Question on mileage
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 12
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From: Dallas
Question on mileage
So Ive been waiting until now to look at picking up a bike. I almost bought a new one, even at MSRP for the bike thought there were 2k in fees for freight and assembly. So a 21k bike was 23k before TTL. So in talking to a friend Ive decided to look at a used bike. I went in to my LD and found several used 2021 bikes that were 2-3k under MSRP that had less than 1k miles on them (Road King, Softail Deluxe, Heritage). Are these demo bikes or do people really buy these and trade them back in that fast? I know their now a year old, which is fine, but am not sure how to approach the dealer when talking about them. Any advice and suggestions?
Last edited by Soonerbldr; Jan 8, 2023 at 10:35 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: At home.
So Ive been waiting until now to look at picking up a bike. I almost bought a new one, even at MSRP for the bike thought there were 2k in fees for freight and assembly. So a 21k bike was 23k before TTL. So in talking to a friend Ive decided to look at a used bike. I went in to my LD and found several used 2021 bikes that were 2-3k under MSRP that had less than 1k miles on them (Road King, Softail Deluxe, Heritage). Are these demo bikes or do people really buy these and trade them back in that fast? I know their now a year old, which is fine, but am not sure how to approach the dealer when talking about them. Any advice and suggestions?
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 134
From: North Texas
So Ive been waiting until now to look at picking up a bike. I almost bought a new one, even at MSRP for the bike thought there were 2k in fees for freight and assembly. So a 21k bike was 23k before TTL. So in talking to a friend Ive decided to look at a used bike. I went in to my LD and found several used 2021 bikes that were 2-3k under MSRP that had less than 1k miles on them (Road King, Softail Deluxe, Heritage). Are these demo bikes or do people really buy these and trade them back in that fast? I know their now a year old, which is fine, but am not sure how to approach the dealer when talking about them. Any advice and suggestions?
People often get blinded by the bling, the fancy paint schemes, and what their buddies are riding. Mistake #1 is buying a new motorcycle because its value depreciates rapidly. Mistake #2 is financing that new bike. I will NEVER understand why someone finances a motorcycle, boat, travel trailer, etc.
If you just cant resist the temptation to finance a rapidly depreciating toy, my suggestion would be to buy one a few years old. At least youll be letting some other sucker take the initial hit of the value drop. But hey, its YOUR hard earned money do what you want with it because you cant take it with you when they lower you into the ground.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,086
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From: The Wasteland
Its suckers like that who make it easy to buy a practically brand new bike for several thousand less than a new one.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 787
Likes: 603
From: Alberta
You say $2-3k less than MSRP which might be okay but beware there are often fees on used vehicles as well. Ask the sales rep. Negotiate it down or out. Also, if it were me I would try to get them to throw in a one year ESP so I’m on even footing with a new motorcycle. Bottom line for me is unless I’m saving at least 15% or more apples to apples might as well buy new and know the history.
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Yep.
There are probably a lot of legitimate reasons (health, divorce, whatever) as well, but I think a lot of us would be amazed at how many impulse buyers there are out there. The smart ones realize their mistake early and cut their losses.
There are probably a lot of legitimate reasons (health, divorce, whatever) as well, but I think a lot of us would be amazed at how many impulse buyers there are out there. The smart ones realize their mistake early and cut their losses.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
There are lots of people who get all caught up in the allure of riding only to find out it isnt nearly as much fun as they thought it would be. Either its too hot or too cold or they get caught in rain or they have a scare in traffic and decide its not their thing.
Others just dont have time to ride, or have other priorities in life (or other toys) that take precedence.
Then again, some have multiple bikes to spread out the mileage so some bikes may not get ridden as much as others.
Others just dont have time to ride, or have other priorities in life (or other toys) that take precedence.
Then again, some have multiple bikes to spread out the mileage so some bikes may not get ridden as much as others.