So I am finally tired of having to repair something different on my 07 ultra every other month. I am looking at 2 different used bikes right now and wanted some advice. The one bike is a 2010 ultra with just a little over 3,000 miles. Decked out. The other is a 2012 ultra with like 14,000 miles. The 2010 is less expensive and I will be getting the 3 year warranty. In your opinion, is the 10 model with hardly any miles and cheaper the better deal or the 2012 with more miles and a little more expensive.

 

3,000 on a 2010???? Who owns it, a little ole lady? Do you feel certain that is accurate? Now, with that said just how much difference in price are you looking at? Only difference between 2010 and 2012 model years is the 2010 has the 96 and the 2012 should have the 103. Also, would you be happy living with the color of either? I believe I would opt for the 2010 because of the extremely low mileage. Be like getting a new bike.

 

That is going to be hard for anybody other than you to make a call on. Only you can look at it, touch it, and most importantly, ride it. Only you will be paying for it. Generally speaking, the newer the vehicle, the more it will cost.

 

Miles really are deceiving. A low mileage bike that just sat could end up having more problems than a bike with a few miles on it that was owned by someone that took care of it.

Given the choice, I'd lean toward the newer bike with the 103 if the owner appears to be a stand-up guy who knows the bikes and has taken care of it. Depending on when it was bought it may still be under factory warrantee, and you might could use an extended service plan as a negotiation tool with the guy.

 

I would go with the 2010 it has the least amount of miles and better price. These bikes are timeless to me, since they are virtually identical from year to year. Except 2014 with water-heads and fin in the fairing and a touchscreen that will be just another outdated electronic in a very short time.

 

I bought in November a 2009 Ultra Classic. It only had 2100 miles on it. the old owner broke his hip and traded it in for a trike. I happened to show up at the right time. I was looking at the 2013 but saw that one. Now the ONLY difference from 2009 to 2013 is the motor and a couple different paint schemes. 2010 came with the 96 or the 103. after 2010 the 103 was standard. The 2013 i was looking at was nice but of course we add comfy stuff to what we buy. The 2009, with only 2100 miles on it, had everything i was going to add to the 2013. The 2009 i ended up buying had, Drivers backrest, SE Exhaust, SE Big Air Kit, Highway Pegs, upgraded Stereo and heated grips. The 2009 was $20000- The 2013(Bare) was $27500. There is a lot of variables like who owned it, how hard it was riden and was it taken care of. In the end, it's up to you. I can tell you though, the 2009 is a sweet ride and i'm only at 5000 miles now.

 

With the 2012 you will get the Screamin Eagle compensator and you will get the 103 motor. Neither of which will be on a plain jane 2010 ultra. My 2010 is a Ltd and it came with the 103 and I swapped the compensator myself. So I am all about my 2010, but it just depends on whether or not you are interested in the motor upgrade and the compensator upgrade you will get with the 2012. You shouldn't be paying anything for the add-on parts on the 2010 in this deal. All that is useless when looking up NADA used bike values.

Low mileage older bikes do tend to raise a red flag. That 2010 has done a lot of sitting around since 2010. The 14,000 miles on the 2012 is nothing...heck it's still breaking-in in some respects. Good luck with your choice.

 

I would go 2010

 

Is the 103 worth it? hmmm

 

A member recently started a similar thread regarding a very low mileage bike. When he visited the seller he had had the bike serviced every year IIRC and it was cossetted, with very little to be worried about. It is always worth contacting such sellers. The owner may have suffered poor health, have passed away, who knows, but the bike deserves a fresh lease of life.

Some years ago a pre-War Rudge ohc racer was offered for sale with just 14 miles on it. The owner had frightened himself so much riding it home from the shop he never rode it again. He didn't survive the War and his family finally decided to sell it six decades later. The best example on the planet?! Old is not always bad! That comment is unlikely to apply to the Harley, but it is worth a look.