Advice on a '97 Road King
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 66
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From: Quakertown, PA
Advice on a '97 Road King
Okay so I am looking at buying my first HD and I have taken many bikes fior a test ride and sat on even more. I got a call from one of the many dealers I have been to about a '97 RK with 12" apes. I didn't think I was going to like it but I took it out for a test ride and boy did I like riding that bike.
So now I am asking some advice. The dealer is asking $9k and I got him to $8k. I looked on kbb.com and the site states the retail value in "excellent" condition for this bike is $8k. Now the bike has a touch up done to the tank and the paint doesn't quite match, it looks like the tank had a scratch in it and there is some sort of tape mark on the right pipe. The saddle bag also has a minor cosmetic defect. I am willing to put some time and energy into fixing her up but I have no idea what those repairs are going to run. So I am hoping someone here has any idea on that.
Or would it make more sense to find a bike without the pipe, bag, and tank issue and get the 12" apes and if needed replace the cables to accomodate the new 12" apes?
So now I am asking some advice. The dealer is asking $9k and I got him to $8k. I looked on kbb.com and the site states the retail value in "excellent" condition for this bike is $8k. Now the bike has a touch up done to the tank and the paint doesn't quite match, it looks like the tank had a scratch in it and there is some sort of tape mark on the right pipe. The saddle bag also has a minor cosmetic defect. I am willing to put some time and energy into fixing her up but I have no idea what those repairs are going to run. So I am hoping someone here has any idea on that.
Or would it make more sense to find a bike without the pipe, bag, and tank issue and get the 12" apes and if needed replace the cables to accomodate the new 12" apes?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
that is a high price, look for a private party sale- winter is coming, riding season is almost over and prices should be coming down.
DO NOT pay extra for extras that you don't like ( "hey it's got a custom blah blah blah")- and will end up replacing.
you will either find bikes that have been ridden and has some cosmetic issues ( and hopefully have been taken care of mechanically OR low mileage garage queens that someone bought so that could put a sticker in the back window on their truck- cosmetically really good, often poorly maintained.
the 97 has the tried and true 80" Evo motor, which I think is less prone to problems/concerns that the early twin cam motors ( evos to 98, twin cam from 99). Very few things to worry about on those bikes. However if EFI, the early EFI efforts were problematic--- carb is much better
my 1995 FLHTC was at over 80000 miles when i sold it last year, the new owner is still racking up miles- it had a lot of extras that had value to the buyer, sold for $6500
Quakertown has a very active motorcycle community, lots of riders, should be lots of options--- look around.
( My engine builder is in quakertown)
mike
DO NOT pay extra for extras that you don't like ( "hey it's got a custom blah blah blah")- and will end up replacing.
you will either find bikes that have been ridden and has some cosmetic issues ( and hopefully have been taken care of mechanically OR low mileage garage queens that someone bought so that could put a sticker in the back window on their truck- cosmetically really good, often poorly maintained.
the 97 has the tried and true 80" Evo motor, which I think is less prone to problems/concerns that the early twin cam motors ( evos to 98, twin cam from 99). Very few things to worry about on those bikes. However if EFI, the early EFI efforts were problematic--- carb is much better
my 1995 FLHTC was at over 80000 miles when i sold it last year, the new owner is still racking up miles- it had a lot of extras that had value to the buyer, sold for $6500
Quakertown has a very active motorcycle community, lots of riders, should be lots of options--- look around.
( My engine builder is in quakertown)
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Oct 13, 2011 at 01:36 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 502
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From: Roads of Idaho
U need to go test ride a few different Harleys. They all make u feel that way! Test ride a Street Glide, Road Glide Custom, and others so that you get the bike that does the job best for u. Then decide which bike is yours.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 363
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+1 I think 8K will get you more bike from a private party in the winter in PA when snow is on the ground.
Also, as you say, it's not in excellent condition. You could try to offer the dealer whatever the book value is for the actual condition of the bike and show him the book. Not that they would necessarily care, depends on the dealer I guess.
Also, as you say, it's not in excellent condition. You could try to offer the dealer whatever the book value is for the actual condition of the bike and show him the book. Not that they would necessarily care, depends on the dealer I guess.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
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From: Rosamond, Cali
All things being equal (it's in good mechanical shape), there's a lot to be said for the way a bike rides, and how it 'fits' you. $9K is pretty high in this market for a '97. How many miles on it?
alan
alan
Last edited by AlanStansbery; Oct 13, 2011 at 07:46 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Deatsville, AL
Last summer I got my '04 Road King with 17k miles for $10k and all it had was a scuff on the right saddle bag. It has stage 1 done and a sundowner seat with driver and passenger backrests and still for that price. I think the dealer's doing what dealers do. Jacking up the price a little. Like mentioned, look at some good private party sales now that it's getting colder.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Quakertown, PA
The mileage is 46775.
I am thinking of waiting a bit and seeing what the winter brings. At this point being in PA how much riding I would be able to do is up in the air with the crap weather we have had before having to put the bike away for the winter.
I am going to go back with a lower offer as I do feel the bike is a little high for the year and condition.
I am thinking of waiting a bit and seeing what the winter brings. At this point being in PA how much riding I would be able to do is up in the air with the crap weather we have had before having to put the bike away for the winter.
I am going to go back with a lower offer as I do feel the bike is a little high for the year and condition.