engine mileage ?'s
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 286
Likes: 3
From: down by the river
engine mileage ?'s
So I am looking at 09-later road kings & ultra's most have the 96 motor a few have the 103. All the bikes look clean and taken care of, the mileage ranges 15k-65k is there any mileage that should scare me off? I don't have a lot of knowledge on how many miles these bikes are good for, before needing major work. I would really appreciate any information. Thanks in advance
Oh one thought on the higher end of those mileage numbers would I be able to get a HD extended warranty for a few years for peace of mind not sure if they offered that on a older bike with those kind of miles or if it would even be worth it? Thanks
Oh one thought on the higher end of those mileage numbers would I be able to get a HD extended warranty for a few years for peace of mind not sure if they offered that on a older bike with those kind of miles or if it would even be worth it? Thanks
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the esp is almost always a 3rd party contract with a servicing company, not H-D or the dealer.
the contract will vary by State and by issuer- you need to read this very very carefully- and see if your State has a fund should the servicing company decide to not exist anymore.
there will also be exclusions for modifications ( which many of us do) or requirements of how/when/who does services....as a 3rd party service contract is not subject to magnuson moss act as a factory warranty is.
the motors are great and will last a long time. I would guess that a motor at 40k if stock and well maintained will offer years of trouble free riding.
the more units you look at the sharper your eye will be and you'll be able to tell if a bike has been well owned or abused
I have the 96 ad like it alot. the 103 was a 2K upgrade for 09/10...it comes with compression releases and an oil cooler and has about 15% more torque.
worth a small premium over the 96.
I'd suggest you look only at abs models-it is a game changer for safety and makes riding dirt roads alot easier
mike
the contract will vary by State and by issuer- you need to read this very very carefully- and see if your State has a fund should the servicing company decide to not exist anymore.
there will also be exclusions for modifications ( which many of us do) or requirements of how/when/who does services....as a 3rd party service contract is not subject to magnuson moss act as a factory warranty is.
the motors are great and will last a long time. I would guess that a motor at 40k if stock and well maintained will offer years of trouble free riding.
the more units you look at the sharper your eye will be and you'll be able to tell if a bike has been well owned or abused
I have the 96 ad like it alot. the 103 was a 2K upgrade for 09/10...it comes with compression releases and an oil cooler and has about 15% more torque.
worth a small premium over the 96.
I'd suggest you look only at abs models-it is a game changer for safety and makes riding dirt roads alot easier
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Jan 4, 2017 at 09:33 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 109
From: Mesa, Az.
75K miles is the limit for purchasing or extending the Extended Service Plan (ESP warranty).
My '08 Wide Glide went 120K before needing a new top end. My '11 Limited scissored the crank at 58K.
Buying used, getting service records will tell you how well the bike was maintained which is key to it's longevity.
My '08 Wide Glide went 120K before needing a new top end. My '11 Limited scissored the crank at 58K.
Buying used, getting service records will tell you how well the bike was maintained which is key to it's longevity.
Last edited by joe.1955; Jan 4, 2017 at 09:27 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
My stock 08 was still running when I upgraded to a 103 at 112,000 miles. The primary was opened a couple of times but the engine and cam chest was never touched.
If your happy with the looks of the bike, the engine sounds good and the price is right, go for it. Buying anything used is always a crap shoot. You never really now what your getting.
Personally I would stay away from anything with really low mileage for it's age. To me that means it spent most of it's time sitting in a garage and screams dry rot, internal rust and seizure. Probably has the original tires on it.
Good luck and I hope you select a great bike. Can't go wrong with a Road King or Ultra. I have one of each!!
If your happy with the looks of the bike, the engine sounds good and the price is right, go for it. Buying anything used is always a crap shoot. You never really now what your getting.
Personally I would stay away from anything with really low mileage for it's age. To me that means it spent most of it's time sitting in a garage and screams dry rot, internal rust and seizure. Probably has the original tires on it.
Good luck and I hope you select a great bike. Can't go wrong with a Road King or Ultra. I have one of each!!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I fear you may get very different replies to that question, but worth asking. Some dealers throw away any paperwork they receive from customers who part exchange, even the owners manual FFS! There's a mountain of discarded useful info out there, blowin' in the wind.....
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Club Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 460
Likes: 18
From: Rhode Island/Pensacola Florida
I have a 2009 Electra Glide Classic, 96 motor bought new, with 64000 miles on her. Stage 1 upgrade and RC Componets exhaust changed all fluids according to moco recommendations. She sounds and feels like a new bike. My point is maintenance is the key not the mileage. Search the forum for recalls and service bulletins for the 09 touring bikes. There were a few that are very important (gas tank bolts, rear brake, kick stand aka jiffy stand, ...). Ask the seller if any of these issues were addressed, if not you may be responsible to have them fixed. The good news is the fix isn't that expensive.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 702
Likes: 16
From: Zebulon, NC
When you buy from an individual.....maintenance records and a general observation of how he keeps his vehicles/toys.
If you know the location/s that the bike was kept, you can call the individual Harley dealerships with the VIN and get any records.
Of course a Carfax would help with insurance claims, title info and vehicle locations.
Maintenance is key....I would buy up to 50 k miles probably....maybe more if I knew the history/builds/maintenance of the bike.....and I liked it.
There are many low mile bikes available, under 20k miles though.....
If you know the location/s that the bike was kept, you can call the individual Harley dealerships with the VIN and get any records.
Of course a Carfax would help with insurance claims, title info and vehicle locations.
Maintenance is key....I would buy up to 50 k miles probably....maybe more if I knew the history/builds/maintenance of the bike.....and I liked it.
There are many low mile bikes available, under 20k miles though.....
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 600
From: SoCal.....I'm only here for the weather
I was told that dealers can't legally disclose service records to secondary owners. That was told me by a San Diego dealer that did service and upgrades for the original owner of my Ultra. I did get the personal records from the second owner but he didn't have anything from the original owner. I am the third owner.