I used to like them!
I used to like them!
I went into my local dealer a few days ago to price out a trike. I brought my bike to get a trade-in value, and if the right trike was available, I would have made a deal. Well, they didn't have any used tri-glides on the floor, so the store manager went away for a minute and then came back with his paper - they would give me $14,600 (his first number was $11,000) for my bike (2018 Ultra Classic with numerous upgrades) towards a new tri-glide at a cost of $47,999!
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I knew the MSRP on a 2023 tri-glide is approximately $37,000. How they came up with $48,000, I don't know, and I wasn't interested in finding out. It was particularly disappointing because I have done business with this dealership for many years and always felt I was treated right. They have recently been purchased and are under new management so I guess those days are over.
I've never used nor liked the term steelership, but I understand why some do.
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I knew the MSRP on a 2023 tri-glide is approximately $37,000. How they came up with $48,000, I don't know, and I wasn't interested in finding out. It was particularly disappointing because I have done business with this dealership for many years and always felt I was treated right. They have recently been purchased and are under new management so I guess those days are over.
I've never used nor liked the term steelership, but I understand why some do.
Popular Reply
Sep 14, 2023, 04:22 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 2,507
From: Lake Orion, MI
I went into my local dealer a few days ago to price out a trike. I brought my bike to get a trade-in value, and if the right trike was available, I would have made a deal. Well, they didn't have any used tri-glides on the floor, so the store manager went away for a minute and then came back with his paper - they would give me $14,600 (his first number was $11,000) for my bike (2018 Ultra Classic with numerous upgrades) towards a new tri-glide at a cost of $47,999!
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I knew the MSRP on a 2023 tri-glide is approximately $37,000. How they came up with $48,000, I don't know, and I wasn't interested in finding out. It was particularly disappointing because I have done business with this dealership for many years and always felt I was treated right. They have recently been purchased and are under new management so I guess those days are over.
I've never used nor liked the term steelership, but I understand why some do.
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I knew the MSRP on a 2023 tri-glide is approximately $37,000. How they came up with $48,000, I don't know, and I wasn't interested in finding out. It was particularly disappointing because I have done business with this dealership for many years and always felt I was treated right. They have recently been purchased and are under new management so I guess those days are over.
I've never used nor liked the term steelership, but I understand why some do.
Your bike is a 2018 and, as you said, it has several upgrades. This tends to make me think that your bike is in pretty good shape.
Take a look at CSC or some other trike conversion. I believe you will end up with a much better trike - independent suspension, rake kit, running boards - all the things you need. This is exactly what I did and the cost of everything was about $18K.
In addition, CSC provided a 5-year warranty on the kit. Winter is coming so, it is a great time to have it done. Plus, all of the extras you currently have on the bike are still there.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 2,393
From: Florida
This kind of BS is getting to be the norm, unfortunately. Started happening when Zeitz took over, carrying on about "unit profitability" to investors. In other words, they want to squeeze every last friggin dollar out of every single sale. They're under orders not to negotiate reasonably any more.
I used to think seriously about trading in and buying a new bike every two or three years. No more.
I used to think seriously about trading in and buying a new bike every two or three years. No more.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 523
Likes: 406
From: So Western Ohio
Wow. Those trikes must have a lot of precious metals in them. Or maybe they take months to build. Or something. Or could it be wealthy customers don't really care what they pay? Meanwhile H-D plays their new theme song in the showroom-
Movin' on Up! To the East side, to a de-luxe apartment in the sky-y-y!
Moo hoovin' on Up, to the East side, we finally got a piece of the pie!
Movin' on Up! To the East side, to a de-luxe apartment in the sky-y-y!
Moo hoovin' on Up, to the East side, we finally got a piece of the pie!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 2,507
From: Lake Orion, MI
I went into my local dealer a few days ago to price out a trike. I brought my bike to get a trade-in value, and if the right trike was available, I would have made a deal. Well, they didn't have any used tri-glides on the floor, so the store manager went away for a minute and then came back with his paper - they would give me $14,600 (his first number was $11,000) for my bike (2018 Ultra Classic with numerous upgrades) towards a new tri-glide at a cost of $47,999!
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I knew the MSRP on a 2023 tri-glide is approximately $37,000. How they came up with $48,000, I don't know, and I wasn't interested in finding out. It was particularly disappointing because I have done business with this dealership for many years and always felt I was treated right. They have recently been purchased and are under new management so I guess those days are over.
I've never used nor liked the term steelership, but I understand why some do.
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I knew the MSRP on a 2023 tri-glide is approximately $37,000. How they came up with $48,000, I don't know, and I wasn't interested in finding out. It was particularly disappointing because I have done business with this dealership for many years and always felt I was treated right. They have recently been purchased and are under new management so I guess those days are over.
I've never used nor liked the term steelership, but I understand why some do.
Your bike is a 2018 and, as you said, it has several upgrades. This tends to make me think that your bike is in pretty good shape.
Take a look at CSC or some other trike conversion. I believe you will end up with a much better trike - independent suspension, rake kit, running boards - all the things you need. This is exactly what I did and the cost of everything was about $18K.
In addition, CSC provided a 5-year warranty on the kit. Winter is coming so, it is a great time to have it done. Plus, all of the extras you currently have on the bike are still there.
I'm not in the market for a trike, but a good point was made, that a conversion may be a better solution.
There are several dealers around me. I have a good relationship with them as they work with my non-profit as a host. That said, I'd only buy from one currently (and did), because they are the only dealer around not marking up from MSRP. You get get good deals, in that you're not getting the price down, but I got a service and a gift card, tires, a few other goodies, when I bought the bike.
You're not getting a new bike under MSRP anytime in the near future, but the markups some dealers toss in, drive me away.
There are several dealers around me. I have a good relationship with them as they work with my non-profit as a host. That said, I'd only buy from one currently (and did), because they are the only dealer around not marking up from MSRP. You get get good deals, in that you're not getting the price down, but I got a service and a gift card, tires, a few other goodies, when I bought the bike.
You're not getting a new bike under MSRP anytime in the near future, but the markups some dealers toss in, drive me away.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 11,762
From: Omaha,NE
This kind of BS is getting to be the norm, unfortunately. Started happening when Zeitz took over, carrying on about "unit profitability" to investors. In other words, they want to squeeze every last friggin dollar out of every single sale. They're under orders not to negotiate reasonably any more.
I used to think seriously about trading in and buying a new bike every two or three years. No more.
I used to think seriously about trading in and buying a new bike every two or three years. No more.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 2,393
From: Florida