1993 Sportster 2100cc
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 832
Likes: 3
From: Colorado
I made that decision in 08 when I bought my 93 with 8300 miles on it. The guy had taken it in 300 miles prior, had maintenance done, including cleaning the carb, changing hoses that were old/cracking, and having the bike gone through. He put two tires on it too, had the receipt for over $1300 worth of work done to it. It has been a great motorcycle for me, just normal maintenance and wear/tear stuff has needed fixing, and I'm over 22,000 miles now. (he sold it because he had the opportunity to buy a Dyna, but his wife said the sportster had to go before he could)
When you say it was maintained, what does that mean? Last service? Last tire change? Battery change? Look at hoses for cracks. In my opinion, if not already done, you're in for some maintenance/replacement work.
When you say it was maintained, what does that mean? Last service? Last tire change? Battery change? Look at hoses for cracks. In my opinion, if not already done, you're in for some maintenance/replacement work.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 444
Likes: 1
The pro, and there is only one, is a Harley in "perfect condition" for $3000. The bike is a 1200cc (74 C.I.) BTW, not a 2100cc. As long as you don't damage it in some way, it will still be worth $3000 in a couple of years.
The con is that the bike is a '93, which is now a 19 year old model. If your attraction to Harleys is based on any experience with newer models, you are looking at a bike that may disappoint you. First of all, you will have a bike with a carb, and carbs of that age develope leaks and such even if they just sit. The bike only has about 50 miles a year average so it has been doing a lot of sitting. The engine is not rubber mounted. That means that at 70MPH it's going to feel like you're on the space shuttle at launch. Older Sportsters were never intended to tour on, so even though some do, there are better bikes for distance. Also, when you need certain parts, they probably won't be in stock and you will have to wait a week or so or be forced to buy aftermarket because some parts aren't available from HD at all.
The con is that the bike is a '93, which is now a 19 year old model. If your attraction to Harleys is based on any experience with newer models, you are looking at a bike that may disappoint you. First of all, you will have a bike with a carb, and carbs of that age develope leaks and such even if they just sit. The bike only has about 50 miles a year average so it has been doing a lot of sitting. The engine is not rubber mounted. That means that at 70MPH it's going to feel like you're on the space shuttle at launch. Older Sportsters were never intended to tour on, so even though some do, there are better bikes for distance. Also, when you need certain parts, they probably won't be in stock and you will have to wait a week or so or be forced to buy aftermarket because some parts aren't available from HD at all.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: So. Cal.
The pro, and there is only one, is a Harley in "perfect condition" for $3000. The bike is a 1200cc (74 C.I.) BTW, not a 2100cc. As long as you don't damage it in some way, it will still be worth $3000 in a couple of years.
The con is that the bike is a '93, which is now a 19 year old model. If your attraction to Harleys is based on any experience with newer models, you are looking at a bike that may disappoint you. First of all, you will have a bike with a carb, and carbs of that age develope leaks and such even if they just sit. The bike only has about 50 miles a year average so it has been doing a lot of sitting. The engine is not rubber mounted. That means that at 70MPH it's going to feel like you're on the space shuttle at launch. Older Sportsters were never intended to tour on, so even though some do, there are better bikes for distance. Also, when you need certain parts, they probably won't be in stock and you will have to wait a week or so or be forced to buy aftermarket because some parts aren't available from HD at all.
The con is that the bike is a '93, which is now a 19 year old model. If your attraction to Harleys is based on any experience with newer models, you are looking at a bike that may disappoint you. First of all, you will have a bike with a carb, and carbs of that age develope leaks and such even if they just sit. The bike only has about 50 miles a year average so it has been doing a lot of sitting. The engine is not rubber mounted. That means that at 70MPH it's going to feel like you're on the space shuttle at launch. Older Sportsters were never intended to tour on, so even though some do, there are better bikes for distance. Also, when you need certain parts, they probably won't be in stock and you will have to wait a week or so or be forced to buy aftermarket because some parts aren't available from HD at all.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 4
From: Somewhere In NY
The pro, and there is only one, is a Harley in "perfect condition" for $3000. The bike is a 1200cc (74 C.I.) BTW, not a 2100cc. As long as you don't damage it in some way, it will still be worth $3000 in a couple of years.
The con is that the bike is a '93, which is now a 19 year old model. If your attraction to Harleys is based on any experience with newer models, you are looking at a bike that may disappoint you. First of all, you will have a bike with a carb, and carbs of that age develope leaks and such even if they just sit. The bike only has about 50 miles a year average so it has been doing a lot of sitting. The engine is not rubber mounted. That means that at 70MPH it's going to feel like you're on the space shuttle at launch. Older Sportsters were never intended to tour on, so even though some do, there are better bikes for distance. Also, when you need certain parts, they probably won't be in stock and you will have to wait a week or so or be forced to buy aftermarket because some parts aren't available from HD at all.
The con is that the bike is a '93, which is now a 19 year old model. If your attraction to Harleys is based on any experience with newer models, you are looking at a bike that may disappoint you. First of all, you will have a bike with a carb, and carbs of that age develope leaks and such even if they just sit. The bike only has about 50 miles a year average so it has been doing a lot of sitting. The engine is not rubber mounted. That means that at 70MPH it's going to feel like you're on the space shuttle at launch. Older Sportsters were never intended to tour on, so even though some do, there are better bikes for distance. Also, when you need certain parts, they probably won't be in stock and you will have to wait a week or so or be forced to buy aftermarket because some parts aren't available from HD at all.
So we should all sell our bikes and buy new ones I guess
Wake up he didnt say 1943 he said 93
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
Ask if you can have HD Dealer check bike for you. Sounds like a great deal to me. Check when tires are from. If older than 6 years replace.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 444
Likes: 1
When the OP refers to the bike as a 2100, I question his (or her) familiarity with Sportsters. I never said there was anything wrong with older bikes, just that there are trade-offs for the price. Anyone that thinks a '93 is as refined and comfortable to ride as a 2010 is dillusional. For ease of use, I'll take fuel injection over a carb, belt drive over a chain, 5 speed over a 4, and rubber mounts over rigid. At 18 years old, I doubt the bike is perfect and I don't know what "up to date" means either. Bottom line is that a '93 isn't maintanance free.
