My 1st Bike
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Stage I
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
From: Wichita
My 1st Bike
Hello everyone. Newbie here. I’m looking to buy my first bike. I’m looking at buying a used bike from a dealership and looking for some feedback.
I’m considering a 2017 Electra Glide Ultra Classic - stage 2 with 73k miles on it. I like the bike, but the mileage kinda concerns me. Should the mileage scare me off or should it be ok ?
I’m considering a 2017 Electra Glide Ultra Classic - stage 2 with 73k miles on it. I like the bike, but the mileage kinda concerns me. Should the mileage scare me off or should it be ok ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Welcome from Spartan Country, Michigan!
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Take to an office supply store and have them put a spiral binder in place of the glued binder. That will let the manuals lay flat on your bench. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, a rough idea of your range per tank, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding, and upwards of 230+ on trips.
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Take to an office supply store and have them put a spiral binder in place of the glued binder. That will let the manuals lay flat on your bench. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, a rough idea of your range per tank, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding, and upwards of 230+ on trips.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 290
Likes: 218
From: NH
Price is a major consideration, as well as any service records. Highly doubtful the dealer has any service records from the previous owner(s) and the sales person will tell you anything you want to hear. If was me, I'd pass on that one. It could be a great bike, but mileage like that some stuff just wears out or is ready to wear out early in your ownership.
If I was getting into motorcycling for the first time and had little to no street riding experience, I'd start with a much lighter, much less expensive bike. These bikes are not cheap to fix and really heavy when not in motion. Meaning these bikes are a handful to move around your garage or when negotiating a parking spot. Once moving they handle way better than they look. Consider that you may drop it more than once and that drop can cause some serious damage if there are no engine or luggage guards. For reference, I rode dirt as a kid, picked up my first street bike in my early 30s (Kawasaki KZ550), moved on to two Hondas, a BMW sport tourer, then to my current ride - a 2020 Road Glide purchased in 2022 (at the ripe young age of 61). This is my experience only and I'm not here to tell you what to do.
This thread will most likely morph into a "New rider - try a different bike" instead of offering advice on a high mileage used H-D. There are plenty of folks here that have high mileage bikes and can offer real experience of owning and maintaining one.
If I was getting into motorcycling for the first time and had little to no street riding experience, I'd start with a much lighter, much less expensive bike. These bikes are not cheap to fix and really heavy when not in motion. Meaning these bikes are a handful to move around your garage or when negotiating a parking spot. Once moving they handle way better than they look. Consider that you may drop it more than once and that drop can cause some serious damage if there are no engine or luggage guards. For reference, I rode dirt as a kid, picked up my first street bike in my early 30s (Kawasaki KZ550), moved on to two Hondas, a BMW sport tourer, then to my current ride - a 2020 Road Glide purchased in 2022 (at the ripe young age of 61). This is my experience only and I'm not here to tell you what to do.
This thread will most likely morph into a "New rider - try a different bike" instead of offering advice on a high mileage used H-D. There are plenty of folks here that have high mileage bikes and can offer real experience of owning and maintaining one.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 320
From: Vancouver, WA
If this will be your first bike ever, you should look at a smaller, lighter bike first. That Electra Glide comes in at about 900 pounds. Also, plan on spending some money on getting this one up to date on wear items such as drive belt, and engine items such as compensator, clutch, etc. I’d personally look at something with less miles, more like in the 20-30 range as there are many of those out there.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: memphis
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 477
Likes: 326
From: Beaver PA
Unless you really know what you are looking at and are familiar with issues that each bike has, I would pass. It can become prohibitively expensive quickly with a bike that hasn't been maintained properly by the previous owner.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 1,803
From: Newnan, GA
Hello everyone. Newbie here. I’m looking to buy my first bike. I’m looking at buying a used bike from a dealership and looking for some feedback.
I’m considering a 2017 Electra Glide Ultra Classic - stage 2 with 73k miles on it. I like the bike, but the mileage kinda concerns me. Should the mileage scare me off or should it be ok ?
I’m considering a 2017 Electra Glide Ultra Classic - stage 2 with 73k miles on it. I like the bike, but the mileage kinda concerns me. Should the mileage scare me off or should it be ok ?
If you have never ridden a bike before then I highly recommend a MC riding course.
It would also be beneficial to start out on a lighter bike. At this point with no riding skills, I would point you to a used smaller metric bike around the 500cc to 1200cc engine size. Once you master that bike (and get your MC license), then go to the larger touring bikes.
Again, take a MC riding course, it could save your life and it will be fun.