Hello,

I am looking for links or information on purchasing a used Electra Glide....I really would like to know if there are some lessons learned. I don't have the $$ for a new one and am looking to spend $10k - $15k....

Would like to know if there are some years (or models) to not consider or some major service items that I need to watch for....

Any help or guidance would be appreciated...

Thanks,

John

 

Personally, I would look for a 2009 model or newer (new frame, bigger wheels/tires). I had a 2011 Electraglide Classic (not the Ultra Classic). You get a lot of bang for the buck with the plain Jane Classic. Now if you need CB radio, rear speakers, lower fairings, then the Ultra Classic is what you need. Anyway, the Classic provides good 2-up riding for a reasonable price. If your honey needs to hear the tunes in that queen seat, then by all means buy the Ultra Classic. I don't think there are any issues with drive train on '09 and newer. Just my opinion. Good luck with the hunt. Oh, when you find one that you want to buy, ask about the title - is it clean? In other words don't buy one with a ''rebuilt'' or ''salvage'' title.

 

Like...compensators?

In all, pick a year, it'll have quirks, problems, etc.
You can buy a very nice bike in the range you're looking to spend.
Early 2000's had possible issues with the cam tensioners. Some had bad valve seals.
As said...alot of bikes had this or that wrong with it.
I'd look at chrome, miles, tires and a color you won't get sick of looking at anytime soon.

I drove newer bikes, plain jane Electras. I liked the way my 05 rode out of all the bikes I test rode before mine.
Test ride a bunch, sleep on it...the right one will find you.

 

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Truth is most HD's in your price range will have mecahnical issues (some maybe serious & expensive) of some kind along the way,its just a matter of time so get used to that fact before you buy an HD which i had a good idea was the case before i bought my HD which so far for my HD has done just that.

As far as yrs go 09 0r newer,has better frame & larger rear tire for better handling,revised cam chain tensioners that last a lot longer just to name a few the improvements over older then 09 hd's.

A few things to watch for ,bad compensator,bad wheel bearings,bad IPB inner primary bearing making noise heard wiTH motor running & trans in neutral with clutch out/engaged ,trans bearing,fretting in EFI connector on throttle body sending motor into limp mode with little to no throttle response staying mostly at idle ,rattling & or vibration inside fearing due to cracked or completely broken off faring mounts,excessive gear noise-whine in 5th gear thats common for older 6spd trans which is actually ok.

Also,when you are looking at used bikes make sure to go to nada and KBB/kelly blue book before you go to look at a bike to get avg trade in value also called low retail value & retail also called avg retail depending on if nada or kbb.

Also,make sure somehow the bike is ridden at least 20-25 mins before listening to the motor for abnormal noises,smoke from ex,and oil pressure at idle and cruise too.

To give you an example of what oil pressure to look for my 09 flhtcu with stock unmodified 96" motor at full op temp on a 90 deg day idles @ 18-20psi & at cruise (2,600-2,700rpm) has 45-48psi to just under 50psi but not hitting it when is better then avg so keep that in mind.

The 2 cooling systems(wards cooling fans & ultracool oil cooler with dual cooling fans) i installed on my bike are the reason its hot oil pressure is so good on my bike alsong with using spectro bike oil for hd's also adding to better hot oil pressure.

But if Motor & oil are not both fully heated up that can possibly hide internal engine issues.

Also ask if they have oil & filter change records showing frequency and brand ol used for motor/primary/trans and or all maint records for the bike in general.

HD recs the following oil maint,5k for motor (inc filter)/10k for primary/20k for trans with last 2 being way too long IMHO.

With full syn i go 4k for motor oil & filter change/5k max for prim so genefrally change prim at 4k with motor,its cheap to do and good insurance esp with all the3 compensator failures hd's have,trans 10 max or 1yr -which ever comes 1st.

Thought somewhat mile dependent i'd still ask ask if prim chain tensioner has even been checked or changed ,same goes for cam chain tensioners though 09 & newer hds have better design cam chain tensioners along with was the fuel filter ,plugs,plug wires brake pad etc changed recently too .

knowing that will let you know how bike was cared for along with what you need to do maint wise when you get it too that also can be used to reduce price a bit too if bike requires a lot of maint work which many used vehicles need.

There arew a lpot of bikes avail on ebay & craigs list priced well below avg dealer prices.

I bought my 09 flhtcu from original owner 11/2014 with 9,700 miles on it for $13,500 when it had a $15,500 book value which didnt ac**** for the well below avg mileage it had on it at the time too.

Same bikes locally in hd shops by me were priced starting at $16,400-$16,500 and lucky to get it from dealer for $15,600 -$15,800.

Let us know how you make out.

Good luck.

Scott

 

stay away from 07-08. the 09^ have new frame. the 02-06 are good reliable bikes except for the cam chain tensioners,there are fixes for this.07-08 are kinda bastard years 07 old frame first year of 96 motor 08 first year tbw but still old frame.

 

Be aware of the possible problems mentioned above, but also that some bikes on sale may well have had them sorted! There is no guarantee that you are going to buy a grenade. If a bike has been properly dealer serviced than the seller should be able to tell you if things like cam tensioners (TC88-era) or compensator (TC96-era) has been done.

Also we have solutions in here for anything you may bump into, plus info on all manner of useful stuff you will never guess you could need! HDF should come with a wealth warning - because of all the wonderful stuff we learn that we can do to improve our bikes! Buy and enjoy.

 

Good advice there..

 

Go kick some tires and you'll start to narrow down what you like- your question is so general that a complete answer could fill a book

mike

 

wscott wrote above:
"As far as yrs go 09 0r newer,has better frame & larger rear tire for better handling,revised cam chain tensioners that last a lot longer just to name a few the improvements over older then 09 hd's."

The cam chain tensioners were revised in the 2007 TC96 engine.

For what it's worth, my '07 Road Glide is just shy of 65,000 and has never had any engine/drivetrain problems at all. But then, I never opened it up and started "improving" it over the factory configuration.

When looking at a used bike, the first question I would ask the owner is, "what have you done to the engine?"

Air cleaner, mufflers, and a tuner is OK.
No problem with de-catted head pipe, but that's "outside" the engine.
Anything more, start checking it over VERY carefully.

I wouldn't buy a used bike unless it was bone stock or "close to", engine-wise.

My opinion only.

 

I was in your shoes. I ended up with a 2012 ultra classic 8K miles stock with slip on mufflers for $15,000. Good luck on your search.