Got Taken?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 227
Likes: 12
From: North Carolina
Got Taken?
Hi -
I posted earlier this week about my newly acquired '07 Softail Deluxe that I bought from the original owner with only 72 miles on the bike. He had to sell and I wanted to buy. I ran the VIN number by my local dealer and he said that there are two outstanding minor service issues - a batter holder fix and an update to the engine to help control the excess heat. I thanked him and made an appointment for him to make the needed fixes and also to check out the bike and to make some minor adjustments for me so I fit as well as I can.
A guy at the office asked what I paid, and I was hesitant to give the answer, since I didn't see why that was relevant or any of his business. He said that there is a glut of used '07s and hoped "I priced it accordingly". I paid what I thought was fair, which was quite a bit above the dealer trade value, especially since it has 72 miles on it, and HD extended warranty and the full size windshield. I called HD before buying it and they confirmed that the bike has the majority of the warranty in force, and that the warranty is fully transferable to the new owner. My co-worker got me wondering, what is a fair price for a used two tone just about new Deluxe?
Frankly, I don't really care, I'm happy and I got a beautiful bike far cheaper than I could have from the dealer, but I also would like to think that the price I paid was near the market. Fact is, if I overpaid a bunch, then the resale value of HD bikes is a lot lower than I thought.
I posted earlier this week about my newly acquired '07 Softail Deluxe that I bought from the original owner with only 72 miles on the bike. He had to sell and I wanted to buy. I ran the VIN number by my local dealer and he said that there are two outstanding minor service issues - a batter holder fix and an update to the engine to help control the excess heat. I thanked him and made an appointment for him to make the needed fixes and also to check out the bike and to make some minor adjustments for me so I fit as well as I can.
A guy at the office asked what I paid, and I was hesitant to give the answer, since I didn't see why that was relevant or any of his business. He said that there is a glut of used '07s and hoped "I priced it accordingly". I paid what I thought was fair, which was quite a bit above the dealer trade value, especially since it has 72 miles on it, and HD extended warranty and the full size windshield. I called HD before buying it and they confirmed that the bike has the majority of the warranty in force, and that the warranty is fully transferable to the new owner. My co-worker got me wondering, what is a fair price for a used two tone just about new Deluxe?
Frankly, I don't really care, I'm happy and I got a beautiful bike far cheaper than I could have from the dealer, but I also would like to think that the price I paid was near the market. Fact is, if I overpaid a bunch, then the resale value of HD bikes is a lot lower than I thought.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 227
Likes: 12
From: North Carolina
RE: Got Taken?
Grzy -
A good point, and very clearly stated. No it really doesn't matter what I paid. I'm still new to HD and haven't yet realized that HD owners actually enjoy their bikes, ride them and keep them. With the other bikes I've owned I became unhappy very quickly and resale value was important.
I owned a BMW R series bike, nice ride, but no personality at all - sounded like a sewing machine. A Ducati was a nice bike to look at, but the riding position was enough to swear off riding for a week after an hour in the saddle. The Valkyrie was a very smooth bike, again light on personality and very difficult to find a comfortable place for your legs with that very long engine in the way. The Jap sportbikes were fast and light, but every cop in the county was filling his ticket quota with them. The Moto Guzzi came the closest to the HD, but no where near the same experience. Interestingly enough I joined many of these brand's clubs, and found that a very high number of people had their bikes for 2 years or less and were not really happy for them and were looking around for other rides. The funny thing is almost all of those people mentioned HD and then said "Not for me, too expensive, old technology", etc. I admit to not giving HD a good look myself. But now that I have I realize that I've admired and wanted a HD for years, just didn't want to pay the price of admission. If I add up how much money I wasted on lesser bikes, I could have bought any model HD makes and still be far ahead.
Each of these bikes I bought to "keep", but each didn't work out. The best I did reselling any of them was a 30% loss in a year. Most were worse, even the BMW. I fully expect the Deluxe to be with me for life, but in case something changes, and given my history with other brands, I just was curious about used values for bikes.
A good point, and very clearly stated. No it really doesn't matter what I paid. I'm still new to HD and haven't yet realized that HD owners actually enjoy their bikes, ride them and keep them. With the other bikes I've owned I became unhappy very quickly and resale value was important.
I owned a BMW R series bike, nice ride, but no personality at all - sounded like a sewing machine. A Ducati was a nice bike to look at, but the riding position was enough to swear off riding for a week after an hour in the saddle. The Valkyrie was a very smooth bike, again light on personality and very difficult to find a comfortable place for your legs with that very long engine in the way. The Jap sportbikes were fast and light, but every cop in the county was filling his ticket quota with them. The Moto Guzzi came the closest to the HD, but no where near the same experience. Interestingly enough I joined many of these brand's clubs, and found that a very high number of people had their bikes for 2 years or less and were not really happy for them and were looking around for other rides. The funny thing is almost all of those people mentioned HD and then said "Not for me, too expensive, old technology", etc. I admit to not giving HD a good look myself. But now that I have I realize that I've admired and wanted a HD for years, just didn't want to pay the price of admission. If I add up how much money I wasted on lesser bikes, I could have bought any model HD makes and still be far ahead.
Each of these bikes I bought to "keep", but each didn't work out. The best I did reselling any of them was a 30% loss in a year. Most were worse, even the BMW. I fully expect the Deluxe to be with me for life, but in case something changes, and given my history with other brands, I just was curious about used values for bikes.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 952
Likes: 7
From: Waterford, MI.
RE: Got Taken?
In my experience there is ALWAYS a better deal out there if you look hard enough and for that matter, ALWAYS a worse deal out there too. As long as you feel good about your purchase and are happy with the bike don't let anyone else rain on your parade. F*ck 'en forget about it.
Mark
Mark
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 227
Likes: 12
From: North Carolina
RE: Got Taken?
Mark -
My bike is the same color. Where did you get the fender bib? Looks great. Thanks
My bike is the same color. Where did you get the fender bib? Looks great. Thanks
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 92
From:
RE: Got Taken?
That guy at the dealer would always say you paid too much unless you bought it from him. Forget about it.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 952
Likes: 7
From: Waterford, MI.
RE: Got Taken?
ORIGINAL: lencap
Mark -
My bike is the same color. Where did you get the fender bib? Looks great. Thanks
Mark -
My bike is the same color. Where did you get the fender bib? Looks great. Thanks
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2152492/tm.htm
By the way, your blue is much darker than mine. Mine is an '05 only color. Yours is still nice though!
Mark