Flood damage 2009 FLHTCU
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Thoughts and pointers?
Short answer is walk away, have nothing to do with a bike that's been in questionable depths of water, bearings and electronics alone will give you nightmares.
Oh and NEVER trust someone with a salvage bike to tell you the real skinny, if it was all that and apple pie he wouldn't be selling it that cheap.
Oh and NEVER trust someone with a salvage bike to tell you the real skinny, if it was all that and apple pie he wouldn't be selling it that cheap.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Dec 17, 2019 at 08:13 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 792
From: Kansas City, Missouri
I'd pass on the flood bike. To many chances of gremlins popping up and costing you time and money. Lots of lower mileage bikes around. They may be more money but you get what you pay for. I'd rather have a repaired wrecked bike than a flood bike thats been repaired.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 165
Likes: 16
From: Bowie MD
Flood damage
Walk away or get it double.dirt cheap. To out into perspective I picked up a 15 K RK years ago two owner garage queen for $6500. Like they say, lots of good used low milage bikes out there. And with no apologies.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 938
From: Ohio
For info purposes only:
Id go for this over a flood bike.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-Harley...dgE-L&LH_BIN=1
Id go for this over a flood bike.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-Harley...dgE-L&LH_BIN=1
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,031
From: Carlsbad, CA
Run from that “deal”...
Last edited by TriGeezer; Dec 17, 2019 at 10:01 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 2,117
From: W. MI.
Owner said none of the fluids had water in them? Did he change all fluids to make that assumption? Flood damage, was it completely submerged? I think you can do better. But if you opt to buy it, good luck.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 169
Likes: 59
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Last edited by SJT; Dec 18, 2019 at 01:52 AM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 982
From: Trinity NC
I think anytime you buy used there is some risk involved. You don’t know how the previous party really took care of the item you are buying. That being said with a salvage title the risk greatly increases. As you have seen here most of the replies have said you should pass. Now let’s say you buy it and decide for whatever reason you don’t like it and want to sell it. It becomes more difficult to sell because, like the replies, a lot of people would not to buy a bike with a salvage title.
That being said I would want to try to get to the reason the current seller is wanting to sell it after only 500 miles and 8 months. I would look over things like the rotor bolts, brake rotors for rust. Inside the ends of the mufflers and other parts that could show rust or corrosion. Does it start right up, everything work as it should? Lastly would the seller be willing for you to take it to a show of your choice to have it checked out? I bought a used ‘06 EGC a few years back. Part of me buying it was to have a local shop check it out. They charged me 1hr, $85 labor, to go over the bike. Turned out to be a great bike.
if the $5,100 is your budget, you like the bike and everything checks out, you know the gamble but it might turn out to be a really good bike.
Good luck in your decision.
That being said I would want to try to get to the reason the current seller is wanting to sell it after only 500 miles and 8 months. I would look over things like the rotor bolts, brake rotors for rust. Inside the ends of the mufflers and other parts that could show rust or corrosion. Does it start right up, everything work as it should? Lastly would the seller be willing for you to take it to a show of your choice to have it checked out? I bought a used ‘06 EGC a few years back. Part of me buying it was to have a local shop check it out. They charged me 1hr, $85 labor, to go over the bike. Turned out to be a great bike.
if the $5,100 is your budget, you like the bike and everything checks out, you know the gamble but it might turn out to be a really good bike.
Good luck in your decision.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 801
Likes: 1,125
From: West Texas
said he changed the fluids and added a new battery. No water in the oils.no problems since he got it 8 months ago.. he didn’t know about the level of submerging.. though it was a flooded basement kind of deal. Old man seems he doesn’t know much about it other than it has run good while he had it for 500 miles.
Was the current owner the one who got the salvage title, or did he buy it from a flipper? If he got it from a flipper I am in no way surprised that the fluids showed no water as they may have been flushed before he got it. I have been a round a couple of flood totaled cars and like others have said, they develop problem that you wouldn't expect. I personally wouldn't think about it unless it was about half the price he is asking.
Second thing. 2009 with 60K miles for $5,000.00 isn't an super exceptional deal. I have seen them sell around here for about that kind of money without the salvage title. You don't see them everyday, but they are out there. There was 2010 on Craigs list here a year or so ago. I don't remember exactly, but it had 60 something thousand miles on it. Guy was moving and had to let it go. Last time I saw the add before it was taken down the asking price was $6,500.00. This time of year, with cash, you should be able to find some good deals.
It's your call in the end. I have seen people post on here about having good results with salvage title bikes. I personally wouldn't be as scared of a crash damage bike, but a salvage title makes it dirt cheap for resale, and I really doubt you could even trade it in. If it were me I would keep looking.