Harleys holding Resale Value = Myth
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Always moving
Harley's do seem to keep value over time. excluding sportersters, I have only seen 2 HDs under 6k in the last few years. maybe i wasnt looking hard enough though. I bought my 98 FXDL in really good shape, one owner, 42k for $5400 (1 of the 2). If you wand good resale buy gold...if you want to enjoy a Harley for what it was made for, ride the crap out of it and stop thinking about what it will be worth in 10 years. just my opinion.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans area
I look at it as a hobby....have no interest in whether I can get some or all my money back on the hobby. I enjoy the pleasure of riding and even maintaining it....there has to be some value in that that you wouldn't expect to get back! Now as I've gotten older, I'm enjoying it even more and have more time to ride and looking forward to retirement and riding even more. I'm on my 3rd HD and ride the heck out of them...2012 trike is 2 months old and over 5000 miles...would have more miles but I'm still a working man!
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 901
Likes: 4
From: NH
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: vermont
This could be wrong, But when I bought my bike I was talking to a couple harley guys at a local shop, I was told that after 2 years (which is the average turn around time on a bike) a Harley would be worth about 71% of its MSRP and the next closest brand is Honda which would be worth about 50% of its MSRP. Again thats just what I was told so it might be wrong.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 2
From: Deltona, FL
They used to actually hold their value and even rise in price, depending on model. Back in the late 80's and early 90's when Harley couldn't produce enough to meet the demand. Now that the economy has tanked and Harley's production is higher, the value drops accordingly.
The rule does still apply somewhat though, as others have mentioned. A 2 year old Harley is still worth a higher percentage of original MSRP than any other model.
The rule does still apply somewhat though, as others have mentioned. A 2 year old Harley is still worth a higher percentage of original MSRP than any other model.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 723
Likes: 2
From: Nc
Does that have a lot to do with a person buying the bike for lets say $22,000 than putting another 8-10000 into the bike . I have seen adds that say bike for sale have $30,000 invested willing to take $22,000 . That would keep the price real close to msrp. I really think in this economy if you have patience you can get a good deal on anything Harley's cars houses boats etc etc .
Last edited by turn8a; Apr 11, 2012 at 10:46 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 406
Likes: 2
From: Brownsburg, IN
I love when I see that word "invested" in for sale ads. I'd like to be their "investment" managers...
The correct economic term would be "sunk cost" and that is fitting in more ways than one.
The correct economic term would be "sunk cost" and that is fitting in more ways than one.
Last edited by Shizims; Apr 11, 2012 at 12:35 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 1
From: St Louis, MO
They used to actually hold their value and even rise in price, depending on model. Back in the late 80's and early 90's when Harley couldn't produce enough to meet the demand. Now that the economy has tanked and Harley's production is higher, the value drops accordingly.
The rule does still apply somewhat though, as others have mentioned. A 2 year old Harley is still worth a higher percentage of original MSRP than any other model.
The rule does still apply somewhat though, as others have mentioned. A 2 year old Harley is still worth a higher percentage of original MSRP than any other model.
The worst part is that people trade their bike in on something else, get raped on the trade and then the dealer puts a price on that used bike close to new retail because of "all the add ons" that they told you weren't worth crap on the trade in.