How to Buy a Harley Davidson

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual.

Purchasing a Harley Davidson can fulfill a lifelong dream for some people, but for others it is just adding to a large collection. Either way, knowing how to buy a Harley Davidson can be confusing if you are unfamiliar with where to purchase them or you've not had any experience in buying them new or used. You can easily find the ride for you by following a few easy steps, though.

Steps

1. 1
   Look for a new Harley Davidson. This is going to be your most expensive option, but purchasing new means that your vehicle will come with a warranty, and no one else has done any damage to it.

   
   

   • Use the Harley Davidson dealer locator at http://www.harley-davidson.com/DE/LOC/en/DealerLocator.asp?LL=en-US&AD4=USA&locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US to find a Harley dealership in your area.
   • Visit a Harley dealership in your area, and discuss with the sales associates the bikes they offer, their prices and their financing options.
   • Alternatively, start your search online by looking to see if your local dealership has its inventory posted for viewing. This can be a less stressful shopping method because you do not have the pressure of an actual salesperson, and you can contact the dealership for additional information by phone or email if you find something that you like.
2. 2
   Consider purchasing a used Harley Davidson. Purchasing used can be cost effective if you purchase from a fair seller, but you run into the factor of how well maintained the previous owner kept the bike.
   • Check out the Harley Davidson listings at http://www.harleyclassifieds.com/.
   • Browse through your local or regional newspaper in the classified section.
   • Pick up a regional auto trader magazine to see if they have any Harleys for sale. These publications can generally be purchased at gas stations or convenience stores in racks by the door.
3. 3
   Think about what model type of Harley Davidson you are wanting to purchase. These range from cruising bikes to touring bikes, sportsters and more.
4. 4
   Inspect the bike you are considering purchasing and take it for a test ride if possible.
   • Bring along a friend with mechanical experience to help you make a clear assessment of the vehicle before purchasing.
   • Be aware that vehicles that have sat in storage for long periods of time can have fluid buildup that can be troublesome down the road.
5. 5
   Line up Harley Davidson financing either through the dealership or a local lending institution.
   • Make sure that you have your credit scores reviewed before attempting financing.
   • Don't be afraid to obtain multiple quotes, and then use them as ammunition to get a lower rate at the Harley dealership.
   • Think about using a down payment to offset the financing that you will have to do.

   
   

Tips

• If purchasing used, be sure and check the Harley VIN numbers against the title of the vehicle to ensure that the vehicle that you are purchasing is legal. You can find additional helpful information at http://www.harley-performance.com/harley-vin.html to understand the vehicle numbering convention as well as additional stories as to the importance of making sure that you have the correct VIN information.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Buy a Harley Davidson. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.