Dallas-Fort Worth traffic is some of the worst in the nation. We're not just making that up, anINRIXsurvey looked at places like New York City, Miami, Los Angeles and Washington DC. In February of this year they released a report that said Dallas has the worst traffic in the state. Worse than Houston or Austin because of congestion and traffic jams. It ranks 28th most congested city in the world.
If you're looking at used motorcycles for sale near Sunnyvale, Mesquite, Lawson or anywhere else in DFW, those bikes have spent time on Dallas roads. Last year DFW drivers spent anaverage of 54 hoursin traffic jams, so wear and tear is more than just mileage. Here's how to evaluate your potential used motorcycle purchase.
WHAT'S CONSIDERED HIGH MILEAGE ON A USED MOTORCYCLE?
Low mileage bikes are almost always more expensive, but not necessarily better or more well-maintained. It's almost always better to buy a used bike with higher mileage and carefully kept service records than a newer bike that hasn't had care since it left the dealership.
Sports bikes have high-revving engines, and their owners don't buy them to ride cautiously at a school-zone pace. They buy them for aggressive riding and sharp handling. For sports bikes, 25,000 miles can be a lot.
Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are built to last much longer. If a bike has good maintenance records, no signs of damage and no oil leaks, even a bike with 40,000 to 50,000 miles can be expected to last a long time. Service records and the habits of the previous owner have much more to do with longevity than the number on the odometer.
With motorcycles, like with cars, mileage impacts trade-in value. Some sources say "average" motorcycle use is between 2,000 and 3,000 miles a year, with mileage on touring bikes in the 5,000 to 6,000 mile range.
CONSIDER THESE SCENARIOS
Here's why there's so much more to buying a used motorcycle than just mileage:
A new rider purchased anew Sportster®and rode it hard the first year. He didn't know new bikes have a break-in period, so he pushed his new bike to find its limits. He dropped it a few times, but somehow avoided putting dents in the tank. He also figured the bike was new, so he neglected to take it in for oil changes, the replacement of transmission lubricant and all the other inspections and adjustments a new bike requires.
Around 5,000 miles his wife had a baby and life got busy, so he parked it in the driveway. Two years later he realizes he's still making payments on something he never uses, so he puts it up for sale.
In the second situation, a driver used the same model Sportster® for a daily commute. She followed the manufacturer's instruction manual and took it to a qualified Harley-Davidson service professional. She is a cautious rider, starting smoothly and riding responsibly. She uses the best motorcycle batteries, regularly checks air filters and keeps parts well lubricated and adjusted. When her bike hits 30,000 miles, she decides to upgrade to a touring bike so she can go on long trips.
The first bike has lower miles, but has a much higher potential for mechanical issues.
HOW TO CHOOSE A RELIABLE USED HARLEY-DAVIDSON
When you choose one of the pre-owned Harley-Davidsons® we sell at our dealership near Dallas in Garland, you know you're getting a machine that's in top shape. We don't just sell used bikes in Dallas. Every bike in our inventory had to go through an intensive 40 point inspection process performed by one of our factory trained Harley-Davidson® technician. Here are just a few of the things we check:
- Engine
- transmission
- primary drive
- gaskets, seals and fluids
- tires
- parts that are subject to ongoing wear like brake pads, clutch plates and batteries
We check to see if there are any outstanding recalls and perform the work if needed. Before we make the bike available for sale, we do the next major service and road test it.
If you buy a certified pre-owned motorcycle from us, you know you're getting a reliable bike. Certified pre-owned Harley-Davidsons® are also eligible for an extended warranty. If you buy from an individual, you don't know what shape their motorcycle is really in. When you buy from Dallas Harley-Davidson® you can ride anywhere with confidence. Check out our pre-owned inventory today.
