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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 3
From: Idaho
Thank you for the info Spartanden. All good points. I have manuals for my Vulcan and keep track of my services in the user manual. I use the same method of tracking my fuel with my bike and my car.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
Trying to buy a Harley from a car dealer I am going to assume that asking for service records on the bike to see if the cam chain tensioners have been done is going to lead to a dead end. If this is your first Harley I would try to take someone that is familiar with them with you to look at bikes.
So one thing to remember is that when you see Harley's at car dealers they were usually bought from auction. Not uncommon for older models as the HD dealers really don't want anything 10 y/o on the floor unless it is exceptional.
I would spend some time shopping and looking at a few bikes rather than target fixating on the first one you see. As the years went by changes were made. Some small so not so small. The major change came in 2009 with the newer frame. This is a key point if you ever want to add accessories as a lot of stuff fit from that point up to modern day. The second major change came 2014 with the Rushmore bikes with improved suspension the boom/NAV systems and more potent cams.
I am not trying to steer you away from anything older just trying to make sure that you know that certain parts can get harder to find as the bikes age and often times dealers won't work on older bikes. You would in that case have to find an independent shop if you can't do repairs yourself. Just somethings to think about.
So one thing to remember is that when you see Harley's at car dealers they were usually bought from auction. Not uncommon for older models as the HD dealers really don't want anything 10 y/o on the floor unless it is exceptional.
I would spend some time shopping and looking at a few bikes rather than target fixating on the first one you see. As the years went by changes were made. Some small so not so small. The major change came in 2009 with the newer frame. This is a key point if you ever want to add accessories as a lot of stuff fit from that point up to modern day. The second major change came 2014 with the Rushmore bikes with improved suspension the boom/NAV systems and more potent cams.
I am not trying to steer you away from anything older just trying to make sure that you know that certain parts can get harder to find as the bikes age and often times dealers won't work on older bikes. You would in that case have to find an independent shop if you can't do repairs yourself. Just somethings to think about.
Last edited by todd-67; Jul 2, 2020 at 03:50 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Eastern Kansas
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Joined: May 2015
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From: Fix'n 2 N, TX
Soelman, I think you can do better than 24k miles for a used bike. But if you are sold on it, so be it. The last one and current had 1k and 2k via craigslist and KC Harley.
I'd shop around. Granted 24k isn't bad, I just think you can get a lower mileage bike. Whatever you get, take it to a dealer to look over before you sign.
I'd shop around. Granted 24k isn't bad, I just think you can get a lower mileage bike. Whatever you get, take it to a dealer to look over before you sign.
