What Are the Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Harley-Davidson Motorcycle?

Regardless of the tough time the company is currently facing, it doesn’t change the fact that Harley-Davidson has ruled the motorcycle market for decades. It has always been the top seller in the American motorcycle market. There is no one like Harley who understands the American riders the most.

This National America motorcycle brand makes some of the best cruiser motorcycles, touring bikes, and baggers. It is still known for its heritage, vintage motorbike designs, timeless appeal, and torquey engines.

Motorcycle enthusiasts seem to be crazier for old or used Harley motorcycles than new ones. There are many good reasons why old Harley models are still very popular and hold good value.

If you want a second-hand classic cruiser or touring option, there is no better brand than Harley-Davidson. However, to ensure you make the right decision, we want you to know every pro and cons of buying a Harley.

This article provides a detailed list of all the pros and cons of buying a second-hand Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Read this article if you are finding it hard to decide whether to go for a used Harley or not.

Most new and young riders have now become very practical and budget-conscious. They don’t want to invest all of their life savings on a highly-expensive brand-new motorcycle.

One of the biggest advantages one can have while buying a used Harley is cost savings. Considering the current prices of the new Harley models, you can save a lot of money if you opt for a used Harley.

A used Harley motorcycle can come at a considerably low price tag. Also, the used Harley-Davidson market is quite strong, and a majority of riders prefer a used Harley. It also makes a Harley bike more accessible to H-D fans and enthusiasts.

If you know how the motorcycle market works, new bikes and even new cars, depreciate more quickly in the first few years. To avoid this huge initial depreciation, you can buy a used Harley motorcycle.

A used Harley motorcycle maintains its value more effectively than a new one.

If you have ever bought a new motorcycle before, you must know what a break-in period of a new bike is. You have to ride a new motorcycle very carefully for maybe the first few months until the parts and components settle in.

This isn’t a problem with a used Harley motorcycle. A used Harley is already broken in. You can just start riding a used Harley the way you want. You don’t have to wait for the break-in period to end.

However, for your safety, make sure you ride a motorcycle safely while following all the traffic rules. Wearing a DOT-approved helmet and other riding gear at all times while riding the bike must be your priority.

Harley-Davidson was established in 1903, and it has been making motorcycles since then. The company has produced a great number of motorcycles so far. Most of the Harleys that were discontinued years ago are still memorable.

Riders are crazy over the old Harley motorbikes. The classic appeal of old Harley models is unmatched. You cannot get such a vintage vibe on another motorcycle brand other than Harley-Davidson.

There were many other motorcycle brands that tried to mimic Harley, but they eventually failed.

It is true that the old Harley models have the best classic appeal and vintage vibe. You can proudly take the old Harleys out for a ride and show off. Most used Harley owners feel more proud and happy as they own something extremely precious and timeless.

Older Harley models are more capable of undergoing desired customizations. They also look more good when customized than newer Harley models.

Also, if you choose to buy a used Harley motorcycle, there is a higher possibility that the bike is already customized by the previous owner. So you may not need to make any adjustments or customizations.

Harley-Davidson motorcycles are customization-friendly. You can buy a used Harley at a much lower price than a new one and can use the same money on customization. This way, you cannot only give the bike a personalized touch but also make it look new.

Harley-Davidson is older than a century. It has successfully survived for around 123 years. The company has witnessed World Wars twice and has also undergone several economic depressions.

This American motorcycle brand and the motorcycles it produces have a remarkable historical significance. Every old or used Harley motorcycle has a unique story of its own.

Harley motorcycles are mostly known for their long-distance capabilities. The company mostly produces cruisers, touring bikes, and baggers. Almost every used Harley motorcycle has been a part of a long journey.

If you ask the previous owner, he/she will tell you about the challenges this bike has gone through. The owner will tell you about how much he loved the bike.

Buying a used Harley-Davidson motorcycle means you are taking the legacy forward. You are writing a new chapter of your own in the book.

