So what's a reasonable price to pay, and how is the "number" arrived at? Bought a used, bone stock '08 FLHTCU in early May after shopping around for about a week. Paid 16K even to a 'distressed' private seller and thought we were getting a pretty good deal. The bike had 5200 miles, came with an HD cover, rider backrest, and damn near mint.

Over the last month as I've shopped for goodies, I've also come upon practically identical bikes for sale on ebay and CycleTrader and am amazed at how much sellers (dealers and private parties) seem to LOVE their bikes! The Buy It Now prices on ebay range from 17.3 to 22.9! And if you look at what some sold for (ebay feedback), you'd think we were out of this recession/depression!

So my question is....how the heck are sellers/buyers determining what's reasonable? Based on my unscientific survey, I should be able to turn my Ultra over now and pocket 2K easy.

 

I can't speak for Ebay or craigslist, but one of the local dealers hear have started making huge cuts in the prices of their used inventory. Almost makes me wish I had waited to buy....

 

In my opinion, some of the "Buy it now" prices are just people who would like to get a new bike "if" they could get "x" dollars for it. Who knows, maybe there's somebody out there who wants a white gold pearl/deep cobalt blue 07 EG uc with Rineharts and low mileage and won't settle for less. If so, maybe he'll pay me $17,500 and I can go get an '09.
Other times, I think times get tough and the 'ole lady says "we need to sell the bike to keep the mini-van." "Yes dear, I'll put it on Craigslist tonight" for $3500 more than anyone would ever pay for it.
I bought a sweet ATV from a guy back in Feb from a guy who was down on his luck. I made him a lowball offer and he begrudgingly took me up on it. I felt bad for the guy, but he wasn't getting any better offers.

Buy the way, nice Electra Glide. And nice neighborhood. You must be rich.

 

Thanks JD Not rich though...no kids at home, good job, great pay, decent investments, RICH girlfriend... Works out pretty damn good IMHO

 

Sounds about right...around here (Raleigh NC ) my 07 FLHTC would fetch about 17,500.

 

You SUCK !

 

but one of the local dealers hear have started making huge cuts in the prices of their used inventory what about new 09 prices on like the Ultra?

 

Woof, not sure what kind of deals on new out there. But I doubt I'll ever buy new now that I've bought 3 used HDs in the last 4 yrs from private sellers. Let someone else pay the tax (7% in GA), doc fees ($300-500), setup fees ($100-250). A $16,000 scoot ends up costing around 17,500 - 18,000. Just use the dealers till the warranty runs out, then turn wrenchs where you can.

And Dave...it's good to be me LOL

 

I think you got a steal of a price. I thought I did well to get an 08 at $18.9K

The dealers around were all asking over $20K for 08's

I needed financing and to trade in my existing bike, so buying from a private party would have been difficult.

 

Dooder,

Man how did you find that bike. I live in Marietta and look at Craigs list 5 or 6 times a day, the AJC and Traderonline on a daily basis looking for a deal like that. Best I could find w/o negotiating was $17k on a 2007 and $19k on a 2008 (that's pretty much what the people owed on the bike). I was hoping to find a 2007 for $15 or a '08 for around the price you paid, so in April I said screw it and bought a 2009 for $21.5 out the door. There are some deals in the Atlanta area though, last month I found a 2006 FXDWG with 187 miles for $11k, made my friend buy that one.