Chrome trim vs Black trim resale value
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 1,803
From: Newnan, GA
This may be the year I upgrade my 2013 ultra to a 2023/25 ultra limited.
So, just courious about the resale used market. Do they sell more touring bikes with black trim vs the chrome?
Is there more black trim buyers vs the chrome when it's resale time?
Is it because HD pushes the black trim? The upgraded paint for the 2025's in the touring bikes you have to select black trim except the mystic.
So, just courious about the resale used market. Do they sell more touring bikes with black trim vs the chrome?
Is there more black trim buyers vs the chrome when it's resale time?
Is it because HD pushes the black trim? The upgraded paint for the 2025's in the touring bikes you have to select black trim except the mystic.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 762
Likes: 460
From: Knob Noster, MO
But but.... You added chrome do dad's to it and that red carries chrome so well
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 189
Likes: 123
From: Ottawa
Seriously....my personal opinion is that a HD's exposed mechanical parts are beautiful so why not show them off. That's just my purely subjective opinion. I feel the same about those muscle cars and show cars who's owners want to "show off the machine". The difference is with cars you need to lift up the hoods to appreciate, but with our motorcycles the beauty is on full display all the time. To me it's like jewelry...bight and brilliant is beautiful.
Some guys want their exposed machinery to resemble shiny earrings. I get that. But I prefer mine to look like it could run over a cow.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,147
From: Las Vegas
If you actually ride, black looks like crap after a while. The powder-coat is soft and rocks/sand/bugs pepper it with little chips/dings. Mine looks great at 20', not so great up close. My 19 SGS is my first and last black trim bike.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,594
Likes: 8,422
From: Inland NW
After I got new fork lowers, replacing my sandblasted ones at 10K, everything still looks pretty good with the 3m on there.
You can still go black, my friend
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,015
Likes: 6,909
From: NC
Every scratch and imperfection is a lighter color than black. The average rider will not maintain those blacked out bikes as meticulously as needed to maintain peak appearance.
30-40 years ago, the folks with blacked out bikes were doing things cheaply rather than replacing the chrome or polishing the metal. Now people pay thousands of dollars to black out their bikes.
Look at how long some of the "customizers" keep their bikes. Also look at the mileage they ride. I know lots of folks who prefer to wrench and talk about their rides than actually riding them.
30-40 years ago, the folks with blacked out bikes were doing things cheaply rather than replacing the chrome or polishing the metal. Now people pay thousands of dollars to black out their bikes.
Look at how long some of the "customizers" keep their bikes. Also look at the mileage they ride. I know lots of folks who prefer to wrench and talk about their rides than actually riding them.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,594
Likes: 8,422
From: Inland NW
The 2 worst looking parts on my bike due to abrasions, scratched, and wear are my FBI bars that I installed, and my 4 point docking inserts.
The bars inadvertently got scuffed while I had them flipped over on a piece of cardboard getting the wires for the grips, etc. fished through, and the straps from my luggage on the backrest rubbed on the docking inserts. Sucks, but chrome would have NEVER scuffed like this.
Conversely, by buddy just sold him '18 CVO RG with 82K on it, and the damn thing looked like new. He is that ****.
All this to say yes, you are correct, chrome is more durable, and requires less protection and attention.