HD Depreciation Debacle 2025
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,009
Likes: 6,907
From: NC
TL;DR - "New" motorcycle depreciated 50% in 11 months - your stuck with your current bike - get gap insurance if you financed
To start - "new" motorcycles are not investments - I never anticipate to make money on them, their toys we buy because we want to own them
Having started with that, wanted to capture and share a recent experience
Over the last 12 years, I have bought and traded back in a variety of Harley-Davidson motorcycles
At each transaction - I have always had to come up with a few thousand either way to break even etc
Fast forward to 2025 and my current machine
Bought a new leftover 23' Heritage in Prospect Gold 4/14/24
Got a deal which basically equated to 5-6k$ off or roughly 20K OTD
Didn't have a chance to ride much last year - roughly 900 miles on the machine as it sits - not a flaw
Started talking to my local dealership a few months back about possibly grabbing a 25' Softail with the 117" and other various upgrades
Their best number on my machine is $10,000 - for those not strong with math, 50% depreciation in 11 months
For the guys who do the trade in and upgrade game - this year (2025) is going to be different
For everyone else - depending on what you bought and when, if you financed, you might want to look into gap insurance
As my dealer put it - the bottom fell out
To start - "new" motorcycles are not investments - I never anticipate to make money on them, their toys we buy because we want to own them
Having started with that, wanted to capture and share a recent experience
Over the last 12 years, I have bought and traded back in a variety of Harley-Davidson motorcycles
At each transaction - I have always had to come up with a few thousand either way to break even etc
Fast forward to 2025 and my current machine
Bought a new leftover 23' Heritage in Prospect Gold 4/14/24
Got a deal which basically equated to 5-6k$ off or roughly 20K OTD
Didn't have a chance to ride much last year - roughly 900 miles on the machine as it sits - not a flaw
Started talking to my local dealership a few months back about possibly grabbing a 25' Softail with the 117" and other various upgrades
Their best number on my machine is $10,000 - for those not strong with math, 50% depreciation in 11 months
For the guys who do the trade in and upgrade game - this year (2025) is going to be different
For everyone else - depending on what you bought and when, if you financed, you might want to look into gap insurance
As my dealer put it - the bottom fell out
For those looking to buy a year or two old, low mileage model, it is a good time to buy! Sucks to be you!
I sell my bikes with 150,000-200,000 miles on them usually. I advertise them as "mechanically great, cosmetically challenged" and they sell quickly at a reasonably price.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,009
Likes: 6,907
From: NC
I just gave away my 1997 Guzzi. It needs some things and I'd rather put my time and money into a different Guzzi. Just waiting on them to fetch it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,315
Likes: 1,663
From: Tampa
In my area used Harleys are selling for prices that are unbelievably low . If you have 8-10 grand you can get a late model low mileage Heritage or Street Bob . In the the 12-13 grand price range you can pick up late model Street Glides . And the bad part even at these prices they aren't selling !
Novice
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
From: Palm Coast, FL
I would say it's a sign of the times, but even that's bullshit. Nobody's spending money on a single big-ticket item like a motorcycle, but they'll max out credit cards buying useless crap on Amazon or helping the Chinese economy by blowing up revenues during Black Friday.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
End of the day
* Taxes, freight, prep, fees should never be equated into the value of a vehicle
* New vehicles do not hold their value - never did and never will
* 10k is a super lowball number - Find a dealer who is not looking for a home run on every deal
Every deal I ever wanted to make in a 'diminished market', I never saw a diminished price
* Taxes, freight, prep, fees should never be equated into the value of a vehicle
* New vehicles do not hold their value - never did and never will
* 10k is a super lowball number - Find a dealer who is not looking for a home run on every deal
Every deal I ever wanted to make in a 'diminished market', I never saw a diminished price
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 2,205
Exactly. They're trying to rip you off. Don't buy anything from them now or ever again.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 18
From: St Louis
Yeah, used bikes are cheap right now, and most dealers have more of them than they want. That really hurts trade in prices, and not just with HD. HD used to be the outlier for value retention and right now they aren't.
If the CEO sticks to his plan of selling less bikes for more money, that will help the used market and value retention, because way less people will be spending what a new one will cost.
If the CEO sticks to his plan of selling less bikes for more money, that will help the used market and value retention, because way less people will be spending what a new one will cost.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,315
Likes: 1,663
From: Tampa
Right now, cash is king, especially if you wanna buy used. Having all the cash for a newer used Harley on the private market is like having the biggest dick at a gangbang. You hold all the cards.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,197
From: Oxford, Nc
I'm not selling anything currently but I heard locally that while the BMW dealer will take my '17 RT in on trade, he is not interested in the '18 K1600 at any number.
I'll just run the wheels off of them
