Looking at buying used
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
Everybody says to get their year. Many say get an '09 or later. The same people who complain about how hot their EPA leaned engines run.
Find a bike that looks nice, with low miles, that was maintained properly by a dealer or Indy. I love my '03. Avoid the Magneti Marelli Fuel Injection. If you buy an 88CI try to get one that already had the Screamin' Eagle hydraulic tensioner kit, or a Gear drive. It's good upgrade, but it's expensive. I paid a dealer $1,400 for it, he did it the same time as my bottom gasket.
If you dwell on the negatives, you will get paralysis by analysis. If I had discovered HDForums before I bought my '03 in '11, I never would have bought it. I have had some repairs, but basically trouble free 40k miles.
Find a bike that looks nice, with low miles, that was maintained properly by a dealer or Indy. I love my '03. Avoid the Magneti Marelli Fuel Injection. If you buy an 88CI try to get one that already had the Screamin' Eagle hydraulic tensioner kit, or a Gear drive. It's good upgrade, but it's expensive. I paid a dealer $1,400 for it, he did it the same time as my bottom gasket.
If you dwell on the negatives, you will get paralysis by analysis. If I had discovered HDForums before I bought my '03 in '11, I never would have bought it. I have had some repairs, but basically trouble free 40k miles.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 532
Likes: 64
From: Manitoba, Canada
Don't buy from a dealer, they will want more. Find a garage queen, there are lots out there. Guys buy Harley's to have one in the garage and never ride. I bought my 2012 in 2016 with 300 miles on it. Bonus is you often will also get extras like stage 1 and extra bling too. Watch ads closely and be prepared to act quickly if the right one comes up.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
I agree with that statement. I bought my 07 Ultra Classic almost 3 years ago and it's been a great bike. Had I read about the "bastard years" I probably would have passed on it. I got a great, low mileage bike with stage two already installed along with many other goodies and 18 months of HD warranty remaining.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 532
Likes: 64
From: Manitoba, Canada
My local dealer told me street glides are HD's most popular seller. Perhaps that explains the pricing, supply and demand.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
Your question about depreciation got me to look.
New 2012 Street Glides had a base price if $19500. A quick search of Craigslist here found a couple of low miles garage queens for around $13500. That's 30% off base price for what amounts to an unridden (3500 miles) bike. Not too bad if you compare it to the base price for a 2017 at $21000.
Really though, if you want the popular toys you gotta pay the price...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
Anything over 09 better tranny ratio makes bike feels lot stronger then actually it is.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Rockford, MI
Also, is there ride quality difference between a rk and sg? 2 up?
really appreciate the info presented here...thanks
Banned
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 607
Likes: 107
From: Dark Side of the Moon
'08 and later had the 6gal. tank and Brembos if that means anything to you. Same gears as '07. Some other improvements.
'09 had diff gear ratios and a 68T rear pulley vs. 66 on the '08. Lot's of improvements on the '09 and later.
If it means anything, a later model King might be a better buy AND you could get a detachable batwing if you like those. Another food for thought.
'09 had diff gear ratios and a 68T rear pulley vs. 66 on the '08. Lot's of improvements on the '09 and later.
If it means anything, a later model King might be a better buy AND you could get a detachable batwing if you like those. Another food for thought.
Last edited by Ex-Leftcoaster; Jul 2, 2017 at 06:53 AM.