The days of a harley being worth what you paid for it 1 or 2 years ago is gone, they depreciate exactly the same as a new car driven off the lot does, I have only been on this forum for a couple months but i know alot of people here recognize that this is the case with used prices, If you think that because you have $4,000 in extras invested in your $18,000 bike that it is worth anything close to that your sadly mistaken. The market is flooded with used bikes because of the over selling of the 2003 anniv editons and now the 2007 models are sporting what everyone spent thousands on in upgrades! a 96" motor, 6 speed, 200 rear tire and so on. Classic example, I bought my 05 RK custom last summer in June for $18000, the list of options is long almost $4,000 worth, For a grand total of almost $20,000 OTD. Took it back to the same dealer 2 months ago to trade for an 07, he offered me $13,900 for trade, and told me to take off whatever extras i could because they dont change the value at all. Tried 3 other dealers in 3 different states all with the exact same figure within $200.00 So my advise to new posters in this forum, Have a taste of reality before you post, You are propably better off to keep your bike if you have paid a good amount on it, The market is screwed. Thanks for reading my Rant.
i sold my 05 4th quarter color deuce for 15k after having it i 2 newspapers for 3 months. i paid over 22k out the door with a ton of addons. it was only 6 months old. took a beaton but needed the money. i now have another 04 1200 custom which i got a great deal on on ebay. i wont get screwed no more. here in pa. it aint worth having a $20k bike sitting around for 6 months. i have more important priorities.
Good post. You are so correct.
I do have a bike listed here for sale and spent a lot of time figuring how much I should list it for. I checked every listing I could find in my area to see what others were asking. I also went to KBB.com and checked what they listed for trade in and for sale by owner. I even saw my exact bike (model and year) sitting in my local STEALER listed for what I am asking for mine. (I'm sure the dealer took it in on a trade-in and gave the owner half of what they are asking for it) New or used anything you buy must be worth it to you or you would not buy it. I did not think I would sell my bike in a day or even via this forum but its out there and I have time. I think I am asking a fair price and if I have time to wait I'm sure there are buyers out there that will think it's a fair price also. My plan is to get a different bike in the future but I have no intentions of trying to trade it in with a dealer.
I bought my 05 RK custom last summer in June for $18000, the list of options is long almost $4,000 worth, For a grand total of almost $20,000 OTD.
If I had $22,000 invested, I don't think I would let it go for $13,900 either. Take the time and sell it yourself.
Thats how HC got a pretty good deal on her WG....So as the 07's came out we were at a few dealers and tons of folks were trying to trade in thier whatever years....could have gotten great deals on whatever model, still can I guess. Probably the best time to buy a used HD, right now.......should have waited on mine
I really did not buy mine for resale value....I got it because it was an HD and the tradition, looks, sound.....everything. I do not care about the 6 speed/ and bigger motor....right now anyway, how long has HD's been 4 or 5 speed?? 100 years or so......I am good with what I have and will probably always keep it as long as I can and still get parts etc...... Bore it over if I want, throw a 6 speed on???? Or, get a newer something, probably a tourer later.
Reality Check
