Salvage, would you ?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
Don't do it period. It is a buyers market and you can do almost just as well buying a bike with a good title. Besides the resale and the insurance issues...do you really want to put your life on the line of a bike thats been in an accident? Besides that, I would think it would be bad carma to own a bike that's already been down. lol
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
There is another angle to consider this from. " years ago I had the misfortune to hit a patch of hydrualic fluid in a curve on my '04 Ultra, only going about 25 or so. Went down, not hurt, the bike still driveable. Took it to the HD dealer and submitted a claim to State Farm. I was shocked that the repairs came to over $7000!
This was all "cosmetic" damage. Nothing that would permenantly affect the bike once repaired. Could this be the case with the RK in this post?
Maybe the OP could inquire if the repairs were done at the selling dealer. If so, could he see the work order? That woulld tell the tale. Insurance companies will "total" a bike if the $ amount rises to a certain level, and we all know that HD replacement parts cost big bucks. There is a distinct possibility here that the bike in question was laid down, sustained moderate damage to external, replacable parts (saddlebag, rails, pipes, floorboards, engine guards, bars, windshield, gas tank) and had enough in parts and labor at the HD dealership that the Ins Co. looked at the book value, said that excceds 80% (their typical threshold for totalling a veh) and said total it.
If that's the case, there is no mechanical or perfomance/reliability reason not to buy the bike. Yes, the resale/title issue remains, and that is a bargaining chip. I can't speak to the asking price-you guys seem to know that stuff any ways. But if OP can determine these things, this might not be such a bad deal, and in fact might be turned to his advantage if he's a savvy bagainer.
This was all "cosmetic" damage. Nothing that would permenantly affect the bike once repaired. Could this be the case with the RK in this post?
Maybe the OP could inquire if the repairs were done at the selling dealer. If so, could he see the work order? That woulld tell the tale. Insurance companies will "total" a bike if the $ amount rises to a certain level, and we all know that HD replacement parts cost big bucks. There is a distinct possibility here that the bike in question was laid down, sustained moderate damage to external, replacable parts (saddlebag, rails, pipes, floorboards, engine guards, bars, windshield, gas tank) and had enough in parts and labor at the HD dealership that the Ins Co. looked at the book value, said that excceds 80% (their typical threshold for totalling a veh) and said total it.
If that's the case, there is no mechanical or perfomance/reliability reason not to buy the bike. Yes, the resale/title issue remains, and that is a bargaining chip. I can't speak to the asking price-you guys seem to know that stuff any ways. But if OP can determine these things, this might not be such a bad deal, and in fact might be turned to his advantage if he's a savvy bagainer.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
Got a opportunity to buy a 04 road king custom for 7k that has 26k miles. It's an insurance buyout. It had very minor cosmetic damage. It's all been fixed back to new and does look good. Dealer says no issues getting titled, has been inspected and passed. Anything else to be concerned about ? Watcha guys think?
I would not even consider it but if you're looking for a cheap bike that you'll keep, I suggest you offer 50% of average retail for it, $4,500-$5,000 tops.
Make sure you can insure it too.
Novice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: joplin, mo.
salvage, prior salvage, rebuilt, to buy or not to buy. if your a licensed dealer and can go to auctions then the 1/3 rule everyone talking about would be true. reality is that its worth about 2/3 + on the street. there are LOTS of bikes that have been wrecked that still have good titles, u cant always judge the bike by the title, i found 05 road king custom 20,000 mi. 6000.00, with a good title. was the biggest piece of junk, needed front fender, headlight assembly, windshield, paint, bars, i stopped looking at that point, but hey it had good title. your probably not going to find a good titled 04 rkc in nice condition for much less than 9000.00, if you are paying cash, offer 6000.00 ride it for year or so and you will be able to get most if not all your money back, ive owned several salvage harleys and have one now, never had problem selling, or insuring. rebuilt or good title, you gota know what your looking at. buying same bike with good title for 9000.00+ is no better deal than that one. if you dont know alot about it have someone that does look at it. i dont understand why people so scared of rebuilt bikes, buy one w/ good title for 9000.00 ride year or two sell for 8000.00, why not buy that one for 6000.00 ride for year or two and sell for 5000.00+, whats the difference, or just do as most, go buy one with good title and who knows if its been wrecked or laid over on credit, and pay 1000 or 2000.00 more than what its worth with interest etc. end up paying 11000.00+ for 10000.00 bike then sell for or 9000.00 or less, hows that a good deal. oh wait it had good title. if price is an issue, negotiate, if rebuilt is issue, move on, all this is my opinion, like bellybuttons everyone has one.
and in missouri, he says it been inspected, make sure it a PRIOR salvage title. and use all the LOCAL resources you can to buy a bike, good or rebuilt title.
and in missouri, he says it been inspected, make sure it a PRIOR salvage title. and use all the LOCAL resources you can to buy a bike, good or rebuilt title.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 193
From: Las Vegas, NV
Never. I've found that they are never put back together exactly right. There's always an issue. Wrong bolt here, missing thingy there. Wrong bolt grade and it breaks...always something. A lot of insurance companies don't like them either and will only do liability. I know it seems like a screaming deal but it could be a ton of problems.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
I hear that touring bikes can get totaled because of the lower engine guard brackets get bent in a crash, requiring a frame replacement to fix. So they total it instead. I would guess it can be hammered or bent back out and parts replaced and away you go. So that is something to check out.
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