Isn't a used 2009 Harley with 96" engine just about the best bargain out there?
#11
09-25-2011 | 10:44 AM
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 389
Likes: 2
From: Third Coast TX
I think your logic is very sound, if in fact you are not needing the "Latest and Greatest". New bikes, like new anything are going to take a depreciation hit, I don't care how good of a deal you got !
My 09 Ultra was purchased new in 09 because I wanted the new frame, larger rubber.
After having an 88ci. 01 FLHT for many moons, it was time for something new and I wanted to try an Ultra.
I added a Stage1 (slip-ons/PC-V/Air cleaner) primarily to improve the sound and attempt to cure the lean running mixture.
The bike ran fine in it's stock 96ci. state ...if you rode it right (drop a gear and disappear). Many lug the motor and are reluctant to wind it up.
My 09 Ultra was purchased new in 09 because I wanted the new frame, larger rubber.
After having an 88ci. 01 FLHT for many moons, it was time for something new and I wanted to try an Ultra.
I added a Stage1 (slip-ons/PC-V/Air cleaner) primarily to improve the sound and attempt to cure the lean running mixture.
The bike ran fine in it's stock 96ci. state ...if you rode it right (drop a gear and disappear). Many lug the motor and are reluctant to wind it up.
#12
09-25-2011 | 10:50 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
IWhile being happy with the 103's pull I can't say that it was enough of an improvement to overlook a lightly used 2009 with a 96" engine. If the price is that much lower, to me, it's worth going with the 96".
Plus, I'm kind of wondering if there might not be some benefit to having the 96" engine other then lower price tag. Wouldn't you get less heat from the 96"? Better fuel economy? Maybe the 96" engine wouldn't be quite as stressed as the 103?
Plus, I'm kind of wondering if there might not be some benefit to having the 96" engine other then lower price tag. Wouldn't you get less heat from the 96"? Better fuel economy? Maybe the 96" engine wouldn't be quite as stressed as the 103?
#13
09-25-2011 | 10:54 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,944
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
#14
09-25-2011 | 10:55 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
Burstbucker, you hit the nail on the head- I bought my 09 FLHTC a year ago for $15000. it has 5800 miles ( 9500 kms?)
abs/sec/cruise/paint. I'ts been just great and I paid $200 above KBB trade in value.
It was either that or a left over 2010 Ultra w/ abs and free 103" upgrade which would have run about $22500 from no-tax Montana H-D Dealer
( add the costs of establishing a MT LLC probably $600, plus transport to AZ.
So I saved $8000 by buying used.
I only "stage 1" my bikes and keep them a long time- the 96" is plenty good for me, the 103" has more torque which is really nice in town/twisties and using 6th at 110 KPH--- but my other touring bike is a 1995 FLHTC so the 96" is fine in comparison to the 80"--- and I have other bikes that actually were made to run fast, stop and handle
Just before I pulled the trigger on the 09 I did H-D dealer ndemo days and rode in succession:
2011 Ultra 96
2011 RG Ultra 103
2011 Limited 103
2011 SG CVO 110
This confirmed my choice of motor size and fairing.
with my saved $8000- I probably spent $1800 right away. new rear tire, detachable tour pak kit, fairing lowers and a few other things--- about $100 in allen head caps to ease wash day.
the rest, stayed in the bank, ready for a Ducati or something- I gotta buncha bikes.
Mike
abs/sec/cruise/paint. I'ts been just great and I paid $200 above KBB trade in value.
It was either that or a left over 2010 Ultra w/ abs and free 103" upgrade which would have run about $22500 from no-tax Montana H-D Dealer
( add the costs of establishing a MT LLC probably $600, plus transport to AZ.
So I saved $8000 by buying used.
I only "stage 1" my bikes and keep them a long time- the 96" is plenty good for me, the 103" has more torque which is really nice in town/twisties and using 6th at 110 KPH--- but my other touring bike is a 1995 FLHTC so the 96" is fine in comparison to the 80"--- and I have other bikes that actually were made to run fast, stop and handle
Just before I pulled the trigger on the 09 I did H-D dealer ndemo days and rode in succession:
2011 Ultra 96
2011 RG Ultra 103
2011 Limited 103
2011 SG CVO 110
This confirmed my choice of motor size and fairing.
with my saved $8000- I probably spent $1800 right away. new rear tire, detachable tour pak kit, fairing lowers and a few other things--- about $100 in allen head caps to ease wash day.
the rest, stayed in the bank, ready for a Ducati or something- I gotta buncha bikes.
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; 09-25-2011 at 10:58 AM.
#15
09-25-2011 | 11:12 AM
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 583
Likes: 2
From: South Florida
OK.. This all makes sense, and the replies have been great.. HOWEVER -
On the 103 bikes, most dealers ship with Automatic Compression Releases, Oil Cooler, ABS, Cruise Control, etc..
That's a lot of extras, that don't really translate into a used 96 vs a used 103 being that much more of a "steal"..
Then there is always the Police bike option, which to me is a no brainer.. 103" Police bike or 96" factory bike.. Typically you will get the police bike for less..
Now, many will say that you don't know where police bikes have been, or been ridden.. Ok.. I got mine that was not in service, it was a left over and I still got a 2010 RK with 103", ACRs', Oil Cooler, SE Slip on mufflers, 2 windshields, saddle bag liners, SE Air Cleaner, Stage 1 download, rider and passenger backrest with only 3,000 miles in MINT condition for $14,000.
Just some food for thought.
