You do have to do your home work but you can do very well. I never thought I would buy anything that $$ off ebay but you can do well. The two best deals have have gotten have been internet deals. I bought a Ural off
Craislist outstanding. I bought a 08 nightster off E-bay for $6200 with less than 1900 miles on it, like new, runs like a top and I could not be more pleased with her.
At any rate you can still use E-bay and craigslist to gage the market even if they seems too risky for your nerves. Keep in mind both sites can be used to find bikes that are close enough for you to go see them before you put down the $$$$


RAL

 

I have had good and bad experiences buying on ebay.
On the issue of 40 vs older, the older ones are fine. The newer ones do vibrate less, but the key word is less. I had a Buell Ulysis, and it was a nice bike08, so it also had a sporty engine, that was rubber mounted, but if it was on it's side stand and you revved it hard enough it would vibrate off the sidestand. That is just the way the harley engine is. Personally I find the older ones more fun. Get either one, you will be happy. Dollar for dollar I would probably suggest a newer one. In my case I wanted a bike that I could totally modify and not be in to it over 10000 dollars, so I bought an older 87 sporty. I did the same a couple of years ago wit h a 78 ironhead. Loads of fun.

 

Last, not to the poster but to some of the others who ranted and raved about the newer sportster. Please, I love my sportster, but I full accept that the engine design is from the dino era, the chasis,even the brand new ones are still 40 plus year old designs. these bikes will never compete for handling with a modern sport bike, or for comfort for that matter if compared to some modern standards. What we all like is that they are a harley, they have the Harley look, and all the heritage that comes with that. you are getting a part of "Americana". You are getting a bike that can be customized to where there are no more orignal parts on it, you can truely make it you. The aftermarket is tenfold that of any other bike in the world. these are the reasons we all buy sportsters. EFI vs Carb, my sporty is way smoother than my Buell every was. Most EFI bikes are not terribly smooth, especially in the beginning of the throttle. I would take a well tunned carb bike over a efi. The only thing I like more about EFI over a carb is if the bike is going to sit for a long time.
Anyway, love your harley for what it is. Sportys are great no matter what one they are.

 

Great post Cavi.