Internet bike buying
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 412
Likes: 108
From: Shitsville
Internet bike buying
I'm buying my first Harley....finally
I found a bike that seems like a good deal online in a different state. I've already given the deposit via wire transfer. The bike hasnt shipped yet. The non Harley dealer has all positive reviews which helps ease the concerns a bit. The only history the guy knows on the bike is its a one owner bike, the owner traded it for an Indian and this dealer bought it off the Indian dealer. I asked the basic questions, does it shift correctly, any issues, any pitting, rust in the tank ETC. He said everything looks and works as it should. Theres a bunch of pictures and a walk around video on the website. The bike looks like it's brand new. I called Harley with the vin and nothing was reported on the bike. The only thing was a recall on a saddlebag bracket which was fixed. The fact that he took care of a small thing like a bag bracket and didnt blow it off makes me think the bike was maintained, but again no history of maintenance.
Should I be concerned about internal wear and hidden issues and is there any other questions I should ask?
2015 Road king with 22,000 miles for 10K
V&H pies with fuelpak
103 motor
Seems like a great deal
I found a bike that seems like a good deal online in a different state. I've already given the deposit via wire transfer. The bike hasnt shipped yet. The non Harley dealer has all positive reviews which helps ease the concerns a bit. The only history the guy knows on the bike is its a one owner bike, the owner traded it for an Indian and this dealer bought it off the Indian dealer. I asked the basic questions, does it shift correctly, any issues, any pitting, rust in the tank ETC. He said everything looks and works as it should. Theres a bunch of pictures and a walk around video on the website. The bike looks like it's brand new. I called Harley with the vin and nothing was reported on the bike. The only thing was a recall on a saddlebag bracket which was fixed. The fact that he took care of a small thing like a bag bracket and didnt blow it off makes me think the bike was maintained, but again no history of maintenance.
Should I be concerned about internal wear and hidden issues and is there any other questions I should ask?
2015 Road king with 22,000 miles for 10K
V&H pies with fuelpak
103 motor
Seems like a great deal
Last edited by Jonny Rotten; Jul 18, 2018 at 07:20 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
Usually when something seems too good to be true, it is. Something smells fishy.
Black Book Powersports.
Year:2015
Make:Harley-Davidson
Model:FLHR Road King
Model Type:Cruiser
Displacement:1690
Cylinders:2
Finance Advance:$13,610
MSRP:$18,449
Avg Retail:$15,280
Auction Wholesale$12,875
Clean Trade:$12,450
Fair Trade:$11,295
Black Book Powersports.
Year:2015
Make:Harley-Davidson
Model:FLHR Road King
Model Type:Cruiser
Displacement:1690
Cylinders:2
Finance Advance:$13,610
MSRP:$18,449
Avg Retail:$15,280
Auction Wholesale$12,875
Clean Trade:$12,450
Fair Trade:$11,295
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Welcome to the Forum from Colorado!
I bought mine over the net from a dealer and have had no issues.
Buying a used bike is always a leap of faith.
Youre gonna get a bunch of replies stating that you shouldn’t buy a bike you can’t lay your hands on. In my case, there was nothing around here that “spoke” to me, so I did the deal.
Go with your gut and good luck!
I bought mine over the net from a dealer and have had no issues.
Buying a used bike is always a leap of faith.
Youre gonna get a bunch of replies stating that you shouldn’t buy a bike you can’t lay your hands on. In my case, there was nothing around here that “spoke” to me, so I did the deal.
Go with your gut and good luck!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Why are you asking this? If you're one of those who doesn't place any value in doing what it takes to check out a prospective major purchase. ..no matter how inconvenient it may be...asking people you don't know about it has no value.
The World Wide Web is a fine thing. I would buy a new shaver with it. A bottle of cologne, sure. A used vehicle with everything that could go sideways? Never.
But, OP, for you, it looks like the die is cast. You've bought a pig in a poke. Hope it works out.
The World Wide Web is a fine thing. I would buy a new shaver with it. A bottle of cologne, sure. A used vehicle with everything that could go sideways? Never.
But, OP, for you, it looks like the die is cast. You've bought a pig in a poke. Hope it works out.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 412
Likes: 108
From: Shitsville
The question I asked seems like a reasonable one before buying a bike
" Should I be concerned about internal wear and hidden issues and is there any other questions I should ask?"
