Need Price Advice
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Stage I
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Need Price Advice
Hello,
I have the opportunity to purchase a '91 Heritage Softail Classic with 15k miles which appears to be in very good shape. The only issue seems to be a little aging on the leather. It was inherited from the owner's brother 10 yrs ago and pretty much sits in a barn covered. They ride it maybe a 100 mi per yr.
They have not given me a price yet and I believe they are waiting for me to give them an offer. I have searched the country over and have found very few this age but the one's I did find range in price. The book value, for what it is worth, is $4700-$6500. I want to be realistic and prepared. Any ideas?
Thanks
I have the opportunity to purchase a '91 Heritage Softail Classic with 15k miles which appears to be in very good shape. The only issue seems to be a little aging on the leather. It was inherited from the owner's brother 10 yrs ago and pretty much sits in a barn covered. They ride it maybe a 100 mi per yr.
They have not given me a price yet and I believe they are waiting for me to give them an offer. I have searched the country over and have found very few this age but the one's I did find range in price. The book value, for what it is worth, is $4700-$6500. I want to be realistic and prepared. Any ideas?
Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,038
Likes: 12,953
From: Texas, USA
Hello,
I have the opportunity to purchase a '91 Heritage Softail Classic with 15k miles which appears to be in very good shape. The only issue seems to be a little aging on the leather. It was inherited from the owner's brother 10 yrs ago and pretty much sits in a barn covered. They ride it maybe a 100 mi per yr.
They have not given me a price yet and I believe they are waiting for me to give them an offer. I have searched the country over and have found very few this age but the one's I did find range in price. The book value, for what it is worth, is $4700-$6500. I want to be realistic and prepared. Any ideas?
Thanks
I have the opportunity to purchase a '91 Heritage Softail Classic with 15k miles which appears to be in very good shape. The only issue seems to be a little aging on the leather. It was inherited from the owner's brother 10 yrs ago and pretty much sits in a barn covered. They ride it maybe a 100 mi per yr.
They have not given me a price yet and I believe they are waiting for me to give them an offer. I have searched the country over and have found very few this age but the one's I did find range in price. The book value, for what it is worth, is $4700-$6500. I want to be realistic and prepared. Any ideas?
Thanks
Making these assumptions:
1. Appearance can be deceiving
2. The tires on the bike haven't been changed in ten years when the bike was put in the barn and covered.
3. The fluids haven't been changed in ten years when the bike was put in the barn and covered.
4. Riding the bike 100 miles per year doesn't keep it in good working order.
5. The $4700-$6500 price range is for a 22 year old motorcycle that has had routine maintenance and kept in good working order.
The bike "appears to be in very good shape" because it has, for all intents and purposes, never been used.
I think dansax offer of $4000 is quite generous.
That's because the seller feels like they have a gold mine on their hands and expects to get $40,000 for it. Reality is; this is a 22 year old motorcycle that likely needs some initial maintenance which isn't free.
I would offer the $4000. If they don't take it then let them make a counter offer. If they never maintained the bike I would walk away if they want more than $4500. If they did maintain the bike then I would walk away if they want more than $6000.
Remember, the seller inherited the bike. They probably never spent a dime on it so anything they make is pure profit! Maybe, just maybe, they simply want to unload the bike. What if they say OK to the $4000???
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
Personally I would steer clear of that bike. There are TONS of bikes out there for sale. Buying a bike off of a person who knows little or nothing about a Harley, who has let it sit covered in a barn for the past 10 years and only putting a 100 miles a year on it is probably the worst place or person to buy a Harley from. I guess if you got it for next to nothing then MAYBE but then I would have to have a large stash of cash I could afford to dump into it when stuff starts going wrong, and trust me, bikes like that can get very expensive in no time flat. Thats my $.02 on the matter,
I don't think $4k is a bad place to start. $4,500 would be ideal and if it's as good as advertised I'd possibly go to $5k (probably doubtful though given used inventory around my area). I'm out after $5k for sure but to each their own. Sage advice from Doc. For starters, at least get under the bike and verify no oil/seal leakage issues (run hand or white rag under crankcase).
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 115
From: Boston, MA
$4000 is a fair price. All the above posts have some validity to them. If they add new rubber and change the fluids in all 3 holes what has that done to add value? If you buy a home with a new roof is that a value add? Houses have roofs. Bikes have roadable rubber and should run.
Change the tires asap for the safety of you and yours.
Change the tires asap for the safety of you and yours.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 3
From: Central Jersey
$4,000 is definitely a fair price, especially if the tires are old. And like it's been posted, you're going to want to do a complete fluids change...primary, tranny, engine.. wouldn't hurt to also change the fork oil, too. it's cheap and easy. If it's been sitting in a bar, who knows what kind of mice have been up in the nooks and cranny's and nibbling on the wires.. so yeah.. $4k is a good price.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 149
From: High in the Colorado Rockies
I would start lower than $4k and be prepared to walk if they don't come down below $4k. If they laugh, good luck trying to find a buyer (sucker) much above $4k. SJ Ron