Flood damage 2009 FLHTCU
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,046
Likes: 314
From: Denver CO
Well, I am not adding a different opinion here but the more you tell us, the more I would not go down that road. What is your reason for wanting it? Is it that you want to rebuild it? is it budget? IMHO I would be looking for the best bike I could afford. If it was a Sportster, then I would be thrilled with riding and be on the road. To me 500 miles in 8 months is not a positive. It does not appear that the seller is the one that was the owner when it flooded. Too many red flags.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 997
Likes: 489
From: Louisville, KY
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 didnt know about the level of submerging.. though it was a flooded basement kind of deal. Old man seems he doesnt know much about it other than it has run good while he had it for 500 miles.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,001
Likes: 11,441
The insurance company did not brand it for no reason. So his claims of no water got in are meaningless. The title is branded and always will be. That right that drops any value the bike had by a lot. Some insurers will not touch it. Most would not finance it .
The few that claim a great deal on salvage bike, generally are the ones trying to flip them and make a fast buck. The old days of washing a title are becoming a thing of the past. But it still turns up. Last year a person I know went though a hard time for almost a year .
turns out a bike he purchased had a titled that was washed. They pulled the title. Bank wanted their more right away. He did get a title after almost a year but it was issued as a salvage title . Bank would not keep any paper on it. Nice bike it was fixed right but he is stuck with it now. Not worth half what he paid and no recourse.
Your money you know the risk .
The few that claim a great deal on salvage bike, generally are the ones trying to flip them and make a fast buck. The old days of washing a title are becoming a thing of the past. But it still turns up. Last year a person I know went though a hard time for almost a year .
turns out a bike he purchased had a titled that was washed. They pulled the title. Bank wanted their more right away. He did get a title after almost a year but it was issued as a salvage title . Bank would not keep any paper on it. Nice bike it was fixed right but he is stuck with it now. Not worth half what he paid and no recourse.
Your money you know the risk .
Last edited by smitty901; Dec 18, 2019 at 08:37 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 626
Likes: 516
From: Mo
Be very careful of a Kentucky salvage title. There are 2 different ones in Kentucky. The regular one and one where you can take a vehicle with an out of state Certificate of Destruction and with the proper paper work and body shop estimate turn it into Kentucky Salvage Title. One of those Kentucky titles is not accepted in every state. There are a lot of out of state flood vehicles that are COD units that have the title washed through Kentucky.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 626
Likes: 516
From: Mo
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 938
From: Ohio
This thread keeps cracking me up. Hysterical. The guys saying flood bike is a bad investment, you won’t get your money out of it are riding what road glides, ultra Limiteds, road glide trike. So basically 25-45k motorcycles.
Every one of these ‘investment analysts’ have already lost 10-15k on THEIR motorcycles talking smack about a 5k bike. That’s pittance. Less than most have thrown away in aftermarket parts. SMH!
Every one of these ‘investment analysts’ have already lost 10-15k on THEIR motorcycles talking smack about a 5k bike. That’s pittance. Less than most have thrown away in aftermarket parts. SMH!