On the 103 bikes, most dealers ship with Automatic Compression Releases, Oil Cooler, ABS, Cruise Control, etc..
That's a lot of extras, that don't really translate into a used 96 vs a used 103 being that much more of a "steal"..
Then there is always the Police bike option, which to me is a no brainer.. 103" Police bike or 96" factory bike.. Typically you will get the police bike for less..
Now, many will say that you don't know where police bikes have been, or been ridden.. Ok.. I got mine that was not in service, it was a left over and I still got a 2010 RK with 103", ACRs', Oil Cooler, SE Slip on mufflers, 2 windshields, saddle bag liners, SE Air Cleaner, Stage 1 download, rider and passenger backrest with only 3,000 miles in MINT condition for $14,000.
Just some food for thought.
#16
09-25-2011 | 11:26 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 10
From: Mass
..I think a lot of us have learned over the past 10-15 years with all the new electronic gadgets, and TV's especially,(DLP then Plasma, then LCD, now 3D)..that the smart thing to do is buy everything AFTER it's been out a little while to get the best bargain...never buy brand new if you want bargains...hell..you can get a 73 inch DLP TV at Circuit-City online now for like $1200...that thing would have been $3900 about 5 years ago...an 09 HD Touring is a good way to go if you want the new frame...
#18
09-25-2011 | 12:19 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Madrid (Spain)
#19
09-25-2011 | 02:55 PM
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#20
09-25-2011 | 02:58 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 276
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
I don't currently own a Harley but I've been to the HD demo rides every summer since 2009 and have tried out Road Kings, Street Glides and Electra Glides with the 96 cu.in engine and I never had the impression that that motor was really lacking in power. Not the way that I ride anyway.
Apparently, the 2009 and up frame has improved handling over the older style frame, I wouldn't know since I've never been on a pre-2009 Harley.
My current bike is a big cc metric, it's my first bike and I got it second-hand at a great price but it's not the ultimate bike for touring and isn't all that comfortable for my wife in back.
It's just a matter of time before I get something else to replace my current ride and to be honest, I've considered many brands along with Harley. But what I've found is that the best bang for the buck out there seems to be a used Harley tourer. There's so many!
Harley has obviously sold boat loads of these big touring bikes and a lot of their owners seem to sell them at a pretty attractive price. I don't hardly see any used BMW, Victory touring bikes for sale around my area, there are Goldwings but the price is usually too high and I'm not sure if that would be the bike for me at any rate.
I know that Harley has gone with the 103 cu.in engine in pretty much all of their 2012 bikes and I've ridden the new 103 touring bikes. While being happy with the 103's pull I can't say that it was enough of an improvement to overlook a lightly used 2009 with a 96" engine. If the price is that much lower, to me, it's worth going with the 96".
Plus, I'm kind of wondering if there might not be some benefit to having the 96" engine other then lower price tag. Wouldn't you get less heat from the 96"? Better fuel economy? Maybe the 96" engine wouldn't be quite as stressed as the 103?
I'm just thinking that while all of these lightly used 2009-2011 touring bikes have a pretty decent engine already, I don't think that I'd get hung up on having this slightly less powerful engine if it meant that I was getting a smoking hot deal in the end.
I mean, if a guy were inclined to buy a brand new touring bike (any brand) it's going to cost a fair chunk of change but then you see these low-mileage, babied 2009 Harleys with all the extra bells and whistles on them going for $8,0000-$10,0000 less (here in Canada), it's kind of hard to pass that deal up. While it might not be the latest and greatest, it sure makes more financial sense if you know what I mean.
Apparently, the 2009 and up frame has improved handling over the older style frame, I wouldn't know since I've never been on a pre-2009 Harley.
My current bike is a big cc metric, it's my first bike and I got it second-hand at a great price but it's not the ultimate bike for touring and isn't all that comfortable for my wife in back.
It's just a matter of time before I get something else to replace my current ride and to be honest, I've considered many brands along with Harley. But what I've found is that the best bang for the buck out there seems to be a used Harley tourer. There's so many!
Harley has obviously sold boat loads of these big touring bikes and a lot of their owners seem to sell them at a pretty attractive price. I don't hardly see any used BMW, Victory touring bikes for sale around my area, there are Goldwings but the price is usually too high and I'm not sure if that would be the bike for me at any rate.
I know that Harley has gone with the 103 cu.in engine in pretty much all of their 2012 bikes and I've ridden the new 103 touring bikes. While being happy with the 103's pull I can't say that it was enough of an improvement to overlook a lightly used 2009 with a 96" engine. If the price is that much lower, to me, it's worth going with the 96".
Plus, I'm kind of wondering if there might not be some benefit to having the 96" engine other then lower price tag. Wouldn't you get less heat from the 96"? Better fuel economy? Maybe the 96" engine wouldn't be quite as stressed as the 103?
I'm just thinking that while all of these lightly used 2009-2011 touring bikes have a pretty decent engine already, I don't think that I'd get hung up on having this slightly less powerful engine if it meant that I was getting a smoking hot deal in the end.
I mean, if a guy were inclined to buy a brand new touring bike (any brand) it's going to cost a fair chunk of change but then you see these low-mileage, babied 2009 Harleys with all the extra bells and whistles on them going for $8,0000-$10,0000 less (here in Canada), it's kind of hard to pass that deal up. While it might not be the latest and greatest, it sure makes more financial sense if you know what I mean.
Last edited by checkers; 09-25-2011 at 03:02 PM.