I'll be picking up a 2009 Nightster this weekend with only 200 miles on it. What are some things I should look for? I am assuming that the battery and the tires might need to be replaced. If there is no sidewall cracking on the tires, should they still be okay for being 4 years old with only 200 miles? Also, should I still wait until 500 miles to do its first service at the dealer?

 

alw041
You will love your new to you Nightster. Your first purchase should be a service manual. If it were me I would change the fluids out now. And if your going to use synthetic nows the time. Now ya know what you got.


Get your tool kit together, there most likely will be some tools you will need to pick up. Then you can go over the whole bike and you will be more familiar with your new putt.
Be safe and enjoy! qweeks

 

awesome find bro, i hope you enjoy yours as much as enjoy mine!

 

I would do the first service myself now.

 

what's someone's reasoning for putting 200 miles on a bike in 4 years?

 

Recommended practice is to change tyres after 6/7 years, so if they look good and are not cracked, they should be OK. If the bike has been kept on a battery tender, or occasionally charged, the battery may also be fine. Most important thing is to give it a thorough service and change all fluids, so you make a fresh start together.

 

**** happens!!! marriage break up sick kids job loss its sad really..

 

Is that Heddy or Hedly?
Yea scooter neglect, almost as bad as animal neglect.

 

Where is the best place to purchase a service manual? Also where is th best place to purchase the fluids? I've never worked on bikes, just cars.

 

Good advice.I also bought my 2009 Nightster 3 months ago with 510 miles on the clock.Battery had been stored on a tender and was fine.Tires are also fine,bike sat on a concrete garage floor.I did change the oil and primary fluid even though it had been changed the year prior at 370 miles.Even though I was only able to put 50 miles on the bike before storing for the winter I will change the oil again in the spring after the first ride or two.