Does custom paint hurt value?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 10
From: Mass
...in my opinion it's a wash...I wouldn't pay anything extra on a basically stock style bike just because it had a flame job, or whatever...but I wouldn't expect the owner to lower the price because of it either...full-blown customs are a whole different story though...on those type bikes the intricate paint is part of what makes them MORE expensive...
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 2
From: Oregon
This is a question I've thought of myself. Worst case it would be a wash....best case....someone appreciates the unique paint as much as you do. I would never expect to get the full price of the paint job back at sale time though.
I've been checking out a custom painter down the road from me. Very cool stuff!
http://jeillusions.com/gallery/gallery.php
I've been checking out a custom painter down the road from me. Very cool stuff!
http://jeillusions.com/gallery/gallery.php
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX & Santa Fe, NM when I can find the time....
Was talking about this just the other day w/ my salesman when I saw a great looking flame/skull custom paint job roll into service. What I got out of the conversation is that it may not actually hurt the value, but it is more likely to take longer to sell and almost always doesn't add value.
You are limiting the potential buyers to ones who a) want a custom paint job, and b) love that particular "theme". He told me about a bike that had a killer paint job...an ocean theme. The guy spent several thousand on it, but when it came to resale, it added no value and had a more limited market.
If we all wanted to play it safe, we'd buy black bikes and leave them stock. Put my Turqoise/Antique White RKC alongside a Black RKC with same mods, and I'd bet the black would have a much larger pool of buyers.
BUT, like the majority of Harley owners, I chose the Model, the color, the mods, etc. that speak to ME, make ME smile, give ME pride & turn MY head. When I go to sell it, I'm sure all those mods mean so much to the next guy and will not bring anything close to the actual dollars spent. BUT, what I have gotten out of the bike already cannot be measured in dollars. To ME, that's what having a Harley is all about.
You are limiting the potential buyers to ones who a) want a custom paint job, and b) love that particular "theme". He told me about a bike that had a killer paint job...an ocean theme. The guy spent several thousand on it, but when it came to resale, it added no value and had a more limited market.
If we all wanted to play it safe, we'd buy black bikes and leave them stock. Put my Turqoise/Antique White RKC alongside a Black RKC with same mods, and I'd bet the black would have a much larger pool of buyers.
BUT, like the majority of Harley owners, I chose the Model, the color, the mods, etc. that speak to ME, make ME smile, give ME pride & turn MY head. When I go to sell it, I'm sure all those mods mean so much to the next guy and will not bring anything close to the actual dollars spent. BUT, what I have gotten out of the bike already cannot be measured in dollars. To ME, that's what having a Harley is all about.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,984
Likes: 8
I saw it too, it was a nice looking bike. I had a69 orange firebird, right after highschool. orange is a hard color for people. either you love it or hate it. I like yellow too. we have a yellow mustang with black racing strips now. we love the car, but most people do not. I looked at a yellow fatboy when I got mine and just did not care for it. I would say it would not hurt the resale value, but it would be harder to sell. it is worth the same amount because someone who does not love orange will not buy it no matter the price. unless it is cheap enough to have it repainted.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Florida
I saw a Tangelo Pearl (House of Kolor) Street Glide at the motorcycle show in Oklahoma City yesterday and I can't get it off my mind. No other graphics, just that Tangerine Orange color. The owner pointed me to the painter and he told me he could do it for less than $2000 because it was a solid color. I'm looking for an 09 SG and orange is talking to me. Am I hurting myself?
Beary
Beary
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,716
Likes: 13
I saw it too, it was a nice looking bike. I had a69 orange firebird, right after highschool. orange is a hard color for people. either you love it or hate it. I like yellow too. we have a yellow mustang with black racing strips now. we love the car, but most people do not. I looked at a yellow fatboy when I got mine and just did not care for it. I would say it would not hurt the resale value, but it would be harder to sell. it is worth the same amount because someone who does not love orange will not buy it no matter the price. unless it is cheap enough to have it repainted.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
I find that with a daily driver exotic colors can get old. Not to say I don't think you should do it. I had a Olds Cutlass and it was two tone black and silver with racing stripes. It seemed like an awesome idea and everyone that saw it loved it but after driving in it for a few months I was sick of the stripes.
I was in lock with the blue ice black ice FLHX at the dealer but I thought about how I would like that color in a year or two.
I was in lock with the blue ice black ice FLHX at the dealer but I thought about how I would like that color in a year or two.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 13
From: Fredericksburg,VA
The way I see it is I do what I do to my bike to please me. I have had my 2005 RG custom painted and I like it a lot, although I am sure there are those who may not, but then they aren't the ones riding it either. Do what you like and ride it!!!!