You only live 1 time ...go for it...I did the same thing...bought a new one...the best move I ever made...
need some opinions plz...put alittle $$ in bike or get a newer one
not really sure what i want to do..i have a 94 ultra with 46k...nothing is wrong with it (besides needing the general gasket change)....its just getting the time of year when bikes are getting cheaper. im not looking at brand new but newer...im figuring it will be around 6-7k with the sale/trade in of my bike to pick up a newer bike.
on the other hand, i could sink alittle money into mine and keep it...
some things im wanting out of mine is a 6sp (builders kit) revs too high on the highway for my taste, and alittle more power....im thinking an ignition system(crane, which i can get for $150 new from a friend), a cam (ev-13), and some new pistons and gaskets....
if i went with a new bike i would head into twin cam territory...maybe 6 spd tranny if i could afford it.....
any opinions or thoughts....thanks
on the other hand, i could sink alittle money into mine and keep it...
some things im wanting out of mine is a 6sp (builders kit) revs too high on the highway for my taste, and alittle more power....im thinking an ignition system(crane, which i can get for $150 new from a friend), a cam (ev-13), and some new pistons and gaskets....
if i went with a new bike i would head into twin cam territory...maybe 6 spd tranny if i could afford it.....
any opinions or thoughts....thanks
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
You asked for opinions so here is my take: Your bike is 20 years old. Even though you state it is pretty sound now, there are too many areas that can start to give you fits and end up costing a lot of money. A later bike will give you more power, a 6-speed, later technology in many areas and fewer chances of expensive repairs. I would say "kiss it goodbye" while it is still in pretty good shape.not really sure what i want to do..i have a 94 ultra with 46k...nothing is wrong with it (besides needing the general gasket change)....its just getting the time of year when bikes are getting cheaper. im not looking at brand new but newer...im figuring it will be around 6-7k with the sale/trade in of my bike to pick up a newer bike.
on the other hand, i could sink alittle money into mine and keep it...
some things im wanting out of mine is a 6sp (builders kit) revs too high on the highway for my taste, and alittle more power....im thinking an ignition system(crane, which i can get for $150 new from a friend), a cam (ev-13), and some new pistons and gaskets....
if i went with a new bike i would head into twin cam territory...maybe 6 spd tranny if i could afford it.....
any opinions or thoughts....thanks
20 years and 46k is fairly old for a bike. IMHO
The 96" and a 6sp is what made me buy new in 07 vs updating an 03.
As for used, I have never seriously considered buying from a dealer. It seems to me that the ones at the dealer have more miles and wear and tear than what I could find (with a bit of looking) from a private seller.
The dealer bikes were trade-ins from people who had wore out their old ones and bought new, and they were not giving them away either...
I have found a few gems by buying from someone who bought new and then didn't ride it as much as they thought they would...
I have bought 2 different bikes that had a few years but only had 2-3k on them.
Just how I have gone...
The 96" and a 6sp is what made me buy new in 07 vs updating an 03.
As for used, I have never seriously considered buying from a dealer. It seems to me that the ones at the dealer have more miles and wear and tear than what I could find (with a bit of looking) from a private seller.
The dealer bikes were trade-ins from people who had wore out their old ones and bought new, and they were not giving them away either...
I have found a few gems by buying from someone who bought new and then didn't ride it as much as they thought they would...
I have bought 2 different bikes that had a few years but only had 2-3k on them.
Just how I have gone...
Are you saying you have $6K-7K plus your trade for a new bike? Or $7K total?
A coworker went from a 2003 RK to a 2009 Ultra and said the difference was significant in the power and the ride. I've heard that the value of the bike drops drastically once you hit 50k miles so now would be the time to do it if you're concerned about that. If you can afford it, I'd say go for a 2009 or newer.
Test ride some newer ones and see if you like em.. Otherwise you can only speculate the things you may like better about it.
20 years and 46k is fairly old for a bike. IMHO
The 96" and a 6sp is what made me buy new in 07 vs updating an 03.
As for used, I have never seriously considered buying from a dealer. It seems to me that the ones at the dealer have more miles and wear and tear than what I could find (with a bit of looking) from a private seller.
The dealer bikes were trade-ins from people who had wore out their old ones and bought new, and they were not giving them away either...
