when to sell based on mileage?
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 52
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From: Dearborn, MI
when to sell based on mileage?
OK, so I have a beautiful '08 RKC that I have spent dozens of hours and lots of $$$ customizing. The way I see it I'll be putting about 7K miles per year on it.
I love the 09 RKC and likely 2010 and beyond as well. I know trading in an 08 for an 09 is not a very bright thing to do, but I have to ask, when is a good time to trade in a bike mileage-wise?
I don't want to get screwed on a trade in and my gut instinct tells me that a newer bike with high mileage is worth less than an older bike with lower mileage.
There has to be a sweet spot.
Thanks all
JT
I love the 09 RKC and likely 2010 and beyond as well. I know trading in an 08 for an 09 is not a very bright thing to do, but I have to ask, when is a good time to trade in a bike mileage-wise?
I don't want to get screwed on a trade in and my gut instinct tells me that a newer bike with high mileage is worth less than an older bike with lower mileage.
There has to be a sweet spot.
Thanks all
JT
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 3
From: Slidell, Louisiana
My sweet spot is azz in the seat, face in the wind, and ride it till the wheels fall off. NEXT. There is no way to predict future market. These bikes are money pits anyway. Once you start customizing you have already lost big time. Why spend an ounce of time worrying about something you cannot control. If you have the money to **** away then trade up every year and enjoy, if not then just enjoy what you have until you do. I love new things and it's hard for me not to get a new truck every 3 yrs but i think i am finally tired of giving my money away so i will keep what i have now until i burn it up. It is very hard to keep up with the Joneses and even harder to convince my wife. Only you know when it's time to trade up. While you are at it, Get a boat to. Now thats a money pit. Ain't life grand.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,314
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You will always take a loss if you trade, especially if you have added lots of bling and other accessories to it because that will very seldom be considered during the trade. Most dealers won't offer you any more than the KBB or NADA trade in value, which is always several thousand below the resale value. I tend to keep my bikes a long time mostly because it takes at least a couple years just to get it where I want it as far as comfort and accessories goes, then ride it for 5-6 years and worry about getting money out of it later. Even then you will always do better selling it yourself rather than trading.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Dearborn, MI
true
Thanks guys.
I do all of the work on my bike myself, and when the time comes and if parts still fit, I plan to remove all my add ons and bring the bike back to stock. eBay has fetched me some pretty good prices. And why give the dealer $9K worth of add ons when the bike is worth little more fully customized than bone stock according to the market?
I agree...trade ins are a joke. With craigslist and eBay, there is little reason to deal with the dealership.
I still would like some insight on mileage though. If not for residuals, at least for maintenance costs.
I do all of the work on my bike myself, and when the time comes and if parts still fit, I plan to remove all my add ons and bring the bike back to stock. eBay has fetched me some pretty good prices. And why give the dealer $9K worth of add ons when the bike is worth little more fully customized than bone stock according to the market?
I agree...trade ins are a joke. With craigslist and eBay, there is little reason to deal with the dealership.
I still would like some insight on mileage though. If not for residuals, at least for maintenance costs.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
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From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
No magic number on miles to sell. It's really a $$ thing. And how much you love your current ride VS how much you want the new ride. It's pretty simple math. Can you afford a new one? How much better is it going to be than current model? Will my wife let me? LOL You know the answer in your heart, now go pull the trigger if it works for you. For me, it doesn't. That's why I keep working on my current ride, updating as I can, and riding the tires of it.... Get your face in the wind and try and forget the economics. They will never work in your favor. Those days are gone. Of course you can always try and sell yours to someone that knows you, know how much extras cost, and how good care you take of it, and capitalize on that route. Then see how much you have to go to new. Your question poses good food for thought for all of us.
i had a call from my HD delaer - I have a white Pearl 2008 i picked up in June 2008. They will sell for 20k - i paid 27 with tax. It only has about 1500 miles. HD dealer says advanntage i have a white Pearl which they dont offer for 2009. Now i kind of thinking for the 09 too due to new frame-tire,etc, i wonder if this is just a pitch from sales to have me flip the bike - the new red look good.. but im set on the white - not many around....will decide by end of sept -- looks like my loss may be 7k range -- is it really worth it ??
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,356
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From: Roswell, NM
Quit worrying about selling it and enjoy riding it. You said you had it just like you wanted it, what's the problem???
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 136
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From: Erie Pa.
sounds like your getting some good advice so i hope your taking good notes
ps- if your rich it doesn't matter---if your broke it matters a lot!!
only you can decide
ps- if your rich it doesn't matter---if your broke it matters a lot!!
only you can decide
Last edited by corona1cal; May 25, 2010 at 06:37 PM.
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Banned Camp
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
I lost some money tradin' a '08 Softail Custom that I bought Aug '07 and rode for a months for my '08 Road King Classic that I picked up in April. When I first heard about the changes they made for the '09 models, my gears started turnin'. Then I thought about how happy I was with the bike I'm on, and how much difference I'd actually be able to tell with the '09 model. I decided the '09s weren't worth the loss in money. I have 9,800 miles on my bike since I bought it in April. I'm not in the least bit worried about what I'll get for the bike later. I'm just ridin' the $#!+ out of it, and enjoyin' every mile. I'll also continue to do things to it to make it my own and make it more comfortable. When I decide I want a different bike, I'll probably just have this one painted (although I really like the Crimson Red Sunglow) and change out some stuff. Then it'll be like a new bike, at least visually. So if I were you, I wouldn't worry about the mileage on your bike. If you like it, ride it. The enjoyment the bike will bring you is worth more than the financial loss a few extra miles cause.
