What are the risks in buying a Big Dog now???

[smith1186]

hey all, hoping you can help me out here.

Im in the market for a good, not over the top chopper and I've been eyeballing a 2006 Big Dog K-9 250.

2006 Big Dog Motorcycles Chopper Softail, Spring Valley (San Diego area) CA - 103639499 - Cycletrader.com

Since the company has shut down, I want to find out the following.

1. With the company out of business, is there any way to find parts for this bike down the road/

2. What are the service intervals like and how much will I need to spend on services and maintenance alone?

3. Is there anything else out there like the K-9 250 from a company still in business?

4. Is this bike going to be problamatic on the rough and cramped streets of Los Angeles, where I live.

5. What are the known and common issues with this model and year?

Thanks to all ya for any info.

[OhioChris]

1) Yes, no problem at all. It's an S&S motor...so you would go thru S&S for motor parts and it's a baker tranny...so baker for those parts. All Big dog did was fab the frame and tins.

2) not sure on the maintenance, but not that much. change the oil and plugs from time to time

3) not for that price!

4) it's a soft tail so i would say no. i have a similar bike and i put 1200 miles on it over memorial day weekend

5) i don't know of any

[madmastiff]

[quote=OhioChris;1186670] All Big dog did was fab the frame and tins.

wow-wee

i wouldn't put a lot of faith in that statement cuz my neighbor has the same model and year and he had to modify the existing handlebars to make apes cuz aftermarket bars wouldn't fit the mounts.

BD used alot of their own self design and constructed parts to make those machines so it makes it hard to adapt aftermarket items to these bikes.

[CloudDiver]

My friend has that same bike, and paid about the same price for it with similar miles. I think its a good deal considering they were somewhere around $30K new. I've ridden it several times myself and see no issues with it. As mentioned before it is an S&S motor and Baker trans, so parts for the driveline are no issue. They have the same kind of maintenance as other American V-twins of that displacement. There is a tiny oil leak coming from somewhere we have not yet identified, but that can happen to any bike. Big Dog specific parts can be found on eBay, there is one seller who has a store dedicated to just that. He bought out a bunch of parts at public auction when the company went under. The above statement by MadMastiff is also true, since many parts on the frame and body were BD specific you might have issues with trying to change components, but it can be done with some modification and ingenuity.
Me personally, I don't care for factory built Choppers, I say you don't own it if you didn't build it.... BUT, that's JMO. If I got this bike I would repaint the Tins, change up the controls and such and make it into to something of my own creation. #1 big reason I think that's a great idea is because you are starting with a kick ass drive train AND a good frame that is registered and legal and all that stuff. Regardless of my feeling about wether you build a chopper or buy one, I just love bikes and all things mechanical so I say ride what you like and what you have the coin for, an old beat up honda or one off custom that takes you 2 years to build... its your bike so enjoy it.
I think you'll like this bike and thats a better price than an HD off the floor with way more cool factor.

[CloudDiver]

Smith, offer him 13,500, see what happens. If you can, bring a fat Gangasta roll of cash to wave in front of his face... You're not doing yourself any justice if you don't try to get a better deal.

If you want to talk about Mod's PM me, I can always look at my friends bike because he keeps his in my garage! (That's why I get to ride it whenever I want!)

[06 pitbull]

well for referance I gave 13K for this a few years back..that was before bdm went under...its a 06... I have done alot to it... really I bought it for my girl friend... so I wouldnt give as much now that bdm has went out....but its your call... I do all my wrenching.... isnt that what a custom type bike is about???if your not to comfortable with wrenching.. you might need to find a friend who is..A shop will screw you...



since this pict I had my g/f add a different filter set up.. & rejet



then my pitbull

[06 pitbull]

Is there risk in buying a Big Dog now???


more replys here...hay scary can you merge these....

[FRANKTHECRANK]

How's the new job, pit?

[Rockhewer]

That's about half what that bike cost new.... & essentially it IS still new.... just barely broken in.

Shouldn't be a problem.
Unless Sheldon Coleman's motorcycle endeavors have crumbled even farther in the last few months than they already have...

Read the links below... then go buy that "gently used" BD .... it's a decent bike.
But I would try & talk them down a couple grand at least.... but then it IS a used car lot type place, so that won't be as easy as an individual.
You might shop around a bit more & try to find a private party selling a similar bike.... there is bound to be quite a few in So. Cal
All those RUB's who bought these production "choppers" & never rode them.

From Big Dog Motorcycles To Big Dog Performance Products at Cyril Huze Post

New company emerges from Big Dog’s ashes | Wichita Eagle

BDM Performance Products | A Better Big Dog Motorcycles Parts Provider

http://www.sscycle.com/bdm/

[06 pitbull]

Originally Posted by FRANKTHECRANK

How's the new job, pit?

havent started yet...just went for the drug test & physcal... shoud be this next week... been getting a tool box ready... bought the center..already had the side add ons.. made me a top.. waiting for it to finnish drying.. got all my shit ready... got to do the 1st week of orientation .. that should start this next week.... I have about 4 tool boxes this size or bigger in the shop just had to put a few things together for work... my service van was full of tools so I didnt have to buy anything...


check out that shine.... did I mention I used to build furniture???? I can build wood projects as well as metal,,,
thanks for asking frank... ready to start getting a steady pay check...

[FRANKTHECRANK]

Awesome,......glad to hear it. I know when we talked about it you were almost certain about that one, but had a couple more offers to consider.

Funny,...feast or famine, huh?

Good luck.

[06 pitbull]

Originally Posted by FRANKTHECRANK

Awesome,......glad to hear it. I know when we talked about it you were almost certain about that one, but had a couple more offers to consider.

Funny,...feast or famine, huh?

Good luck.

oh the past 2 weeks I have had alot of job offers.. even went to a testing sesion then interview with delta airlines.... thay just couldnt come up with the $$$..... thasy offered about half of what I decided to take... feat or famine is correct..the past 5 months I have had very little in the line of work.. but since i got the job offer in writting.. several people have called wanting me to service there equipment......you know I went & took there $$$ havent let the cat out of the bag to them just yet... thay didnt let me know thay were going to lay me off for 5+ months... as you know I had to sell a few of my projects...that sucked.. but now that 30.00 a hr sounds good.....thank god..

[FRANKTHECRANK]

Is that US General box fom Harbor Freight? I was there last weekend,.......some nice boxes and side cabinets.

[06 pitbull]

Originally Posted by FRANKTHECRANK

Is that US General box fom Harbor Freight? I was there last weekend,.......some nice boxes and side cabinets.

yep I've had the side boxes for years.... thay were in my service truck with everything shaking around in them...probbly 100K miles on them like that.. thay should last cause most tool boxes dont shake that much... harbor freight had it on sale for fathers day...379.00...so instead of taking 1 of my shop boxes & having to redo shit... I just bought that 1...& added my side boxes,, same thing us general.... yes thay are jap boxes..but have held up well... since nearly out of work for 5+ months things are on a tight bugjet,,,ya know...

if anyone else needs one here is the link

44", 13 Drawer Gloss Red Industrial Quality Roller Cabinet

but thay are on sale... till sunday i think...

[FRANKTHECRANK]

Yea, they had a huge sidewalk sale last weekend.