Salvage Title
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Salvage Title
I'm looking to upgrade from a sporty to a road king, and I found what seems like a great deal on an 2003 road king for $8000. It appears to be in great condition, and runs great. I'm just really unsure because it has a salvaged title. Has anyone on here bought a salvaged title bike before? Or do y'all just not trust it? Let me know what you think, thanks!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
It all depends on the prior damage....I have a buddy that has bought/repair/sold a truck load of late model wrecked HD's over the past 5 years or so. He has bought some bikes that had very little damage, some of them could even be ridden. He never messed with a frame damaged bike other than maybe the tab being broken off the front...Anyway, the people who bought the repaired bikes seemed happy.
Banned
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 2
From: Dirty Jersey
Well it doesn't take alot for a bike to be deemed "totaled". Could be a theft recovery. Could be a bike that had a low speed slide, and the engine guard bent the frame. And its been repaired. You have to ride it and make sure it doesn't track [go down the road on an angle] and be sure everything works. Check the frame neck and welds for rust. If its tweaked, you will find small rust lines where the paint cracked. See if the numbers on the frame and engine match, and if those numbers match the title. If all is good, go for it. Good luck.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: St Clair Shores, MI
Depends on your state as well, I would make sure ALL the VIN numbers match. Here im Mich they do a full inspection on the bike and Run the VIN on the motor and Frame on salvaged bikes. My buddy just went through this with his CBR ( lol yea i know a crotch rocket )
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Dont do it! A 2003 on a good day is not worth more than 9500-10k anyway. A salvage title is usually worth about less than half of value. Besides the value you are taking a gamble on there being no major concealed damage.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 997
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte, N.C.
Bad deal, you can find a much better option, never buy anything with a totaled or salvaged title, the new 2009 and newer bikes have driven the older touring models prices wayyy down. There are too many nice bikes out there for a great price to go for one that has been trashed.
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 570
Likes: 4
From: New Mexico
Friend bought an 07 ultra with a salvage title and it turned out good. The only problem was they had put new tires on it that didn't handle good and made a lot of noise. Put new tires on and all was good. Had a couple little dings here and there but he is a rider not a shiner so doesn't bother him any.
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That's what I heard also. Hard to get insurance.