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Ist Time Harley Buyer

  • Jo
    Jo
    6 years ago

    Hi all!

    Currently have a 1995 Honda VT1100C Shadow, owned since new, with 133,000 K's. Love it and will keep it, but now want something different. Live on the South Coast NSW.

    Looking to buy my first Harley and am grateful for any suggestions of what to watch out for. Not in a rush, happy to take it slow.

    Prefer the Twin Cam 88 to Evo engine. Bike models in contention are the Road King and the Electra Glide. Budget is $15,000. From what I have seen available on the market are Harley's that fall into the 2000-2006 year range, with mileage spread from 25,000K's up to 100,000K's.

    Any pearl's of wisdom you want to throw my way would be greatly appreciated. I have read scary stories of cam related problems, but have no idea just how widespread the problem is, nor how it can be avoided.

    Many thanks.

  • Jo
    Jo
    6 years ago

    Hi moo,

    I have looked at the 2009 Road King, it's at Canberra H-D.
    Really nice bike, but with stamp duty, rego and green slip the ride away price is over $17,000. Well above my budget - $15,000 ride away is the absolute ceiling for me.

  • Smokey61
    Smokey61
    6 years ago
    Quoting Jo on 07 Aug 2018 05:59 AM

    Hi moo,

    I have looked at the 2009 Road King, it's at Canberra H-D.
    Really nice bike, but with stamp duty, rego and green slip the ride away price is over $17,000. Well above my budget - $15,000 ride away is the absolute ceiling for me.

    $17K? Perfect. Offer them $13K cash. Haggle to $15K. Do deal, shake hands.
  • chriso
    chriso
    6 years ago
    I got 2012 road king for 16. You will get a good twin cam for your money.
    Market has been flooded with twin cams for years, heaps of em , take your pick. 
    For mine still the best engine yet,I got 3 with big ks and never had one issue.
    Haven’t rode a M8 and prob won’t as they don’t appeal to me one bit,but if they did I’d be waiting till they sort the sumping issues.
  • Jo
    Jo
    6 years ago

    Kiwidave,
    So are you're saying that I should also consider late model Evo's? As in because H-D had sorted out any issues by 1998? Ok, that's something to consider. And interesting that you mention dealership blandness when I mention possible issues with the cam-chain. I've only spoken the three (dealers) to date, and all pooh poohed the issue. Yet none could tell me if the bikes I was looking over have had the tensioner addressed.

    Interesting comment on the mileage. So the higher the mileage the better? Assuming that the owner had done the right thing regarding servicing.

    Smokey,
    I'll keep your bargaining approach in mind when I see something to get serious over. I wasn't aware that Harleys are a buyers market at the moment. I'm not in a rush, so am happy to walk away if the price isn't right.

  • chriso
    chriso
    6 years ago
    Quoting Jo on 07 Aug 2018 12:07 PM

    Kiwidave,
    So are you're saying that I should also consider late model Evo's? As in because H-D had sorted out any issues by 1998? Ok, that's something to consider. And interesting that you mention dealership blandness when I mention possible issues with the cam-chain. I've only spoken the three (dealers) to date, and all pooh poohed the issue. Yet none could tell me if the bikes I was looking over have had the tensioner addressed.

    Interesting comment on the mileage. So the higher the mileage the better? Assuming that the owner had done the right thing regarding servicing.

    Smokey,
    I'll keep your bargaining approach in mind when I see something to get serious over. I wasn't aware that Harleys are a buyers market at the moment. I'm not in a rush, so am happy to walk away if the price isn't right.

    It was only the earlier twin cams that had the tensioner issues.
    I agree the 2009 and later is the go.

    Name your price. if they wont budge move on to the next one.
  • imoo6170
    imoo6170
    6 years ago
    Quoting Jo on 07 Aug 2018 12:07 PM

    Kiwidave,
    So are you're saying that I should also consider late model Evo's? As in because H-D had sorted out any issues by 1998? Ok, that's something to consider. And interesting that you mention dealership blandness when I mention possible issues with the cam-chain. I've only spoken the three (dealers) to date, and all pooh poohed the issue. Yet none could tell me if the bikes I was looking over have had the tensioner addressed.

