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Dec 11, 2023 | 12:52 PM

Softail417

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Joined: Dec 2023

Posts: 20

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From: Atlanta

Purchase advice

Guys,
New here....thanks for having me. I'm considering purchasing a 2015 Softail Deluxe from a used bike dealer. 6,500 miles, mint condition. Aftermarket pipes, engine guard, saddle bags. CarFax checked out (2 owners). Valuation guide says average value is $13,750 (with 12,000 miles). With the low miles, pipes, bags, & engine guard, I'm estimating the value to be closer to $15,500. Sales price is $11,970. I saw it in person, it's mint condition. Too good to be true? Anything I should look carefully for?

Thanks in advance for any advice, guys !

Dec 11, 2023 | 01:25 PM

foxtrapper

HDF Community Team

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 6,189

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From: USA

If it thrills you and you are comfortable with the price, it shouldn't matter what other folk think. It'll be your bike, and your the one that needs to be pleased with it.

Dec 11, 2023 | 01:39 PM

hattitude

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 14,142

Likes: 11,210

From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Softail417

IMHO..... It is currently a buyer's market. Prices are dropping. The silly prices people were asking, and some were paying, due to the Covid issues are rapidly returning to normal. Many good bikes are actually selling for below average prices with the interest rates, and other economy issues factored in...

I don't know what value guide you are referring to, but Black Book Powersports says it has a $10,230 average retail value.

JD Power gives it an average retail of $12,955. JD Power is usually only $700-$900 above Black Book Powersports for a given model/year. That leads me to think they don't have enough current price data to adjust their price closer to current values in a dropping market

So depending on it's condition, it's probably a fair price....

In any case, it is up to you to decide how much above average value it would be to you...

Have a knowledgeable Harley person look it over carefully, then decide how much above average you believe the bike is...

Black Book Powersports:
Year: 2015 Make:
Harley-Davidson
Model: FLSTN Softail Deluxe
Model Type: Cruiser
Displacement: 1690
Cylinders: 2
VIN: 1HD1JDV1F
Finance Advance: $9,190
MSRP: $18,099
Avg Retail: $10,230
Auction Wholesale $8,550
Clean Trade: $8,315
Fair Trade: $7,580

JD Power valuation:
Low Retail- $9,845
AverageRetail- $12,955

Good luck with your search.... It can actually be part of the fun..

PS- FWIW.... on used bikes, accessories don't add more than 10% of their retail cost to a bike. Unless they are something you would be wanting to add yourself, I don't consider them as a plus in negotiating price

Last edited by hattitude; Dec 11, 2023 at 01:52 PM.

Dec 12, 2023 | 06:00 AM

Softail417

Thread Starter

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Joined: Dec 2023

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From: Atlanta

Thanks man....very gratified. I used VinHistory.com for the valuation. Apparently not accurate.

Thanks again for taking a minute out to assist !!!

Dec 12, 2023 | 10:46 AM

04FXDI

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2015

Posts: 3,415

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From: USA

Did she hit you when you when walked in? You'll know it when you find the right bike for you. I knew I how I felt.

Dec 12, 2023 | 10:53 AM

touchdown

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 5,468

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From: Lititz Pa

I would never pay the ask price even if its good.

Dec 12, 2023 | 11:03 AM

2500hdon37s

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 3,155

Likes: 1,728

From: Mid-MO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Softail417

Thanks man....very gratified. I used VinHistory.com for the valuation. Apparently not accurate.

Thanks again for taking a minute out to assist !!!

The online "book" value estimators are all over the place for motorcycles IMO. One might say $14k, the next will say $9500 for the exact same bike. Location also has a very large role in bike value.

Personally I think $11.9-12k is a very fair price in any market.

I'm assuming this is the bike you're looking at? 2015 Softail