View Poll Results: Buy The 2014 Ultra Limited or keep my 2011 Ultra
Voters: 86. You may not vote on this poll
2014 Dilemma, Upgrade Thoughts
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
I'm in sort of the same boat. I have a 2011 FLHTK and I like a lot of the new changes for 2014, especially the LED lighting and touchscreen. I am also considering the 2014 Limited, but will probably wait until next year to let any bugs in the new systems get figured out before I make a move.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
Since you are soliciting advice, I would say don't do it right away. IMO, it sounds like you are about to make a classic impulse purchase. You have a great bike that is already paid for. Give it a season or two. The new bikes aren't going anywhere. Once the 'newness' of the new features wears off and people have had time to evaluate everything, you may change your mind and decide that you are happy with what you have.
That interest rate is way too high. Deal sounded firm and good till you got to that part. If the dealer can't get you at 6% on a loan, which I still consider very high, I'd walk away. Nice thing is your bike is very nice. And as many have said there will be bugs on the new 2014's. YES it will happen. Why put yourself out at 17% for their mistakes?
GOOD LUCK!
GOOD LUCK!
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
I know your feeling. I purchased a 2013 Ultra Limited which I love. I think the 14's are nice but IMO not nice enough to trade in a great bike that's paid for especially a first year model. Wait a year or two and I bet you might keep what you have. You have a great bike!
James
James
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 923
Likes: 43
From: New Hampshire
Personally, I'd probably go for it in your situation, and if I didn't, I wouldn't plunk that $5k into more goodies, I'd sit on it to get a bigger down payment. More $$ into your bike, unless you are going to keep it longer than a year is just $$ burned, you won't get it back on resale or trade.
If you can get financed, and are SURE the payments aren't an issue, those payments will probably help your credit score too.
If you can get financed, and are SURE the payments aren't an issue, those payments will probably help your credit score too.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
I know its hard not to scratch the itch for the new bike, but if it were me, I would keep the present bike (which is essentially a new one), and make payments on the new bike to my savings account for the next year or two, then you can negotiate an all cash deal on a replacement. Once you've got a paid for bike, it is far easier to buy the next one.
I'm old, so my 2007 Ultra is my last bike. It still is as good as the day I bought it. I be a happy motorcyclist.
I'm old, so my 2007 Ultra is my last bike. It still is as good as the day I bought it. I be a happy motorcyclist.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,294
Likes: 149
From: FL
I'd keep what I got for now and save those tax returns for a few years and pay cash for a new one. No way would I pay all that interest on a loan. I wouldn't trade the 2011 in when I was ready either, I'd sell it.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
I say keep your bike. At a time not to long ago I always wanted the latest and greatest and it always cost me a ton of money with no real return. Your current bike is paid for and will last you many more years and it sounds like you have got it just the way you want it. For Harley Credit to come back with a 17% interest rate with you having that much equity in the deal is just crazy even with your 630 credit score....
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I have been struck with the 2014 bug.
Last Spring I purchased an 2011 Ultra Limited which included 1500.00 of upgrades to it including running boards front and rear, shift levers, highway pegs and a color matched inner dash all for 18000.00 the bike only had 1940 miles on her. I installed Rush slip ons, found a set of used Boom fairing speakers for 90.00 and installed 6 LED light strips and a powered antenna inside of the wing. I spent about 750 on these upgrades so I have a total of 18,700. plus sales tax into the bike. I've put 7300 miles on the bike since Late April here in Michigan.
Recently I've been wanting to make a few more upgrades to her and she is to the point where I will need new tires by spring. I've wanted to install a LED Headlight and spotlights across the front (Harley Price 1350.00) including bullet style turn lamps and the chrome brackets to match the 2014 style. I've also wanted to install a AMP for the stereo and she certainly will need tires very soon.
Now last weekend I see the 2014 Ultra Limited with all of these items that I was going to lay cash out for my 2011 and I got to thinking that if I put that cash towards a downpayment that I could have all of these items on a brand new bike.
So I went to two dealers and they basically were going to SCREW me on my trade (16000) and sell me the 2014 at full retail and I pretty much decided that that was just bad business. I gave it one last try yesterday and the (Flint MI) dealer was actually going to give me 18,000 for my trade thats what I paid for her and I've put 7300 miles on and they were actually coming off of list price a little bit and seemed to really want to work with me.
I had them figure the bike with all the extra options on it that were made to the 2011 with the exception of the color matched dash. But HD now paints those black which actually goes okay with the Whisky/Silver color. The trade difference is now at 13000 including V&H Slip Ons and the 1400.00 worth of options to make it like the 2011.
