Summary

• Regular upkeep is essential to a well-running Harley-Davidson and may forestall pricey repairs down the road.
• Insurance prices for a Harley are comparatively low in comparison with different bikes, with common charges at $24 a month.
• Customization choices for Harley-Davidsons are infinite, however generally is a dear however pleasurable option to personalize your experience.

Owning a Harley-Davidson is an ideal instance of the mantra – you get what you pay for. For many riders, a Harley is the bike of their goals that they’ve fantasized about taking informal rides round city, alongside the again roads, on massive cross-country highway journeys, and gigantic bike social occasions like Sturgis and Daytona Bike Week. Even although notably new Harley-Davidsons will definitely include a better price ticket than a few of their Japanese rivals, they’re nonetheless a way more cost-effective mode of transportation when in comparison with many four-wheelers.

But very similar to any form of car, a Harley-Davidson comes with its personal value of possession. After buying, additionally, you will have to take a position cash in correct upkeep, repairs, storage, upgrades, insurance coverage, and using gear. After all, the great issues in life include a price. But ask anybody who rides a HOG, and they’ll let you know it is extremely a lot definitely worth the funding. So let’s take a deeper dive into the monetary dedication of proudly owning a Harley, and the place your cash will likely be going.

In order to provide the newest and correct info attainable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Harley-Davidson Insurance, Viking Bags, Progressive Insurance, GEICO, Thunder Road Harley-Davidson, and Value Penguin.

Regular Maintenance

The best way to understand proper maintenance of your Harley-Davidson is so long as you deal with it, it’ll deal with you. This means the longer you retain up with common companies with an authorized Harley-Davidson technician, the much less you can see your self paying in the long term. Because if you happen to determine to neglect conserving your bike serviced (assuming it’s pointless), do not be stunned when these restore payments provide you with a miniature coronary heart assault. Not to say, ignoring your Harley’s common upkeep will open the door to larger mechanical and technical issues sooner or later.

If you need your bike operating at its finest, which means following Harley’s upkeep intervals. For new bikes, they begin at 500 miles, which is named the break-in interval. After that’s the 1,000-mile service, after which in 5,000-mile intervals. These companies will contain technicians changing the oil, altering out the oil filter, checking for fluid leaks, inspecting the transmission fluid, inspecting the brake pads and discs, checking tire strain and treads, and ensuring the bike has correct throttle operation. Checking of all electrical capabilities, the air filter, and a highway take a look at can also be a part of the method. Depending on the mannequin class, these companies can vary from $250 to $450.

Official upkeep prices will range relying in your location and selection of firm to carry out your Harley-Davidson’s restore companies. These figures additionally don’t mirror the price of labor.

However, as soon as the Harley reaches its 10,000-mile level, that is when upkeep prices will begin to enhance upwards of $600. Any bike that reaches this milestone has actually spent ample time on the highway, which means that extra companies will must be made so as to lengthen your bike’s longevity. The 10,000-mile service will embody new spark plugs, doubtless changing no less than one of many tires, lubricating the steering head bearings, fastening any free bolts, and changing any cracked bits. The similar may be stated for the 20,000-mile service, which could be very a lot the identical as the ten,000-mile service, however will embody altering the entrance fork oil to enhance suspension effectiveness.

Standard Service Pricing Menu

Insurance

Overall, the fee to insure a motorbike is rather more reasonably priced than an ordinary car. Of course, the value you pay to insure your Harley-Davidson will depend upon a mess of variables. That will embody the state you at the moment reside in when you’ve got a sound bike endorsement, how a lot using expertise you’ve, the kind of bike you personal, your credit standing, and any latest site visitors violations or accidents. Plus, components like involvement in legislation enforcement, your marital standing, and if you happen to’ve taken a motorcycle safety riding course are additionally decisive.

One massive plus to proudly owning a Harley-Davidson is that they’ve among the lowest charges in the marketplace with a wholesome number of protection choices obtainable. According to stories, the typical month-to-month price for bike insurance coverage on a Harley is $24 a month, which is 29% lower than the nationwide common. It also needs to be famous the big touring fashions will include a better value level than the smaller Sportster models. For instance, insuring a 2020 Iron 883 is estimated to value between $20 and $50 a month. But the fee to insure a 2020 Road King Special is estimated to be between $90 and $140 a month. Might appear steep, however insurance coverage is a type of issues the place you’re higher off having it and never needing it reasonably than having to wish it and never having it.

Storage

Keeping your Harley-Davidson secure in storage is an enormous think about sustaining your bike throughout the low season. When winter rolls in, nearly every motorcycle is on hiatus till the snow melts and temperatures heat up. While householders with a storage or shed maintain their bikes saved away, those who lease could must both get permission from a member of the family or good friend, or pay their native Harley seller a winter storage price.

This will often contain dropping your bike off at a storage facility the place your bike’s battery will likely be saved plugged right into a charger for these chilly winter months till spring rolls again once more. Although the fee for this service will range relying on the particular dealership, clients can usually count on to pay within the neighborhood of $200 to $300. Also, the using season varies on the place within the nation you’re situated, so some states may have longer using seasons than others. Those who stay in hotter states like Tennessee, Georgia, or Alabama could have extra time within the yr to take their bikes out than these in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Repairs and Customization

If you stem off common scheduled upkeep, your Harley will need some repairs done at some point, depending on your riding habits. Some clients can count on their payments to vary from just a few hundred {dollars} to the hundreds. But if you happen to’re often out doing burnouts, then it’s worthwhile to pay up for some new tires. If you brake extra with the entrance brake than the rear, then you will want new entrance pads extra usually. Or, heaven forbid, if you happen to go down and scratch up your bodywork, you can see your self paying for a brand new set as quickly as your native seller can get them ordered. A Harley-Davidson is already an enormous monetary dedication. Careless and reckless using will solely put your self, your bike, and your checking account at a better danger.

However, there may be additionally the more fun part of owning a Harley-Davidson: the customization. The marketplace for OEM and aftermarket elements for Harley-Davidsons is so huge that just about no two bikes ever look the identical. This means homeowners have the chance to rework their rides into one thing that displays their very own private fashion. Whether it is a excessive set of ape hanger handlebars, a extra snug seat, a loud set of pipes, or a crate engine to boost performance, all of it is dependent upon your preferences.

This is the realm of Harley-Davidson possession the place riders can actually embark on a procuring spree to trick out their bikes. Depending on how a Harley proprietor needs to customise their experience (and the price of elements and labor), one might simply spend hundreds of {dollars} making their H-D distinctive. In uncommon instances, the value to personalize a motorbike may also value greater than the precise itemizing value of the bike itself. As we stated earlier than, it is all right down to what you bear in mind.