Thinking about trading for a new one
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 3
From: California
Since you have a 1999 Ultra, I'd give the dealer an opportunity to put a number on it IF it is in great condition and has low mileage for the model year. Because of its age and the depreciation, sometimes dealers will pay more than you'd think because it has depreciated so much and they'd like to have a used bike in that price range to resell. On the other hand, if it has a ton of miles on it, they may not want it at all, and that will be reflected in their offer to trade it in. Naturally, you'll probably always get more if you sell it yourself, using something like Craig's List, if you don't mind dealing with all the bike 'sight-unseen' low-ball offers.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 157
Likes: 6
From: Roseville, CA
Your best bet when buying a brand new vehicle is to pin two or three dealers against each other.
Sell your bike yourself though. Once you have that cash in hand, the only way to get the best deal possible is to get a written deal, take it to another dealer, then go back and forth.
It sucks to have to do it, but after about three trips, they get the point and the stop screwing around.
Sell your bike yourself though. Once you have that cash in hand, the only way to get the best deal possible is to get a written deal, take it to another dealer, then go back and forth.
It sucks to have to do it, but after about three trips, they get the point and the stop screwing around.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 157
Likes: 6
From: Roseville, CA
I'm thinking they should give you at least $18,000 trade for your 17 year old dresser. Maybe discount the new RG 25% with $4,000 in free goodies. Heck, maybe they will throw in a free 15 year service agreement if you do it today!
If I were you I wouldn't waste my valuable time! Maybe they will come to you..........
If I were you I wouldn't waste my valuable time! Maybe they will come to you..........
I'd tell you exactly what I think of you but I don't want to get kicked off the site, Jerk
If you don't want to spend the time, you WILL NOT get a good deal.
Never has anyone walked in the door out of the blue and got the best deal possible....
The games must be played. I hate it, but I'm good at it. Be willing to walk out. And walk out... they'll keep sweetening the deal.
But since you're a busy man, go do your thousand things, love your bike, and ride on!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
Been looking at the posts of guys trading for new touring bikes since harley announced the special financing and other incentives. Been thinking about trading my 99 Ultra Classic for a 15 Road Glide. My question is How motivated did you guys find the dealers? Am thinking if they can give me fair value for mine and throw in some upgrades, I might pull the trigger, just don't want to ride there and waste my time with the BS. Got about a thousand things I could be doing instead of playing some game with them.
You should first take a new one for a test ride, your bike will feel like an old WWII tank when you get back on it, then TRY to sell your old bike to see what it is REALLY worth.
These two things will change your thinking.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: New Hampshire
Go to their website and ask for a quote on the bike you are looking at. It will ask if you have a trade in, and ask for some specifics (mileage, year). Put in the notes section email only and that you would like a general range on trade in value and you don't want to waste their time on talking a new bike until you understand what you may be able to get for your current one.
My dealer and I went back and forth by email for a while (wanted to give me $6k for my '06 SG - it had just over 50k miles). Got them to move a bit but told them it wasn't enough. They had me bring it in for an evaluation to see if they would give me more, and they came up enough to make me happy since it was very clean.
Their main sticking point was it had over 52k miles, and they don't keep anything >49k - just send it to a wholesaler for auction. They decided to keep my bike because it was so clean, so I was able to negotiate a better trade in.
That being said, I could have gotten a better price if I had sold it myself - I just didn't want the hassle (I have sold a bike myself before, so know what it takes).
My dealer and I went back and forth by email for a while (wanted to give me $6k for my '06 SG - it had just over 50k miles). Got them to move a bit but told them it wasn't enough. They had me bring it in for an evaluation to see if they would give me more, and they came up enough to make me happy since it was very clean.
Their main sticking point was it had over 52k miles, and they don't keep anything >49k - just send it to a wholesaler for auction. They decided to keep my bike because it was so clean, so I was able to negotiate a better trade in.
That being said, I could have gotten a better price if I had sold it myself - I just didn't want the hassle (I have sold a bike myself before, so know what it takes).
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,446
From: Eastern NE
In your case, definitely list the '99 on CraigsList, local sales boards, eBay (if preferred), Cycle Trader, etc. Of course, ignore the "foreign" sales & "I'll send check for $5K more and keep the change" scam offers. I've had good luck w/local sales and, if bike sells, it's the sign this deal was meant to be. Use the cash as down-payment on the new RG and ride-off into the sunset. Good luck and hope it works out.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
If your bike looks and runs good, sell it yourself. You'll get more and someone will get a good deal on a bike. The dealer doesn't want it. They'll let you know that when they offer you 4K for it.