I have a super clean, nicely modded 2011 FLHTK (Ultra Limited) that I took in on trade towards a boat I was selling. Got it from the original owner, always dealer serviced and not a mark on it. Has 17K miles, with Fullsac Pipes, intake, TTS tune and blacked out.

Because I have a couple other Harley's and a BMW GS I decided I'd like something that is a bit lighter and better handling that I can ride in the local mountains roads. One of my Harley's has a sidecar so I can use that for longer rides or when I need to carry a bunch of stuff.

I put an ad in Craig's List for sale or trade. Got a lot of offers of stuff I don't have much interest in but today had a guy with a 2014 FXDB Street Bob with 6500 miles. His had similar mods to mine (pipes, tune, etc) but also had what I call the SOA wannabe T bars and sport faring club bike stuff. No offense to guys that like that style but not my thing so I'd put lower bars and lose the fairing.

I checked KBB and his bike books at private party price of $10.5K for a stocker. Mine books at $13.5K for stock. I know you don't usually get any extra value for mods and both our bikes are pretty equally modded except mine has more cosmetic mods. Because of that, I priced mine at $13.9K OBO in my ad. This guy says he wouldn't take less than $12K for his. I understand his thinking but list for a brand new Street Bob $14.5K and has a bigger engine (107 vs 103). Checking local listings, most same year Street Bobs are at the $10K price or lower. Also, the Street Bob is (I think) the cheapest big twin made and my Ultra Limited is one of the more pricier ones (list on a new one is $28K) so it is a trade up for him. Anyway, I passed on his offer as he wanted to do an even trade.

So now I'm thinking maybe I should change my ad and put in trade value $16K, cash sale price $13.9K. Has anyone ever done this before? What kind of trade deals have you done?

Oh, also should mention that I gave the guy $13.5K value on the Limited when he traded it in towards my boat.

 

I have traded all kinds of stuff over the years. 2 thoughts for me is if both parties are happy, its a good trade. Other side is if you can live with whatever you can sell the "new" item for and if you are ok with that. May be a dumbass here but I have never understood the trade value being more than the $$ value. Good luck with the deal.

 

Most that buy used like to negotiate. Ask high NADA, and figure your bottom line. Write it down. Go from there. I have been quite successful in using Ebay 6 free listings selling locally. (I do do the few dollars for the big picture spread.) I start at the high NADA asking but say negotiable. Tell them to offer me a price and I may modify my price. Ever 7 days when I renew add, I lower price a certain amount. By the 6 listings, my price will be at my bottom line.

It's a buyers market right now in my opinion. Figure your NADA high book from NADA. All those extra trinkets, use that in your add to get interested. Be forewarned, there are a lot of people that those modifications turn off.

 

My thoughts also.

Compare apples to apples to figure out any difference in value, in this case about $3k. No way I would do an even trade in your position. But if you like his bike and don’t mind “paying” $3k for it and will be happy then go for it.