The only new bike I purchased was a 1966 Suzuki X6, the newest used bike had 259 miles on it. There are so many really low milage bikes available I can always find a great deal when I spend some time looking. Plus its only new until you have shown it to all your friends, after that is just another bike you bought.
I had bought a new 83 Ford Escort and traded in after 40k miles when I replaced both front axles and driving to Atlantic City the muffler system from the manifold back fell off. Next was a new 87 Ford Ranger with the space cab. One day the radio went to wide open and wouldn't turn off. The other nasty thing was the helper fuel pump on the frame rail with the connections open to corrosion. After these 2 I went to Chevy's and never had anymore troubles. The Ranger was the last new vehicle since 93.
In all seriousness for the last few years I've been buying used motorcycles. They're just better deals overall, and unlike cars they're usually really nicely maintained. Even if they aren't perfect, they're easy to get there. The only thing I've bought new recently was a Corvette in 2017. I ordered it exactly the way I wanted it, and I didn't want anybody else's ass in that seat
I've bought 2 HD's new, an 05 and an 09 EGC both of them. and 6 used, 58 Duo, 74 FLH, 03 Ultra, 05 RK, 89 FLHS, and my 87 FLHTP. I don't think I'd buy a new one again, but you never know, if the price was right maybe. As for vehicles drove a bunch of "new" cars when I was contracted with Ford Audio...I got them below dealer cost, and traded when the warranty ran out. It was a biz expense for me and we could afford it. Now, I own a 30 year old F350 tow beast, had it for 14 years now, and bought it with 70K on it. The wife has an 11 Ranger, found it with 51K on it 3 years ago.
I've always bought new motorcycles. Cars? Back and forth. Sometimes new sometimes used. Only had one really bad used one, kept it for 64 days (Volvo station wagon). A real horror show. Traded it for one of the best cars I ever had : a new '71 Volkswagon Squareback. My current ride, a '92 FLHS bought new never regretted it. That stock EVO is stone dependable.
99% better than my 1976 AMF dresser. Loved the look, loved the sound and positivly loved that seat. But had so many problems.........
BUFFALOGUY: Actually the motor itself was not too bad...until it got to about 3 years old. Then the exhaust valve in the rear cylinder "galled" in the guide (twice)....supposivly no one knew why....of course, I went the full route...pulled the heads, advised to get Manley valves and guides....didn't matter. Same thing. Until about 2 years after I sold it....then I'm told something like "oh, yeah there was an oil supply problem there...." but the main problem was almost everything else. Replace the handlebar switches at least twice, welds that broke, etc., etc..
What got me to sell it was on a beautiful Sunday morning, I'm in the garage wrenching (again and again)....and watching other brands (Japanese mainly) that cost 1/2 of what my bike cost...go merrily riding along..
So...after selling the '76, I went to a used '79 Yamaha (XS1100) a rocketship....but never did like the thing. Realized I wanted a H-D but would refuse to put up with the problems....got out of biking for a few years, .then they introduced the EVO motor....the extremely anti-H-D magazines were actually enthusiastic about the EVO,in fact, I think it was CYCLE Magazine that said "it is every bit as dependable as the (BMW)Boxer Twin. You should have read the "letters to the Editor" about that one..😃
And so, in 1992 I got my current ride...and never looked back. End of history lesson.
When I was younger I was a car nut. New cars, really cool new cars, came and went, sometimes in less than a year. Heck, some even after only about 6-8 months. In 1988 I came to my senses. Haven't had a new car or motorcycle or car payment since. Now I'm like somebody that quit smoking and thinks paying for new vehicles is absolute insanity. My current SUV is a 2006 that I bought in 2009. I am still a maintenance nut so my vehicles get top drawer care. It still runs and looks great. My HD is a 1999. Nobody believes it's that old when they see it and I can't believe it's that old when I ride it.
First bike 1969 XLCH (new) AMF days (junk). Took delivery from dealer by pushing it out the back door of his shop into the alley down the steps on a 2x12x8ft. Road 4 yrs., sold to my buddy for almost what I paid for it $1700.00. The dealership was in his shotgun house...these houses do not have any hall ways. I was "raised" in several of them.
Second bike 2003 FLSTCI (new). Took delivery from dealer...had to go around and meet the service dept. head, parts dept. head and the owner of the dealership...she was the daughter of the dealer I purchased my XLCH from. Times change...NO...I will never buy new again! If I live any longer and need to buy it will definitely be one of the many garage queens that are out there. I have learned a lot by having to work on the 03 FLSTCI...fuel line replaced three times, cam chain tensioners three times, rebuilt my five speed once, replaced the fifth gear mainshaft once, fifth gear countershaft once, rebuilt front forks once (found one of the pinch bolts sheared), of course after the break in did stage one with SE203 cams, S&S adjustable push rods, K&N filter, Cycle Shack slip on pipes, Power Commander USB II. Sorry...getting carried away...I will only buy one of the many garage queens that are out there.
I have bought both new and used cars and bikes. I think the barley used ones you can save a lot of money on. On Monday I just bought a 2018 Heritage 114" with 1900 miles, SE mufflers , SE tuner, and fairing with a radio ( jury is still out on that, may go back to a windshield) $14988. New would have been $21500. I bought a 2015 Explorer XLT in 2017 For $30,500 certified pre owned 18,000 miles. New would have been close to $50,000. With Ford you get a better warranty on a certified used than new and if you go for a Ford ESP extended service plan it is cheaper than buying one for a new vehicle. $1600 got me waranteed to 100,000 miles and 2024.
I have bought both new and used cars and bikes. I think the barley used ones you can save a lot of money on. On Monday I just bought a 2018 Heritage 114" with 1900 miles, SE mufflers , SE tuner, and fairing with a radio ( jury is still out on that, may go back to a windshield) $14988. New would have been $21500. I bought a 2015 Explorer XLT in 2017 For $30,500 certified pre owned 18,000 miles. New would have been close to $50,000. With Ford you get a better warranty on a certified used than new and if you go for a Ford ESP extended service plan it is cheaper than buying one for a new vehicle. $1600 got me waranteed to 100,000 miles and 2024.
I wouldn't buy another Ford if they were 50% off. My father always bought Ford's and I had a couple, but the GM brand has carried me the last 30 years. A Toyota was the worst car I've had. Whoever thought of routing the transmission line through the engine block to save a couple inches of tubing was an idiot.
2 sided coin...you really need history on a used bike....unused bike has documented problems to address or none? and knoledge is key...or is a po selling it for hidden problems?(bad catch)....or po has removed all the problems?...with lots of goodies added (good catch) and just wants it to a good home ...and trust is good to deal with too....im sure thru history that many a bike was sold from hidden problems and the seller feared for his life...ha!
I feel that a drive by shooting would be appropriate. A revolver would be the ticket as the shell casings with my fingerprints would be with the pistol.
It sure is! It may have had a dirt floor in the back where Bud worked on the bikes. I am not sure...all I could see and feel at the time was a brand new bike!!
There are a lot of practically new bikes sitting around that middle aged men bought and thought they would ride or their wives might ride with them but the bike was more of a handful that they thought it would be and the wife wouldn't get on it and then there is a three year old bike with 259 miles on it posted on CL or Ebay. Plus they generally spent a a load on accessories when they bought it.
They usually sell it about the time the warranty has expired.
I have only owned one new vehicle in my entire life, my 09 FLHX. I still have it and will never sell it. My wife likes new cars and we get her one every five or six years, but I'm not interested in having two car payments.