Need advice and wisdom on which to buy and what to look for.

I’m buying a 2012-2015 Harley Sportster 883.
(I prefer the style over the 1200, and it fits my budget, and I will do the 1250 conversion in the future if I need/want more power).

I have 2 bikes that I’m looking at. One of them is a 2012 with 35,000 miles. Basically stock, supposedly cared for and maintained.
The other is a 2012 with 4,000 miles. Basically stock, supposed cared and maintained as well.

Which is a better buy, and what would you look out for in both?
One of them was ridden most of its life and the other one was more garaged and not used. Could that one have issues running since it was basically a sitting duck? What would need to be examined/replaced on either bikes?

As much info as possible please, really excited for to get into Harleys and motorcycling more. (First bike was a rebel, sold it and time for an upgrade!)

 

Depends on price. I would go for the low mileage one myself if the price was right.

 

Same price for either one.

I'm newer to this, but I thought that motorcycles weren't supposed to sit unused for a while. What about gas eating the tank lining or anything like that?

 

Low mileage.

 

No vehicle is supposed to sit unused for a long period of time. However, if the gas is treated before sitting for awhile, then it will likely be fine.

Those two bikes should not be the same price. Either one is significantly over-priced, or one is significantly under-priced. If the low mileage bike is under-priced, I would buy that, as long as it has been maintained and cared for as you state. There can be issues with bikes that have been sitting awhile, but you haven't told us how long it's been sitting or how it has been maintained. If it has been ridden 50 miles a month for the last 6 years then I would have no problem buying it. If it got 4k put on it year one and has sat since then, well then I would have some issues.

I would not buy the other bike you mentioned unless it was a hell of a deal. Too many miles for my personal preference in a used bike. But then again, that is just my personal preference.

Do you have links or pictures? That would help us better guide you.

 

You haven't told us the prices of these two bikes . If they are similarly priced its a no brainer . Get the one with the lowest mileage . Looking ahead , you will get the most money on the low mileage bike when you come to sell it . Or you could just get a 1200 .

 

Bought a garaged 2008 last year with only 5K miles and it still had the original tires. Replaced them for safety, have had no other problems due to the low mileage.

 

Either. The price on the beat one would need to be at least 600-700 lower than cream puff. To me, and me alone, that would cover new 1200 cylinders and piston. I am not speaking as everyman. I'd still lobby for a great discount. 1000 or so but that's just me making mountains out of mole hills

 

These bikes will easily do over 100k miles, can be reconditioned and do that again, so the 35k one is a youngster, in reality! At seven years old it's done 5k miles a year, which is gentle by any standards. The other bike by contrast has only done around 600 miles per year. I would be suspicious of it's tyres and suggest you budget for replacing them pdq, unless it comes with new ones. The 35k bike has already had replacements, so check the date on them and their condition. If you have yet to see them in the metal, you may find that one of them takes your eye and the matter is solved!

 

Not to mention that over the years, materials have changed for the better. Gaskets, coatings, ect. So its not as bad as it used to be for vehicles to sit some.