Hi all. Im looking to get my 1st (real) bike in 10 years, and am uber-excited about it. Before I get to any questions, a lil intro first.
Ive always wanted to ride since I was about 16, when i rode a friend's 70cc bike. Of couse, everyone in the family was dead against it, and being the obliging son, I put it aside. So in the interim Ive been busting my but through college and grad school, travelled and worked in many countries and eventually (now) arrived at a job I love (nonprofit, dealing with health / food safety matters in the developing world) and able to live somewhat comfortably at the same time.
Its now time to relive my childhood dreams!! So off i went a-harley huntin'
My question is this. There is some crazy tax structure here in malaysia (where i now live), something like 120% for bikes (yes, its not a typo). So I have an option to either get a 1997 Sportster 883 for about 30k (local currency... no need to convert, its inflated anyway you look at it!), or a brand new 2005 (or if i wait till next year 2006) sportster for about twice the amount.
I guess what i really want to know is how diff are the '97 bikes from the current production? Aside from normal things like mileage, accident free, service history etc, what else should I look for? btw, the 2nd hand bike is through the Harley dealer as well, so Im somewhat assured that I wont get screwed.
EVENTUALLY, my plan is to customize the bike both cosmetically and mechanically to what I want. Knowing that I want to do this, Should I just go with the 97 bike, save a few clams for later (or beer, whichever comes 1st ) or does it make more sense to go with the new sportster for the warranty and new bike smell?
any feedback appreciated. thanks!
regards,
kelvin
Ive always wanted to ride since I was about 16, when i rode a friend's 70cc bike. Of couse, everyone in the family was dead against it, and being the obliging son, I put it aside. So in the interim Ive been busting my but through college and grad school, travelled and worked in many countries and eventually (now) arrived at a job I love (nonprofit, dealing with health / food safety matters in the developing world) and able to live somewhat comfortably at the same time.
Its now time to relive my childhood dreams!! So off i went a-harley huntin'
My question is this. There is some crazy tax structure here in malaysia (where i now live), something like 120% for bikes (yes, its not a typo). So I have an option to either get a 1997 Sportster 883 for about 30k (local currency... no need to convert, its inflated anyway you look at it!), or a brand new 2005 (or if i wait till next year 2006) sportster for about twice the amount.
I guess what i really want to know is how diff are the '97 bikes from the current production? Aside from normal things like mileage, accident free, service history etc, what else should I look for? btw, the 2nd hand bike is through the Harley dealer as well, so Im somewhat assured that I wont get screwed.
EVENTUALLY, my plan is to customize the bike both cosmetically and mechanically to what I want. Knowing that I want to do this, Should I just go with the 97 bike, save a few clams for later (or beer, whichever comes 1st ) or does it make more sense to go with the new sportster for the warranty and new bike smell?
any feedback appreciated. thanks!
regards,
kelvin
