One thing to keep in mind with a used bike is sometimes the owner has put a good deal of money into them. You may get a fairly good deal, just because of the added features.
Ride before you buy, you'll find what you like.

 

Keep a close look in the bigger papers...my bro-in-law found a sweet 02 Road Glide for $13,000 and it only had 10,000 miles on it when he picked it up. There are some good deals to be had if you keep searching and have a little patience.

Somebody suggested a police bike...when I was buying my bike I saw several very nice, low mileage (some with less than 2,000 miles) police return bikes in the showroom. They come pretty plain-jane but it sounds like just what you're looking for. One of those bikes would have been a very good option if I couldn't have afforded something more.

Good luck.

 

patients is key. ive known people that go to check out used bikes and givesseller there business card with a lo-ball price on back of card. Amazingly they do get calls back!

 

You can get on a nice used bike for 13 to 14 grand. The cop bikes are usually priced to sell, and if you look around you will find some other nice baggers in your range. I bought an 04 Electra Glide Classic with a few nice goodies on it back in November of 06. $13900, out the door. The deals are out there, you might have to look for them though.

 

hey??? anyone seen Waldo?

 

That's why HD makes Sporties, as an entry-level product to get you hooked. If you don't ride two-up long distances, buy a Road King. If you do and/or like gauges and music, look into a Dresser (fairing bike). I rode a RK for nine years, then bought an '07 SG, and love both of them for different reasons.

As for carb vs. EFI, if I had a choice I would go carb. They are simple, reliable, and will get better gas mileage when calibrated properly (Hint: Thunderslide kit). Also, a good tuner can squeeze a few more HP from a carbed bike than EFI. With my '96 RK, there were no similarly equipped bikes that could either outrun me or beat me in gas mileage. If you like smooth running at all temperatures without the interaction of a choke, go EFI. Personally, I like the bonding experience of using a choke, but many don't care about that kind of interaction.

 

Doc,

I just PM'd ya.

 

Sounds like you need an Electra Glide.
Should be able to find a nice used one (preferably EFI) for the amount of money you're looking to spend.

For lots of long distance riding it's hard to beat the EG.
Think of it as a Lincoln with a leaky roof...

 

Doc, I picked this bike up yesterday. 97 RK, 14000 miles, 4 G's in upgrades. $10,300. There are plenty of deals on used bikes out there. Actually got it off ebay. Good Luck.

[IMG]local://upfiles/24568/793BB266314B4DEC98168FC338058BA7.jpg[/IMG]

 

Check out hdtrader.com...there are thousands of harleys for sale, new & used, dealers & private. Well organized search engine within the site....Good luck.

By the way, once you touring, you'll never regret it, and probably never go back. Had a heavily tricked out deuce and after i tried a road king, bought one and decided to keep my deuce, since it was always a beautiful bike, but ended up selling it after a few months because i just could not enjoy the ride after a touring bike.