Want to sell your used Harley? You better hurry!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 814
From: Nevada
Good point. I'm seeing more and more Dynas with bags and a shield. It's a less expensive option than a bagger, and not everyone wants an +800 pound bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,450
Likes: 6,279
From: pacific northwest
have been on two trips 2000 miles each with the low rider, with bags and windshield and back rest pack about 35lb loaded, wife on back. for a cruiser am very impressed with the handling. would be nice to have more baggage capacity but as you said, some of us do not care for the 800+lb behemoth.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 216
From: Davenport, IA
Stopped by my local HD dealer last night to talk about a new RGU. First words out of his mouth was, "we aren't taking any trades right now". Os, outright purchase only. Then went on to say that the show room floors are so flooded with new '16's that they can't order any more new 17's until they sell a new bike. So sell one, order one. And at least around here, the 17's have slowed to almost a halt. Just not moving. The sales guy said in his 21 years of selling for this dealer, he has never seen anything like it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 233
From:
Yep, same with the dealer by my house. No trades. Harleys sit on CL for months at ridiculously good prices and never sell. My friend buys and sells MC and cars for a living, he has always had a garage full of harleys (low mileage) he said hes never seen anything like it...motorcycles arent selling in general.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
It's normal for the market to fluctuate and Harley and BMW used bike prices have traditionally held higher than average resale prices. It could be this bubble is bursting and prices are just evening out. I don't think the sky is falling though.
There is also the fact up until the last 10 years your basic choices were a sport bike or a cruiser - which meant HD in most cases. The market is getting more competitive with more choices. With adventure bikes hitting the scene and sales of them white hot with mature/older riders. They have a slight competitive advantage over HD style bikes in that they offer the comfort of a big HD touring bike and it's functionality for touring but more sporty performance and the ability to tackle a dirt road. It's a great time to be a buyer though, with $20000+ to spend on a motorcycle there have never been so many great choices.
Whatever the case HD's success in the niche cruiser market is also it's achilles heal. Over the long haul interest in american style (cruiser style - perimeter frame, feet forward, large displacement slow turning VTwin, low, long wheelbase) bikes will wane as the market changes and tastes change. This means they will eventually have to broaden their product lineup and hopefully not come to this realisation too late in the cycle.
There is also the fact up until the last 10 years your basic choices were a sport bike or a cruiser - which meant HD in most cases. The market is getting more competitive with more choices. With adventure bikes hitting the scene and sales of them white hot with mature/older riders. They have a slight competitive advantage over HD style bikes in that they offer the comfort of a big HD touring bike and it's functionality for touring but more sporty performance and the ability to tackle a dirt road. It's a great time to be a buyer though, with $20000+ to spend on a motorcycle there have never been so many great choices.
Whatever the case HD's success in the niche cruiser market is also it's achilles heal. Over the long haul interest in american style (cruiser style - perimeter frame, feet forward, large displacement slow turning VTwin, low, long wheelbase) bikes will wane as the market changes and tastes change. This means they will eventually have to broaden their product lineup and hopefully not come to this realisation too late in the cycle.
Last edited by fat_tony; Oct 12, 2016 at 11:53 AM.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 216
From: Davenport, IA
I still think a lot of it is for those looking for touring bikes, they want that new engine and suspension. So the '16's sit. But there is also the fear of buying a first-year engine that sports so many changes.
My dealer has got a drop-dead gorgeous '16 RGU CVO sitting on the floor and marked down $3500 under MSRP, and they are getting NO interest from buyers. I would love to have that bike, but I want the new model.
If I do buy, it will be later this coming winter. The sales guy said if things don't improve soon, HD will have to start negotiating with buyers for the '17's. Something they were really hoping to avoid, I'm sure.
My dealer has got a drop-dead gorgeous '16 RGU CVO sitting on the floor and marked down $3500 under MSRP, and they are getting NO interest from buyers. I would love to have that bike, but I want the new model.
If I do buy, it will be later this coming winter. The sales guy said if things don't improve soon, HD will have to start negotiating with buyers for the '17's. Something they were really hoping to avoid, I'm sure.