I have found a few gems by buying from someone who bought new and then didn't ride it as much as they thought they would...
I have bought 2 different bikes that had a few years but only had 2-3k on them.
Just how I have gone...
Yeah, 2300 miles a year... Old hard life.
Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
XL is right. only you can answer this question really. But we can tell you what newer will be like, which might help you in your decision. my opinion??? the '09 and newer touring bikes had a frame change and a few other mods. It rides much better than the older bikes. Now the '14s are even better. I would move up to a newer bike (if you can afford it). Better ride and less to worry about.
As others have said... My opinion would be to get a newer bike...if you do as XL suggested and go test ride a newer one, it will make the decision easier!! 
wow! i thought there might be some old dog lovers!........no it would be 6-7 plus the cash i get from my bike.
a couple things that make me wanna keep my bike is that my other 3 bikes are 90's evos...and i do all my own work. i dabbled with a buell firebolt but wasnt too fond of FI.....
well...i guess ill give it a whirl trying to sell it.......
a couple things that make me wanna keep my bike is that my other 3 bikes are 90's evos...and i do all my own work. i dabbled with a buell firebolt but wasnt too fond of FI.....
well...i guess ill give it a whirl trying to sell it.......
I'm with the others as well... Just make sure you will be happy with your decision... Good luck!!!wow! i thought there might be some old dog lovers!........no it would be 6-7 plus the cash i get from my bike.
a couple things that make me wanna keep my bike is that my other 3 bikes are 90's evos...and i do all my own work. i dabbled with a buell firebolt but wasnt too fond of FI.....
well...i guess ill give it a whirl trying to sell it.......
Sent from Motorcycle.com App
Still adds up to 20y and 46k...
So you'll probably be around the $11k-$12K price point.wow! i thought there might be some old dog lovers!........no it would be 6-7 plus the cash i get from my bike. . .
If you want to stick with an Ultra, that's probably not going to land you one of the latest frame bikes. 2009 and up have the new frame, but I haven't seen an '09 up Ultra in good shape sell for that low ever unless it had a TON of miles on it. There was one at the local dealership around here that had 90K on it and they still wanted more than that. But, do try. You never know until you look. Plus, the Rushmore bikes are going to start driving the prices down on the older designs at some point.
You also may find a nice, clean 2007 or 2008 Ultra. The 2007 is the older frame with the six speed and the 96" motor. The '08 is a transition year. It has the older frame but some of the newer electronics like throttle by wire.
You'd probably get the best buy on a 88" five speed. There are still a ton of really nice ones out there.
The new frame is a little longer (or at least sits a little longer), and is more comfortable in my opinion. It has less of the "tank hump" feel. It uses a wider rear tire as well. But, I rode a 2005 Classic before my '11 Ultra and really liked it.
thats what im looking to shoot for....96" 6spd....newer frame doesnt really matter...
They're out there!thats what im looking to shoot for....96" 6spd....newer frame doesnt really matter...
2008 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/mcy/4604090262.html
IMHO, consider a newer bike but...
Through my own personal experience the tranny on bikes older than 2009 had a noisy fifth gear that will drive you nuts. I know this because I had one. It was inheritance in the tranny and many others had the same noises until I think 2009 or 2010 when they corrected the problem with better helical gears. Try to find a bike newer than 2008-09. You'll thank me later. The six speed tranny is so much better.
Through my own personal experience the tranny on bikes older than 2009 had a noisy fifth gear that will drive you nuts. I know this because I had one. It was inheritance in the tranny and many others had the same noises until I think 2009 or 2010 when they corrected the problem with better helical gears. Try to find a bike newer than 2008-09. You'll thank me later. The six speed tranny is so much better.
That's exactly it with the tranny! Lol.
Well I guess im in the minority, If I was was gonna ride that little there is no reason for all of the pros stated, especially not parting with another 5-8k.
Answers this, if the bike is so old and tired, can he really expect to see 6-7k out of it?
Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
Answers this, if the bike is so old and tired, can he really expect to see 6-7k out of it?
Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Harley Davidson Forums
A forum community dedicated to all Harley-Davidson model owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, classifieds and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Kainam
218 Replies
Wooden Rat
188 Replies
scspartan
185 Replies