Last edited by Jonny Rotten; Jul 18, 2018 at 08:17 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
That why I'm askin. I'm trying to do everything I CAN do. Driving halfway across the country is out. I asked whatever questions I could think of and called a local Harley dealer with the vin to check for any issues that may have come up. I've never owned a Harley so even if I was staring at 2 feet away I wouldnt know what potential issues with a Harley I should look at. My research tells me the only real issue is chain tensioners that I doubt many dealers or anyone for that matter would let me pull apart the bike to inspect them before buying a bike.. I've been searching bikes in my area for while and nothing jumps out out me,,,this one did. Plus in my area everyone feels the need to charge top dollar.
The question I asked seems like a reasonable one before buying a bike
" Should I be concerned about internal wear and hidden issues and is there any other questions I should ask?"
The question I asked seems like a reasonable one before buying a bike
" Should I be concerned about internal wear and hidden issues and is there any other questions I should ask?"
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 164
Likes: 17
From: NY
Why are you asking this? If you're one of those who doesn't place any value in doing what it takes to check out a prospective major purchase. ..no matter how inconvenient it may be...asking people you don't know about it has no value.
The World Wide Web is a fine thing. I would buy a new shaver with it. A bottle of cologne, sure. A used vehicle with everything that could go sideways? Never.
But, OP, for you, it looks like the die is cast. You've bought a pig in a poke. Hope it works out.
The World Wide Web is a fine thing. I would buy a new shaver with it. A bottle of cologne, sure. A used vehicle with everything that could go sideways? Never.
But, OP, for you, it looks like the die is cast. You've bought a pig in a poke. Hope it works out.
That being said I also purchased my bike sight unseen off of this forum, the seller was brutally honest and helped every step of the way. I flew from NYC to North Carolina and drove it home in the back of a pickup truck. He even helped me sort out some lingering title issue which was caused by the state of NC because he needed to have the title notorized during signature...
I mailed the seller a check through my bank, one made out to his bank and the remaining cash made out to him with right to cancel. It was all very smooth, picked it up a week later and was on my way. The bike runs like a top and is in near perfect condition! Take it or leave it, everyone has had a different experience and its really up to you to realize the signs if this is a good or bad one.
The price is low for this model and seems a bit off, get a copy of the title and run the vin through a vin checker just to be safe. Don't wire any money that isn't reversible, use Paypal or another similar service that protects you as the buyer. If you make conscious mistakes without a way out, then its your own fault...
Last edited by NPV288; Jul 18, 2018 at 08:32 AM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,459
Likes: 57,015
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Why are you asking this? If you're one of those who doesn't place any value in doing what it takes to check out a prospective major purchase. ..no matter how inconvenient it may be...asking people you don't know about it has no value.
The World Wide Web is a fine thing. I would buy a new shaver with it. A bottle of cologne, sure. A used vehicle with everything that could go sideways? Never.
But, OP, for you, it looks like the die is cast. You've bought a pig in a poke. Hope it works out.
The World Wide Web is a fine thing. I would buy a new shaver with it. A bottle of cologne, sure. A used vehicle with everything that could go sideways? Never.
But, OP, for you, it looks like the die is cast. You've bought a pig in a poke. Hope it works out.
P.S.
I have bought a scooter sight unseen and put 55,000 trouble free miles on it ... Lucky? Maybe.
Banned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 655
Likes: 88
From: US
Usually when something seems too good to be true, it is. Something smells fishy.
Black Book Powersports.
Year:2015
Make:Harley-Davidson
Model:FLHR Road King
Model Type:Cruiser
Displacement:1690
Cylinders:2
Finance Advance:$13,610
MSRP:$18,449
Avg Retail:$15,280
Auction Wholesale$12,875
Clean Trade:$12,450
Fair Trade:$11,295
Black Book Powersports.
Year:2015
Make:Harley-Davidson
Model:FLHR Road King
Model Type:Cruiser
Displacement:1690
Cylinders:2
Finance Advance:$13,610
MSRP:$18,449
Avg Retail:$15,280
Auction Wholesale$12,875
Clean Trade:$12,450
Fair Trade:$11,295
