I guess I'll know when I view them but torn.

Bike A has had a lot done to it and to my tastes too............2011 with around 8,000 ks. V&H pipes. Mini apes which works well as I have new bars coming soon so should be an easy fit as extended cables already. Lowered shocks at the back which I want too...............but it's around $15k, I reckon I could get it for $14k

 

Bike B, immaculate but standard bars, regular shocks at the back. V&H pipes. It's only done 4,000 ks but needs a new battery and a service. He'll take $12k cash. 

 

Question, do I pay a bit more for the bike with the work done and higher mileage...................still not a lot mileage wise for a 2011 I guess

Or go with the cheaper option and get the work done!!!...........Things I'd have to get done is lowered black shocks on the back and new bars fitted with extended cables. Lower mileage bike but the difference is $3k almost..............!!!

Hmmm 2 he doesn't have the original pipes. I didn't when I bought my Sportster either back in Jan. Had Vance & Hines pipes............guy doing my RWC said the pipes were illegal, but if they are illegal why are they on thousands of bikes

 From my point of view, having the bike stock and then upgrading it makes it more "yours" as opposed to buying something predone.

Just how I've felt since a kid...plus the millage difference is miniscule.

I'd take B, save your money and look at some of the new porducts coming out, you'll possibly get a better deal and/or a better product for your money.

 

Have fun, let us know what one you get, with pictures of course.

D.

Thanks for the replies guys. Only problem I guess with the B Bike is that the owner has ridden it twice in six months, it's been sitting around for quite a while hence the new battery and possible service. I have seen Black Denim brand new for $14250 ride away too........

i'd take bike b. harleys sit for long periods all the time, esp in the states where the weather is shit and they have a 'riding season' of only 6 months or so in the north. 12k for bike, 400 for shocks 200 for bars, maybe a brake line for 100. you might be up for a battery, so 'nother 100. Service it yourself. At 4000k all it needs would be oil & trans fluid, and check nothings rattled loose. Thats 12800, all sorted how u want it. 14k for a bike that was 14250 ride away 2 years ago is too much, pipes & bares, shocks etc don't up the price on second hand at all. You could shave another 500 off by shaking 11500 under the nose of bike b's current owner, most likely he'll cave to get it done. Make sure you agree on the sale price before filling in the stamp duty form etc.

I went through this same dilemma a few months ago. Ended up buying new and getting the dealer to do a deal on some parts.

If you can find one in good nick with the parts you want for the right price, then go for it. If not, then you may as well buy new at $14,250 and get a full warranty.

Yeah I am a bit stuck. one for $12990 with about 3,000 kms from a Dealer. I am feeling even $14k even all done up, yeah I'm not sure I'm feeling it.........one done up recently 2011 with 4000 ks sold for $15500

I agree parts don't add much to the value, it's a person thing adding those parts...........get reckons he wont go below $14k...........who knows when cash is pulled out!!

 TheRealMadMax is right mate...if you're having troubles, get it brand new. At least you know its new and under a full warranty.

 

If you can fight the urge to rush modding the bike (I couldn't   you'll be much better off.

It is a wonder why he's only ridden it a couple of times in such a short period, but it could come down to simply not enjoying the ride...

Take the cheaper one, particularly if you're going to changes bits and pieces.

 Well I had a go on Bike A, the dearer one all done up.............yeah rode okay but it didn't blow me away. Little parts here and there that werent' as neat as I want and for $14k I want neat ha ha

Also the top Rocker boxes have had slight leaks, he believes this is covered under Warranty with Harley, a lifetime warranty on that sort of thing on the engine?

and he said the local dealer will fix it under warranty. He bought it in Dec 2011.

It concerns me he hasn't had this looked at, doesn't look like it's leaked for a while but the marks are there................so that alone made me walk away.................

lifetime warranty?? hahahahahahaha. if harley offered a lifetime warranty against their bikes leaking oil, they would have gone out of business in the 60's.

ha ha darkdesign I agree. I doubt he'll have it under warranty from new. What do you get on a new bike warranty wise..........plus no one will cover seals etc that wear over time. But it's a worry, an 18 month old bike with less than 10k k's on the clock leaking on the rocker covers.......i'd say that is why it hasn't sold yet

not sure what the time period is, never bought a bike that new, but if its like cars the warranty is on the vehicle, regardless of the owner, provided all the servicing has been done at the proper intervals, etc. I'm pretty sure leaking rocker boxes if fairly common until you put money down on a better gasket kit - Cometic or such - Worth a go if you already own the bike, but buying you'd want to stab him heavily in the wallet before you took on his problems. Being the top of the engine, they probably dried out a little because he didn't run it often enough, then one day fired it up, jumped on and fucked off without letting it warm up / lubricate etc. You said it doesn't look like it leaked in a while, maybe it's already fixed, but he's just crap at washing a bike??

 get a cast iron