HD buying questions

[d_m50]

I just have a few HD specific buying questions.
I'm looking into a bunch of different bikes and a few of them happens to be a used 2k4 and up dyna lowrider and superglide.

Are there any common issues with this model? I've searched around and I've seen oil leaks seem to be a common occurrence which usually require the bike to be in the shop. Anything I should look for specifically in these models?

Maintenance pretty much the same on most other bikes?

new or used? am I better off buying a new HD?

Overheating? I've had an oilcooled 4 cyl 750 before before and have had no problems with hot days and traffic. Will I have any on an HD?

Thats all the questions I can think of. Also doing my own research here and there. Thanks

[Motorcycle Forum]

[Zinje]

hey d_m50... I recently purchased a 2007 Dyna Street bob (see signature for pictures) from a private seller. He claims that it has never leaked and I believe him. This thing is immaculate and I actually read the same thing about oil leaks but I really do think it is a hit or miss. I see people selling their HD's at very reasonable prices with very very low miles just sitting in their garage. When I purchased mine i basically just paid off the lien which was very low considering what the owner had already done with the bike.

Also consider that if you buy used, the bike will probably have already been broken in. If there were any problems I would think it would happen the first couple years of it's life and depending on how many miles were put on.

[omegajim]

right here, right now, I would say look around privately, those people will give you the best deal.

be willing to look at a variety of models that you may not have previously considered; at a certain point, if it's cheap enough you just might buy it anyway.

[d_m50]

Thanks,
Still doing some research on HD models:
I'm pretty certain it will be a dyna model if I go with a Harley:
a Superglide, Lowrider, or a Defender.

I've read up on both the super glide and lowrider. Can't find much about the Defender. apparently its a police model and thats all i know.

Most of the bikes im looking at are right around 8k-15k miles and between the years 2001 and 2005.

[omegajim]

buy whatever is cheap and close.

because, no matter which model you buy, after 3 - 4 years you will want

a different model

or

a different model that has aftermarket accessories that would look out of place on the one you already own.

[d_m50]

3-4 years eh?
How does it work if I just want to bump up displacements?
I'll be replacing my M50 for the sole reason that I like doing two up riding but the M just doesn't have the power for that on a highway.
I'll definitely be doing more research on my next bike because I still have a bunch of bikes in mind.


The only accessories I really like is the performance accessories...maybe a windscreen.
Not a huge fan of chrome but I like custom painted stuff.

[Dave Nadeau]

3-4 years eh?
How does it work if I just want to bump up displacements?
I'll be replacing my M50 for the sole reason that I like doing two up riding but the M just doesn't have the power for that on a highway.
I'll definitely be doing more research on my next bike because I still have a bunch of bikes in mind.


The only accessories I really like is the performance accessories...maybe a windscreen.
Not a huge fan of chrome but I like custom painted stuff.

Hi,
I moved from a C50 that I put 18000 miles on in two years to a 08 EGC tht I have 17000 miles on 1.5 years. They are both great bikes but I like the HD much better. TheC 50 I had aboulutly no problems with and the Harley I developed a very small oil leak from the primary seal which was fixed under warrenty. IF you are worried about upsizing to a larger motor later remeber that you can do some really trick stuff to the HD 96" motor and make it a bear. You can go to 103", or 110" and with the cams and stuff available it will really move. These Harleys are nice touring machines on the FLH frame. As far as the Dynas I don't know. We have traveled 2 up all over New England on both bikes and never had a problem but the Glide lets you arrive more rested. By the way on most metric bikes you'll need to have the vales adjusted and on the Harleys and the C90 they are hydrolic. Just seems to me when mine needed to be done it was always during the best riding weather. Hated that....

Good Luck on you search!!

[d_m50]

I think the dyna only has an 88...which is big enough for me.
Honestly the 50 is big enough for just me but I wanted more umph on the freeways when carrying a passenger. (It's scary getting on a freeway trying to get up to speed as a Mac truck is flying at you).

Of the dynas I listed I really like the Defender because of the blacked out engine...and a much more standard-like posture. I like baggers but I'd need a bagger as a second bike for long distance stuff. Right now all I can afford is one :p otherwise I'd get a bagger AND keep my M50.

Thanks

[Dave Nadeau]

Well the 88"er is out of production so you'll have to get used to get one. They are great engines espesally the last years like from 04 and down. The earlier ones had some teething issues. Both the 88 and the 96 now have been very very reliable and trouble free. I use my 08 Electraglide Classic, 840#'s, as a daily commuter and long distance machine. It is large but handles better the the C 50 even at low speeds. There is a buch of folks who think that you can not use such a large bike local cause of traffic and wierght issues. Not so. Most Police Departs use them because of the handling aspect of the FL frames. IF you can afford a bagger get one and don't look back. The storage is amazing. I carry so much stuff I forget where I put it and in what bag. Just remeber they are like riding an RV. Once you get use to them and the soft air ride from the air shocks, and the radio you'l wonder how the hell you ever survived with out it. Stop over at the HDforums.com and read the posts. It will gicce you a good idea about those machines and you can search out and issues you what and be better informed.

[Elvis]

New Dynas are 96 ci. As for carrying a passenger, the dyna frame may feel small depending on your and your partner's size.

I recently upsized from C50 to Kawi Bagger 1600 and I really enjoy it. So I'm with other members when it comes to 2-up riding and storage.

You might like to check my and others HD demo notes here.


Good luck!

I think the dyna only has an 88...which is big enough for me.
Honestly the 50 is big enough for just me but I wanted more umph on the freeways when carrying a passenger. (It's scary getting on a freeway trying to get up to speed as a Mac truck is flying at you).

Of the dynas I listed I really like the Defender because of the blacked out engine...and a much more standard-like posture. I like baggers but I'd need a bagger as a second bike for long distance stuff. Right now all I can afford is one :p otherwise I'd get a bagger AND keep my M50.

Thanks

[omegajim]

Honestly the 50 is big enough for just me but I wanted more umph on the freeways when carrying a passenger.

search under turbos, somebody went through the effort to put one on a(n) M50.

[d_m50]

haha...no thanks....too much effort
and what was that saying...
there's no replacement for displacement.

[omegajim]

no disagreement here, but the guy said "m50" and "a bit more power" in the same paragraph.

and wouldn't it be neat to be the only one on your block with a turbo on the bike?

not as crazy asyou might think, since they are using a car turbo - from a boneyard, I reckon and a fancy wastegate that is electronically controlled.