Eye Of Singapore

10 Things to Consider Before Buying A Used Harley Davidson

There are several things to consider when shopping for a used Harley Davidson Motorcycle, price of course being the main consideration and obviously also the condition of the bike, mileage, year and model. These are the basics.

Probably the best place to start your search would be your local Harley dealer; they usually have a line of previously owned Harleys. Harley dealers can help you chose which bike best suits you and how you ride.

Don not just buy! Research and more research. This is after all, a big decision you are making and you need all the info you can get before you buy. You need to know about the financing, what the bike going to cost you every month.

Now with the information from the dealer you have a much clearer view of what type of Harley you are looking for. Now you can shop around with the confidence of knowing what to look for as far as the best motorcycle for you.

Start looking through the local classifieds, Penny Saver and other free weekly papers as well as the motorcycle classifieds online. Craigslist is a great source for vehicles for sale.

Once you have found the Harley of your dreams, check the motorcycle over carefully.

Start out with the general appearance of the cycle. Is there oil or any liquid puddle under it? Look for scratches or dents. Look for paint fade. Tires, how do they look? Feel the motor; be careful it may have been started before you arrived. Check the odometer, check the condition of the brakes, hoses and wires, looking for cracks, leaks and especially electrical tape, you don not even want to go down a bad wiring road!

Ask the owner to start the bike and watch to see if he uses any special technique in doing so, other than normal. While it is running, check out the lights, turn indicators and brake lights for both foot and hand brakes. Listen for any abnormal sounds, clicking or hollow tapping etc. Listen for exhaust leaks. Try it out on a road test if the owner will allow, if not maybe this is not the bike for you.

While test riding feel the bike, are there any extreme vibrations other than ordinary with a Harley? Does the bike pull left or right, check how it shifts, smooth and easy? Does it stop smoothly, or do you feel a vibration in the handle bars? How does it handle in a curve? Does the front wheel spin freely or is there a wobble?

After the test ride check the bike over again. Check the oil, is it clean, what is the level? If it is low or dirty it could be a problem. Make sure the VIN number matches the title.

One final consideration, knowing which Harley to buy can be a task. It is recommended by Laidlaws Harley rental Los Angeles that you rent a Harley first. Spend some time riding the different models before you buy a new or used Harley to make sure you are buying the right bike for you.