Another cost-saving advantage of buying a used Harley motorcycle is the low insurance cost. The insurance cost of a used Harley model is much lower than that of a new Harley. So, buying a used Harley model makes it more accessible to operate the bike and manage expenses.

One of the biggest advantages of owning a used Harley motorcycle for most owners is low stress. How come owning a used Harley is less stressful? It is because you don’t worry much about minor scratches.

You ride a used Harley more freely, and you enjoy the ride more. It is difficult to focus more on the ride and enjoy every moment of the journey, particularly if you are riding a new and expensive Harley model.

On a brand-new Harley-Davidson motorcycle, even a tiny scratch feels like a major disaster.

Buying a used Harley-Davidson motorcycle is an affordable way of becoming a part of the large Harley community. It is a ticket to all the Harley events and rallies.

Harley-Davidson has a strong community worldwide. The community members are also quite cordial and supportive of each other. There is a sense of brotherhood among the members.

With a used Harley-Davidson, you also get to join motorcycle riding clubs and groups.

Due to a high resale value and a strong used motorcycle market, Harley owners love to keep a record of the maintenance history of their Harleys.

So, if you are looking for a used Harley, you can access the previous maintenance record for your satisfaction. You can check the record and see if the bike has been kept well by the owner.

You must be surprised to read this. Why is a used Harley motorbike an eco-friendly choice? By buying a used Harley motorcycle, you are promoting the existing sustainable economy and using the existing resources.

Buying a new Harley motorcycle involves the use of newer resources, meaning resource extraction, production, energy consumption, and emissions.

Also, when you buy a used motorcycle, you discourage the manufacturing of new models and the environmental impact.

Buying a used Harley-Davidson means there is no warranty. You will have to deal with all the motorcycle issues and potential failures by yourself. This may cost you a good amount of money if your used Harley starts showing issues and requires major repairs and replacements.

Only you will be responsible for all the repairs and replacement costs after you have made the purchase.

On the other hand, the new Harley motorcycles come with attractive warranty offers by the factory that covers a lot. The factory-limited warranty that comes with brand-new Harley motorcycles offers great peace of mind to owners.

Used Harley-Davidson motorcycles may come with potential hidden issues or undisclosed problems. It may be that the previous owner didn’t know about the hidden issue, or he opted not to disclose it to you.

Buying a used Harley motorcycle with a suspicious maintenance record and history can become a serious headache. It may require you to invest a lot of money in major repairs and parts replacements after the purchase to get the used Harley in shape.

Used motorcycles are prone to more wear and tear. There are several motorcycle parts and components in a used motorcycle that have almost completed their lifespan and require replacement.

It usually happens with most used Harley owners when they don’t investigate the used bike effectively and go with the owner’s words.

Used Harley-Davidson motorcycles are most likely to have outdated technology and features. If you are a new rider and crave a modern bike with safety features and gadgets, a used Harley motorcycle may not be a perfect fit for you.

It is recommended not to go for the very old Harley models. You can consider buying a used Harley that is 2018 and newer.

Nowadays, as motorcycling technology and riding habits have evolved a great deal, the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), good-quality suspension, and updated electronics have become necessary on a motorcycle.

If you have purchased a used Harley motorbike that is quite old and rare, it may become difficult for you to find replacement parts. If it is rare, you will be charged more for such parts. It will be a tough job to hunt for the shops or online stores that sell parts for the used Harley you have purchased.

Whether a Harley or any other brand, a used motorcycle requires more frequent maintenance and repairs than a brand-new motorcycle. You are less worried about the minor scratches and dropping a used Harley, but it will require more effort and care to keep the used model functional and in good shape. Frequent maintenance and repairs may cost you more over time.

A used Harley-Davidson motorcycle may require a specialized mechanic to work on it. Not all mechanics are specialized in repairing an older Harley bike. For this reason, it can sometimes cost you a bit more than normal.

