4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar, California
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
Lets not forget supply and demand!
Supply is good, demand for used bikes low. New supply is low, used demand higher.
Then, there is financing, Harley will go 6-8 yrs. on bikes, use only 5.
Then, there is dumb luck. I bought my 82 shovel for 5k put 3 K into it and sold it for 11.5.
And what about legendary HDs like the Dyna FXR or Sturgis models? I think some models will always have good resale for reasons of rarity or low production, or over all coolness!
the lowest Ive ever seen a big twin HD that ran was around 6K wether it was a Pan, Shovel or Evo or TC, to me if you have a 20 yr old HD that you can still get 5K for thats awsome resale, I dont think import bikes can say that.
Supply is good, demand for used bikes low. New supply is low, used demand higher.
Then, there is financing, Harley will go 6-8 yrs. on bikes, use only 5.
Then, there is dumb luck. I bought my 82 shovel for 5k put 3 K into it and sold it for 11.5.
And what about legendary HDs like the Dyna FXR or Sturgis models? I think some models will always have good resale for reasons of rarity or low production, or over all coolness!
the lowest Ive ever seen a big twin HD that ran was around 6K wether it was a Pan, Shovel or Evo or TC, to me if you have a 20 yr old HD that you can still get 5K for thats awsome resale, I dont think import bikes can say that.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 4
From: New Zealand
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
Here in NZ Harleys tended to hold their prices really well. This has been affected relatively recently by imports of second hand Harleys from Japan.
I saw a 3 year old V-Rod from Japan with only 350 kms on the clock (bout 200 miles) and the asking price was well down to what I was expecting.
FYI here is a list of dealer asking prices on the 2008 range in NZ.
FXST standard softie NZ$ 25,515 = US$ 19,003
FXD Dyna NZ$ 22,770 = US$ 16,958
VRSC V-Rod NZ$ 27,315 = US$ 20,344
FLHT Electra Glide NZ$ 27,000 = US$ 20,109
How do theses compare to you guys?
I saw a 3 year old V-Rod from Japan with only 350 kms on the clock (bout 200 miles) and the asking price was well down to what I was expecting.
FYI here is a list of dealer asking prices on the 2008 range in NZ.
FXST standard softie NZ$ 25,515 = US$ 19,003
FXD Dyna NZ$ 22,770 = US$ 16,958
VRSC V-Rod NZ$ 27,315 = US$ 20,344
FLHT Electra Glide NZ$ 27,000 = US$ 20,109
How do theses compare to you guys?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,391
Likes: 10
From:
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
ORIGINAL: clutchglass
O.K. This is starting to feel like one of them, "Your brain on drugs comercials"...I doubt it's going to get through to anyone who doesn't understand anyway...but I'll try one more time. Here goes:
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-
[IMG]local://upfiles/10668/2B224EDB451D409DA633FAA911C9DBFE.jpg[/IMG]
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-
[IMG]local://upfiles/10668/2B224EDB451D409DA633FAA911C9DBFE.jpg[/IMG]
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
Ok, I can understand one's bike is an extentionof their manhood....
But the question still remains... You pay 15 grand for a bike, own it for 4 or 5 yrs and then expect to get your 15 grand back...? This is what I'm talking about as being freakin nuts.
But the question still remains... You pay 15 grand for a bike, own it for 4 or 5 yrs and then expect to get your 15 grand back...? This is what I'm talking about as being freakin nuts.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
ORIGINAL: TennRider
Ok, I can understand one's bike is an extentionof their manhood....
But the question still remains... You pay 15 grand for a bike, own it for 4 or 5 yrs and then expect to get your 15 grand back...? This is what I'm talking about as being freakin nuts.
Ok, I can understand one's bike is an extentionof their manhood....
But the question still remains... You pay 15 grand for a bike, own it for 4 or 5 yrs and then expect to get your 15 grand back...? This is what I'm talking about as being freakin nuts.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
I always let others take the initail depriciation hit, buy a couple yrs old. I have had a lot of bikes and have always come out good when selling. bought a shovelhead once and the day I brought it home a guy pulls in and offers me $500 more then I paid for it. Since I hadnt even really got to ride it yet I sent him on his way. 3 yrs and a bunch of miles later I sold the old girl for what I had given in the first place. But now we have such a glut of bikes for sale that its truly a buyers market and its gonna stay that way for a while.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
I just bought a used 2003 Wide Glide. I shopped around on eBay for awhile and even visited my local dealer. Most of the price drop is in the first few years or so. And, older bikes seem to keep a decent value. For example, it seems like most of the late 90s Wide Glides were going for at least 8k to 10k. I paid 11.5k for a 4 year old bike that looked brand new and had 2700 miles and no mods (except for saddle bags and a detachable wind screen). That's 10k less than the dealer price (including tax and license - no sale tax in AZ for used vehicles). They way I figure it, I got basically a new bike without taking a hit on the depreciation. It will continue to lose value, but not at a bad rate and should retain a healthy chunk of its value over time.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 195
Likes: 1
From:
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
ORIGINAL: mentor70
Lets not forget supply and demand!
Supply is good, demand for used bikes low. New supply is low, used demand higher.
Lets not forget supply and demand!
Supply is good, demand for used bikes low. New supply is low, used demand higher.
So with all that out there on the market, competition will drive prices down. BTW, this same thing has been happening to Porsche over the years, but it's getting "worse" (or better, depending on what your take is) since the 1999, when Porsche sold more cars than ever before in it's history. And so with all these Porsches on the road, you can pick one up than is less than 10 years old for $20-$25k no problem.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,716
Likes: 103
From:
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
"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 love Posers and Yuppies, they have the best used bikes.
I love Posers and Yuppies, they have the best used bikes.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
RE: 4 Sale..... Have you gone nuts ?
It shouldn't be any big surprise that folks are trying to get the maximum dollar for their used bikes. Why shouldn't they, unless they're really anxious to sell the thing? For years and years, HD's held onto their value like a pitbull holds on to a pork chop. It's a relatively recent development that they are depreciating much like the other brands and folks just haven't gotten used to that yet.
Regarding the value of aftermarket accessories, I see it written all the time that these add no value and should not be considered in the price. Why not? If you come across a relatively low mileage bike that has all/most of the stuff done to it already that you'd be doing anyway, there ought to be some value in that. If I can get a 3 year old bike with reasonable mileage and that already has a couple of seats, the windshield, the pipes, the intake, the remap and some nice wheels for close to or slightly less than the MSRP of a brand new one, I'd seriously consider that used one. By the time you get done paying forfreight, set-up and all the goodies for a new bike, you'll be several thousand above MSRP anyway.
Regarding the value of aftermarket accessories, I see it written all the time that these add no value and should not be considered in the price. Why not? If you come across a relatively low mileage bike that has all/most of the stuff done to it already that you'd be doing anyway, there ought to be some value in that. If I can get a 3 year old bike with reasonable mileage and that already has a couple of seats, the windshield, the pipes, the intake, the remap and some nice wheels for close to or slightly less than the MSRP of a brand new one, I'd seriously consider that used one. By the time you get done paying forfreight, set-up and all the goodies for a new bike, you'll be several thousand above MSRP anyway.