Shopping for used H-D's in general.

This is off topic as it seems to get.
Not a rant so much, but some thinking points.

As per my intro, I'm in the market for a bike. Maybe a new bike, maybe a used low-mileage bike. Maybe an Indian, maybe not.

Taking the great advice that's been offered, I'm open to the possibility that the bike I choose might not be the bike that initially grabbed my attention in the window.

My Wife (God bless her) has already lined us up with great financing that can be used towards either a used bike or a new bike. If we go new, we can re-negotiate the terms a bit and get the already great 3.2% APR reduced a little bit more. To me, that's a good deal and our due diligence has resulted in removing another rook off the table to worry about.

I've got my ducks in a row and my Wife has convinced me to keep the old Victory Vision because we got married on that bike. It's an 08 but runs fine. The Wife doesn't want to see anyone else riding it and I am still fond of it. I spent weeks on the road doing Rt66, PC1 and all the Northern states on that bike. It's de-valued by having no market with not nearly the resell of what it's worth. I just want something more cruiser than tour that I can rack the pipes on and abuse the tires with but can hold the Wife on back once in awhile. -That's it- I'd like to tear ass through town on something with no faring that represents the hard work I've accomplished in my life, in a style that suits me.

I've bee working with some sales people on both HD Road King Special and Indian Springfield Darkhorses before my quarantine expires and we can go do some testing with two things in mind: What Indian is to me and what Harley is to me.

Both are American V-twins that fit my lifestyle. I'm not a group rider, so neither appeals to me on the social level.

Basically, Indian is that bike line that Polaris makes now that they've dumped Victory and left us holding onto bikes with no value. It has better specs but it stings.

Harley is that bike that I can find all the aftermarket stuff for and always find a place to service down the road.

But now comes the HD marketing "Rewire" and even further, brutal cuts to the market that was allegedly announced to dealers: They won't be providing new bike stock to 70% of their dealerships in 2020 and possibly until 2021. (Now this is alleged: I was told this on the phone buy a very nice salesman, whom I tend to believe).

Okay, I'm fine with that. It certainly sucks for the dealerships that won't make their franchise numbers and they're going to pay the price. Many will likely fold. I'm told it also leaves a void in the market The last dealer I spoke with in person (used dealership with no direct HD franchise) has stated that they are marking up ALL of their HD inventory because this void is going to be hard to fill with both new and used products. Okay, that makes since to me as well... I feel like he was being honest with me.

I think to myself again, well that sucks. BUT... What about the 2nd option for these folks wanting to replace their aging rides with newer models? These dealerships seem have completely forgotten that there is indeed competition from the outside market.

The reason they forgotten about "Plan-B" is because they're itching for a market that isn't so competitive. And I don't blame them! Getting old and being poor sucks! Having to fight for every nickel can wear you down. That's why most of your break-out entrepreneurs are mostly young bucks. The older ones tend to do what they know works and take less chances. Anyway.

HD sales force seems to have forgotten "objects in mirror are larger than they appear". I'm sure I'm not the only middle aged, well-qualified buyer out there that gets tired of being presented HD as the ONLY option. I'm a Gen-X'r technically. I was at the right age to remember when the Evo was a big deal. Hell, I owned one at one time in the 90's while I worked my way through college; before taking the oath for good ol' Uncle Sam and parting ways with my bike to make ends meet. I can only imagine what the millennials with no HD exposure are going to do to this market.

In fact, I'm bound to take a ride on a 6-cylinder and call it quits with twin cruisers altogether if the grass is truly greener. I doubt it... but it could happen.

 

Good points.
New isn't a problem. Used is where the sweet spot is in value but I don't necessarily trust the last guy took care of it. A used, low-mile bike would be ideal. You wouldn't think that would be possible but I've been surprised how many used, 1 year old or less bikes with under 2K miles are out there. A lot of people buying without realizing what they really need and trading out asap.

The sky is the limit with the budget but I just don't feel like spending much more than $20k for a cruiser. The biggest reason is because I don't want to end up with a toy that I'm afraid to get a scratch on. I want something I can beat up a little and can take some minor abuse without coming apart. I'm pretty keen on a 116 or 114 + upgrades in a fairing-less platform.

The upgrades are down the road tinkering projects that goes with the bikes. The last bike ended up with different cams and all that jazz.

Oh, I have been... K1600B, at least. My only issue with that is that I live a day away from the nearest BMW outfits.