Harley Davidson Sportster 883

[JulesMaximus]

I saw one advertised locally for $3500. It is chick owned and has just under 10k miles on it. She's the second owner, says the bike is very clean, never dropped or laid down. She says it needs a battery but that's it.

Is this a good deal? Anyone here know of these things?

Update: I checked out the bike this evening. I wasn't able to ride it or start it up as it needs a battery. The woman selling it agreed to let me take to the Harley dealer to have it inspected and serviced and she'll deduct the cost of a service and new battery from the price. She seems very straight up with me and I think it is a good deal so I put a deposit on it.

As for comfort I'm 5'11" and it felt fine to me just sitting on it. Talk about comfort, I ride a road racing bicycle thousands of miles a year. I think this bike will be fine for weekend cruising and the occasional ride in to work.

As for the girl's bike B.S., I don't give a crap what other riders think. I'm not riding for them...I'm not even sure I'll get hooked into this but at least I'll be able to sell this bike for what I paid for it if I don't. And it's a Harley!!!

Update #2: Found out this morning that the bike has a junk title in the state of Texas. I'm passing on it. She said she bought it at an auction and wasn't aware that it had a junk title. She ran a carfax report on it for me this morning and found this out.

Too bad too. The bike looked really clean. Oh well...

 

[michaels]

Sportsters are ugly and meh.

 

[tfinch2]

What year?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: michaels
Sportsters are ugly and meh.

Well, I'm not looking for a crotch rocket. I was looking at Jap bikes (cruiser style bikes) because they are generally good quality and last forever but it's difficult finding a decent low mileage one for less than a couple grand.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
What year?

1997

 

[michaels]

I should say stock sportster's are meh. I'm not into the sport bikes either.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: tfinch2
What year?

1997

It's a decent price, but personally I'd aim for 3k or less.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: tfinch2
What year?

1997

It's a decent price, but personally I'd aim for 3k or less.

KBB has that bike selling for $4,350. Trade-in value is listed at $2,925.

 

[michaels]

Have you considered a V-Rod? If you are set on a small bike like the Sportster, you should know that the Triumph America outclasses that bike in almost every aspect.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: tfinch2
What year?

1997

It's a decent price, but personally I'd aim for 3k or less.

KBB has that bike selling for $4,350. Trade-in value is listed at $2,925.

KBB also overinflates prices on everything. If you want to check fair market value, check ebay or Motorcycle Trader.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: tfinch2
What year?

1997

It's a decent price, but personally I'd aim for 3k or less.

KBB has that bike selling for $4,350. Trade-in value is listed at $2,925.

KBB also overinflates prices on everything. If you want to check fair market value, check ebay or Motorcycle Trader.

I checked ebay and they are going for anywhere from $3500 to a bit over $4000 for that model year. I found several that had higher reserves and didn't sell but they got up to $3-3500.

Should I be concerned that the bike has a dead battery? I can't start it or ride it. Also, she can't find the title so she needs to apply for a replacement from DMV.

The bike has been sitting for two years so it will need an oil change as well.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: tfinch2
What year?

1997

It's a decent price, but personally I'd aim for 3k or less.

KBB has that bike selling for $4,350. Trade-in value is listed at $2,925.

KBB also overinflates prices on everything. If you want to check fair market value, check ebay or Motorcycle Trader.

I checked ebay and they are going for anywhere from $3500 to a bit over $4000 for that model year. I found several that had higher reserves and didn't sell but they got up to $3-3500.

Should I be concerned that the bike has a dead battery? I can't start it or ride it. Also, she can't find the title so she needs to apply for a replacement from DMV.

The bike has been sitting for two years so it will need an oil change as well.

I would have her put in a new battery and fire it up before I considered purchasing it for sure.

 

[moshquerade]

Jules is gonna be a Harley dude. :thumbsup:

 

[michaels]

Make sure you rid eit, do not buy it without strating it and riding it. It would be wise to take it to a local harley shop. Or find an online harley message board, i'm sure they would have tons of advice.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Should I be concerned that the bike has a dead battery? I can't start it or ride it. Also, she can't find the title so she needs to apply for a replacement from DMV.

The bike has been sitting for two years so it will need an oil change as well.

