HD VS All
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 586
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RE: HD VS All
The resale myth will never die!
That being said, once the initial depreciation sets in, the used price is good no matter how many times it gets sold! (This works on import bikes too).
Example: Owner #1 buys bike for $2000 over Msrp (Lets say he buys a RoadKing for $20k). Owner #2 pays 65-75% MSRP. (The same $20k "investment" will go for $12500 - $16000). Owner's 3 - 12 will pay the same $12500 - $16000 no matter how many miles get put on it.
So I guess a used Harley is a pretty good bargain, you won't lose an appreciable sum of money anyway (The same $20k in a mutual fund would be worth alot more come sale time of course!). Unless you wreck it or paint it pink of course!
That being said, once the initial depreciation sets in, the used price is good no matter how many times it gets sold! (This works on import bikes too).
Example: Owner #1 buys bike for $2000 over Msrp (Lets say he buys a RoadKing for $20k). Owner #2 pays 65-75% MSRP. (The same $20k "investment" will go for $12500 - $16000). Owner's 3 - 12 will pay the same $12500 - $16000 no matter how many miles get put on it.
So I guess a used Harley is a pretty good bargain, you won't lose an appreciable sum of money anyway (The same $20k in a mutual fund would be worth alot more come sale time of course!). Unless you wreck it or paint it pink of course!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 25,962
Likes: 9,763
From: Montana & Arkansas
RE: HD VS All
Blue,
You might be able to do pretty well on a used Sporty since there is a fair amount of quick trade-ups to heavier bikes by many who enter the Harley world on Sportys.Actually maybe start shopping before Spring. Sportsters are sweet![quote]ORIGINAL: BlueShift
You might be able to do pretty well on a used Sporty since there is a fair amount of quick trade-ups to heavier bikes by many who enter the Harley world on Sportys.Actually maybe start shopping before Spring. Sportsters are sweet![quote]ORIGINAL: BlueShift
ORIGINAL: Big Sled
If a person finds that small diff. situation, Sure... get a new one... full warranty and perks. But, the used deals are REALLY there... a lot of folks buy a Harley then don't ride or don't ride enough and she goes up for sale. Bottom trolling can produce some sweet deals
No doubt. This spring I will be looking for a slightly used sportster for the wife. I'm counting on the fact that someone bought it last spring, rode it all summer and now wants to move up to something else.
If a person finds that small diff. situation, Sure... get a new one... full warranty and perks. But, the used deals are REALLY there... a lot of folks buy a Harley then don't ride or don't ride enough and she goes up for sale. Bottom trolling can produce some sweet deals
No doubt. This spring I will be looking for a slightly used sportster for the wife. I'm counting on the fact that someone bought it last spring, rode it all summer and now wants to move up to something else.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 112
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RE: HD VS All
I have a couple questions that kind kind of fit in this thread and an opnion or 2. From my observations on eBay and other sites you can get an outstanding deal on used HD's. Not just old high mileage poor shape bikes but 1 or 2 years old with minimal miles. I guess my question is why, why, why, would somebody spend a large amount of cash on a bike, not ride it, and turn around and sell ina year or less? I understand there are some out there with some finiancal issues but that many? Right now the time is ripe to get a used 05/06 with very low miles at a super price. Also, it would be a good time to get a new 06. Local dealers here are giving good discounts on them. They had a SE V-rod marked down from 24 and change to 15+. Also had a05 (brand new)RKC for 15,000. You might not get the color you want but it's a good time to save some $.
Just my thoughts
Just my thoughts
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 25,962
Likes: 9,763
From: Montana & Arkansas
RE: HD VS All
The reasons for good deals on used?:
Some are truly sad with 'must sell' situations.
Here's another... the local dealer hosts the Chamber of Commerce monthly mixer occasionally... tne non-bikers/used to be bikers/and droolers show up and ohmygawd! Next thing you know there's a bunch of new shinies parked in garages of people whomay have cash, don't have time to ride, or ride it and scare the crap out of themselves. Six months to a couple years later it's up for sale by folks who don't watch their nickels as close as you do. Bingo!
Then there's the e-bay phenom... sometimes it's wild the range of prices on line.
Lots of reasons for it....
Some are truly sad with 'must sell' situations.
Here's another... the local dealer hosts the Chamber of Commerce monthly mixer occasionally... tne non-bikers/used to be bikers/and droolers show up and ohmygawd! Next thing you know there's a bunch of new shinies parked in garages of people whomay have cash, don't have time to ride, or ride it and scare the crap out of themselves. Six months to a couple years later it's up for sale by folks who don't watch their nickels as close as you do. Bingo!
Then there's the e-bay phenom... sometimes it's wild the range of prices on line.
Lots of reasons for it....
