I would not be scared of it if it runs good. Don't really think I would call any bike with 30 k on it a garage queen. I would take an older carb model any day over a new one. I have a 2000 Road King with almost 80k on it and I would ride it to the end of the earth tomorrow. I also have an 07' softail but I would be hesitant about taking it on a long trip. The thing you have to understand about a lot of these guys on this forum is that bunches of them went out and bought a new 2010 or whatever for their first bikes and they just don't know how much more fun the older carbed ones are to ride.

 

30,000 miles is no garage queen.

I bought my '09 FXDC for $9k, two years ago, w/ 6600 miles. The only reason to buy a much older bike w/ 10's of 1,000's of miles is if you can't afford a clean, late model.

 

In 1980 I bought a 1976 FLH with 8000 miles on it. Four year old bike, seemingly low mileage. At the time of purchase the salesman mentioned the previous owner was a farmer who only went on one ride a year and bought a new bike every four years or so. I bought it and noticed as I rode that season some oil consumption. Tore it down that winter and found the pistons scuffed and cylinder walls scratched. Seems the leave it sit all year and then hit the trail for one big ride wasn't making the engine happy.

Not saying an older bike can't be a good buy, 30,000 hard miles could leave hidden scars. If you are not mechanically saavy I would consider having someone check out the bike unless you are buying it cheap enough that it won't bother you to spend a little money on it after the purchase.

 

??????????????Really

 

Total BS. I could afford a new one if I wanted one but I will keep my 2000 that I know is awesome. To take it one step further my wife could have bought a new Harley this last time she changed bikes but after many test drives and lots of looking she choose a GASP...... Yamaha RoadStar. Lots of great bikes out there of all years and models.

 

Evo's are great motors that can be had for cheap. And 30K miles is just broken in.
I still have my '95 EGC and it's still a great ride with outstanding comfort. It goes everywhere a Twin Cam can go and it's cheap to keep. Still brings plenty of compliments even in a crowd of newer bikes - mostly because of the aqua/blue color which hasn't been available for many years.
Buy it, you'll like it.

 

********!!!

lo-rider says:

"I bought my '09 FXDC for $9k, two years ago, w/ 6600 miles. The only reason to buy a much older bike w/ 10's of 1,000's of miles is if you can't afford a clean, late model."

In many ways the older bikes are better! Little if any of the "superior" crap you see on the show room floor these days! I have several pre 90 bikes in my shed.... all of them run with just basic maintenance .. yeah, I got metric and Harley's.. got me a ural that just refuses to die!

My point is: educate yourself before you sprout bs!

 

I wouldn't exactly call a 14 year old bike with 30k miles a garage queen. If it's been used on a regular basis and it was well maintained, it shouldn't have the issues that a 14 year old bike with 3k miles might potentially have.

 

I agree, a 14 year old bike with 30,000 is no garage queen. Its a low milage used bike.

I'm looking at two bikes right now, an 09 FatBob with 5700mi for $8900 and an 03 Softail Standard with 7700mi for $9200, thats what I consider garage queens. The Standard is chromed to the max and I know the owner, so I know the bike is in excellent condition.


I'm not trying to split hairs here, it's just a term, that quite possibly has a different meaning to different people. If it makes you happy, and you feel you paid a fair price for it, then life is goodl!

 

I know of quite a few evo big twins that haven't even had a top end untill after they have over 100,000 miles.