metric shopping
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,704
Likes: 95
From:
RE: metric shopping
ORIGINAL: SCJE8
As a current owner of a 2006 Honda VTX1800C...I think the metric cruisershave a lot going for them! The Honda sitting next to my new Fat Boy in the garage, albeit a metric...is a much better designed and performing motorcycle! But it is not a Harley! I don't ride her anymore, but ithas more HP and torque than my HD could ever pump out, and will stop on a dime and give you change! HD should pay close attention to what the Japs are doing! Just ask GM and Ford about that!
I love my Fat Boy!
Steve
As a current owner of a 2006 Honda VTX1800C...I think the metric cruisershave a lot going for them! The Honda sitting next to my new Fat Boy in the garage, albeit a metric...is a much better designed and performing motorcycle! But it is not a Harley! I don't ride her anymore, but ithas more HP and torque than my HD could ever pump out, and will stop on a dime and give you change! HD should pay close attention to what the Japs are doing! Just ask GM and Ford about that!
I love my Fat Boy!
Steve
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 941
Likes: 0
From: WA
RE: metric shopping
The Suzuki is a great bike, you won't regret it. I considered it and compared it to a HD, much cheaper but metrics are worth half what you pay as soon as you ride off the lot. If you plan on keeping it for a long time this isn't an issue. It has a great seat and is a comfortable bike, the fuel capacity is a bit on the low side due to the tank being under the seat. I looked at all cruiser models available this year, some are very nice, but I pick up my 07 Fatboy Tuesday..
The Schlong Man
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,772
Likes: 4
From: Nantucket
RE: metric shopping
The whole "Harley's hold their value thing" is total bullshit in real world terms. At least when you are talking about new bikes. Used ones maybe. The oriignal invoice on my bike was $25K. I just bought it from the original owner for $16K. It's an '05. That a $9K hit. The total purchase price of my '05 Suzuki? $6,500. It's still worth $4Kat a minimum.When you talk in percentages you miss half of the equation.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA
RE: metric shopping
I put 20,000 miles on my Suzuki Volusia (aka 2003 Boulevard) in under 2 years. I recently bought an 07 Dyna because it was the bike I really wanted.
I love my Volusia for lots of reasons:
It was my first bike, and it turned out to be a great bike to learn on.
I put 20,000 trouble-free miles on it, with nothing but scheduled maintenance, gas and tires.
I would recommend a well-maintained used Volusia or new Boulevard to anyone looking for a mid-sized cruiser. Of course, I'd nudge them towards an 883 Sporty first, but I have nothing but good things to say about my experiences with a Volusia. Yeah, there's some plastic on her, but it's priced appropriately.
I love my Volusia for lots of reasons:
It was my first bike, and it turned out to be a great bike to learn on.
I put 20,000 trouble-free miles on it, with nothing but scheduled maintenance, gas and tires.
I would recommend a well-maintained used Volusia or new Boulevard to anyone looking for a mid-sized cruiser. Of course, I'd nudge them towards an 883 Sporty first, but I have nothing but good things to say about my experiences with a Volusia. Yeah, there's some plastic on her, but it's priced appropriately.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From:
RE: metric shopping
Riding is great. Riding a Harley is better. Better to ride a metric than not to ride at all.
Bring on the attacks but I truly believe it.
Bring on the attacks but I truly believe it.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 770
Likes: 65
From: Juneau, AK
RE: metric shopping
I bought my first bike acouple of weeks ago.....of course i hadthe decision to make and man am i glad i spent the extra money on the harley, i bought a nightster and every time i look at it and ride it i breath a sigh of relief that i bought it. I cant explain but i just dont think i would feel the same way about any other brand of bike.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern, PA
RE: metric shopping
The whole "Harley's hold their value thing" is total bullshit in real world terms. At least when you are talking about new bikes. Used ones maybe. The oriignal invoice on my bike was $25K. I just bought it from the original owner for $16K. It's an '05. That a $9K hit. The total purchase price of my '05 Suzuki? $6,500. It's still worth $4Kat a minimum.When you talk in percentages you miss half of the equation.
I can't make your assessment work out based on data from the Suzuki, HD and Kelly Blue Book websites. This is all data directly from the sites. I looked at a cruiser and a touring bike comparison of seemingly similiar bikes.
A 2006 Boulevard C90 had an MSRP of $10,499 and now has a Kelly BB value of $7920. That is a drop of 25% or $2579.
A 2006 Fat Boy had a MSRP of $17,155(color and fuel injection) and now has a KBB value of $15,970. That is a drop of 7% or $1185.
A 2006 Boulevard C90T had an MSRP of $11,499 and now has a KBB of $8890. A drop of 23% or $2609.
A 2006 Road King Classic had an MSRP of $18,170 (color, factory security, fuel injection) and now has a KBB of $16,845. That is a drop of 7% or $1325.
I would hope that no one would actually pay MSRP for a Boulevard, so that would help a bit. But, Harley's do hold value much better and any analysis you do will show it.
Sounds like you got a great deal on your custom depending on mileage and other factors.