Now I am Puzzled.

OK I keep reading about guys who buy older model rockets that fly half way across the county to purchase them. Why? If you got the money to fly that far why are you buying a used bike? Something just is not adding up.To me buying a used bike no matter what the mileage is still a USED bike. I work hard for the money (welder by trade) but nothing brings more satisfaction then about every five years purchasing a new bike. I do not have three or four bikes. I have two both of which where bought brand new. The Harley I talk about selling but just can not let her go. The Rocket X was the ultimate purchase. The satisfaction of riding that bike home was beyond words. Did not have the money to fly to Dallas but did ride with the wife in a pickup to Dallas. I am not trying to blast anyone but I am curious.

With many bikes mileage is a big issue as well as the fact they tend to get flogged hard. I reckon R3's and R3R's have a lot more life in that huge donk and if maintained the major components should last well over 60,000 mile (100,0000km). I have 3 bikes and 3 cars and do bugger all miles on each of them a year so spending AUD$9000 (US$6750) on a 2010 R3R even with 37,000miles (60,000km) seemed reasonable as new ones are AUD$22,000+ (US$16500) and are virtually unchanged since ABS came out on the R3R. I'm not real good at selling anything either as you may have noticed, and intend to fit a sidecar to my R3 eventually. It also leaves a lot more funds available to modify.

Well I can understand that. Did you fly half way across the world for the vehicles ?

I can understand how some would like to fly to the seller's location, and ride back home, but I undertstand where you're coming from too, Sonny.

Myself; I haven't flown commercial since '99, and will never fly again.

I haven't left the house unarmed for @30 years now, and the way things are these days; I damm sure ain't leaving it up to some other undertrained "whatever" to rely on protecting me and mine...

Hell. I work in a F.A.A. repair station. One of the senior welders. No way in hell would I fly.

sonny said:

Well I can understand that. Did you fly half way across the world for the vehicles ?

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One yeah, in 2002 I did fly 2500miles from Darwin, Northern Territory to Brisbane, Queensland to buy an 1986 E21 BMW M535i with 150,000miles on it (but a new engine with only 35,000 miles) for AUD$10,000. I picked it up at the airport and drove 4000 miles the long way back to Darwin. I did get free airfares for my holidays as part of my work package though. I then drove it the 3 day 3000 miles each way from Darwin to Canberra and back again at least 6 times before giving it to a mate 8 years later with well over 220,000 miles on it. That car handled great and with no open road speed limits in the NT regularly sat on 125mph for hours at a time doing the 1000mile run from Darwin to Alice Springs. Took it over the great Alpine H'way between Cooma and Myrtleford a few times and quite a few dirt mountain roads too.

One of the cars I still have I got 150 miles away and the Roadster 100miles away but the '78 BMW R100RS sidecar has travelled around and crisscrossed the continent of Australia at least twice, including the island state of Tasmania, once ridden by the mate I got it from and at least once ridden, or transported back and forth on trailer or truck, as he moved from job to job.

sonny said:

Hell. I work in a F.A.A. repair station. One of the senior welders. No way in hell would I fly.

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Yeah I worked in a federal aviation and maritime security watch office doing 12 hour night and day shifts for 11 years until mid last year and have not flown anywhere since starting there.
Not really because of security concerns just a hatred for airports and the idiots you have to travel with.

Depreciation.
I've bought new when a feature's been added that I had to have and couldn't wait. But usually with a little patience you can get a lot more bang for your buck on low mileage trade ins.
My R3T was 3 years old had less than 4k miles, seat was upgraded, D&D pipes, and several other bits too. I drove a few hours to get it, but the price was easily low enough to cover a one way ticket and still be a good deal. Especially if the ride home would include some nice roads.

Some of the guys on here are full on motor head's and I'd guess, a good deal on a bike they could wrench on, might be more appealing than bolting on aftermarket mass produced doo-dads.

Then there's some appeal for the models that are no longer being made.

Nothing wrong with buying new if you have the cash, but there's lots of good reasons to buy used too.

I found mine in at an Indian dealer. OHHHHH SHINEY! I bought it on the spot. I wish I had known about how little you can buy this bike for but it still was a helluvalot cheaper than a new HD and alot faster.

Having flown more than halfway across the country to purchase a couple of times now, I'd have to say that I can see where some would think it foolhardy. For those, there are local sales that they should consider. For others, adventure awaits. My first purchase, a '97 Valkyrie tourer with 2500 miles on it for $3500. In 2014. I purchased airfare for $242. I wasn't looking forward to the 3-leg 18 hour trip, but on my first stop when they offered me a first-class ticket to fly direct to Orlando from Salt Lake if I'd "give up" my seat to Minn to a wedding party, things began to look better. I worked on that bike in hotel garages and parking lots fixing things for the first couple of days. Had tires replaced and such for the 3500 mile trip home. My brother, purchased an '06 Rocket in Sarasota and flew down to ride home with me. My '97 is absolutely pristine and worth way more than the purchase price. But that was only half the reason for buying it halfway across the country. We still talk about that trip.
This year, I purchased my 2012 Rocket III Roadster in Minn. My brother and a friend shipped their bikes out and flew with me to ride them home. The roads between Minn and Idaho include some of the most incredible scenery and roads one can ride. The Rocket had 8k miles and several upgrades. I purchased it for $8K. I had a free ticket on UA and stayed with good friends in Minn the first night. They were the ones who did the "first look" and test drive of the Rocket for me. That trip included a good time with great friends, wonderful rides, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Devil's tower, Black Hills, Badlands, Canyons, plains, rivers, wildlife, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole......I could go on and on. Wonderful trip.
For those with a sense of adventure, a love for the sport and the imagination to put a trip together, the purchase of the bike is just a bonus.
My 2012 had 7985 miles on it when I picked it up in June. By the end of the month it had 12K.
To me, it's about adventure, the road and the sport. The great bike is a plus too.
Here's a link to a video I made of the Orlando ride. Regards,
Nogrey