Hey everyone,

First off sorry if this is posted in the wrong place, I didn't see any sales forums minus the marketplace! Anyway, I recently inherited a 2000 heritage softail classic with I'm thinking might be a rebuilt title. The bike has just over 25,000 miles, looks and sounds great and has a few accessories too. I don't have my motorcycle license yet but I know for sure that this is not a bike I can start off with, I'd like to trade it in at a dealership towards something much smaller but what I'm concerned with is what to expect for an offer or whether they'd even talk to me. I've read rebuilt titles usually lower a bikes value by 25% on average. I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience doing anything like this? I'd love to avoid getting taken advantage of at the dealership if possible

 

what's a "rebuild" title?

is that like a "salvage' title ?
or is it something else?

thanks

..L.T.A.

 

As far as I know a rebuilt title is a title issued to a vehicle that was previously totaled/salvaged and was rebuilt and passed a safety inspection

 

Sell it private, not worth squat trade-wise. At least -25% for rebuilt.

Year: 2000
Make: Harley-Davidson
Model: FLSTC Heritage Classic
Model Type: Cruiser
Displacement: 1450
Cylinders: 2
VIN: 1HD1BJY1Y
Finance Advance: $2,565
MSRP: $15,995
Avg Retail: $3,320
Auction Wholesale $2,585
Clean Trade: $2,515
Fair Trade: $2,060

 

Truth is, unless it's in excellent condition... it's not going to be worth much more than trade-in value in a private sale.....

With a rebuilt salvage title, doubt you'll get even $2000 from a private sale....

Here's a thought... if you like the bike, and it runs well, keep it and ride it.....

I disagree that it's too big for a first bike, if you have any motorcycle experience or skills at all.... The Heritage softails have a low center of gravity, are easy to mount and hold up, and you only feel the weight if you tip it over.... as far as the power, just don't open up the throttle...

Remember, a Corvette Z06 will handle very well at 25 mph, you don't have to go 100mph just because you're in a vette... same theory applies here..

When I was a 155lb 18 year old, I went from a 250cc dirt bike to my first Harley.... Harley's are the only bikes I've owned and ridden on the street since....

You can take a course, where they teach you on a small 250cc bike. Many courses will qualify you for a motorcycle endorsement upon graduation.

Then you can ride the Harley... ride slow & easy at first... stay within your abilities and comfort zone.... you'll be safer than most motorcycle riders out there..

 

Wow, $2000 for a Softail TC88 haha!! Here in Europe these are €8,000-10,000 at least! I got my 2002 Fatboy in the Netherlands for just below €8,000 "off season" with 19,500 miles on it, and that was the best price I've seen so far. Saw a 2003 Dyna with really oxidized finish in Cyprus last summer in a shop, guy wanted €13,000 for it, I did not know what to say hehe!

 

Also, I think you should keep the bike if your economy allows and get a second smaller bike to learn some skills on, but not too small or it's almost a waste. When I got my licence we used 650-750cc bikes exclusively to train with. When I got the licence I bought a 885cc Triumph, 2.5 years later I added the fatboy and have had no problem handling any of the bikes. A early TC88 softail (2000-2002) is great btw, just replace cam chain tensioners with better aftermarket ones (or hydralic or gear driven) and the inner cam bearings to the Torrington (or whatever they are called) and you are ready to go!

 

You state:
"I recently inherited a 2000 heritage softail classic with I'm thinking might be a rebuilt title. "
Why are you thinking that it has a branded title?
A rebuilt title should have a stamp on it that declares "rebuilt" or some other designation.
The frame might also have a sticker.
A rebuilt title makes selling much more difficult.
It would seem like time would be better spent looking for title or researching VIN with license plate jurisdiction.

 

That's what I'm starting to lean more toward as well, I'm thinking I'll start on a much lighter bike and spend a few years with that and after I build up some experience and get comfortable with the fundamentals I'll try my hand at navigating this bike. My primary problem with this bike is the weight, I only weigh 115 pounds...Lucky for me I do know that I can pick the bike up in the event of a tip over because I've already had to do it twice I just don't want to try learning on the Heritage just to spend every single ride in a panic worrying about whether or not I'll drop it, ya know?

Well here's the thing, I have the title for the bike (New Hampshire Title) and while there's no stamp or seal saying "Rebuilt" but there is a "Legends" section on the title that reads "Rebuilt Vehicle". I did a lot of googling and from what I've found that designation/branding means the vehicle was at some point totaled by insurance and then rebuilt and put through a safety inspection to declare it roadworthy again. The confusing part is that the bike looks like it's in excellent condition, minus some dust from sitting the engine looks and sounds great, the engine itself is very clean, no rust anywhere on the bike, no scratches or dents (Except on the exhaust from it being leaned too far over). I'm not sure the degree of repair needed for a totaled vehicle, but this particular bike makes it hard to believe it's anything but clean. That's why I needed the clarification

 

Be careful. Some Ins co's won't cover a salvaged title