Is it worth buying a used Harley-Davidson?
David Ramirez
Updated on August 21, 2026
Durability. Harley-Davidson bikes are some of the most reliable and best built in the world. Therefore, if you find a solid, clean bike that was manufactured only a few years ago, you will get considerable savings with almost no decrease in reliability.
Is a Harley-Davidson a good investment?
Harley-Davidson Inc has a Value Score of 23, which is Value.
What is the average lifespan of a Harley-Davidson?
Harley-Davidson motorcycles can last for well over 75,000 miles if well-maintained and ridden responsibly and there are many Harleys on the road with over 100,000 miles on them. Based on an annual mileage of 4,000 miles, one can infer that a Harley Davidson can last for more than 25 years.
What is considered high mileage for a Harley?
For larger bikes, 50,000 miles and up is considered high motorcycle mileage. But before you write off any models, consider that a properly maintained bike can last well past 100,000 miles! That's why it's important to think about the whole package, rather than motorcycle mileage alone.
Is Harley-Davidson a reliable bike?
So in the end, it appears that Harley-Davidson's really are reliable overall. While it's understandable how Harley-Davidson might have earned a reputation for unreliability in the past, the truth is today you see many bikes on the road that were produced in the last 25 years.
28 related questions foundAre Harleys expensive to maintain?
If the average 5,000-mile service for a Harley motorcycle costs $400 on average, your annual maintenance costs will be $1600. If your annual mileage were, say, a little above 10,000 miles, your annual maintenance costs would be around $800.
Do Harleys break down often?
Harleys break down for several reasons. A major reason is the predisposition of Harley owners to modify their motorcycles excessively. Often, people perform these modifications without expert guidance and cause problems for the bikes later on. There is also the failure of Harley owners to maintain their bikes properly.
How much does it cost to rebuild a Harley engine?
Parts and labor for an engine rebuild can cost anywhere between $2,500 and $4,000. Replacing bearings and seals, as well as taking the engine out of service, could be part of this type of engine repair.
How many miles is too many for a used motorcycle?
Motorcycles with more than 40,000 miles are considered to be high-mileage bikes, but if it has been well maintained, the mileage could still make it a good purchase. Sports motorcycles are typically driven more aggressively and experience more engine wear.
How many miles can a Harley go before rebuild?
How Many Miles Can A Harley Go Before Rebuild? It should be able to travel well past 100,000 miles if it is properly maintained. Loss of compression and/or oil consumption can signal the need for valve installation and set of rings right away.
Is 35 000 miles a lot for a Harley?
Generally, high mileage on a motorcycle is anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 miles. For sport bikes, the high mileage number will be on the low end (usually around 25,000), while cruisers and touring bikes typically become high mileage in the 40,000- to the 50,000-mile range.
How long does a Harley clutch last?
Tour riding a stock bike your clutch should last over 100,000 miles. Doing burn-outs with a 110" engine will shorten that life quite a bit. Keep it adjusted and keep good, clean fluid in your primary.
How reliable are Harley engines?
In general, Harley engines usually last about 100,000 miles if the bike is well maintained, fluids are regularly rotated, stored and ridden, there have been no accidents involving the motorcycle or if they've been properly stored.
What month do 2022 Harleys come out?
Shades of the beloved FXRT! The 2022 Low Rider ST will roll into dealers in March.
Are Harley sales down?
The company has seen consistently declining Motorcycle segment revenues and shipments in the United States and Europe. The results are declining earnings for Harley-Davidson each year.
Is Harley-Davidson a luxury brand?
Everyone is going to have their interpretation for why Harley saw a turnaround when so many thought the company was done. I still believe the sales increase in North America comes from the motorcycle manufacturer embracing its premium appeal. Really, Harley-Davidson is a luxury motorcycle brand.
How many miles should a motorcycle chain last?
So, how often should a motorcycle chain be replaced? In general, a properly maintained motorcycle can last 20,000 to 30,000 miles, sometimes more. But, some last as little as 5,000 to 10,000 miles. This difference is due to the type of chain, how and where you ride, and how well you maintain it.
How long does a motorcycle engine last?
If we're looking for exact figures, the average motorcycle engine can last a good 10 to 15 years, any major breakdowns or accidents notwithstanding. In terms of mileage, those figures translate to roughly 100,000 to 160,000 km.
Does mileage matter on a motorcycle?
Mileage doesn't matter
And on late-model bikes, mileage does matter — for value. Most people asking about high mileage aren't worried about book value, though. Instead, longevity is their concern. Longevity is determined by a number of factors.
How long should you let a Harley warm up?
Newer Harley models use fuel-injection systems. FI systems are better because they can circulate oil faster and do not need extensive warming up. Still, we'd recommend that you warm up your motorcycle for at least one to three minutes to allow the oil to run through the system and coat all engine surfaces well.
Why do Harleys make so much noise?
The different firing interval is the reason Harley engines have a V8-like sound. Harley's V-Twin engine has two cylinders arranged in a 45-degree “V” configuration attached to a single-pin crankshaft. Since the pistons are sharing a pin, this causes the cylinders to fire at uneven intervals.
Are Harley Davidsons hard to ride?
IS IT HARDER TO LEARN TO RIDE A HARLEY® THAN OTHER TYPES OF MOTORCYCLE? Not at all. Larger, heavier Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are positionally stable, with wide tires that make keeping the bike upright a little simpler.
Are Harleys fast?
Today, most production Harley-Davidson motorcycles reach a top speed of around 115 miles per hour (save for the FXDR 114 at 160 miles per hour) and a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. Ultimately, any Harley-Davidson motorcycle you choose will likely have more than enough power to get your juices flowing.
How often should you service your Harley-Davidson?
Harley-Davidson® recommends that your motorcycle receive servicing at least every five thousand miles, depending upon rider, riding style and conditions. Sometimes more frequent oil changes can be warranted.