Sales FAQ
Below are a few FAQ often posed by prospective buyers. If your question is not answered below, feel free to contact the sales department via email or by calling (303) 703-2885.
- What motorcycle is right for me?
- Why should I purchase a Harley-Davidson® or Buell® motorcycle instead of a different brand?
- What type of warranty is offered on Harley-Davidson and Buell mototcycles?
- Isn't there a long waiting list to be able to purchase a Harley-Davidson?
- I want to buy a Harley-Davidson, but my bank won't finance me. How can I get financed?
- I want to buy a particular model, but I think I'm too short to fit on it. What can be done to make the motorcycle fit me better?
- Most motorcycles are water-cooled. Why are Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles air-cooled?
What motorcycle is right for me?
In order to answer this question, it is necessary to determine what you want to do with your motorcycle. If you plan or taking lots of high-mileage trips, a touring motorcycle is probably the best choice for you. If you want the classic "hardtail" look that is so popular on custom motorcycles, you may want to consider a Softail®. If you want a comfortable motorcycle that still handles well, a Dyna will be a good choice. If you are looking for flat-out performance, you may want a Sportster® or a Buell®. If you want a beginner's motorcycle with a beginner's price tag, the Buell Blast® is an ideal choice. Finally, if you are looking for radical looks and performance, the VRSCA lineup is redefining what "power" and "style" mean in a cruiser. Ask your sales department representative for help in selecting the perfect motorcycle for you. [Top]
Why should I purchase a Harley-Davidson® or Buell® motorcycle instead of a different brand?
Harley-Davidson and Buell have established themselves as the premier manufacturers of quality motorcycles. Their styling, performance, and distinctive sound are both desired, and emulated, the world over. Harley-Davidson Motor Company has built a reputation for making some of the most powerful, reliable, technically advanced, and distinctive motorcycles on the road. Most other motorcycle manufacturers look to Harley-Davidson to define what a motorcycle should look, act, and sound like. Indeed, many of the technologies and styles created by Harley-Davidson have been copied by other motorcycle manufacturers around the world.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company has been in business for over 100 years, and in 2002 was named Forbes Magazine's "Company of the Year". Many motorcycle companies were begun in the heydays of the late 1990s when Harley-Davidson motorcycles were in high demand.
As Harley-Davidson gradually increased supply to meet the increased demand for their motorcycles, and as these companies over-extended themselves with suppliers and dealers, most of these new companies could no longer remain financially solvent. Many of the new companies have since closed, leaving their hundreds of customers without a dealership network, replacement parts, or valid warranties.
Harley-Davidson has survived in both the best, and worst, of economic times. You can purchase a Harley-Davidson or Buell motorcycle with the confidence that each company will be around for many decades to come.
Harley-Davidson® and Buell Motorcycles® are also great investments. Traditionally, Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles retain much of their resale values, even over long periods of time. Other brands typically lose much of their value almost as soon as they leave the showroom floor. In fact, the high demand for Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles can lead to the situation where used motorcycles often cost more than new ones.
Literally thousands of parts and accessories exist to customize your Harley-Davidson® or Buell® motorcycle, giving you an opportunity to create a unique expression of yourself. While other motorcycle companies have lately recognized the importance of providing custom parts and accessories for their motorcycles, no other brand comes close to offering the variety or quality of custom accessories.
Harley-Davidson® and Buell® motorcycles are more than just machines, they are the soul of the motorcycling world. No other brand elicits the same enthusiasm or awe from owners or from bystanders. There is an old saying that often applies here … If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand. [Top]
What type of warranty is offered on Harley-Davidson® and Buell® mototcycles?
All new Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles come with a 2 year, unlimited miles warranty.
An additional extended warranty can be bought at the time of purchase (see the sales department for prices).
All used Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles that fall within the original terms of the warranty are covered by that warranty until such time as the warranty expires. Used Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles that fall outside of the original warranty terms are not covered; however, a warranty policy for these motorcycles can be purchased provided that they are not more than 15 years old and provided that they do not have over 100,000 miles on the odometer. [Top]
Isn’t there a long waiting list to be able to purchase a Harley-Davidson®?
Purchasing a new Harley-Davidson® motorcycle is not nearly as difficult as it was a decade ago. Harley-Davidson Motor Company has spent the last several years building new and better manufacturing facilities to cope with the increased demand for their motorcycles. While you still may find it to be difficult to walk into a dealership and purchase your motorcycle today, wait lists of a year or more are largely a thing of the past.
We take new bike orders in late-August/early-September. If you miss this ordering deadline you can request to be put on a wait list. If someone backs out of a motorcycle deal, or if the factory allocates additional units to us, people from this wait list will be contacted and given first chance to purchase that motorcycle. [Top]
I want to buy a Harley-Davidson®, but my bank won’t finance me. How can I get financed?
Just because you have bad credit, or no credit, doesn't mean that you can't have the motorcycle of your dreams. At Rocky Mountain Harley-Davidson we have a dedicated loan and finance officer that deals on a daily basis with lenders from around the country. If your bank or credit union won't finance you, ask us to find someone who will. [Top]
I want to buy a particular model, but I think I’m too short to fit on it. What can be done to make the motorcycle fit me better?
Harley-Davidson® and Buell® motorcycles can be modified to fit most heights. Front fork and rear shock lowering kits are available, as well as lowered seats. Check with the parts department for recommendations. There are, however, limits to what can be done. Sometimes it isn't possible to make a motorcycle fit a particular person's stature. Rather than compromise the safety of the rider, we recommend that a different model is chosen. [Top]
Most motorcycles are water-cooled. Why are Harley-Davidson® and Buell® motorcycles air-cooled?
Most Harley-Davidson® and Buell® motorcycles are air-cooled for a variety of reasons. First, air cooling is a much simpler system when compared to water-cooling. Because Harley-Davidson and Buell have invested decades into the development of air-cooled engines (in partnership with Porsche), air-cooled engines are as efficient at cooling as many water-cooled systems; furthermore, because there are fewer components to an air-cooled system, there are fewer things to go wrong while on the road.
Second, keeping the engine air-cooled allows Harley-Davidson to maintain the classic looks that many people want, and expect, from a motorcycle. Third, because air-cooled engines are much lighter than water-cooled engines and their components (such as the radiator and antifreeze), this means air-cooled Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles have less unsprung weight to battle when going through sharp turns.
Finally, not all Harley-Davidson models are air-cooled. The V-Rod model line (begun in 2002) is actually composed only of water-cooled motorcycles built around the VR-1000 race bike engine (an engine also jointly developed with Porsche). [Top]