Need advice on a Harley

[Rot 911]

I never thought I would be interested in a Harley Davidson since I sold my last one in the late 90s. But I was out riding my 1973 Norton Commando and ended up stopping in at the Harley dealer. The bike I sold back in the late 90s was a 1979 Harley Low Rider. And lo and behold they had a 2014 Low Rider sitting on the floor. Has 19,000 miles on it. And looks to be pretty much stock with the exception of the saddlebags. Are there any known issues that I should be on the lookout for? Of course, if I get it, I promise not to start walking around in assless chaps.

[HardDrive]

I've always loved Dynas, and I'm not a Harley guy.......yet.

[Jeff Higgins]

2014 is towards the end of the Twin Cam era. As such, Harley had everything pretty well sorted by then, and were producing a pretty rock solid machine with all of the earlier issues corrected. There is really nothing specific to watch out for in these motorcycles.

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

2014 is towards the end of the Twin Cam era. As such, Harley had everything pretty well sorted by then, and were producing a pretty rock solid machine with all of the earlier issues corrected. There is really nothing specific to watch out for in these motorcycles.

Jeff, I was hoping you would weigh in on my thread as you’re an old Harley guy!

[MRM]

You say that like there’s something wrong with assless chaps.

[stevej37]

Nice looking bike!

[varmint]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

One can buy a LOT of Harley right now for 5k and even less!
The market glut is huge .
Pursue your passions.

Harleys are dirt cheap.

Like buying cruise ship stock.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

Jeff, I was hoping you would weigh in on my thread as you’re an old Harley guy!

My pleasure.

I have a 2013 Road King, which replaced my wrecked 2000 Road King. The newer bike bumps displacement to 103 CI vs 88 CI, and adds one more gear to the transmission, up from a five to a six speed. More importantly, and something I wish more manufacturers would consider, is that it is geared so that the motor is in a "sweet spot", rpm-wise, at each of our most common open road speed limits, like 30-35, 40-45, 50-60, and 70 mph. Kind of a subtle thing, but how many of us drive cars and ride bikes that always feel like they are "between gears" at common legal road speeds?

The (now discontinued with the new Milwaukee Eight) Dyna platform shares the engine and transmission with the touring platform (Road King, Electra Glide, etc.). It is the non-counterbalanced, rubber mounted drivetrain, as opposed to the counterbalanced, rigidly mounted drivetrain in the Softail platform. Either is a fine combination, but I've always preferred the simplicity of the non-counterbalanced platform. So, essentially, this bike will have the same basic drivetrain I've been riding for 20 years now, between two different bikes. I have had wonderful reliability with both, with the first going 116,000 miles with only one "known issue" beyond routine maintenance, and the current one just having topped 40,000.

The "known issue" on the 88 inch bike was, of course, the infamous rear cam bearing. It was repaired at Harley's expense at about 50,000 miles with the updated design, and never had issues again. The 103 inch motors finally addressed this one "known issue" once and for all, with no reports of any issues from their owners.

So, yeah, the 2014 represents the typical "end of run" refinement that we see in many cars and bikes. It was a pretty damn good bike by then. Then, of course (as they do), H-D had to "re-set the clock" and come out with the Milwaukee Eight, which has brought with it those typical new model issues. As such, I believe the later year TC 103's represent a better buy on a more finished, refined motorcycle.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by MRM

You say that like there’s something wrong with assless chaps.

Depends on the demographic. If anyone on this BBS starts posting selfies...

[sugarwood]

What is the asking price?
Don't bother buying one, you'll never use it.
Too old to collect toys.

Here are some cheaper ones maybe
https://lincoln.craigslist.org/mcy/d/beatrice-2011-harley-davidson-1200c/7076081739.html
https://lincoln.craigslist.org/mcd/d/scottsbluff-2008-harley-davidson-night/7091030764.html

[911boost]

Agree with Jeff. How do you fit on it? At 6-4 I’ve always felt a little big for them.

My ‘06 Electra Glide was the most reliable machine, two or four wheeled I have owned. My ‘18 Road Glide has been flawless but work has been hell lately so I only have 7,000 miles or so on it. That will change this riding season as I’m forcing myself to ride more for mental health reasons.

[billybek]

The terms Commando and Assless Chaps maybe shouldn't be on the same thread...

I rode my neighbors Low Rider years ago. I was deathly afraid that I would drop the thing. He was a well connected biker.

[KevinTodd]

ALL chaps are assless.

[mfiazzo]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

2014 is towards the end of the Twin Cam era. As such, Harley had everything pretty well sorted by then, and were producing a pretty rock solid machine with all of the earlier issues corrected. There is really nothing specific to watch out for in these motorcycles.

What Jeff said, he is correct

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by 911boost

Agree with Jeff. How do you fit on it? At 6-4 I’ve always felt a little big for them.

At 6'1", I feel just about right on my Road King. I did change handlebars and tried a couple of seats on my 2000 model to get it to "fit", but the only thing I've changed on the 2013 is the seat. I went with the HD "hammock" seat, but that's purely personal preference.

Originally Posted by 911boost

My ‘06 Electra Glide was the most reliable machine, two or four wheeled I have owned.

Ditto for my 2000 Road King, save for that rear cam bearing issue. It never needed anything else beyond tires, brake pads, and fluids. 116,000 miles...

What a contrast - I "grew up" on Ironhead Sportsters (still have the third one I bought, in 1980, a 1976 model) and Shovelheads. Top end jobs at somewhere between 20,000-30,000 miles, full rebuilds somewhere around 60,000-70,000, and no shortage of problems in between. Most of it vibration related, with rigid mounted, non-counterbalanced engines, they were their own worst enemies. It seems no matter how good modern Harleys are today, they still can't shake the reputation they built for themselves in those days.

[Rot 911]

My Norton is definitely a keeper for the long run. Although at my age, that may not be a very long run! As for the Lowrider, it really is built for someone my size. 5’9” and 170 pounds.

[tabs]

Buy it you are either gona be dead or broke soon anyway!

[speeder]

Originally Posted by KevinTodd

ALL chaps are assless.

Finally, I voice of reason in this thread.

[asphaltgambler]

All good advice here, it's a buyers market for sure you'll just have to wade through a few to find what you want at market price. I wouldn't consider buying from a dealer at all unless they have exactly what you want at a fair retail market price.

[Jeff Higgins]

You guys complain too much.