get the bike you want. not a starter... its generally a losing proposition.

 

Good decision to stay away at that price.
Could be a fairly good deal at $2k or less.

And......Don't listen to anyone telling you that it's ok to ride on 20 year old tires.
If you value you life in the least little bit, you won't.

 

First thing is don't feel obligated to buy that bike because it's your dads friend. Secondly, it's not your fault they rarely rode the bike so the 2600 miles shouldn't be any different than if it had three or four times the amount....which would still be way under average mileage for a bike that year.

Other things to consider is the flowered paint job. Do you know how hard it will be for them to sell that bike because of that? Even most women wouldn't want flowered paint. Doesn't matter that you have someone to paint it for a case of beer, the paint alone should drive the price down considerably. And the other things you'll have to do to the bike....tires, fluids, carbs cleaned, battery, brake lines, fuel flushed, etc. In their minds, they should think you'll have to drop about a grand before you get this bike on the road. That said, I wouldn't pay more than 2k for the bike.

I took a quick peek on craigslist in MN and saw some much newer sportsters at comparable prices. Here's a 2004 883XL with 8000 miles, asking $3900 that you can probably get for around $3k. Good luck!

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/da...776441304.html

 

The '94 could be worth a couple grand. But, as you now realize, you'll need to put another grand in it. If you are skilled enough to do most of the work yourself, negotiate a fair price. Otherwise find a cream puff.

My '06 1200 with 24k miles was $3800.

 

I would pass just because they jacked up the price on you. That's a BS move!!

 

I'd probably go $2,000, not much more. Especially if it needs paint. I change tires at least every 3-4 years max no matter what the tread says. Helmet no more than 5 years. I know many don't agree but I'm of the opinion that with only 2 wheels on the road, the salts, ice melts , acid rain and UV that its not worth taking chances. But I never owned a Harley until last month and most of my riding was in the Northern NJ area so it could be less harsh here. The last tires I bought were for a Suzuki cost $700 or so. But that was in 2000, I didn't ride for 8 years or so.