Auction Experience- Pulling The Trigger
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 15
From: The City Of New York
+1 Craigslist. My '04 FXDI had 1640 miles on it and lots of extras. $7500. I had to act fast and have the cash on hand. I searched the ads two or three times a day for about 3 weeks waiting for the right deal, then pounced. Just know what you want and what to watch out for.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 658
Likes: 2
From: Aldergrove BC, Canada
In 08 I bought --In Canada an 07 FXD with 600 miles that the buyer got from an auction in the states--I payed $12000, later found out he payed $9,000 plus all the crap to get it to Canada. Later while dealing on a car in the US my broker showed me a Harley finance auction sheet an 07 Dyna SE 140 miles sold for $11,000 US these numbers may not have anything to do with todays prices-----but an auction was the way for met to go the bike has 15,000 miles (still has US speedo) and runs like a top
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From:
That's the risk. If I could just go look and leave I'd be up for it, but it's pretty much money at the door, look around, pick your favorites and let the bidder take it from there. Of course I could set my max price pretty low and just see what happens, but it's still like $200 for bidder fees so I'd prefer to ride away with something and not just throw $200 away. I'm hitting the Harley dealer today to test ride a couple of other bikes so I wonder if they'd have any insight, though i doubt they'd willingly tell me to go buy from someone else.
i use to go to car auctions all the time with my boss , I know they charge you if your selling but never heard of them charging you to bid
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 4
From: Kennewick, WA
I bought a cream puff '07 FXD a year ago with under 8k miles for $8660 through ebay. It was a dealer trade-in from a preacher and was absolutely pristine. Due to the economy, I was the only bidder. I was happy with the purchase, but better deals can be had now.
At the time, I saw craigslist and ebay ads for already tricked out bikes for a few grand more, but didn't really know what they were talking about. Now I do. The cost to take a stock bike to acceptable levels of performance can cost thousands. I'm already into my bike for around $17,600. I've added a lot of things like forward controls, mirrors, bars, speedo/tach, seats, sissy bar, bags, relocated signals, exhaust, intake, PC3, suspension, Truetrac and the biggest hitter was the 107" mod and it's following upgrades like the AIM clutch and SE compensator.
At an auction you will have no idea of what you are buying, what the previous owner has done or what you will need to do to improve it. Buying a known stock bike or one from an original owner will at least give you a starting point to make changes to.
Any used bike purchase is a crap shoot. My preference would be to buy from the person that owns the bike and can proudly proclaim it's mods.
IMHO, trying to save some money by having a freind of a friend buy you a used bike at an auction is a huge gamble, one that I wouldn't take.
At the time, I saw craigslist and ebay ads for already tricked out bikes for a few grand more, but didn't really know what they were talking about. Now I do. The cost to take a stock bike to acceptable levels of performance can cost thousands. I'm already into my bike for around $17,600. I've added a lot of things like forward controls, mirrors, bars, speedo/tach, seats, sissy bar, bags, relocated signals, exhaust, intake, PC3, suspension, Truetrac and the biggest hitter was the 107" mod and it's following upgrades like the AIM clutch and SE compensator.
At an auction you will have no idea of what you are buying, what the previous owner has done or what you will need to do to improve it. Buying a known stock bike or one from an original owner will at least give you a starting point to make changes to.
Any used bike purchase is a crap shoot. My preference would be to buy from the person that owns the bike and can proudly proclaim it's mods.
IMHO, trying to save some money by having a freind of a friend buy you a used bike at an auction is a huge gamble, one that I wouldn't take.
Last edited by HemiOrange; Apr 29, 2011 at 05:30 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 36
From: San Diego, CA
so i got a little more info last night after talking to another guy at work who bought an ultra glide dirt-cheap from the auction. apparently a few of my facts were wrong. there is NO obligation, i guess the "money at the door" thing was a figure of speech, meaning i need money in hand if i want to bid, so i am able to go in and browse, and if nothing meets my satisfaction i can just leave and not bid. the "auction fees" are more of a commission thing, i guess a certain percentage goes towards paying the bidder but its not bad at all. he gave me his list of bikes from the time he went and everything was WAY cheap. im talking 2009 street bob with 1100 miles for $8500 (and that's the max wholesale price, meaning the winning bidder usually doesn't pay anything near that). the ultra glide he bought was an 2008, equipped with Rineharts and a few other upgrades and he walked out of there for right around $10,000, and this was in early 2010.
apparently all of the bikes go through an inspection and are mechanically sound (unless noted as salvage if it's just selling for parts) so the risk of getting a lemon is lowered. each bike has a rating from 1-10 for both engine quality and 1-10 for exterior quality (judging paint, chrome etc)
you're all right though, either way any used bike is a gamble. i'll take my chances and let you all know how it goes. there's an auction this Friday (which is i think is kind of pushing it for me) or another toward the middle of May. i'll post up on how it went and maybe i can give some more info.
apparently all of the bikes go through an inspection and are mechanically sound (unless noted as salvage if it's just selling for parts) so the risk of getting a lemon is lowered. each bike has a rating from 1-10 for both engine quality and 1-10 for exterior quality (judging paint, chrome etc)
you're all right though, either way any used bike is a gamble. i'll take my chances and let you all know how it goes. there's an auction this Friday (which is i think is kind of pushing it for me) or another toward the middle of May. i'll post up on how it went and maybe i can give some more info.
Last edited by emerican19; Apr 27, 2011 at 09:20 PM.
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Olive Branch, MS
I was at an auction and got outbid on a 07 Heritage. It sold for $9700. Had 3000 miles on it. Later that day, I stole my bike from a Honda dealer that didnt know what they had. They had it on a trade. 06 FXDCI.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 902
Likes: 3
From: Cincinnati, OH
I go to NPA in Cincinnati each month. I'm a buyer for a friends high end car and Harley dealership. I actually picked up my 09 Street Bob in February at NPA. I've never bought a bike that had serious issues but I also don't buy bikes that are more than 2-3 years old. Some of the bikes need some touch up work and other minor refreshments but overall I think the auction is a good place to look. It's pretty easy to spot the bikes that have been abused and the ones that have been cared for. Generally speaking, the deals are good. Set your high price and tell your buyer to stick to it. It's easy to get caught up in a bidding war and end up spending more than you want.
You can also go on to npauctions.com and log in with your friend's dealership information and preview all the unit that will be going through your local auction. That's a great way to take your time reading the inspection information.
Good luck
You can also go on to npauctions.com and log in with your friend's dealership information and preview all the unit that will be going through your local auction. That's a great way to take your time reading the inspection information.
Good luck