ORIGINAL: Scottys RoadGilde
I have a couple questions that kind kind of fit in this thread and an opnion or 2. From my observations on eBay and other sites you can get an outstanding deal on used HD's. Not just old high mileage poor shape bikes but 1 or 2 years old with minimal miles. I guess my question is why, why, why, would somebody spend a large amount of cash on a bike, not ride it, and turn around and sell ina year or less? I understand there are some out there with some finiancal issues but that many? Right now the time is ripe to get a used 05/06 with very low miles at a super price. Also, it would be a good time to get a new 06. Local dealers here are giving good discounts on them. They had a SE V-rod marked down from 24 and change to 15+. Also had a05 (brand new)RKC for 15,000. You might not get the color you want but it's a good time to save some $.
Just my thoughts
I have a couple questions that kind kind of fit in this thread and an opnion or 2. From my observations on eBay and other sites you can get an outstanding deal on used HD's. Not just old high mileage poor shape bikes but 1 or 2 years old with minimal miles. I guess my question is why, why, why, would somebody spend a large amount of cash on a bike, not ride it, and turn around and sell ina year or less? I understand there are some out there with some finiancal issues but that many? Right now the time is ripe to get a used 05/06 with very low miles at a super price. Also, it would be a good time to get a new 06. Local dealers here are giving good discounts on them. They had a SE V-rod marked down from 24 and change to 15+. Also had a05 (brand new)RKC for 15,000. You might not get the color you want but it's a good time to save some $.
Just my thoughts
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 1
From: Grand Island , New York
RE: HD VS All
Just by releasing the new 96 and 6 speed , the88's will lost value in the short term . Not something harley does just the customers want the new best product . I was not planning to get a new bike for a few more years but after hearing about the upgrades I jumped on it , see what I mean ? Just look what happened in 2000 when the twin can came out , evolution's value went down because of demand , same thing with the shovelhead to evo . Yes the market is not was it once was , when you had to wait to get a bike , but lets face it they sure do hold better value than any other vehicle I owned. Hell I just sold a 93 fatboy {to pay for the new one } for $12500 , I forgot what I paid new but that was dam close.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 581
Likes: 7
From: Portland, OR
RE: HD VS All
Not going to get into the debate of what dollar value used Harley's have or should have, but I saw this new addition yesterday to a local Portland Oregon dealer who specializes in used Harley bikes. It's a listing for a 2005 FXST for $10,700 with 9400 miles on it. I see that it's stock and a carb model, but considering I bought my FXSTi this last June for $17K, which included all the dealer set up and licensing fees, I about sh*t at the low value he is asking for this bike.
http://www.1hd1harleydavidson.com/mo...harleydavidson
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: York, PA
RE: HD VS All
It's a Harley!!
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: HD VS All
For the past 10-15 years I've been fortunate enough that when I bought a bike or a car I bought new. Then a few years back I finally joined the 21st century and got a computer. This introduced me to ebay. I couldn't believe some of the bargains that I was findin out there in the real world.
When I decided I wanted a rubber mount Sportster I went to ebay instead of the dealer. I found a one year old 1200c with 1300 miles on it and quite a bit of bling-bling. The bike was absolutely (and still is) perfect. The original owner lost appx $3,500.00 selling me the bike. I was so excited/impressed that when I decided to buy a little Miata I went back to ebay and again found a perfect 02 with 14,000 miles on it.
Now I read where someone just bought a new _______ (fill in the space) and I cringe because I can't help but wonder how much he could have saved if he had shopped around. It will be one h@ll of a long time before I buy another new vehicle.
When I decided I wanted a rubber mount Sportster I went to ebay instead of the dealer. I found a one year old 1200c with 1300 miles on it and quite a bit of bling-bling. The bike was absolutely (and still is) perfect. The original owner lost appx $3,500.00 selling me the bike. I was so excited/impressed that when I decided to buy a little Miata I went back to ebay and again found a perfect 02 with 14,000 miles on it.
Now I read where someone just bought a new _______ (fill in the space) and I cringe because I can't help but wonder how much he could have saved if he had shopped around. It will be one h@ll of a long time before I buy another new vehicle.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 1
From:
RE: HD VS All
I asked a dealer why he priced a used, obviously well worn bike at $50 less than a new model. He replied "That $50 is a lot to some people."
As for depreciation, the old biker I met yesterday can explain it to you. He had 105k on his current 750 Shadow and had no problem selling his last Honda 750 with 250k on it. Depreciation doesn't mean a heck of a lot to him. Just climb in the saddle and enjoy the miles!
As for depreciation, the old biker I met yesterday can explain it to you. He had 105k on his current 750 Shadow and had no problem selling his last Honda 750 with 250k on it. Depreciation doesn't mean a heck of a lot to him. Just climb in the saddle and enjoy the miles!