A couple of questions about Harleys

[Pablo Uganda]

Just wondering, and cant recall, when was the twin cam motor introduced?
Was'nt that long ago eh?

Also, why are second hand HDs so pricey, I guess, why do they hold their value so much?
Its not as if they're scarce on the roads.

Cheers

[White trash]

Twin cam was introduced for the 99 model year on Dynas, 2000 for Softails. If you're looking at a 99 Dynaglide, make sure it's had the cam bearing recall approved.

The reason for the prices remaining high is due to the high new price/no discounting marketing approach HD have taken. Although, I expect in the next 12 months the s/h price will fall as the market is currently saturated with used bikes from Japan. I'm pretty sure the new prices fell for the 06 bikes as well.

Hope this helps.

[Troll]

prices stay high because of supply and demand

people want them thereore prices stay high

also parts availability, easy to get parts for older models, anything from 1936 to present can be rebuilt from scratch with new parts

compared with japanese and italian bikes parts are cheap

also compared with the japanese they don't come out with a new model every 6 months that renders the old model obsolete, therfore poepl tend to hang on to them longer and don't trade them in every 18 months or so, therefore less of them on the market for sale

[Pablo Uganda]

What are Jap import HDs like?

Or I guess any bike imports from there.

From working in the car industry, we've all heard the usual horror stories about speedos etc, but is it applicable on bikes?
Any nasty stuff emerged?

[ghost]

also compared with the japanese they don't come out with a new model every 6 months that renders the old model obsolete,

This has to be one of the best marketing ploys ever. If a 20 year old model has not changed from the new model there's no real justification for value drop. My biggest problem would be paying so much for a new bike and then still having to modify it. But then thats also more money for personal customising, Harley sure has there market share of consumers sorted. Not may peple would tolerate that from Japanese or European manufacturers.

[sAsLEX]

compared with japanese and italian bikes parts are cheap

the trashman was throwing round some Buell parts figures one time here and they seemed perfectly reasonable like 30 bucks for an idicator type of range, could nearly convince someone to trade in the bike and buy a tractor

[White trash]

What are Jap import HDs like?

Or I guess any bike imports from there.

From working in the car industry, we've all heard the usual horror stories about speedos etc, but is it applicable on bikes?
Any nasty stuff emerged?

Pretty good. Get it serviced by a PROPER dealership first though. Exactly the same spec as our bikes although most have had reduced reach footpegs and bars fitted.

Don't be too worried about speedo readings on them. I've seen a 2004 VRSCB with 175km on the clock. Shiny tyres, the works.

There's some real bargains to be had.

[Pablo Uganda]

Thanks guys.

Last HD I rode was an evo so dunno what the TC go like. I imagine a lot better than the evos.

[HenryDorsetCase]

the trashman was throwing round some Buell parts figures one time here and they seemed perfectly reasonable like 30 bucks for an idicator type of range, could nearly convince someone to trade in the bike and buy a tractor

I test rode a Buell XB12S last Friday night. By no stretch of the word can it be described as a "tractor" !!!

At real world speeds (and slightly above :satan: ) they are a reaally great sprotbike, and still pretty comfortable to ride......

Its the same money ($20k) as everything else Ive looked at, and you get belt drive and some cooooool engineering solutions.

I really really rated it, not as a non HD or as an HD, but as a real world just jump on the bike and go motorbike.

[HenryDorsetCase]

the one in the HD lineup presently doing it for me is the XL1200R.

dang.

everytime I go to take one for a ride, its sold. Brand spankers $18600


the Sportsters with the rubber mount motor are the one to go for IMO....

[scumdog]

the one in the HD lineup presently doing it for me is the XL1200R.

dang.

everytime I go to take one for a ride, its sold. Brand spankers $18600


the Sportsters with the rubber mount motor are the one to go for IMO....

Yeah but the missus might miss the 'buzz'!

But I agree - it's a shame the 12002 'S' is not still being made, the best handling Sporty from the factory imho.

[Motu]

There's only one Harley that does it for me,almost unchanged in over 30 yrs of production - but it's not street legal....

[scumdog]

There's only one Harley that does it for me,almost unchanged in over 30 yrs of production - but it's not street legal....

An XR? - or something more obtuse?

[HenryDorsetCase]

There's only one Harley that does it for me,almost unchanged in over 30 yrs of production - but it's not street legal....

XR750, has to be.

I love street trackers: Mert Lawwills one, and the Storz one.

[Motu]

Yeah,an XR750...and I'd love to ride one too,on a half mile,a mile track would be soooooo scary! The ugliest Harley ever made was the XR1000,a criminal act...