Hi Guys. I'm wondering about buying garage queens older than12 years old. I found a Heritage 1998 with 30 thousand miles and was wondering when a Harley is too old for a modern daily driver? What's your opinions? I justice started riding again a year ago on a sportster and want to move Up to a big twin. I mostly ride 2up with my wife. Should I take the plunge on an older bike?

 

Coin toss, but my choice would be something 2009+...tons of good upgrades to riding comfort...JMO.

 

Two up on a Sportster? Yeah, you'll be more comfortable on a bigger bike. As long as an older bike is in good mechanical condition, you'll be fine. There's many days I wish I had an older bike... with a carb, and interchangeable parts.

 

An older bike with lower miles could be a deal if...........!! How handy are you? If the seller doesn't think he has a gold mine because it has "low miles". If you can get it for a good price it might be good but here's the if's.

When's the last time it was started? How old is the gas? If it's turned to varnish you have a big carb/tank/fuel line cleanup. How old is the battery? And the tires?

Again, if the price is right it might be a deal depending on the above.

 

I agree with the other guys here..DO YOUR HOMEWORK !! If you know your way around a bike, you should have no problems..ask alot of questions, and look it over VERY carefully !! and give the sporty to the wifey !!

 

These are also some good arguments to throw out when negotiating to get a better deal. The only other point is the availability of parts. Sometimes if you need a part for an older bike, they're a bit more scarce, and even more pricey when you find them.

Mike

 

Try to buy it for $4-6K and enjoy it!

 

I have a 98 Wideglide and it is more dependable then my 03 Heritage. Older well maintained bikes don't worry me. I am not buying a new or newer HD at this time and starting over with removing all the crap. Just to make a new bike run decent I would have to get rid of the cam chains & stock cams, cats, exhaust, and breather. Then I would have to add a tuner. My next bike added to the garage will be older then a 98.

 

2000+ miles / year is a very good low mileage IMO. I would have been worried if it was 1/4 of that.
The bike was used somehow it seems.
Bigger worry is how those 30000 miles have been spread across the 13-14 years.
If he did 29000 miles in two years, and the remaining 1000 in twelve, then that might be a problem.

 

I love my old 98 with 40k on the odometer. Check it out good.