It happens with most buyers that they have to give up on several used Harleys because the modifications done by the previous owner were unwanted. You may have loved the whole bike, but then you came to know about a certain mod that was totally unnecessary.

If you choose to undo these unwanted modifications from a used Harley, it can cost you a lot of money and hassle. This may make you think about going for the new Harley model.

The modifications done to a used Harley by the previous owner are not even guaranteed. The quality of modification may be poor and have interfered with the motorcycle’s performance and durability.

Certain poor modifications in old Harley models may also lead to potential failures and mechanical problems. This can also lead to severe reliability and safety issues.

Purchasing a used Harley motorcycle can help you avoid the initial depreciation of a new Harley model. However, a poorly maintained and poorly kept Harley’s value can depreciate much faster.

This is true especially when the Harley motorcycle has covered thousands of miles and has nearly reached its retirement age.

If you don’t have the required knowledge about motorcycles and how the used market works, you may be fooled by a suspicious seller. It happens with a lot of new buyers who want to buy a used Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Buyers often come across suspicious sellers and motorcycle histories that do not exactly tell the true story. Sometimes, the previous owner will try to manipulate you into buying his bike by not sharing the bike's maintenance history.

They may take advantage of your lack of knowledge and may hide the accidental history of their bikes. So, be aware when you are in the market to buy a used Harley motorcycle.

Don’t make the purchase until you are satisfied and have documented proof that the bike has a clean past record and is in good condition.

According to most reviews and reports, the Twin Cam engine that powered the 2007 Harley-Davidson models is reported to have several issues. Not all the Twin Cam engines are regarded as problematic. Overall, this engine has a good reputation.

However, the 2007 Twin Cam Harley models were reported to have several mechanical issues, including:

• Oil pump issues

• Gearbox issues

• Cam chain tensioner issues

It is advised to stay away from these models when buying a used Harley motorcycle.

You must carefully observe and check for the below red flags when buying a used Harley motorcycle:

• Check whether the bike has been involved in an accident or has been used for stunts or rash riding.

• Check the alignment of the front and rear wheels.

• Check for any signs of damage to the frame.

• Check for any sign of asymmetry while sitting on the bike.

• Check if the bike has been used for wheelies and burnouts by observing the wheels and tires’ condition and by checking the tires’ tread.

• Check if the footpegs are scrapped badly.

• Check for any sign of damage to the engine or the exhaust pipe.

• Check for any signs of bends.

If you find any of these red flags, it is better not to go for that particular Harley model.

Harley motorcycles are considered one of the most premium motorcycles because they are expensive. They also have a strong reputation in the used motorcycle market.

Harley motorcycles have good resale and holding value. So, it is a great investment to buy an old or used Harley. This is mainly because Harley motorcycles retain their value over time. However, the condition is that you must keep the bike in good condition and well-maintained.

According to most reviewers and users, Harley’s top-of-the-line cruiser, the H-D Road King, has the best resale value. Riders love the timeless look of this bike, which is relevant to all motorcyclist generations.

On top of its classic and elegant timeless look, the Road King is also highly customizable. You can make this bike suit your preferences and liking.

By adding a windscreen, saddlebags, crash bars, sissy bars, touring-oriented handlebars, and other luggage bag items, it can become an ideal classic tourer.

You may find an old or used Harley-Davidson motorcycle that looks much more appealing than even a new Harley. Also, the price tag of the used Harley model may attract you to buy it.

If you are in the market looking for a used Harley-Davidson model, there are several things to consider before you make a decision. You are not only saving a good amount of your hard-earned money, but you are also buying something that holds a great traditional value.

There are many good advantages of buying a used Harley. However, you must also consider the cons. Though there are certain disadvantages, it doesn’t necessarily mean that buying a used Harley is a bad idea.

You must be more careful and investigate properly to buy the best deal. In the used motorcycle market, it is quite difficult to find the best deal. The above lists of pros and cons of buying a used Harley can help you make the best decision.