My 2011 bike is paid off with a free and clear title. I have 5 grand to put down so I would need to finance 8000.00 which at a reasonable interest rate the payment would only be 100.00 per month. I can swing that with ease and would not notice it in my monthly budget. The problem comes when HD came back with a 17% interest rate. Like holy smokes I am not stupid and with the trade I am putting 23000 down on the new 2014. I think that their risk factor here is relatively low.
The dealer says that they might have a credit union that will go 8.00% and that would put my payment at 100.00 I also should be able to pay the 8 grand off in two years by using my tax returns.
So I'm wondering if I should just keep my 2011 and put my cash towards tires and the upgrades or go with this 2014 which has all of the new stuff and has zero miles. Do you think the older style bikes are going to start loosing tons of value due to the big changes with the 2014's out now.
I am a working man just trying to make a good long term decision. I think they are giving me good money on my trade at 18,000 I could sell the bike outright but will I get that amount next spring as I doubt that it would sell right now with the riding season coming to an end by November? I have a 630 credit score because of lack of credit not due to bad credit. I do not have any debt besides my car payment and normal living expenses. I usually only pay cash for all luxuries in life.
What do you think would be the best decision long term? Your constructive thoughts will be appreciated ?
Last Spring I purchased an 2011 Ultra Limited which included 1500.00 of upgrades to it including running boards front and rear, shift levers, highway pegs and a color matched inner dash all for 18000.00 the bike only had 1940 miles on her. I installed Rush slip ons, found a set of used Boom fairing speakers for 90.00 and installed 6 LED light strips and a powered antenna inside of the wing. I spent about 750 on these upgrades so I have a total of 18,700. plus sales tax into the bike. I've put 7300 miles on the bike since Late April here in Michigan.
Recently I've been wanting to make a few more upgrades to her and she is to the point where I will need new tires by spring. I've wanted to install a LED Headlight and spotlights across the front (Harley Price 1350.00) including bullet style turn lamps and the chrome brackets to match the 2014 style. I've also wanted to install a AMP for the stereo and she certainly will need tires very soon.
Now last weekend I see the 2014 Ultra Limited with all of these items that I was going to lay cash out for my 2011 and I got to thinking that if I put that cash towards a downpayment that I could have all of these items on a brand new bike.
So I went to two dealers and they basically were going to SCREW me on my trade (16000) and sell me the 2014 at full retail and I pretty much decided that that was just bad business. I gave it one last try yesterday and the (Flint MI) dealer was actually going to give me 18,000 for my trade thats what I paid for her and I've put 7300 miles on and they were actually coming off of list price a little bit and seemed to really want to work with me.
I had them figure the bike with all the extra options on it that were made to the 2011 with the exception of the color matched dash. But HD now paints those black which actually goes okay with the Whisky/Silver color. The trade difference is now at 13000 including V&H Slip Ons and the 1400.00 worth of options to make it like the 2011.
My 2011 bike is paid off with a free and clear title. I have 5 grand to put down so I would need to finance 8000.00 which at a reasonable interest rate the payment would only be 100.00 per month. I can swing that with ease and would not notice it in my monthly budget. The problem comes when HD came back with a 17% interest rate. Like holy smokes I am not stupid and with the trade I am putting 23000 down on the new 2014. I think that their risk factor here is relatively low.
The dealer says that they might have a credit union that will go 8.00% and that would put my payment at 100.00 I also should be able to pay the 8 grand off in two years by using my tax returns.
So I'm wondering if I should just keep my 2011 and put my cash towards tires and the upgrades or go with this 2014 which has all of the new stuff and has zero miles. Do you think the older style bikes are going to start loosing tons of value due to the big changes with the 2014's out now.
I am a working man just trying to make a good long term decision. I think they are giving me good money on my trade at 18,000 I could sell the bike outright but will I get that amount next spring as I doubt that it would sell right now with the riding season coming to an end by November? I have a 630 credit score because of lack of credit not due to bad credit. I do not have any debt besides my car payment and normal living expenses. I usually only pay cash for all luxuries in life.
What do you think would be the best decision long term? Your constructive thoughts will be appreciated ?
when trading in at a dealership
I just looked at Kelly blue book used my zip code that is what it is worth on trade, if you put 5g more into her this year and it will be a year older in 2015 when you trade it and those 5 g will be gone almost no value in trade in. Don't put 5g in a bike you will sell next year.
The guy that offered u 18 on a bike you paid 18 for 10k miles ago is giving u a great deal as long as he is fair with new bike . in Illinois the sales tax is on the difference in price from your bike to the new one I assume the same when trading in Michigan that is another1500 or 2g depending on tax rate so 18 plus 2 is 20 you cannot sell that bike for 20g
your credit is your credit, nobody screwing you ,shop the deal around with local banks etc you will pay going rate if you like or not its your credit .
Mazz
