I second that. TC88 with 5 speed and Stage1 will keep you happy. Get the brace if you feel a need. I have an 04 and never felt the need for the brace.

 

There is a general rule in the vehicle market that goes something like: "buy the latest model you can afford with the options you want" unless you can be happy with something at least 10 years old. Vehicles DON'T improve with age, they keep loosing value and fall apart. 10 years is a basic rule of thumb for when the resale value drop starts to slow down.

Beary

 

I know I want the newest best equipped bike for the money. I want to avoid sales tax. And I really want stay in a $15k to $17k range.

FYI- if you are reading this and thinking about selling.....I Prefer vivid black, no flat/denim black. I like my paint to shine. I will probably keep the search to 2009 and later for the frame 96" or 103" engine and six speed transmission. I will consider an older 96" with six speed for a great price.

If you see something and want to share the information, please pm or email me.

Bobbigham@ yahoo.com

I appreciate the feedback. It gives me hope that I might find a fair deal through a private party.

 

If you have the cash in hand, have patience because the something will come up.

I have bought two bikes on Craigs list as Sportster with 138 miles on and a Limited with 78 miles on it. The bikes we brand new less than 6 months and 1 month old respectively.

As mentioned find somthing with out the engine work done, because you do not want someone elses head ache. But get all the Chrome possible, If you don't like just take it off and sell it.

If you are looking for an 09 those are great bikes, get ABS for sure. Be patient because as the season progresses guys will upgrade for the 103. But look and don't be suprised to see 09 with real low miles. Those are great deals.

 

Great suggestions here.

I just need to keep up on a daily review of cycle trader and craigslist, and maybe this site and see what shows up.


It's funny the season has just started for most areas of the country but here, in the AZ, it's going to take a break from late June through August. July might be a ideal time for finding a deal in the desert, maybe not so much elsewhere.

 

short answer - yes, some will. I was in the same boat. Lightly used bikes were about 18-19k. I got mine for only $1000 more which is well worth it for reasons I don't need to explain. However, that was last year in April and it was a 96 motor. Maybe they wanted to get rid of all their 96s.

edit - I would buy a modified bike in a heartbeat. I had the dealer do a 107 and D&Ds to my bike to get the bike where I need it to be performance wise. Necessary imo. Why rule out a bike if it was done by a reputable shop? I guarantee, a bike with a 107 isn't a nightmare if it was done by a reputable shop. It will run better, faster, and as long, (if not longer due to reduced heat generated by those damn cats).

You'll have to find a pretty desperate seller to get a 09 Ultra for the price you are willing to pay. Possible, but look the bike over carefully. Tires and repairs can add up fast.

 

HAH. I'll take my 88 over a 96 any day of the week.

 

Agreed - my 5-speed TC88 was fine - more a pedigree than a mongrel!

 

I have a 10 Limited. spent thousands on it. love it however I wish sometimes I still had my 05 ultra and no payment plan.
When I sold it to a buddy it had 65k on it now in the 80k range. If you are looking for a touring bike I personally would say skip 06 and 07 these are transition years so to speak.IMO

 

I would put '08 in that group. '08 is a Single Year frame.
The basic frame is, basically the same back to 1979. But the mounts for major parts were changed to use the new fuel tank.
The coil, seat mounts, and motor mounts were moved to make room for the 6 gallon fuel tank. That is just the obvious changes.