Upgrade or update?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 308
From: coastal sc
I would go new or really close to new. [ to get warranty] op said repairs and upgrades all have to be done by a shop. If I could not fix mine myself, I would want to keep something as new as possible to have piece of mind knowing all [should] be good to go. Good luck with your shopping and show pics of your new bike.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 437
Likes: 136
From: Missouri
Hard to make that decision for you, I don’t think the rear suspension or audio on a new one will impress you that much. I also think your way high on the front suspension, even going with a $800 legends kit the installation won’t be that much, specially at a Indy.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,720
Likes: 9,147
From: Georgia
2015 SGS here. Bought it new, paid off, been gradually tweaking it for years. Just did my engine build this year after 36k miles. I love it more every time I ride it. I’ll continue to tweak it and add to it a little every year to keep it fresh and fun, but it doesn’t lack for anything. The thought of going through the same growing pains, bars, seat, stage this and that, tuner, headlight, suspension, etc just to have a basic rideable new motorcycle is enough to keep me from replacing it. If I ever get tired of this one, I’ll paint it.
Tourer
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 443
Likes: 195
From: Missouri
2015 SGS here. Bought it new, paid off, been gradually tweaking it for years. Just did my engine build this year after 36k miles. I love it more every time I ride it. I’ll continue to tweak it and add to it a little every year to keep it fresh and fun, but it doesn’t lack for anything. The thought of going through the same growing pains, bars, seat, stage this and that, tuner, headlight, suspension, etc just to have a basic rideable new motorcycle is enough to keep me from replacing it. If I ever get tired of this one, I’ll paint it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 2,202
From: College Station, TX
The 14 was a good year that was fairly dependable too. I'd go to the dealer and do a test ride and take it from there. The rear shocks on the late touring bikes are an nice improvement (not on par with Ohlins or Legends etc) over the air shocks on the 14 and later touring bikes. If you still like your current bike, do the upgrades.
With the upgrades, If it were me I upgrade the rear shocks to good quality 13 inch shocks with rebound and compression adjustments setup for the bike, rider, passenger(?) and other gear that usually goes with the bike. Ride it and see how much it is improved before doing the front suspension. I replaced the rear shocks only on my 2013 RG and was satisfied enough with the results that I didn't do anything with the front. That's not saying upgrading the front doesn't have it's benefits, I just didn't find they were needed for me.
I think your price is a little low on the tires. I had new Michelin Commanders installed last February on my 2018 RG and the tires and installation was about $650 or so at an good independent. Tires are not something you want to go cheap on with a motorcycle. And rather than spend $1500 upgrading the speakers and adding an amp so you can hear it while riding on the highway, I'd get a Sena, Cardo or sport ear buds and set it up so I can listen to music or Map directions with the headset. That can also be used to communicate with other riders if they have a similar system.
Money saved on the amp could be spent on the engine, upgrading the cam and chain tensioners etc. if the Sena or Cardo setup satisfied your desire to listen to music on the road.
Just my 2 cents
Paul
With the upgrades, If it were me I upgrade the rear shocks to good quality 13 inch shocks with rebound and compression adjustments setup for the bike, rider, passenger(?) and other gear that usually goes with the bike. Ride it and see how much it is improved before doing the front suspension. I replaced the rear shocks only on my 2013 RG and was satisfied enough with the results that I didn't do anything with the front. That's not saying upgrading the front doesn't have it's benefits, I just didn't find they were needed for me.
I think your price is a little low on the tires. I had new Michelin Commanders installed last February on my 2018 RG and the tires and installation was about $650 or so at an good independent. Tires are not something you want to go cheap on with a motorcycle. And rather than spend $1500 upgrading the speakers and adding an amp so you can hear it while riding on the highway, I'd get a Sena, Cardo or sport ear buds and set it up so I can listen to music or Map directions with the headset. That can also be used to communicate with other riders if they have a similar system.
Money saved on the amp could be spent on the engine, upgrading the cam and chain tensioners etc. if the Sena or Cardo setup satisfied your desire to listen to music on the road.
Just my 2 cents
Paul
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 337
Likes: 214
From: California
I suggest you actually toss a coin. Heads for the repairs and tails for the new one. Once the coin is in the air you'll realize which one you really want and won't even need to look at the coin.
