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Feb 2, 2012 | 08:50 PM

#21

DonN

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,760

Likes: 211

From: Manila, Philippines

I think its a great ideal if you can also provide some level of supply of parts. I am in the Phils, we dont have a dealer so the old bikes just keep ticking along. In the states, lots of bikes will get scrapped so exporting them to developing countries gives them a second life and some local pride in ownership. Plus HDs pre EFI are relatively easy to service.

Feb 2, 2012 | 09:55 PM

#22

Blackfly

Road Master

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 1,100

Likes: 40

From: New York

There was an article in HOG a while ago about the "Harlistas" of Cuba, I think they had nothing newer than whatever year the embargo was imposed. They could use some bikes and parts. ( and a new leader maybe ).

Feb 2, 2012 | 11:28 PM

#23

Gruamach

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 1,804

Likes: 4

From: St. Louis, MO

To be blunt: you get what you pay for.

Any Harley selling for under about $3k minimum is probably going to be nothing but a POS headache.

You can find perfectly good sporty's for about $4k.....keep it in good condition and even a couple years later you'll probably be able to still sell it yourself for what you paid for it.

Feb 3, 2012 | 01:56 AM

#24

dickey

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 19,978

Likes: 6,074

From: Florida

best off taking that $$ & investing in a time machine; might find one on CL. Then go back around 40 years. I don't think there is any $$ to be made in what you wanna do. Too many problems, BS,paperwork, the logistics are way too difficult. besides--you don't know if the HD "thing" will catch on in SA. Just sayin'. Better off just getting a job.

Feb 3, 2012 | 07:37 AM

#25

ghira75

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 1,311

Likes: 1

From: -

I'd question the basic idea: why buying Harleys in the country where they are the most popular and looked after and where the demand fo spare old parts is also high as there's still so many americans riding restored old bikes, to export to a country where demand is lower, disposable income is lower and HD is not a great phenomenon there, especially considering your target market..... agri biz???

If you find an bike in US selling for less than 2k.... you aren't getting much of a bike

I'd rather see it working the other way round, finding an old bike in SA that nobody wants anymore and sell it in the US.

Just my opinion...

Feb 3, 2012 | 09:02 AM

#26

Amish gone bad

Tourer

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 406

Likes: 0

From: Pittsburgh

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salkema

Thanks for the responses. My situation is the following. I am originally from South America, been living in the US for 5 years now (I'm 20). Go to school in Illinois and been shocked by how big is the HD phenomenon here in america. I want to start a business of selling used HD in South America. Do you guys think it could be a profitable business? I know there is demand for HD bikes there (lots of agriculture.. companies in need of them). Do you guys think it's better to buy the bikes on junk conditions and then repair them? Or is it better to buy used bikes in descent conditions and them sell them?

That website on wrecked harley's look awesome! Thanks Krazy8s

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronAss

I think it's best to leave them right here in the U.S.

There is something to be said for World Domination. Bwahahahahaha!

I sometimes scout out dealerships in my travels for a distant cousin I like a lot. He buys older HDs and some other stuff, breaks them down, and ships them to Georgia (not that one), Komi, Koriak and various other places and makes himself some serious bucks. No junkers -- gotta stand on two wheels, move under its own power and at least make an effort at stopping. He can get Sporties as new as 00 that meet those conditions for under 4k and damn near everything since 84 that meets those conditions under 4k. He buys from dealerships as a matter of time and not because the deals are better.

Just remember though - ya'll get stuck with a lemon drop it in the ocean and take the loss. International scoot dealing is like international arms dealing - rep is everything and your entire rep is your last bike. And some people you sell to may have other techniques or solutions than calling the BBB.

Feb 3, 2012 | 10:06 AM

#27

CWDoc115

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 2,671

Likes: 1

From: Virginia

Just keep looking around, you'll find something you like within your price range. Last summer The wife & I were visiting her family in KCKS & I found a 1983 anniversary model Sportster for under 2K. It had 31K miles on her & ran like a champ! Like I said, just keep looking & you will find what you are looking for.

Feb 3, 2012 | 11:33 AM

#28

coltsfan

Road Warrior

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 1,264

Likes: 15

From: West side of indianapolis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salkema

I cost me $2,500 to build my '96 soft tail. I know some one that goes to Daytona and buys a dozen or so Harley's and ships them to Germany, the least expensive you are realistically going to get away with is about 4 grand apiece for an evo, less for a good sporty.