My wife has been trying out bikes, and she has her heart set on a Sportster.
I was trying to talk her out of a Sportster, and move her up to a Dyna, but she isn't comfortable with that yet, and I can understand that.

I've been doing some shopping locally, and ran across this 2003 anniversary, with 150 miles.
Yes, I know I can pick one up substantially cheaper, but is it worth the extra, to get this with only 150 miles on it? $4,995

http://daytona.craigslist.org/mcy/4300427054.html

 

first off, the dyna would be easier to ride than the sporty. it has a lower center of gravity and is easier to balance. and the 03 has the rigid mounted engine so it is gonna vibrate more than the 04 and newer.

every bike in 03 is an 'anniversary' edition. so there really is no premium for that. some of the paint schemes had cooler badging vs a decal.

that bike is priced about $1000 more than what you could reasonably buy it for from a dealer. kelley blue book says that trade value is about $2810, and retail is $3875. that is for a 1200. knock off about $400 each if its an 883.

 

Not sure she would like the drag bars. I just bought a Sporty for my wife and she wanted more of the stock bars. I dont think that the extra money is worth the anniversary edition. Especially for a sportster. I got my wife an 06 for 3k.

 

3 years ago I bought a 2006 883 for 3K with 3200 on the odometer. There are better buys out there. Low mileage doesn't mean it was stored properly. If it has been sitting that long, even with StaBil, the gas is going to gum up. Were the cylinders fogged out for storage...

 

All 03's came with that badge. The true 03 Anniversary Model is black and silver. HD realized that they made a mistake and since only put the anniversary badge on the actual anniversary model and went a step further and id them them as 1 of so many.

 

Well, it looks like the 883 "Custom" version that's had the forward foot controls switched to the mids. Dull engine means 883, chrome for the 1200's. Handlebars, headlight minus the eyebrow, 21" front laced wheel & solid rear rim. The only thing I don't see are the fender pinstriping that I thought they had.

As for price/bike/etc., way too low of miles and they want way to much because they think it's worth more do to the "Anniversary Model" which is a load of BS....The paint is worth more because you have to get the items painted & decaled through MoCo if there's an issue/wreck. My biggest concern would be that it has sat for a very long time without use. $2k to $2500 should get you that bike.

 

She has to be worth more than a Sportster. You should be able to get at least a Dyna for her. Used wives are at a premium right now.

 

Now way would I pay that much for that year. Sportys are a dime a dozen and you can get an almost brand new one for a little more then that.

Keep in mind that 2004 was the first year of the rubbermount and 2007 was the first year of fuel injection. Most women are going to want to have it turn key, so fuel injection would be the way to go for her.

Here is just one example of what I found in one minute in my area:
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/mcy/4296738378.html


I agree that a dyna is a little easier to ride but you can't change a womens mind on what she wants...good thing your buying it used.

 

My wife had a Nightster. Got rid of that for a Fat Boy Lo. She found the FB much easier to ride. Don't let the size stop her from trying a Dyna or Soft Tail. Remember, Sportsters aren't girls bikes!

 

I'll chime in as a girl that bought a Sportster after returning to riding following a 26 year break. The Dynas and Softails looked so big in the showroom so I went for a Sportie. 8 weeks later I was trading it for a Heritage. Too much vibration and I hated the seat for distance longer than 30 minutes.
I love the feeling of sitting in the bike rather than on it. After riding about 20,000 miles in the last 18 months I'd probably enjoy a Sportster for local riding but I'm much happier with Softails.
Please tell her that the other bikes look bigger and less manageable but they are not really. She might be right for a Sportster but it all depends on the type of riding she's going to do.