Shop Around
That's really all it is.
Put yourself in the position of a first-time Harley buyer. Lets say your 45yo, your dental practice is finally making some decent money, things are going your way financially, and you decide to realize a dream you've been holding on to for 25 years.
But you don't know the first thing, really, about the bikes. All you know is they look cool, look like fun, etc.
Where are you going to start?
Sure, you could dial up FB Marketplace or CL or Cycletrader, but then what? You see something that looks promising, you go to the seller's house, you're standing there looking at the bike...and you don't have the slightest idea. Ok, it's black. Now what?
Or you could go to your local dealer. He's going to have a variety of bikes to look at, all in one place, and you at least have the hope that there aren't any phenomenally bad bikes on offer and that they have had something like a competent going-over by someone who knows what he's doing. That may be more wishful thinking than reality, but since you're a dentist and not a mechanic, it's all you've got. And your time is worth something too. You're not looking to spend month after month on this. You just want to get on the road.
Put all that together, and I can understand why guys like that buy from dealers.
Put yourself in the position of a first-time Harley buyer. Lets say your 45yo, your dental practice is finally making some decent money, things are going your way financially, and you decide to realize a dream you've been holding on to for 25 years.
But you don't know the first thing, really, about the bikes. All you know is they look cool, look like fun, etc.
Where are you going to start?
Sure, you could dial up FB Marketplace or CL or Cycletrader, but then what? You see something that looks promising, you go to the seller's house, you're standing there looking at the bike...and you don't have the slightest idea. Ok, it's black. Now what?
Or you could go to your local dealer. He's going to have a variety of bikes to look at, all in one place, and you at least have the hope that there aren't any phenomenally bad bikes on offer and that they have had something like a competent going-over by someone who knows what he's doing. That may be more wishful thinking than reality, but since you're a dentist and not a mechanic, it's all you've got. And your time is worth something too. You're not looking to spend month after month on this. You just want to get on the road.
Put all that together, and I can understand why guys like that buy from dealers.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
That's really all it is.
Put yourself in the position of a first-time Harley buyer. Lets say your 45yo, your dental practice is finally making some decent money, things are going your way financially, and you decide to realize a dream you've been holding on to for 25 years.
But you don't know the first thing, really, about the bikes. All you know is they look cool, look like fun, etc.
Where are you going to start?
Sure, you could dial up FB Marketplace or CL or Cycletrader, but then what? You see something that looks promising, you go to the seller's house, you're standing there looking at the bike...and you don't have the slightest idea. Ok, it's black. Now what?
Or you could go to your local dealer. He's going to have a variety of bikes to look at, all in one place, and you at least have the hope that there aren't any phenomenally bad bikes on offer and that they have had something like a competent going-over by someone who knows what he's doing. That may be more wishful thinking than reality, but since you're a dentist and not a mechanic, it's all you've got. And your time is worth something too. You're not looking to spend month after month on this. You just want to get on the road.
Put all that together, and I can understand why guys like that buy from dealers.
Put yourself in the position of a first-time Harley buyer. Lets say your 45yo, your dental practice is finally making some decent money, things are going your way financially, and you decide to realize a dream you've been holding on to for 25 years.
But you don't know the first thing, really, about the bikes. All you know is they look cool, look like fun, etc.
Where are you going to start?
Sure, you could dial up FB Marketplace or CL or Cycletrader, but then what? You see something that looks promising, you go to the seller's house, you're standing there looking at the bike...and you don't have the slightest idea. Ok, it's black. Now what?
Or you could go to your local dealer. He's going to have a variety of bikes to look at, all in one place, and you at least have the hope that there aren't any phenomenally bad bikes on offer and that they have had something like a competent going-over by someone who knows what he's doing. That may be more wishful thinking than reality, but since you're a dentist and not a mechanic, it's all you've got. And your time is worth something too. You're not looking to spend month after month on this. You just want to get on the road.
