Well, after an extensive 3-month search, I finally purchased a green flame from a private seller in San Antonio, TX for $9,500.00. He had it listed on Craigslist for $10,000 OBO about a half day when I saw it and called him. After he described the bike and sent me some more pics, I offered him 9K. He responded with $9,500.00, and we had a tentative deal. It has 1,625 miles on it and is completely stock with V & H straights, detach windshield and the original exhaust in a box. Told him i would come down from Phila to check it out, and if it was all he described, I would buy it. He agreed and took down the craigslist ad in good faith. I Arranged for HaulBikes to ship it back to me in the Phila area for $497.00. All told with airfare, hotel, shipping, food, tourism, etc., the extra cost was @ $1,500.00 (not bad for a three day mini vacation). I got to see the Alamo and experience the San Antonio Riverwalk area for three days. Also checked out the San Antonio Art Museum and met some nice people, including the seller of the bike who lived in Spring Branch, TX - about 35 miles north of San Antonio. I was all set to take a cab from downtown SA out to his place to see the bike, but he offered on coming to pick me up and drive me - saved me about a $100.00+ cab ride. When we got to his place, the bike was sitting there in the driveway cleaned up and ready to ride. Dude handed me the keys and told me to test ride the bike up and down his access road. I was a little nervous because it was the going to be the first time I had ridden a bike in close to 15 years, since i last rode my '91 Softail Custom. Immediately felt how smooth the ride on this FXR was compared to the memory of my Softail. A lot less vibration and easier shifting. The mid controls will take a little getting used to, but will keep them. Anyway, I returned from the 15-minute test ride after going thru the gears several times and was ready to buy. We drew up an agreement of sale, and he handed me the title as I handed him the cash. He told me he would drop off the original exhaust at the Harley dealership where I had arranged to have the bike picked up by the shipping co., which he did the next day. Got some quick directions from him to the HD dealership, and I was on my way. The only problem I faced now was that I had to ride the bike without a license plate from the seller's house to the HD dealership, which was about 20 miles or so. About 5 miles into the ride, I stopped at a red light on 281, and a police car pulled up behind me. Thought for sure He was going to pull me over. The light lasted for what seemed to be five minutes before it turned green. He stayed behind me in traffic, for another few lights, each which seemed to last for eternity. Kept glancing in the rear view, but still no sign that he wanted to stop me. Finally came to my exit, which I was shocked that I remembered. With the excitement of buying the bike, riding for the first time in 15 years, not exactly sure where I was going, without a tag, my mind was racing as was my heart. Signaled, switched lanes and went up the exit ramp to 1604 and was relieved to see him still headed south. Let out a heavy sigh of relief. Then it started to rain for the next several miles, and just as I was about to pull over and wait it out, I saw the dealership sign looming in the distance about a mile away. Pulled in safely, a little wet but relieved. Introduced myself to the service manager, whom I had spoken with a few days earlier about holding the bike for me ( free of charge BTW), until the shipping co. arrived. Looked around the dealership a little bit, bought a couple T-shirts as a sign of my appreciation, then called a cab back to my hotel room. Bike should arrive in a week or so. Can't wait to ride it again!
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Topic: FXR3 vs. FXDSE2 (Read 15061 times)