    Interesting comment on the mileage. So the higher the mileage the better? Assuming that the owner had done the right thing regarding servicing.

    Smokey,
    I'll keep your bargaining approach in mind when I see something to get serious over. I wasn't aware that Harleys are a buyers market at the moment. I'm not in a rush, so am happy to walk away if the price isn't right.

    Quoting chriso on 07 Aug 2018 08:14 PMedited: 07 Aug 2018 08:16 PM

    It was only the earlier twin cams that had the tensioner issues.

    I agree the 2009 and later is the go.

    Name your price. if they wont budge move on to the next one.

    Best and easiest advice - Name your price. if they wont budge move on to the next one.
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    6 years ago
    Jo, KiwiDave right, but Evo getting old now so hard to find a good one.
    All Harleys have issues. ( nothing is perfect ). But has not stopped me riding them since the seventy's  and new ones no better than old ones, just a bit smoother. the crank is thow away now, EVO crank fully rebuildable, not a twin cam crank. so there is a limit to how many k a twin cam could possibly last. buying used and looking for a cheap one. your on your own. if your lucky and get one that has been serviced regular and had a good rider from new. but be warned twin cam cranks can slip the crank pin. when that happens it takes out one oil pump that is on end of crank shaft  & you throw the old crank away your up for a new crank.
    EVO can rebuild crank buy new crank pin new roller bearings, new rods. not trying to turn you off just letting you know the truth.
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    6 years ago
    Agree with all advice provided thus far. The only thing I’ll add is that a Harley tourer is a lot heavier than your Honda shadow. You don’t notice the bulk once you’re moving at a reasonable speed but some people don’t like the bulk and weight for low speed manouvering. Brakes and frame on a modern tourer shit on an evo. Cruise control and abs are also bloody handy on a modern tourer 
  • Jo
    Jo
    6 years ago
    Thanks for all the replies guys, really appreciate them.

    I have test ridden a few H-D's now, a 2009 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic 1584; a 2004 Harley-Davidson Road King 1450; and a 2003
    Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide 1450 100th Anv.

    All impressed with smoothness of ride and power, although the 1584 was noticeably stronger on roll-on to both the other bikes. The Ultra was the least responsive in roll-on. Weight didn't bother me at all, even the Ultra Glide, which was comforting. But I have to say that both Road King's left me feeling dissatisfied with the ergonomics. Handlebars are more narrow than I'm used too (I'd fitted low western handlebars on my Shadow); which made me feel I had less leverage than normal. And I had to lean very slightly forward to grip, rather than sitting upright. Which put the tank dial below my eyesight, so I had to deliberately tilt my head down to look at the speedometer. And I felt that I didn't have the wriggle room necessary for those long rides.

    I felt the sitting position on the Ultra was more relaxed, but was amazed at just how much of the road was blocked by the fairing and leg protectors. But it's been ages since I rode a bike with a full fairing. What I didn't like about the Ultra were the brakes. Even though it has twin disc on the front and a single on the back, it takes a real handful to pull it up quick.

    And the clutch! Jeez, you Harley riders must have left forearms twice the size of your right! :) I couldn't believe H-D doesn't fit hydraulic clutch levers on such big bikes. Are all big H-D's like that?

    Suffice to say I'm now in a quandary. I like the Ultra, especially the protection and comfort offered by the fairing. But really dislike the brakes, and the so so engine power. Regarding both Road Kings I like the power, smoothness of ride, and brakes. But the ride position is a real concern. I guess until I can find a RD with wider bars I won't know for sure if it suits me or not. And the clutch on all leaves me cool.

    Perhaps I should expand my range by looking at softails? They appear to offer a more relaxed, stretched seating position. Guess i should also look to take them for a test ride too. :)


  • Baloffski
    Baloffski
    6 years ago
    Harleys are now one of the most acessoried bikes on the road, the options to review your motorcycle are intensive. Your choice as said, on almost every item on the bike, even a squeeze horn. 
    Seriously, must be one of the most aftermarket choice vehicle additions available, Harley Davidson, I wonder if main competition, Indian has similar?
    They get you on the roundabout, as we all know, but that"s part of the fun of it, except riding em.
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