View Full Version : What to look for when buying a HOG
Rode Road King yesterday and was pleasantly surprised with what I found. Always thought these machines were poor construction needing an iron butt to sit on them and they have never heard of tools to scrub off speed
So am considering buying a low milage (25,000km) 1999 FLHRCI. Since this is my first entry into HOG ownership, I would appreciate some advice on what to look for apart from the obvious visual checks.
peasea
3rd May 2009, 11:02
Rode Road King yesterday and was pleasantly surprised with what I found. Always thought these machines were poor construction needing an iron butt to sit on them and they have never heard of tools to scrub off speed
So am considering buying a low milage (25,000km) 1999 FLHRCI. Since this is my first entry into HOG ownership, I would appreciate some advice on what to look for apart from the obvious visual checks.
Have PM'd you. Hope you find what you're looking for.
Crasherfromwayback
3rd May 2009, 17:10
I would appreciate some advice on what to look for apart from the obvious visual checks.
Look for the first office after the spares counter...and a pen. All sorted!
:-)
make shure its not sneezing
Does it come with a trailer? :whistle:
what do I need a pen for, is a gentlemen's word no longer good enough?
duckonin
3rd May 2009, 18:38
what do I need a pen for, is a gentlemen's word no longer good enough?
Nope not longer enough, The last gentlemans, and his wifes, word turned into a disaster :angry2: the last time I ever take any persons word for anything,plus the old HANDSHAKE, with the words no worries MATE..It's att that ime you have to start and worry..:argh:
BIG DOUG
3rd May 2009, 20:27
It has the twin cam engine so its pretty bulletproof,165 thousand kays on mine but it has had a bit of work done to it I just can't leave a bike stock.
so what have you done to give it more oompf
Crasherfromwayback
4th May 2009, 11:17
what do I need a pen for, is a gentlemen's word no longer good enough?
To sign on the dotted line mate...and also for the change of ownership form!
I smell a deal coming up that I may have to challange
Got the go-ahead from her indoors then?
BIG DOUG
4th May 2009, 21:52
At about 95k pulled the mtr and bored the cases to take it out to 100ci (1650)fitted s+s gear drive cams,s+s heads + pistons ,rivera clutch some baker gearbox bits jmc swingarm speed triple fr end,white brothers pipe,mv 6 piston calipers,320mm discs it goes on,and then the bastards built the xr1200 could of saved myself a truckload of money if these where around then.
ok guy's and girl's. been thinking of getting a HD. Bit of background, Been biking on and off for the past 20 years. Getting on in the years now and the body does not appreciate the cramped position of soopa bark's anymore. Currently on cb1300
i'm 1.98m tall (no idea what that is in imperial, 6'4" ?) and lets say a bit over 100 kg's. Been looking at VROD (feels a bit small to me, like you sitting ontop of the bike) and the SoftTail (feels a bit wider and as if you sitting "in" the bike). Want the legs out front and a big sadle for a big arse ...
Any suggestion ????
Crasherfromwayback
5th May 2009, 11:33
ok guy's and girl's. been thinking of getting a HD. Bit of background, Been biking on and off for the past 20 years. Getting on in the years now and the body does not appreciate the cramped position of soopa bark's anymore. Currently on cb1300
i'm 1.98m tall (no idea what that is in imperial, 6'4" ?) and lets say a bit over 100 kg's. Been looking at VROD (feels a bit small to me, like you sitting ontop of the bike) and the SoftTail (feels a bit wider and as if you sitting "in" the bike). Want the legs out front and a big sadle for a big arse ...
Any suggestion ????
Yep...email me @ pmcdonald@wmcc.co.nz with your phone number if you like...or pm me it!
Pete :-)
Rode Road King yesterday and was pleasantly surprised with what I found. Always thought these machines were poor construction needing an iron butt to sit on them and they have never heard of tools to scrub off speed
So am considering buying a low milage (25,000km) 1999 FLHRCI. Since this is my first entry into HOG ownership, I would appreciate some advice on what to look for apart from the obvious visual checks.
Check the belt drive is in good condition, no split or stone damaged its a full days work to swap out. At 25k the motor will be just run in. Check the service history. The 88 twin cam motor is a very strong motor. Check the front motor mount, its under the regulator, they fail at 10-60k, its a simple fix but the new motor mount is a bit more ridgit and increases the vibration at idle.
Rob Taylor
5th May 2009, 15:56
ok guy's and girl's. been thinking of getting a HD. Bit of background, Been biking on and off for the past 20 years. Getting on in the years now and the body does not appreciate the cramped position of soopa bark's anymore. Currently on cb1300
i'm 1.98m tall (no idea what that is in imperial, 6'4" ?) and lets say a bit over 100 kg's. Been looking at VROD (feels a bit small to me, like you sitting ontop of the bike) and the SoftTail (feels a bit wider and as if you sitting "in" the bike). Want the legs out front and a big sadle for a big arse ...
Any suggestion ????
Sounds like the bike for you is a Wide Glide a deuce or night train,well anything with forward controls..Go look at www.ktlbikes.co.nz Great guys and always willing to do a deal..Ask for Kerry Jeffs...Good luck....
scumdog
5th May 2009, 17:08
ok guy's and girl's. been thinking of getting a HD. Bit of background, Been biking on and off for the past 20 years. Getting on in the years now and the body does not appreciate the cramped position of soopa bark's anymore. Currently on cb1300
i'm 1.98m tall (no idea what that is in imperial, 6'4" ?) and lets say a bit over 100 kg's. Been looking at VROD (feels a bit small to me, like you sitting ontop of the bike) and the SoftTail (feels a bit wider and as if you sitting "in" the bike). Want the legs out front and a big sadle for a big arse ...
