Looking at a 2009 Ultra Classic tonight. It's a 1 owner with 32K on the clock. He did several upgrades from the dealer before he even got it from them new. Upgraded it to a 103, added true dual exhaust, upgraded air intake, fuel management etc. He never rode it as a 96 from the day he got it.

A couple of questions:
With the engine at 32K on the clock, when should I consider checking the cam chain tensioners? How long are they typically lasting?
I have read that the compensators on the '08's and above have been a problem. With the mileage on the bike, could I assume that problem should already arose by now? I am going to ask him anyway.
Any other things I should be aware of or things I should look at?

 

Cam tensioners were not an issue 2007 & up, so you're OK in THAT department. Comps can be a problem; if you get a bang on startup, check for one of the many upgrades & what it will cost. I did the SE (pre-glued in thingie) & have been OK.

 

Wheel bearings can be an issue, plan for a replacement set each tyre change.

Also make sure brake fluid is changed when moisture is >2% (Harley recommend 2 years) to avoid ABS pump problems. Harley use their digicheck computer at the dealership to move the fluid out off the abs unit.

It's recommended steering neck bearings are checked/adjust around 25k...ask if that has been done.

 

I have 50K miles on my '08 and have had no problems, but I did upgrades at purchase. Got the 103 with different cam and ACR (automatic compression releases), etc. Still runs great! Taken it across deserts and to the top of Mt Evans.

 

Gears are different in 07-09. Be sure to get in 5th gear and be able to live with whine sound. Some bikes are worse than others. Mine and many others are very annoying.

[QUOTE=grubsie;18368533]Looking at a 2009 Ultra Classic tonight. It's a 1 owner with 32K on the clock. He did several upgrades from the dealer before he even got it from them new. Upgraded it to a 103, added true dual exhaust, upgraded air intake, fuel management etc. He never rode it as a 96 from the day he got it.

A couple of questions:
With the engine at 32K on the clock, when should I consider checking the cam chain tensioners? How long are they typically lasting?
I have read that the compensators on the '08's and above have been a problem. With the mileage on the bike, could I assume that problem should already arose by now? I am going to ask him anyway.
Any other things I should be aware of or things I should look at

 

Buy the bike, ride it and if something breaks or wears out, fix it. Bikes like these with proper maintenance will run 100K+ miles.

 

Couple infamous areas to check for oil leaks. Check in front of engine left side where voltage regulator wires enter and go to stator. Also check shift shaft seal right below rear shifter linkage where it connects to trans use flashlight.

 

Check the date codes on the tires just to be sure. Other than that, no problems on the cam tensioners. They are the hydraulic and will go 100,000 miles easy. Compensator may be an issue later but nothing that will leave you stranded. The one in my 08 RKC made it 70,000 miles before I changed it.

As another already mentioned, if you like it, like the price, buy it and ride the crap out of it. Fix it if it breaks.

 

I know of 2 nearly identical 09's with near identical mileage around 32k both selling just under $10k and I can assure you neither have any issues. Both belong to good friends that have decided to hang it up after many many years of riding.

 

I road my '09 Ultra for almost 90k miles. Sold it last June and as far as I know it's still going strong. At 45k I had an inner primary bearing and main shaft bearing go. I'd still buy one though if that were the bike/price range I was in.