I would have her put in a new battery and fire it up before I considered purchasing it for sure.[/quote]

Agreed,
New battery, and running is a must.

Also, how tall are you, I am 6 foot, and rode my sisters 883 a few years back;
I went about 5 miles, and brought it back.My knees were killing me.

My Honda was much more comfy, and cost less used.

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
Jules is gonna be a Harley dude. :thumbsup:

No offense Mosh, but in the biker world, a puny H.D. like that would be called a b1tch bike.

No man of any substance would be caught riding that. LOL

And, if you notice in the OP, a woman is selling it.

 

[trmiv]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: moshquerade
Jules is gonna be a Harley dude. :thumbsup:

No offense Mosh, but in the biker world, a puny H.D. like that would be called a b1tch bike.

No man of any substance would be caught riding that. LOL

And, if you notice in the OP, a woman is selling it.

LOL. I was going to post this exact same thing when I saw this thread earlier at work, but I didn't want to hurt his feelings.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: moshquerade
Jules is gonna be a Harley dude. :thumbsup:

No offense Mosh, but in the biker world, a puny H.D. like that would be called a b1tch bike.

No man of any substance would be caught riding that. LOL

And, if you notice in the OP, a woman is selling it.

ohhh.... well then again, a guy in a mazda miata is cool to me too.

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: moshquerade
Jules is gonna be a Harley dude. :thumbsup:

No offense Mosh, but in the biker world, a puny H.D. like that would be called a b1tch bike.

No man of any substance would be caught riding that. LOL

And, if you notice in the OP, a woman is selling it.

i ride a sportster...i don't need a bike to validate my manhood, thx

and OP, xlforum.net is your friend

 

[Willoughbyva]

You will also need new tires. Make sure you always have good tires on a motorcycle. Like others have said ride it before you buy it. I would go with a Honda or Yamaha. I would try to get a bike that is shaft driven.

Perry

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: cavemanmoron

Should I be concerned that the bike has a dead battery? I can't start it or ride it. Also, she can't find the title so she needs to apply for a replacement from DMV.

The bike has been sitting for two years so it will need an oil change as well.

I would have her put in a new battery and fire it up before I considered purchasing it for sure.

Agreed,
New battery, and running is a must.

Also, how tall are you, I am 6 foot, and rode my sisters 883 a few years back;
I went about 5 miles, and brought it back.My knees were killing me.

My Honda was much more comfy, and cost less used.[/quote]

i'm 6'1"...forward controls ftw

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: Willoughbyva
You will also need new tires. Make sure you always have good tires on a motorcycle. Like others have said ride it before you buy it. I would go with a Honda or Yamaha. I would try to get a bike that is shaft driven.

Perry

boo@shaft drive

belt drive ftw

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: quakefiend420

Originally posted by: cavemanmoron

Should I be concerned that the bike has a dead battery? I can't start it or ride it. Also, she can't find the title so she needs to apply for a replacement from DMV.

The bike has been sitting for two years so it will need an oil change as well.

I would have her put in a new battery and fire it up before I considered purchasing it for sure.

Agreed,
New battery, and running is a must.

Also, how tall are you, I am 6 foot, and rode my sisters 883 a few years back;
I went about 5 miles, and brought it back.My knees were killing me.

My Honda was much more comfy, and cost less used.

i'm 6'1"...forward controls ftw[/quote]

I'm 5'11" and it felt fine to me. Talk about comfort, I ride a road racing bicycle thousands of miles a year. I think this bike will be fine for weekend cruising and the occasional ride in to work.

She agreed to let me take to the Harley dealer to have it inspected and serviced and she'll deduct the cost of a service and new battery from the price. She seems very straight up with me and I think it is a good deal so I put a deposit on it.

As for the girl's bike B.S., I don't give a crap what other riders think. I'm not riding for them...I'm not even sure I'll get hooked into this but at least I'll be able to sell this bike for what I paid for it if I don't. And it's a Harley!!!

 

[RGN]

I'd never buy anything without title in hand. No way. No title, no cash.

 

[MikeMike]

a guy over on TCL just bought a Ducati S4R for $4k, and the bike had some mods to it as well.

i need to find a deal like that, but on a S2R. or similar.