Hey all. Got a couple questions. I have found a 2003 sporty 1200 custom anniversary edition, gunmetal blue with less than 2000 miles 1 owner. $6000 dollars out the door from a Chevy dealer. Good price? Sure seems like it....

Question 2: I have never owned a HD before, I've had a Honda 750 but thats about it. What can I look for on this bike to make sure it's ok. Any tips you can offer?

I was told by the dealer that I couldn't test ride it for insurance reasons, does this sound right? Should I be suspicious? They cranked it up for me and it sounded great. Gonna need to put some pipes on it though....aint gonna be worth it to have a HD and not have people hear you coming from half a mile away!

Any and all info you guys and gals can provide would be most helpful as I will most likely be getting the bike first thing Monday morning. Thanks.


NEW2HD

 

Good price. They should be able to let you try it as long as you have a motorcycle license. I work at a car dealership and we have had motorcycles in the past. Test drives were not a problem. Not sure what kind of insurance they would that you wouldn't be covered. I think you should maybe ask someone else that knows what they are talking about.

 

Thanks. I thought it was a good price. I sure as hell dont want to buy it without riding it first, so I hope I was misinformed about the dealers insurance.

I did notice that the clutch is a little harder to pull than my honda 750. Is this normal for a harley?

Thanks.

 

Yes, you can buy a kit that makes it a little easier if you want.

 

I have heard about reluctance for test driving motorcycles for various reasons. You may need to insist. If they say no, you either have to walk, negotiate a return/full refund deal, or just throw the dice.

 

New: You should consider this: 2003 ended the 'solid mounted engine' for the Sportsters. 2004 is the first year for the 'rubber mounted engine'. Because of this the 2003 Sportsters and earlier tend to transmit the natural vibrations of the engine to the rider in various ways. Depending on the bike, sometime the handlebar grips vibrate at certain RPMs and sometime the footpegs vibrate at certain RPMs, the two ranges probably not being the same. For the same amount of money or slightly more, you could buy a 2004 model and not take the chance of entertaining all those vibrations. Perhaps that is the reason the Dealership won't allow test rides. They don't want you to know how badly this particular bike vibrates. Test ride a 2003 someplace and then test ride a 2004/05 and decide. If the 2003 vibrations are in an RPM range that your riding style and local road conditions won't cause you to be in very much, then it won't matter much.

An aside; none of the Sporty engines have any internal counterbalancing. They all vibrate at certain RPMs.

Second aside; I have a 2004 XL 883 C for sale with many extras at $6900. I have been watching local sales and e-bay sales very closely for the past 3 months. IMHO, $6000 is on the 'high' side for a 2003. ................. BC

 

price isnt bad you will love the bike, the anniversary edition will probally be worth a couple bucks more. as far as riding i understand your point, take some cash or have the financing preapproved to show them you mean business, im sure they will let you ride it.
good luck and enjoy!!