I say upgrade though. If you started to think about it then its probably what you want anyway. A stage two 114 M8 is plenty for 99% of what you need it for, but like I said the coin toss will tell you.
I say upgrade though. If you started to think about it then its probably what you want anyway. A stage two 114 M8 is plenty for 99% of what you need it for, but like I said the coin toss will tell you.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 504
Likes: 271
From: Anywhere, USA
In 2019, I bought a 2014 Ultra Limited. It had V&H pipes some extra lighting, and a new seat put on when I bought it. Had 40k miles on it. I believe everything else was stock. I have since put on about 10k miles, stage 1 with a Fuel Moto air cleaner and tune.
I am now trying to decide what to do next. It will need tires next year, the suspension doesnt make me all that confident in the fast corners, and the stereo could be louder. The neck bearing needs to be replaced also.
So, some ball park figures (some are pulled out of my rear) I dont have the space to work on the bike, so it would be the dealer or an independent mechanic doing the work. And I have bad luck working on things, I seem to break more things that I fix, so I am ok with paying someone.
tires- $400-500
Rear suspension- $1200
Front suspension and repair- $2000?
New speakers and amp- $1500.
This gives me a bike that I am comfortable on, I am familiar with, and I like the 2 tone paint. Done over the winter, $5000-ish and free storage, gives me a refreshed bike for the spring. But I have no idea on how the bike was used before me, and what repairs are looming.
Or I can trade it in on a low mileage (or new) 114 cu Limited. I would have to probably do pipes and stage 1 on the new bike, but I would know how the bike was treated at low miles. The suspension would be newer, the stereo would have XM, and the power would be way more than now.
Am I dumb for taking a sizeable chunk of money and throwing it at a 8 model year old, 50k mile bike? Or take that money and use it towards something newer?
I am now trying to decide what to do next. It will need tires next year, the suspension doesnt make me all that confident in the fast corners, and the stereo could be louder. The neck bearing needs to be replaced also.
So, some ball park figures (some are pulled out of my rear) I dont have the space to work on the bike, so it would be the dealer or an independent mechanic doing the work. And I have bad luck working on things, I seem to break more things that I fix, so I am ok with paying someone.
tires- $400-500
Rear suspension- $1200
Front suspension and repair- $2000?
New speakers and amp- $1500.
This gives me a bike that I am comfortable on, I am familiar with, and I like the 2 tone paint. Done over the winter, $5000-ish and free storage, gives me a refreshed bike for the spring. But I have no idea on how the bike was used before me, and what repairs are looming.
Or I can trade it in on a low mileage (or new) 114 cu Limited. I would have to probably do pipes and stage 1 on the new bike, but I would know how the bike was treated at low miles. The suspension would be newer, the stereo would have XM, and the power would be way more than now.
Am I dumb for taking a sizeable chunk of money and throwing it at a 8 model year old, 50k mile bike? Or take that money and use it towards something newer?
Checking the used value of your bike and future costs it seems like you've got a nice chunk of change towards a newer or new bike.
You may be able to add stage one for instance in the cost if you finance. You also go from 79 hp to 90hp in a 2019 for instance.
You should go ride the newest you can get.
Should he consider M8 oil pump issues (could have it upgraded presale)?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,050
Likes: 11,068
From: San Diego, CA
Based on the timeline you provided, you're getting in about 5000 miles a year. At that rate of adding milage, the bike you're on should go the next decade without needing something serious, and you're already comfortable on it. I'd throw the money into what you have and know.
Plus..... you will spend significantly more on your new "used" bike than you will on upgrading your current bike....
And don't forget, you will want to add accessories to the new bike, and it may, or may not, have issues of its own that will require some $$$$ to fix....
Don't get me wrong, if you want an excuse to get a new bike, get one....!! Life is short.... enjoy it..
But if you really like the current bike, I'd upgrade and keep it....
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 69
Likes: 44
From: Long Island, NY
Bought a 2011 Ultra in 2019, low miles and lots of extras for about 1/3 of a new bike. I have been wrestling with throwing money at this or trading in for something new. Did Ohlins in the rear, some new speakers up front, FP3, new pipes, seat, tires, battery ect...still no where near what even a new stock Road King would cost. I really love the bike and know it inside and out so more and more I think I'm just gonna keep it for the long haul and enjoy having no payments.