5 Best Harley-Davidson Bargains
Harley-Davidson's aren't exactly known for being cheap, but there are bargains to be found out there.
1. 1986-Present Sportster 883 and 1200
The Sportster has been in Harley's lineup since 1957, and it has served as a gateway bike for a lot of people over those years. These bikes have a real Harley vibe about them without the typical Harley price tag. Harley debuted the Evolution engine in 1986 in 883 and 1200 cc sizes. Depending on the year and the condition of the bike, you can readily find good used Sportsters on the cheap.
2. 1990-2000 FLH Electra Glide
By 1990, Harley had invested a great deal of money and time developing the Evolution engine used in their flagship model. Even used examples with relatively high mileage tend to deliver a smooth highway ride. And with the average used prices hovering in the $8,000-$13,000 range, they also represent great value. And if you don't like the stock windshield or quiet exhaust, simply replace them with any of a plethora of aftermarket parts.
3. 1990-2000 Fat Boy
Fat Boy models built in the 90's are among the most popular and best-selling motorcycles ever built by Harley-Davidson. In 2000, Harley fitted the smooth running Twin-Cam 88B engine. Plus, a lot of folks who bought Fat Boys during this time period only rode them casually, meaning there are a lot of low mileage examples out there. And even really nice examples can be had for reasonable money.
4. 1994-2000 FLHR Road King
The Road King is a good looking, comfortable, cross country riding gem. That, of course, means that many of them are going to have quite a few miles on the odometer. They'll also go long distances on a tank of gas, and they're quite easy to steer. If you are looking at a pre-1999 model (before the Twin Cam debuted), be on the lookout for cracks in the fenders and saddlebags caused by troublesome excessive vibration.
5. 1990-2000 FLSTC Heritage Softail
The Softail is a capable weekend cruiser that can be customized to basically any taste. Featuring comfortable ergonomics and highway cruising comfort, the Heritage is the do it all version of the Softail. Models built from 1990 and on were dramatically more comfortable to ride than their predecessors. When shopping for a used Heritage, beware of leaky lifter base gaskets that drip engine lubricant on the exhaust pipes.
If you need help with mods or repair or just general maintenance, the how-to section of HDForums.com is there to help.