Put all that together, and I can understand why guys like that buy from dealers.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 787
Likes: 603
From: Alberta
In a normal market I’m thinking the spread is wider. Private sellers are asking too much these days. If I could buy the identical bike at a dealer for only $1000 more, and I could assume it meets the standards in terms of tire and brake wear etc, has had at least a cursory overlook and has been cleaned up, I would do it. And with a dealer I would feel like, even if it’s not true, I have some moderate amount of recourse if the bike blows up in two days.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 791
Likes: 386
From: New York
Obviously you can find better deals buying privately but if you have to finance you're only option is a dealership. Plus there's the 12 month powertrain warranty like previously stated, which will appeal to some, and I believe the option to buy a two year full warranty or maybe even more if you're willing to pay for it. These are some of the things you are paying for. They have overhead, they are in business to make $ and you have to understand that dynamic going in. Now having said that there are dealers who deal in good faith and some who don't.
Last edited by Craigny; Sep 13, 2022 at 01:30 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 1,880
From: SF Bay Area
OK I know it's the latest trend to "Bash HD Dealers" but for they do provide a service when buying used. Is it worth ~$1K-$2K, only you can decide for yourself but for me they do!
- They do some sort of inspection on the Bike. Check/Change Fluids, Road test, Brake and tire change if needed, etc. recall checks, etc. (Some do more than others, but all do some sort of inspection)
- You can do all the DMV paperwork right there at the dealer. (To me living in California and having to deal with the CA DMV that alone is worth $1K to me)
- If you need to finance it's super easy.
- Want to buy an extended warranty, again easy.
The biggest advantage to me is the test ride. My local dealers will let you test ride with only a driver's license and a helmet. Most Private Parties either (a) won't let you test ride or will do some gay lame "I will drive with you on the back" or (b) they need to hold the full amount of cash in hand while you ride. I don't know about you guys, but to hand over anything north of ~$15K in an envelope to some random dude who may or may not count it, and for you to have to count it again when you return, is both lame and sketchy to me. Then there is the "bike breaks down or some issue on the test ride" and you either get stuck or bring the bike back leaking or not running right. Then the fun begins to get your cash back.
For me. $1K-$2K in the grand scheme of ownership is but a dent, and the peace of mind buying from a dealer is just that to me. (I bought all 3 of my used bikes from a dealer)
- They do some sort of inspection on the Bike. Check/Change Fluids, Road test, Brake and tire change if needed, etc. recall checks, etc. (Some do more than others, but all do some sort of inspection)
- You can do all the DMV paperwork right there at the dealer. (To me living in California and having to deal with the CA DMV that alone is worth $1K to me)
- If you need to finance it's super easy.
- Want to buy an extended warranty, again easy.
The biggest advantage to me is the test ride. My local dealers will let you test ride with only a driver's license and a helmet. Most Private Parties either (a) won't let you test ride or will do some gay lame "I will drive with you on the back" or (b) they need to hold the full amount of cash in hand while you ride. I don't know about you guys, but to hand over anything north of ~$15K in an envelope to some random dude who may or may not count it, and for you to have to count it again when you return, is both lame and sketchy to me. Then there is the "bike breaks down or some issue on the test ride" and you either get stuck or bring the bike back leaking or not running right. Then the fun begins to get your cash back.
For me. $1K-$2K in the grand scheme of ownership is but a dent, and the peace of mind buying from a dealer is just that to me. (I bought all 3 of my used bikes from a dealer)
Last edited by Calif Fat Bob; Sep 13, 2022 at 05:07 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,590
Likes: 8,418
From: Inland NW
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Late 90s people were selling used bikes for as much as they paid new.
Starting about 15-20 years ago private sellers were asking more than dealers for similar bikes.
I haven't checked dealers in the last couple years. Private sellers still seem to be asking high prices.
Starting about 15-20 years ago private sellers were asking more than dealers for similar bikes.
I haven't checked dealers in the last couple years. Private sellers still seem to be asking high prices.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,111
From: Florida
only way I would ever buy from a dealer would be if I were trading a vehicle in. So while you get raped on the fees, you save with the tax break on your trade-in.
