A Beginner's Guide to Buying a Used Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle

Used Harley-Davidson® motorcycles allow you to get the lifestyle you want, but at a much more budget-friendly price. You'll save a significant amount of money simply by getting an older model. But it can be tricky navigating the shopping process and finding a model that's still in good condition. Keep reading for strategies on shopping used models for sale. Then visit St. Charles Harley-Davidson for a variety of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for sale near St. Louis, and St. Peters, Missouri. We are a Harley-Davidson dealer located in St. Charles, Missouri.

Establish Your Budget

Your first step in shopping Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for sale is creating a budget. Here you are trying to accomplish two goals. First, you want to avoid falling in love with a model that's beyond your price point - so you eliminate those models from your search before you begin. Second, you want to avoid unnecessarily skimping on features or specs you can actually afford. Making a budget helps you get a realistic picture of what you can spend.

Pick a Seller

There are two resources to find Harley-Davidson motorcycles for sale: a private seller and a Harley-Davidson® dealer. There are a few advantages of going with a Harley-Davidson® dealer.

First, a Harley-Davidson® dealer has an incentive to give you a fair deal. If they don't, you could take to online reviews and scare away potential customers. A private seller doesn't have brand management to worry about.

Second, a Harley-Davidson® dealer will put the model through an inspection process. This is part of establishing its price, but it's also an opportunity for the experts to catch issues with the motorcycle. They can then fix it in their service department. These problems may be missed by an average Joe seller - and an average Joe buyer! Let the experts inspect the Harley-Davidson motorcycle and fix it up for cheaper than it would cost you to discover the issue and get it repaired by a mechanic.

Third, visiting a Harley-Davidson® dealer gives you access to a wider range of choices. You'd have to drive around town all day visiting many private seller's homes to get the same amount of options that you'll get at a dealership.

Inspect the Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle

Once you find a model you are interested in, you'll want to give it a thorough inspection. Here you are looking for red flags that could cost you in repair bills down the road. Look at everything from the tire tread to the fuel tank.

Next, you'll want to take the model for a test drive. You want to make sure it runs without issues, such as jerky gear changes or slow engine startups. But you also want to ensure the models fits you well. Do you comfortably fit? Or are you stretching to reach the controls or scrunching yourself down because you're too big? There are some adjustments you can make to accommodate your height, but make sure they are realistic adaptations and within your budget. You also want to check that the model is the right power level for you. You don't want something that's below your level and going to hold you back, but you also don't want something too powerful that will be difficult for you to control.

We hope you found this guide helpful! Visit St. Charles Harley-Davidson for Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for sale near St. Louis and St. Peters, Missouri. If you aren't sure which model best suits you, talk to our expert staff. Tell them your budget, lifestyle, and experience level. They will then suggest the right models to match. We are a Harley-Davidson® dealer located in St. Charles, Missouri. Stop by and visit today.