ACMESkydiver 0 #1 May 3, 2006 Thinking about it for my hubby, strictly to save $$ (). The dude wants a Harley, please don't go on and on about 'but this bike is better..just the same...blah, blah blah.' His friends ride them, it's just his thing, don't bash his dream! I'm thinking a used Sportster or Soft tail would be awesome...it's just a first Harley. He rode years ago some other bike...I don't remember much about it, just that I shined the chrome for him. I'm such a good lil' wifey! He sold his bike when babies came. When he can get the really cool Harley o' his dream, this one will become mine. Ebay, local sellers only? Classified ads? Dealers? Please help me out. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #2 May 3, 2006 Admit it, Jaye... you just wanna be a "biker mama".... Cycletrader.com I have NO experience with the site, but it may give you a place to start. I'd be VERY careful about getting a bike without someone checking it out - it can be hard to tell if you're getting someone's 'problem child' or not. Good luck!!Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hawkins121 0 #3 May 3, 2006 craigslist.com A Sportster wont be big enough. You wont get any kind of softail used or new for under 15k. If you want just a basic bike buy a kawasaki cruiser or something. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #4 May 3, 2006 Mike is right. Buy used, cycletrader has been around for a while and has served people well, its a good place to start. I'd stay away from a Sporster, they're just too small (not engine, the bike its self). I don't fit on one and I couldn't imagine trying to ride two up on one. Of course, my bike is an 800cc and it has plenty of power for riding two up. Then again, its basically the same size as a softtail, so its more comfortable.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #5 May 3, 2006 *sigh* I REALLY need to stay out of these damn cycle threads.....Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #6 May 3, 2006 Well, you know, you'll be back in TX before you know it and you will be in need of quality transportation.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #7 May 3, 2006 Quotecraigslist.com A Sportster wont be big enough. You wont get any kind of softail used or new for under 15k. If you want just a basic bike buy a kawasaki cruiser or something. There are some really nice cruisers out there besides Harleys. BUT if he really wants a HD, then that's probably what you should try to do if you're gonna buy him a bike. Your bike is such an individual thing. You might make up a gift certificate or something with the amount that you can pay for a bike....then he can choose his own. linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #8 May 3, 2006 QuoteI'd stay away from a Sporster, they're just too small (not engine, the bike its self). I don't fit on one and I couldn't imagine trying to ride two up on one. Of course, my bike is an 800cc and it has plenty of power for riding two up. Good to keep in mind, but fortunately we are never riding 2 on a single bike (Joe went down with a friend when he was younger and he has sworn never to ride anyone again) I'll check craigslist, thanks! ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #9 May 3, 2006 QuoteWell, you know, you'll be back in TX before you know it and you will be in need of quality transportation. Yup, y'all keep tempting me!!Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #10 May 3, 2006 Thanks for the thread. I was wondering this stuff myself. I'm taking the motorcycle safety class to get my license on July 10 and i'll be looking for a bike after that. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveorino 7 #11 May 3, 2006 Cycle trader is good. A used Harley 90s up will hold a good resale value. Just don't use Ebay. My neighbor got burned big time. One exception to that is some Cycle shops advertise on Ebay. Call them to check the bike out. The Dyna I bought by calling a Cycle store who was selling it on Ebay. The Fat Boy was bought from a friend. steveOrino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #12 May 3, 2006 QuoteCycle trader is good. A used Harley 90s up will hold a good resale value. Just don't use Ebay. My neighbor got burned big time. One exception to that is some Cycle shops advertise on Ebay. Call them to check the bike out. The Dyna I bought by calling a Cycle store who was selling it on Ebay. The Fat Boy was bought from a friend. Just like selling a rig long distance, you definitely want to have some way to get it checked out before you pay out the money. I've heard some good things about Escrow.com but don't have any personal experience with them...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #13 May 3, 2006 One of my AFF students owns a Harley Davidson store in Walnut Creek California. I sent some friends there and she totally hooked them up. She might be able to get a handle on a good used bike. But you'll have to come to Cali to get it! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChangoLanzao 0 #14 May 3, 2006 Get a used sportie; it'll be affordable and he'll dig it. Then he'll be able to "upgrade" to a Softail, if that's what he eventually desires...and you'll ride the bike you picked out By getting him a bad-ass sportie now, you'll save the difference so he can go for the Softail later. I'd start by shopping locally. Take a biker along along who knows what to look/listen for. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #15 May 3, 2006 Ok, then if he wants a badass HD that's not loaded down with all the crap that the stock bike has, then check these guys out: http://www.flyritechoppers.com Their bikes start out for a really cool bike for about $13k.