price vs miles question (sorta long for a small query, sorry)

 Plastics on the bar folks, I'm having an ice cold labbatt draft (with my
canadian neighbors, "eh").
I was forced to sell my road king last year (unscheduled career change) and
scored a great deal on an '02 honda shadow sabre. She was a nice bike and
the price was right but I just couldn't fall in love with her (like a real
pretty broad with a shitty outlook). Anyway, as luck would have it, my Mom
just received a lawsuit settlement on behalf of the ol' man's death. She
wanted to share it with us so I sold the honda (made a couple of bucks on
her too!) and although I wish Dad was still here to live it up with the
money he isn't, so i'm going to spend my portion on a shiney used hog, I
think that would have made him happy too. I'm always going to have bills to
pay but f#ck it, i'm learning a lesson from the ol' mans death, enjoy it
while I can.
All that being said, I've been scoping out some evo softail models. I loved
my '91 FXR but I've been there and done that (plus most fxr's have been
ridden to death so the pool is pretty small), the roadking was sweet but
kind of bulky for my type of riding (weekends, after work, etc.) so the next
should be some sort of softail. Finally, the question! How many miles, are
too many miles? I've seen some sixty thousand mile bikes that are dirt
cheap. I believe a well maintained evo can pile up some miles without
incident but i'm not sure who's done what to these bikes. The mechanic (or
the person playing the part of the mechanic) scares me, i've seen some
strange shit over the years. What would you pay for a mid 90's, 20k-30k mile
heritage, springer, custom, or fatboy? I'm looking to get away with spending
around $7500-$9000. if possible and whatever lives in my garage will get a
facelift over a few year period. My crazy wife can handle me spending in
small doses, anything big gives her a snarly look that I just can't deal
with... yikes!
Have another round folks, enjoy, and thanks for any advice.

walt
'____ (geez, no bike to fill in here!)

 wrote:


Thanks for the Jack. Come to think of it, time to go and get a refill
irl.


Look online for the book value, and negotiate like hell. In this
economy, you should be able to get a great deal on any bike, used or
new. Local dealers here are now offering below MSRP every day for a
brand new Harley. Don't be afraid to walk out the door if they won't
meet your price. Give them a day or two, and I'll bet they will.

When I traded in my Low Rider, I found the NADA book value, and
negotiated from there. Of course I didn't get what I wanted, and you
won't either, but I got a deal I could live with because I'd done my
homework beforehand.

--
  _____   _____
 | ____| |__  /         Larry from St. Louis, MO
 |  _|     / /          SENS, MAMBM, MISFIT, TOMKAT
 | |___   / /_          BS #269 DOF #(I forget)
 |_____| /____|         105th Anniversary Edition Ultra

 

Thanks Larry, I have a friend (who sells bikes at a local HD dealer) who
sold me a new bike back in '99 looking for some trade in deals. He seems
confident in finding me exactly what (he thinks) I will like. Just missed
out on a great deal on a springer two months ago but didn't have the cash in
hand. I'm not in any hurry so i know something will find me.

walt
(blank fer now)

 <snip>

Lower your bid a bit, save money for gear and training. I hope you get the
best bike for your buck. And thanks for the sipper.


--
"Wakko" NTXNS TOMKAT SENS PHS BS#257

 

Thanks Wakko, i'm pretty well set in the gear department because I've always
kept all my personal stuff when selling bikes. Training is a good idea no
matter how long you've been riding... that's good advice.
I'll keep everyone posted as to what I find. About two years ago I had bikes
up the ass around here, then a few changes here and there, mix in a new job
and wahlah... no bike.

walt
(nothing here now)
http://wallys-speed-shop.com  (check out some of the ones that got away : )