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There are several things to consider when shopping for a used Harley Davidson Motorcycle, price of course being the main consideration and obviously also the condition of the bike, mileage, year and model. These are the basics.
Probably the best place to start your search would be your local Harley dealer; they usually have a line of previously owned Harleys. I recommend the dealership because not only do they know the current value, but they will have a solid history on the motorcycle, where as a private seller, not saying all, may leave out some very important information in the bike’s history. Also the dealer can help you chose which bike best suits you and how you ride.
Don’t just buy! Research and more research. This is after all, a big decision you’re making and you need all the info you can get before you buy. You need to know about the financing, what’s the bike going to cost you every month. Start with a credit union or your own bank. Eaglemark, a Harley Davidson company may be an option. And insurance, don’t forget that…
Now with the information from the dealer you have a much clearer view of what type of Harley you’re looking for. Now you can shop around with the confidence of knowing what to look for as far as the best motorcycle for you.
Start looking through the local classifieds, Penny Saver and other free weekly papers as well as the motorcycle classifieds online. Once you’ve found the bike check it out, Carfax would be a big help, unfortunately they are unable to check motorcycles. They do however have an extensive list of DMV sites with links to all states.
So, say now you’ve found the Harley of your dreams, first things first. Most Harley Davidson owners take great care of they’re bikes not only because of the investment but also out of pride. However you still need to check the motorcycle over carefully.
Start out with the general appearance, look for anything obvious, is there oil or any liquid puddle under it? Look for scratches or dents. Look for paint fade or miss-matched, could be a sign of a replaced part. Tires, how do they look? Motorcycle tires have wear bars that cross the tread, are they visible? Feel the motor; be careful it may have been started before you arrived. This could mean it’s hard to start or some other problem. Check the odometer, check the condition of the brakes, hoses and wires, looking for cracks, leaks and especially electrical tape, you don’t even want to go down a bad wiring road!
Ask the owner to start the bike and watch to see if he uses any special technique in doing so, other than normal. While it’s running, hopefully, check out the lights, turn indicators and brake lights for both foot and hand brakes. Listen for any abnormal sounds, clicking or hollow tapping etc. Listen for exhaust leaks. Try it out on a road test if the owner will allow, if not maybe this isn’t the bike for you.
While test riding feel the bike, are there any extreme vibrations other than ordinary with a Harley? Does the bike pull left or right, check how it shifts, smooth and easy? Does it stop smoothly, or do you feel a vibration in the handle bars? How does it handle in a curve? Does the front wheel spin freely or is there a wobble? (Don’t check the back wheel while riding; this could cause serious injury or death).
After the test ride check the bike over again. Check the oil, is it clean, what’s the level? If it’s low or dirty it could be a problem. Make sure the VIN number matches the title. If all things are to your satisfaction and you’ve haggled the price to you’re liking, Congratulations, you’re a Harley owner! (Or any other motorcycle.)
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