Trade Up for ABS
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
I just bought a 2011 Ultra Classic. Even though there were two bikes sitting in the dealership that were exactly what I wanted...except for ABS...I had them locate one that did have it. I had learned enough about the system to know that it's something that I want on any bike I ride. There is a DVD that comes with the ABS-equipped bike that shows a demonstration of ABS-equipped vs non-ABS-equipped. It's pretty convincing...
I've been riding for 25 years and have only gone down one time. That was 2 years ago. If the bike I was riding at that time had been equipped with ABS brakes, I feel that I would not have gone down.
Is ABS a substitute for riding skills.....absolutely not. However, I think that, in an emergency situation, it might give you the edge of safety that keeps you upright. I always wear a full-face helmet and either leathers or a Joe Rocket mesh jacket. I want every possible thing stacked my way if I'm facing an emergency situation. ABS is just icing on the cake...
I've been riding for 25 years and have only gone down one time. That was 2 years ago. If the bike I was riding at that time had been equipped with ABS brakes, I feel that I would not have gone down.
Is ABS a substitute for riding skills.....absolutely not. However, I think that, in an emergency situation, it might give you the edge of safety that keeps you upright. I always wear a full-face helmet and either leathers or a Joe Rocket mesh jacket. I want every possible thing stacked my way if I'm facing an emergency situation. ABS is just icing on the cake...
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Southeast
Will do. I have Friday off. I have 5 or so dealers within 30 miles. I will probably ride around and see what I will be looking at from a trade standpoint. I have a good idea of what I can get for the bike if I sell it, but will be good to know the trade value.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Thanks.
Dealers are in a different situation than most of us...in that they can sit on a bike for awhile and wait until they sell it for what they want.
For some reason, it's different selling it private party.....see, the dealer can FINANCE a used bike, and it's damn hard to get someone to try and finance a used bike from a permanent party.
So, I took the hit, and live with the justification that it was the cost of letting someone else deal with the headache of trying to sell off a used bike.
Ever seen how many used bikes are on eBay without a single bid? I wanted a new bike NOW...not someday when I sell my bike myself.
When you go to the dealer, have in mind already what you will take for the bike. Know what you are willing to spend in advance. If they meet it, then it's a good deal, and do it.
When I traded in my '05.....I knew what I would accept in trade. They offered a grand less....and told me they "couldn't go under MSRP" so, I figured, ok, I'll get the difference by demanding a grand more on the trade. They bit. I have a bike that is TWICE the bike my '05 was, and am VERY happy.
So, PLEASE, know what your bike is worth and what you are willing to do BEFORE you go to the dealer. If he is SERIOUS, and will meet what you already decided you will accept, then do it. IMHO
Wish you the best on this. Not preachin'....just letting you know what I did, and I can live with it....in fact, I can't wait to go to for another ride on the new scooter!
I'll die happy if I die tomorrow!
~Joe
Dealers are in a different situation than most of us...in that they can sit on a bike for awhile and wait until they sell it for what they want.
For some reason, it's different selling it private party.....see, the dealer can FINANCE a used bike, and it's damn hard to get someone to try and finance a used bike from a permanent party.
So, I took the hit, and live with the justification that it was the cost of letting someone else deal with the headache of trying to sell off a used bike.
Ever seen how many used bikes are on eBay without a single bid? I wanted a new bike NOW...not someday when I sell my bike myself.
When you go to the dealer, have in mind already what you will take for the bike. Know what you are willing to spend in advance. If they meet it, then it's a good deal, and do it.
When I traded in my '05.....I knew what I would accept in trade. They offered a grand less....and told me they "couldn't go under MSRP" so, I figured, ok, I'll get the difference by demanding a grand more on the trade. They bit. I have a bike that is TWICE the bike my '05 was, and am VERY happy.
So, PLEASE, know what your bike is worth and what you are willing to do BEFORE you go to the dealer. If he is SERIOUS, and will meet what you already decided you will accept, then do it. IMHO
Wish you the best on this. Not preachin'....just letting you know what I did, and I can live with it....in fact, I can't wait to go to for another ride on the new scooter!
I'll die happy if I die tomorrow!
~Joe
Last edited by traveler; May 18, 2011 at 11:14 PM.
I bought my current bike because I wanted a RG, and also like the new frame and how it handles. My last bike was an 07, so I already had the new engine and 6 speed. I took a hit, but as (traveler) stated, selling a bike unless you already have a buyer can be a pain. Long story short, I have over 40 years riding, and consider myself an excellent rider, my bike has ABS which was not important to me when I bought it, but now I will never have a bike without it, it has made a believer out of me.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 590
Likes: 3
From: NH
I have been thinking about doing the same thing with my 09 RKC. I am very happy with the bike and it has everything except the ABS and I cannot stop thinking about all the good things I hear about it if you need it. I would do it if I could but I have put too much into mine to justify. Do it if you can. jmo
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
As I think about it....even though I may have lost on my trade in (when you add up receipts)......I really didn't lose at all. I have the bike I REALLY wanted, and got a REALISTIC deal I could live with.
Somebody...will buy my old DYNA and will get a good bike, I have the bike I wanted, and the dealer will make a couple bucks, and I helped keep them inbusiness, which is a good thing.
Win-win to me!
I really have the bike I wanted now.
~Joe
Somebody...will buy my old DYNA and will get a good bike, I have the bike I wanted, and the dealer will make a couple bucks, and I helped keep them inbusiness, which is a good thing.
Win-win to me!
I really have the bike I wanted now.
~Joe
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 7
From: Hoffman Estates, IL
Traded my non-ABS '08 SG last fall for an '11 EGC -- I wanted a pizza box and ABS. Locked up (both front and rear) more times than I can remember -- Deer, idiot drivers, idiot drivers, idiot drivers, deer and the occasional idiot driver. And once or twice, blind stops covered with grease.
GRANTED -- It's quite a testament to the Brembo's that I could lock those things up so many times and somehow keep the thing upright. I can't ignore that. A bit touchy, but otherwise probably the best brakes I've had on a bike to that point.
January (on the ABS'd EGC) I hit a small patch of "black ice" near an intersection. ABS kicked in from barely touching the brakes -- I just held on tight, hit a patch of dry pavement and the bike came to a fairly smooth stop before I even had a chance to put my feet down -- Which I did directly.
I had a lot of "luck" without the ABS. But I really don't think "luck" would've pulled me through that one. I'm a believer and I'm a lot more confident in the bike when I have to latch on the hooks.
Yes, I took a bit of a hit on the trade. But now I've got the second best bike in the world and no regrets about it at all.
GRANTED -- It's quite a testament to the Brembo's that I could lock those things up so many times and somehow keep the thing upright. I can't ignore that. A bit touchy, but otherwise probably the best brakes I've had on a bike to that point.
January (on the ABS'd EGC) I hit a small patch of "black ice" near an intersection. ABS kicked in from barely touching the brakes -- I just held on tight, hit a patch of dry pavement and the bike came to a fairly smooth stop before I even had a chance to put my feet down -- Which I did directly.
I had a lot of "luck" without the ABS. But I really don't think "luck" would've pulled me through that one. I'm a believer and I'm a lot more confident in the bike when I have to latch on the hooks.
Yes, I took a bit of a hit on the trade. But now I've got the second best bike in the world and no regrets about it at all.