What kinds of add-ons REALLY increase resale value?
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 415
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From: DC
What kinds of add-ons REALLY increase resale value?
Been looking through the eBay and Cycletrader ads these last few days, just for grins and for future project ideas. Some of the asking prices are from people who are clearly either a) on crack, or b) really don't want to sell and list with a ridiculous price just to shut the wife up. "Look, I listed it, okay? It's not my fault if no one's buying."
I've always heard you'll never get better than Blue Book on your bike. What I'm wondering is, in your opinion, what kind of add-ons really would up the resale value?
Custom paint jobs never seem to do it, though there are lots of "custom, job, one of a kind!" listings. Maybe, but seems like you're unlikely to find a buyer who's been looking for exactly what you got. How about a limited-edition paint set? At least then you might get a buyer who goes, "oh, yeah, I saw that set once before, it looks awesome".
How about big-bore mods? Seems like it'd help resale of older bikes, especially if HD has since upped the stock displacement on newer model years.
Aftermarket pipes or wheels might help you get it sold, but mostly because buyers like the idea of getting those expensive mods for "free".
What do y'all think?
I've always heard you'll never get better than Blue Book on your bike. What I'm wondering is, in your opinion, what kind of add-ons really would up the resale value?
Custom paint jobs never seem to do it, though there are lots of "custom, job, one of a kind!" listings. Maybe, but seems like you're unlikely to find a buyer who's been looking for exactly what you got. How about a limited-edition paint set? At least then you might get a buyer who goes, "oh, yeah, I saw that set once before, it looks awesome".
How about big-bore mods? Seems like it'd help resale of older bikes, especially if HD has since upped the stock displacement on newer model years.
Aftermarket pipes or wheels might help you get it sold, but mostly because buyers like the idea of getting those expensive mods for "free".
What do y'all think?
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: NEPA
The add ons you want as a buyer have a different value than the add ons do to the seller.
Performance enhancements like big bore, hi performance carb, ignition system, cam, exhaust are real and useful.
Windshield, bags, sissy bars seats handlebars,chrome bling are in the eyes of the beholder. You can spend thousands on Skull theme chrome parts, but, it wouldn't add value to someone who is not into skulls.
I've seen some bikes that have a lot of cash put into them to make them what the owner wanted, so there is value to him and anyone else who likes the same look, but, to me, I just pass over it whatever the price.
Performance enhancements like big bore, hi performance carb, ignition system, cam, exhaust are real and useful.
Windshield, bags, sissy bars seats handlebars,chrome bling are in the eyes of the beholder. You can spend thousands on Skull theme chrome parts, but, it wouldn't add value to someone who is not into skulls.
I've seen some bikes that have a lot of cash put into them to make them what the owner wanted, so there is value to him and anyone else who likes the same look, but, to me, I just pass over it whatever the price.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
The only real "upgrade" would to keep it stock or buy a CVO/SE bike if it is resale value that you are worried about.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 386
Likes: 6
From: Huntsville, AL
I think one of the big things that helps resale is mileage. Why buy a '05 Fatboy with 40,000 miles on it when you can buy an '05 Fatboy with only 4000 miles on it at nearly the same price.
That's why I'm riding the wheels off mine and may buy another but will never sale the one I got...
That's why I'm riding the wheels off mine and may buy another but will never sale the one I got...
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Nevada
People prefer stock bikes.
Price guides like NADA, KBB, etc., do not offer adders for accessories. Your best bet is to keep your stock parts. Then when you sell a bike, you can remove some of the bling and sell it separately.
Price guides like NADA, KBB, etc., do not offer adders for accessories. Your best bet is to keep your stock parts. Then when you sell a bike, you can remove some of the bling and sell it separately.