Deals are out there to be had. I know a guy who just bought an 09 Electra Glide Standard for $8900. I forget the mileage. Nice bike.

If you only look at the internet for advice, you'll never buy anything. People love to bitch about their problems on the web. No one comes on here just you say "I've got a blah blah blah, and never gave me a lick of trouble. Good job Harley Davidson!!".

 

I would start with Kelly Blue book. Look at trade in value and retail value. Trade in value for a bike (ultra limited) in mint condition is $9.6K, retail is $13K. So a guy who is trading in might be interested in selling outright for lets say $10.6K. Understand this is over budget, but you should be able to get a really nice ride for $10K. Also highly depends on where you buy. If you are willing to travel and ride the bike home you might be better off. I would not worry about all the crap that is said about certain model years having this problem or that. You should see the posts on the new M8. You would think the new M8 is the biggest piece of **** ever made. On the contrary it is the finest piece of machinery ever made based on experience. Just don't buy a Harley from the AMF years! Good luck.

 

09 and up. The SG's and UC's are going to be higher than what you can get a roadking but can be had in the private market.

 

Get what you can afford.
Sold my 07 fxstc with almost 50k on it and
found an 08 SG with just over 16k on it last year for 10k. Even had some upgrades that I would've done( bars etc.) No problems other than normal wear item stuff with either bike so far for me.
The Internet stigma re: 08 and down bikes is repeated often enough that most believe it.
The advice to find a bike that has been maintained is on the mark.

 

I had an 08 Road King Classic, never had an issue fully loaded and touring with my wife. Plenty responsive when needed and floated like a couch out on the open road.

Get what you want that you can afford and listening to all the experts is like asking which oil to use for your bike. In the end it's your decision and with your stated experience, you will know what works for you.

Forget all the hype about this or that.

Oh and Mobil1 V-Twin in all 3 holes................see what I mean about opinions.

 

Here is my take. If you find a model with the color and accessories that you want and like. It has been well maintained (records) and the right price grab it!

All the other trivial BS that your are hearing is just that BS. Any H-D touring bike for the last several decades have served there owners well. Provided that
they took care of it. Every mechanical thing has maintenance needs. Much of the problems are abuse related and not inherent built in problems.

Don't listen to all the noise that you are hearing. From your resume I would suspect that you are qualified to judge a bikes condition and understand it during a ride.

The very nature of an RV machine is that it is less used. Find one of those and go for it.

 

+1 on going with an Ultra or Limited and removing the things you don't like. Although I recommend Keeping the tour pack and popping for removable tour pack hardware so you can take it on and off as needed. You'll be surprised at how indispensable that thing is. I know a few Streetglide riders who later went out and bought the box and mounts.

I also agree with looking for 2009 and up. The used market is glutted and not very much is moving right now. You may have to go a little further out geographically and you may have to shop longer than you'd like, but I think you can find a nice low mile 2009 or 2010 for the budget you posted. Avoid Harley dealers like the plague, stick with private sellers.

 

Just been looking at www.cycletrader.com in your area; around 150 miles. 2009 FLHX are going from $10 to $14,000, some with several miles on them.

FLHTCU are about the same.

 

Thanks so much everyone! Pretty much spot on my thoughts. I`d take an 06 or 07 SG in modded mint condition, but I feel like an Ultra is the way to go. Strip it down to a solo SG and keep the other crap for when I need it to become a couch down the road. Hopefully this spring, but the best deals will come now or in the fall.

 

I have to agree 2009 or newer if you can. The frame/tire change is worth it.