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My Dad is ready to let his bike go to a new home. He bought it new in 1996 and has done a ton of upgrades. Headers/ pipes, cam, seat, tons of chrome, gauges, etc. $40K total investment. He would do rides each summer, 2000-2010, the past 9 years it has very little use. Annual LOF, stored on a stand, started every month. I believe it has 30K miles. The bike is his baby, stored in a climate controlled shop under cover, and treated with the upmost of care its entire life.
He lives in northern Minnesota and weve been discussing the best way to go about selling it. Im a little worried about his listing on CL and have someone low ball him to the point he gets pissed. Value is what someone is willing to pay so I thought I would start here to ask opinions so I can prep him. A couple of guys Ive asked have said $3-10K. I feel consigning it with a dealer would be best but open to ideas.
Here are a couple of photos, I can provide additional details if needed, please let me know what you feel it is worth.
Value is what someone is willing to pay so I thought I would start here to ask opinions so I can prep him. A couple of guys I’ve asked have said $3-10K. I feel consigning it with a dealer would be best but open to ideas.
Here are a couple of photos, I can provide additional details if needed, please let me know what you feel it is worth.
Look up the values on Kelly Blue Book, and NADA pricing guide...
I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you... but it's isn't going to fetch a lot.
Nice bike, but the value is what it is
the "$40 thousand" he spent.... was just that "spent"....
good luck, and welcome to HDF
edited to add:
re: consigning.... make sure you understand upfront what is involved. At least one consignment shop around here charges for floor space, by the month.... plus any adverts... whether your bike sells or not.. you pay
Trade in, or sell to someone you know is the least painful way.
You'll gat a lot of calls, but a lot of lowballers too.... not to mention, the folks who are "on my way now", and never show up
Last edited by skootchnc; Jan 17, 2020 at 01:55 PM.
Selling it because the time has come. He's in his early 70's and just doesn't feel comfortable riding like he use to. When he bought it he was living on the west coast and had a good crew to do trips with. Once moving back to MN he lost the passion for riding. We did a father/ son 3 day trip a few years ago and that was his last real ride. The plan was for me to get the bike once he was ready to let it go but the reality is I just don't have the space to store it. As much as I would like to keep it I know it would end up being something I regret taking on. Sad to think about it but it is the right call.
To be honest I was shocked a couple years ago when I researched the values, would have thought it would have held its value a little better. In the end it is what it is. Someone is going to end up with a creampuff of a bike.
What he just said, it's going to sell for market value in your area and markets soft right now. With the glut of later models out there going cheap you are probably looking at under $5K. Lowballers going to beat the crap out of you, warn you now
What he just said, it's going to sell for market value in your area and markets soft right now. With the glut of later models out there going cheap you are probably looking at under $5K. Lowballers going to beat the crap out of you, warn you now
Figured that was the case. I live in Seattle so not able to "help" with the sale. Thats why I thought bringing it to a dealer to sell would help ease the process. In the end while he wants to get the most for it he can a painless process would be best. I have experience selling used boats and always do well having a dealer do it, I've found dealers are able to sell used boats for more than I can and thus earn their commission, typically 10-15% depending on the value. Is that the case with used bikes?
My parents are snowbirds and in FL until April. Want to have a plan for selling it by the time he is home. Appreciate everyone's input, thanks again!
If he doesn't need the money, just hang on to it and keep it going now and then. You'll love having it and using it as a 'sunday cruiser' and keeping it forever.
It could always just be for sale under word-of-mouth and you might get lucky and the right guy will find it. Still won't bring big bucks, but you could get peace of mind that it's going to a good home. Guy I bought my bike from was worried about the bike getting trashed (had to sell, health) so I keep in touch with him now and then and share neat pics of trips/upgrades.
That's a great-looking King and shows obvious pride of ownership but prospective buyers don't have the emotional attachment to it that your Dad does. Is it worth more than an "average" Road King of that vintage? Yes, but not much more.
Ultimately it's worth what the market says it's worth, and that number will disappoint your Dad after all the love and money he's poured into it.
I bought my Dads '99 he bought new. We'd seen several sates together and my sentimental value with that bike couldn't stand to see anyone else having it. I had the room and a sympathetic wife. Glad I bought it and kept it in the family. Maybe you can reconsider?
If that's just not in the cards, I'd recommend Facebook Marketplace and all the other free online media sources. There is no fee to advertise and its become the new Craigslist. If that didn't work out I'd really consider ebay. Take plenty of quality pics, write up a detailed history of the bike including maintenance performed. Lots of details. Those 2 things will help bring discerning buyers and more $$. Pics (as many as ebay will let you post plus some) and details.
You can use the word invest if you like, but as a buyer, that word doesn't mean what you think it means. Good luck. Thats a nice looking RK.
He's past the value deal. Are NADA values representative of market value? Even with all the added items or is there no real additional value for those? I'm trying to get some ideas of what the value is so when I talk to a dealer I'm somewhat educated.
Really appreciate everyones kind words and support. Ever since I made that post I've questioned myslef if I'll regret in 10 or 15 years that I don't have it.
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Road King Value?
