Softail pre-owned market
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Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
From: Fort Mill, SC
Softail pre-owned market
So, Im looking to move to a bagger but the softail market seems less than soft. Does anyone have any suggestions on selling a softail? I've had mine on CL at a ridiculous low price of $8400 and not a single message.
Im getting closer and closer to converting it to a bagger because of this but hate to sink the $$ into it when I wont get it back... although If I am careful and buy it all used I would probably be ok... and Id still wind up riding a bike I ride "in" instead of "on".
thoughts? Wait for spring perhaps? Seems like lots of softails on the market even if I wait.......... Ebay?
Im getting closer and closer to converting it to a bagger because of this but hate to sink the $$ into it when I wont get it back... although If I am careful and buy it all used I would probably be ok... and Id still wind up riding a bike I ride "in" instead of "on".
thoughts? Wait for spring perhaps? Seems like lots of softails on the market even if I wait.......... Ebay?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
The motorcycle market in general is in the toilet,and is not going to change in the near future. Way more bikes than there are buyers. If you put any money in it, you will not get it back. The good news is, it is the best time I have ever seen to buy a bike...older baggers are dirt cheap...everyone buying them wants a new one...keep yours and be on the look for a nice used one...I have seen nice ones for 4-5k.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Everybody wants to buy low and sell high, just like the stock market.
Used to not loose much on used Harleys, as said above when MoCo started making a lot more bikes back in 05 or so, that flooded the market, good for new sales, bad for used ones.
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Used to not loose much on used Harleys, as said above when MoCo started making a lot more bikes back in 05 or so, that flooded the market, good for new sales, bad for used ones.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 712
Likes: 55
From: Punta Gorda, Florida
I sold my softail on Ebay about a year ago and took a beating but I needed cash to buy my dream house in Florida, too good of a deal on the house to pass up.You could try Ebay with a reserve price attached to it, if it doesn't sell for what you want, just wait till spring and give it another shot. Did you go to a dealer and see what you could get for a trade-in on one of their baggers? I was at a HD dealer yesterday looking for a project bike and the salesman told me they had a fantastic 2013 in sales and they had a lot of used inventory. Good luck.
Last edited by roadkingharry; Jan 27, 2014 at 01:05 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: NC
I had an '05 softie that I really liked. Had it for about 4 years and paid around 7800 for it which was a great deal at the time. I put some money in upgrades - it already had quite a few - and got a ton of enjoyment out of it. I always wanted a street glide and the 2014s pushed me over the edge. I was in too big a hurry to sell, so I tried to trade. I spent over 3 hours one day trying to trade with a local dealer that has a good reputation. They basically insulted me by offering 5800 trade and eventually did me the "huge" favor of going to 5900. They wanted me to put cash with it to get a decent finance rate. I passed. I left there and rode about 40 miles to ***'s in Asheboro NC and he offered me $9000 trade right off the bat for the same bike (except this one had ABS and daymaker installed). He eventually upped the trade offer to $9300 and threw in a few more goodies. It took about 15 minutes to make the deal and I rode it home. Moral: if you find the right dealer you might get a decent trade value for your bike if you want to go that way. I know that trade value and cash value are two different things, but it is one way to at least feel like you are getting something for the bike. If you can swing it, I would agree with those who say keep it and just get another. I wish I could have afforded to keep mine. I miss her.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 127
Likes: 1
From: Texas
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 892
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
I had the same issue with a 2006 Sportster 1200 Custom. Tons of upgrades. Could not even get trade in value on eBay. No hits on classified adds. Finally got a good deal on a trade for a new Deluxe. With the tax savings, I actually got more than I ever could have selling on my own. Sux, but that is the current reality....
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
I'm in the same area as you so I'm thinking market pricing is comparable. I bought my 2007 softail custom almost a year ago from a private owner in Waxhaw for $10.5k (he was asking $13k). The bike only had 2k miles on it. Dealers in the area were selling the same year and model bike that had over 10k miles on them for $13k to $15k.
If you're patient you may be able to get your asking price. Remember, as the weather warms up buyers will begin to get more itchy, not to mention some people will be getting their tax refund check soon. But if you're in a hurry to get that bagger you may have to take a beating on it. The other option is the keep the fatboy and still get the bagger. I know that's not always the best option but it's my favorite one.
Did you see what you would get on a trade in? A friend of mine traded in his 2005 Softail Springer Classic this past summer at HD of Charlotte and they gave him a very good trade in price. More than he would have been able to sell it on CL. He also got a real good deal on his Ultra.
Good Luck!
If you're patient you may be able to get your asking price. Remember, as the weather warms up buyers will begin to get more itchy, not to mention some people will be getting their tax refund check soon. But if you're in a hurry to get that bagger you may have to take a beating on it. The other option is the keep the fatboy and still get the bagger. I know that's not always the best option but it's my favorite one.
Did you see what you would get on a trade in? A friend of mine traded in his 2005 Softail Springer Classic this past summer at HD of Charlotte and they gave him a very good trade in price. More than he would have been able to sell it on CL. He also got a real good deal on his Ultra.
Good Luck!