Any suggestion ????
A lardy-arsed soft-tail sound just right for you..:whistle:
Hey Varkp go and see crasherfromthepast at WMCC he will sort you out. Just picked up my HD FLHRCI and it rocks! My partner had to peel me off tonight when I got home. I am like you 6ft5 and around 100kg. Found the regular bikes feeling like a preymantis. The Road King I bought is bigger and heavier than you would be used too but it handles like a dream.
Good luck . . :yes:
Headbanger
5th May 2009, 19:25
Whoa, 100KG's?
You guys need to eat some beef or something.
Must be a struggle to get through winter with no meat on your bones.
like to keep it lean and mean
Good luck with the HD mate. First thing you'll need is a thick skin to weather all the ill-informed anti-HD bullshit on here.
I've owned dozens of bikes over the years but only bought my first HD in '03. Since then I've had an old Shovel, an Evo, a few Twin Cams, a Sportie, and my present '96" Fat Bob. Every one of them has been bulletproof. You'll f'kin' love it.
Buy, ride, enjoy, repeat.
ratusratus
5th May 2009, 20:39
Give Kerry Jeffs a ring at KTL motorcycles in Auckland
Hes a good bugger and honest
And dont listen to the Harley knockers
they are all cunts:wacko:
Good luck with the HD mate. First thing you'll need is a thick skin to weather all the ill-informed anti-HD bullshit on here.
I've owned dozens of bikes over the years but only bought my first HD in '03. Since then I've had an old Shovel, an Evo, a few Twin Cams, a Sportie, and my present '96" Fat Bob. Every one of them has been bulletproof. You'll f'kin' love it.
Buy, ride, enjoy, repeat.
Thanks Molly, I just picked it up and am loving already. F#$% the ones that have no idea - lets leave them in their own pathetic little world
NOWOOL
6th May 2009, 08:41
Good luck with the HD mate. First thing you'll need is a thick skin to weather all the ill-informed anti-HD bullshit on here.
I've owned dozens of bikes over the years but only bought my first HD in '03. Since then I've had an old Shovel, an Evo, a few Twin Cams, a Sportie, and my present '96" Fat Bob. Every one of them has been bulletproof. You'll f'kin' love it.
Buy, ride, enjoy, repeat.
Yeah, I've noticed that H-D riders get a lot of put-downs by other make riders on this and other boards. Like you always hear stuff like H-D's and BMW's are old men bikes. I think it's more a case of envy; yes, the majority of the H-D riders are older but then again that's because the bikes are expensive and require an actual liveable income to afford. Not something you can buy while on the dole or working at The Warehouse.
..and yes I agree; they are very reliable and the build quality is great.
Crasherfromwayback
6th May 2009, 09:13
Hey Varkp go and see crasherfromthepast at WMCC he will sort you out. Just picked up my HD FLHRCI and it rocks! My partner had to peel me off tonight when I got home. I am like you 6ft5 and around 100kg. Found the regular bikes feeling like a preymantis. The Road King I bought is bigger and heavier than you would be used too but it handles like a dream.
Good luck . . :yes:
Thanks Herman...glad you're enjoying it!!
Pete
well guy's, about he HD putt downs..i was one of those people that thought HD (Hardly Dangerous) were a joke and or tassle waving devices. Thats long time ago, when i was young and stupid. (you only find two kinds of bikers fast ones and old ones..i'm the latter).
I have ridden everything Blackbird's to CB200 develivery bikes, and quite frankly riding a soopa bark in this country is like feeding strawberries to pigs ....pointless.
So with a speed limit of 100 and Gestapo cops around HD just make a whole lot of sense and i think a whole pile of fun thrown in. The rattling might even do wonders for the kidney stones...
have my eye on a fxst 2000 model in Chch that is up for grabs on trademem but will go round all the bike shops in wellington in the next week or so and drive all the salemen nuts ..
an yes i think i have a midlife crisis ...wife says so ..
Crasherfromwayback
6th May 2009, 10:22
but will go round all the bike shops in wellington in the next week or so and drive all the salemen nuts ..
Make sure you come and see me...we've got plenty of good used HD's at the mo!
Pete (WMCC)
MeHigh
6th May 2009, 13:18
When the metal has a soul it's called Harley! Ride hard!
yes varkp go and see Pete at WMCC and mention my name, perhaps he'll buy me a beer at the next Hog meeting
I've never seen second-hand HD big block prices so low. There seems to be a few real bargains around. It helps that new bike prices have fallen in recent years.
Lindsay Williamson at Christchurch Motorcycles has always been a straight-forward, friendly bloke to deal with (had a few bikes off him and would get another if funds permitted - nice Evo Springer maybe) and I've no complaints about the main agents, Rolling Thunder either to be honest.
In particularly now with the exchange ate taking a dive the prices of new imported bikes has gone up big time. The prices on used bikes are still acceptable. I got mine with a fantastic package and am very happy. Unfortunately I was unable to get to use it this morning, hail stones an inch high on the road did make it for a car decision. Look forward to riding tomorrow though.
SilverGrin
7th May 2009, 16:33
Looking to trade the missus's '06 883 on a '07 1200 custom low.
Stealer wants 14k for the low and originally offered 6k for the 883 but since we're such good customers, upped it to 7k.
The 883 has 35000km's on it and a small dent in the tank and needed a front guard replaced and a couple of tyres, so not too bad considering.
Still, a hit of 8k is a bit much to swallow, but we took a huge hit from the new prices being dropped in '07.
good luck with your decision making
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