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mayberry 0 #16 May 3, 2006 This past fall I found mine here. www.hogs4sale.com. Scroll to the bottom to look for a specific model. I got a great deal and the previous owner had it garaged just a couple of miles from where I work. DonDon Here's to friends! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davelepka 4 #17 May 3, 2006 Ask around the DZ and find out who the 'bike guy' is (every DZ has at least one), or who knows a bike guy. You'll want some one to assist you with the purchase to make sure you get a good deal on a good bike. There are so many styles and sizes, and even when you find one you like, you'll need an experinced rider to chcek it out, and take it for a test ride. Provided it passes that, you may even want to have it inspected at a local bike dealership that sells that brand. A professional mechanic will know what to look for, be able to let you know about upcoming maintenence expenses. The inspection shouldn't cost more than $50 or $75, and it's cheap insurance to make sure you're making a good purchase. Any seller with nothing to hide would be glad to take the bike in to have it looked at. By taking that step, and footing the bill, you're letting them know you're a serious buyer. Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cderham 0 #18 May 3, 2006 I'd go with the sporty. But I'm biased since my wife and each I own one and love them. Go for a '04 and newer. This is when they switched to rubber mount mine is a 2000 and my wifes is a 2004. there is a big diffence in vibration. Also if you find a 883 that you like you can always do a 1200cc conversion for around $1000 later down the road. I know you can get a brand new 883 out the door for $7700 in central Illinois. Also do not pay any extra money for a used bike with alot of crome or custom parts unless it is exactly what you want. Chrome does not hold it's value on used bikes. look up book value and make that the top offer to the seller. I've seen people want every dime of chrome they put into the bike back out of it. My thought is you add it you lose it. That's just money to make "YOUR" bike look the way "YOU" want it to. Chris It's Jimmy Time!! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Fast-As-Fuck/6099474213 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #19 May 3, 2006 QuoteYou might make up a gift certificate or something with the amount that you can pay for a bike....then he can choose his own. That's a really cool idea!~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #20 May 3, 2006 QuoteOne of my AFF students owns a Harley Davidson store in Walnut Creek California. I sent some friends there and she totally hooked them up. She might be able to get a handle on a good used bike. But you'll have to come to Cali to get it! Y'know, my cousin just invited us to her wedding in southern California in June...~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #21 May 3, 2006 QuoteAdmit it, Jaye... you just wanna be a "biker mama".... Maybe when I lose another 20 pounds. Until then, I'd be frightened of seeing me on a bike! ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
briguy 0 #22 May 3, 2006 I'd stay away from the sportster model line, your money is better spent on a softtail (fat boy or deuce) or even a dyna. plus, no one will snicker at your husband. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #23 May 3, 2006 QuoteOk, then if he wants a badass HD that's not loaded down with all the crap that the stock bike has, then check these guys out: http://www.flyritechoppers.com Their bikes start out for a really cool bike for about $13k. I'll bookmark the site for the second bike, but that's more than I'm wanting to go right now. I'm thinking $8k for a used get around bike which will become mine, and I am not going to be riding all the time. It will be a local, summer, fun-to-get-out thing. I know a lot of people take their riding dead seriously (our buddy across the street has the sweetest looking Harley we've seen in a long time...and he rides every day), and that's cool for them! But my Joe and I...we just like to have fun. We like to spread our fun out...we're not hardcore jumpers, or snowboarders, or scuba divers...we like to do some of all of it. And whereas we understand that 'You'll never get good at something if you don't focus on it and do it all the time', the goal for our lives personally is to enjoy our time together. Our lofty aspirations are in other areas. It's cool to have balance. I will definitely check out the local shops, and talk to Danny (our neighbor) about what he looked for in his bike. -His is custom and one-of-a-kind and all he's dreamed of though, and we're looking for more of an 'intro to being a biker' model. When and if we get one soon, I'll post pics. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #24 May 3, 2006 QuoteI'd stay away from the sportster model line, your money is better spent on a softtail (fat boy or deuce) or even a dyna. plus, no one will snicker at your husband. Dude, my husband was an Army Ranger. Nobody snickers at him for anything! However I think he is thinking more along these lines anyhoo...and more like Dave said, a Sportster is just such a small bike.~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #25 May 3, 2006 QuoteThanks for the thread. I was wondering this stuff myself. I'm taking the motorcycle safety class to get my license on July 10 and i'll be looking for a bike after that. Cool! When I get Joe's bike then, we can ride together at one of these boogies! ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
