4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
A little over a year ago I had a BMW for sale and after advertising here locally for several weeks I had one looker. Put it on ebay and sold it for $500.00 more than I was asking here in the paper.
The other side of the coin is I found my current ride and also my car on ebay. Both were recent vintage, extreme low mileage and I got them both for very good prices.
It wasn't that long ago (4-5 years) that most Harley dealers were getting several thousand over MSRP for new bikes and that meant a guy could sell a recent vintage Harley for close to MSRP. However, supply has more than met demand and those days are over. Some owners just haven't accepted that fact yet.
The other side of the coin is I found my current ride and also my car on ebay. Both were recent vintage, extreme low mileage and I got them both for very good prices.
It wasn't that long ago (4-5 years) that most Harley dealers were getting several thousand over MSRP for new bikes and that meant a guy could sell a recent vintage Harley for close to MSRP. However, supply has more than met demand and those days are over. Some owners just haven't accepted that fact yet.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Prescott, AZ
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
I find they initially drop to a certain price and then stay about in that range. I studies Harley prices for months before finally buying one from an eBay seller. I saved about 2-3 K at least over what I could buy here.
I did find out that accessories/chromedon't raise the price much. Condition and mileage are the two most important factors for buyers.
It is unbelievable how many bikes you can buy with less than 1K miles. I love how the posers buy a new bike, load it up with chrome, seats, etc, ride it to all their friends houses and then park it in the garage until they get tired of looking at it and sell. =)
I did find out that accessories/chromedon't raise the price much. Condition and mileage are the two most important factors for buyers.
It is unbelievable how many bikes you can buy with less than 1K miles. I love how the posers buy a new bike, load it up with chrome, seats, etc, ride it to all their friends houses and then park it in the garage until they get tired of looking at it and sell. =)
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
When you see an ad for an overpriced bike, just don't call! If it's truly overpriced, nobody else will call either!
Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, and others are tools that were created for dealers to legitimize their "lowball" tactics when buying and insuring their profit when they sell.
True market value can only be determined as the result of an agreeable transaction occuring, and in my mind, only applies to the individual item/transaction.
If a guy wants to try to get max return on his investment by asking a high price, he probably understands that he won't get a fast sale or may hafta lower his price.
Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, and others are tools that were created for dealers to legitimize their "lowball" tactics when buying and insuring their profit when they sell.
True market value can only be determined as the result of an agreeable transaction occuring, and in my mind, only applies to the individual item/transaction.
If a guy wants to try to get max return on his investment by asking a high price, he probably understands that he won't get a fast sale or may hafta lower his price.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 3
From: Billings, MT
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
Funny that you should make that post today. The truth hurts.I found it immediately after taking my Low Rider off the market.
I got a good deal on it off eBay, put some money into it for seats and bags, but don't want to sell it for about what I put into it, mainly because what I have done is made it my bike. As I tweaked on it, it became more and more long distance road-worthy. By the time winter is over, I'll have too much into it to even consider selling for anything less than an ourtrageous price in today's market. I've only spent $29.00 on bling, the rest has been/will be for comfort and power. Good news is that I don't have to sell it and I'm going to ride it until the wheels fall off.
I got a good deal on it off eBay, put some money into it for seats and bags, but don't want to sell it for about what I put into it, mainly because what I have done is made it my bike. As I tweaked on it, it became more and more long distance road-worthy. By the time winter is over, I'll have too much into it to even consider selling for anything less than an ourtrageous price in today's market. I've only spent $29.00 on bling, the rest has been/will be for comfort and power. Good news is that I don't have to sell it and I'm going to ride it until the wheels fall off.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 83
From: Southern California
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
Here's my 2 cents worth....basically like anything else HD's depreciate in value. The extent to which they depreciate however is less I believe than the metric bikes. Overall, I think HD's are a much better investment for someone who'sundecided which brand to pick. Having said that, there are a ton of HD's for sale on eBay and Cycle Trader. Seems like the ratio is 10:1. 10 HD's for every Honda, Yamaha, etc... Considering the plight that the MoCo is now in with sagging sales, inventories piling high and earning off their mark I would estimate that HD values across the board (new and used) to slip in value.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 0
From: Elk Grove Village,Il.
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
ORIGINAL: AzDon
When you see an ad for an overpriced bike, just don't call! If it's truly overpriced, nobody else will call either!
Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, and others are tools that were created for dealers to legitimize their "lowball" tactics when buying and insuring their profit when they sell.Actually their an average of what they get at the chutes
True market value can only be determined as the result of an agreeable transaction occuring, and in my mind, only applies to the individual item/transaction.
If a guy wants to try to get max return on his investment by asking a high price, he probably understands that he won't get a fast sale or may hafta lower his price.
When you see an ad for an overpriced bike, just don't call! If it's truly overpriced, nobody else will call either!
Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, and others are tools that were created for dealers to legitimize their "lowball" tactics when buying and insuring their profit when they sell.Actually their an average of what they get at the chutes
True market value can only be determined as the result of an agreeable transaction occuring, and in my mind, only applies to the individual item/transaction.
If a guy wants to try to get max return on his investment by asking a high price, he probably understands that he won't get a fast sale or may hafta lower his price.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
I got lucky in the mid 90s during the "Harley Shortage". I had a 1991 Heritage Torquise/Blue that I bought for $12,500. I did the usual stuff to it and sold it for,.....$17,500. Turned right around and bought a 1995 Ultra for $17,500. I sold that one for $15,500, and bought the 2001 Ultra. Last I heard another fellow with a 2001 Ultra just sold his for $12,000. I guess that's what I can expect for mine even with all the stuff I've done to it. But I don't really have any plans to sell mine anyway. Besides, I'm just a few more mods away from "finishing it".
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury, MD
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
I've been through the cycle. 
I sold my 1987 Heritage, which I bought new for $7500, for $10,000, in 1994.
I recently traded my 2007 FXD Super Glide, for $2500 less than I paid for it, and felt I did OK.
I sold my 1987 Heritage, which I bought new for $7500, for $10,000, in 1994.
I recently traded my 2007 FXD Super Glide, for $2500 less than I paid for it, and felt I did OK.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 763
Likes: 1
From: North Edwards, CA
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
ORIGINAL: jc_denton
I completely agree with TennRider. Don't expect the bike to hold its value any more than any other vehicle/motorcycle/boat/whatever would. It is, afterall, just another motorcycle.
I completely agree with TennRider. Don't expect the bike to hold its value any more than any other vehicle/motorcycle/boat/whatever would. It is, afterall, just another motorcycle.
Cages are things...computers, TVs, furniture, these are all "just things" & shouldn't have affection. Tools, guns and harleys are all extensions of us & don't belong in the same catagory as "things"!
Lets try it this way...ever hold a new power tool?...doesn't it, much like holding a new woman, conjure up all kinds of wonderful images about all the neat things you can do with it?....are you the proud owner of a fire arm that's either been handed down through generations...or given to you by someone you love & respect very much?...when you get on your scoot and go blasting down the highway do Bob Segar tunes resonate in your head as you shed all the stress of the day? Does it, much like owning a winchester or milwaukee tool, make you feel like your part of a time honered American traditionwhen you ride & care foryour harley. Does the sound of American Thunder rolling down the street make you want to get up and roll with them? If you didn't understand any of this...then your bike probably is just a thing. As for me, my "things" will all fall away...my tools, my guns, and my harley will reside with those who understand Americana long after I'm gone.
-clutch-
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