice bikes at fair prices.
http://www.allensalley.net/pre_owned_list.asp?page=2
I've talked with this dealer. Honest and has nice bikes at fair prices.
http://www.allensalley.net/pre_owned_list.asp?page=2
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
It's a buyer's market. I would not buy used from a dealer but no problem from private. This may sound odd but when I was out looking I looked at the guys house, his yard when I pulled up. When I walked into his garage you could eat off of the floor and every single thing in there had it's place. His cars and lawn mowers were spotless. It's always a gamble but I look at more than just the bike. There are some really nice bikes out there, patience is the key and you'll find what you want or pretty darn close.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,006
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
I bought this bike used with about 19k on the clock, sight unseen (in person) and had it shipped out West. At almost 10 years old when I bought it (it's an 03), I figure it had about 2k miles a year, give or take.
I've enjoyed saving the money of used vs. new, and have still gone ahead and made the bike mine, as I would have anyway.
Don't be intimidated by what you don't know. Use your gut, and follow your instincts. It's usually pretty easy to read people and spot dishonest sellers.
Oh, and pay thru your bank, if the seller is selling a financed bike. Let the two banks work together to sort out the legal documents (title). If you can pay cash, great, but the banks help to keep everyone honest. Only way I'd pay cash to a private seller is if I left with the bike and the title signed over to my name.
Also, don't forget a bill of sale, signed by you and the seller, if you go private.
I've enjoyed saving the money of used vs. new, and have still gone ahead and made the bike mine, as I would have anyway.
Don't be intimidated by what you don't know. Use your gut, and follow your instincts. It's usually pretty easy to read people and spot dishonest sellers.
Oh, and pay thru your bank, if the seller is selling a financed bike. Let the two banks work together to sort out the legal documents (title). If you can pay cash, great, but the banks help to keep everyone honest. Only way I'd pay cash to a private seller is if I left with the bike and the title signed over to my name.
Also, don't forget a bill of sale, signed by you and the seller, if you go private.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 149
From: High in the Colorado Rockies
All the bikes that I have purchased were used (garage queens). Let someone else take the depreciation hit. All the bikes run great and no real issues. Don't be afraid. SJ Ron
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 11
From: Southern Nevada (Pahrump)
I bought my 08 Roadking used with about 3k miles on it. Within 3k miles the engine had to be rebuilt due to a scissored crank. Is my situation rare? Probably! Was I damn glad I bought the HD ESP? Hell yes!! If I were you & was going to buy used all I can suggest is buy the ESP if not for anything else for piece of mind! My ESP paid for itself then & there! Best of luck!
Clay
Clay
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 861
Likes: 3
From: trivoli illinois
it's a buyer's market. I would not buy used from a dealer but no problem from private. This may sound odd but when i was out looking i looked at the guys house, his yard when i pulled up. When i walked into his garage you could eat off of the floor and every single thing in there had it's place. His cars and lawn mowers were spotless. It's always a gamble but i look at more than just the bike. There are some really nice bikes out there, patience is the key and you'll find what you want or pretty darn close.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
If you get it from a reputable dealer I don't think you'll have anything to worry about but if buy from a private owner than you may have problems.
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I bought private from a gentleman and his mechanic was involved in the sale also and I picked up the bike from the motorcycle shop where it had been worked on only to find out when I got it back to Austin that the private owner had lied to me and the bike was a deathtrap now I'm fixing it and it's costing me an arm and a leg, But at the end of the day I'm making the bike my own and once the bike is redone at Southern metal choppers it'll it will definitely Be worth it. I didn't like stepping into a pile of crap with my first Harley purchase but now that the damage is done flipping it isn't an option so I just accepted it and moving on. I will definitely enjoy my deuce once I get back from the shop that's for sure.
If in the event I purchase another bike I won't be making the same mistake you can count on that.
If in the event I purchase another bike I won't be making the same mistake you can count on that.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 789
Likes: 3
From: Kansas
I was skeptical also when I bought mine used it had right at 15k and was a repo even! Oh man I was worried even though it looked like it just came off the showroom floor the looks is what sold me and haven't regretted 1 mile of it. hth (I bought it from a Harley dealer which I think helped me feel ok fwtw)
I was told how well people take care of their Harley's by my banker his comment was "they would let their kids do w/o before mistreating the bike" so take that with salt but it made sense to me.
I was told how well people take care of their Harley's by my banker his comment was "they would let their kids do w/o before mistreating the bike" so take that with salt but it made sense to me.
Last edited by Car Doc; Jan 29, 2013 at 09:21 AM.