Buying a used Road King

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Mar 22, 2015 | 05:15 PM

#11

heavymetalthunder

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 5,202

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From: Kansas City, Missouri

Have him take you for a test drive. That way he's the pilot and you get to see and feel the bike at working speed. If you like what you see. Make a deal contingent that you ride it before you buy it with him holding the funds pending final approval. Also check the title and verify its clear and not salvage ect. I bought 1 once had a lien on it that he didn't tell me about. It worked out ok. I got lucky.

Mar 23, 2015 | 11:10 AM

#12

Joe12RK

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 6,158

Likes: 2,565

From: CT/FL

nobody but my friends ride my bikes w.o. giving me cash first - no matter how serious they 'say' they are and how many 'promises' they give to fix it if they broke it. warrantee good to the end of the driveway, period. But I did give a guy a ride once to hear it go thru the gears...

to the OP - it's a new bike with good records - what would you discover on a test ride? not like a car where the brakes pull or the steering wheel is crooked...

Mar 23, 2015 | 11:42 AM

#13

keithl3030

Cruiser

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 240

Likes: 53

From: pontiac

If he's holding your cash you should be able to ride it,you brake it and don't buy it, he has money to fix it.

Mar 23, 2015 | 10:10 PM

#14

AmmoHouse

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 101

Likes: 0

From: South Dakota

It all worked out good.
My buddy working at the local HD said he did know the bike and its a good buy.
All the records are at the shop.....so I just went and bought it....its only money right.

Mar 23, 2015 | 10:49 PM

#15

ieatchickens

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 1,486

Likes: 619

From: North Dakota & Minnesota

Congrats Ammo. I'm sure everything will be just fine on your bike. Enjoy and ride safe.

Mar 25, 2015 | 06:55 AM

#16

Steelernation

Cruiser

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 180

Likes: 72

From: Texas

Let me come at this from another angle. I've sold many Harleys, 10 to be exact and have never allowed a test ride without cash in my hand. Not one would do that. So each one sold without a test ride. Some bought without seeing it in person.

Mar 25, 2015 | 08:58 AM

#17

Whiskers

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Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 7,611

Likes: 104

From: Southern Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eunoterpsia

I would rather meet someone at a dealer or independant, pay them an hour of shop time and have them look the bike over and have them test ride it. Their insurance not some he said he said dude, I never said I would pay for it if an accident happened. Sorry.

Good advice here.

Mar 25, 2015 | 11:50 AM

#18

brutalbrad

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 1,405

Likes: 6

From: Portland, Oregon

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmmoHouse

Owner bought it brand new from local shop and they did all the work to it so I feel pretty confident.
My buddy works at the local shop and he says he thinks he knows the bike and it runs fine.
Owner started it and ran around the parking lot a little, seemed fine.
Just wondering if others have bought used without test ride...guess I wanted a little reassurance.

I bought my bike without test riding it. It was a 2007 Road King Custom with 7000 miles bone stock. rolled the dice i guess. The bike is perfect, I have taken it on a several long rides. Only issue was a temp heat sensor simple $34 part and swap. Tracks great, rides great, super comfortable.

You can ask if you can get with dealer and verify the bikes health. The should be able to disclose with it has had mechanically or accident issues.