I am in the process of selling my 07 FLHTCU. Both of my local dealers offer either consignment or cash value. Well, the consignment avenue was a complete joke! They go by NADA retail value. There is NO accounting for extras, low mileage or extended warranty. I was told they could only sell it for approx. $16,300 because that is all the banks will finance for. After the 15% fee, I'm left with a whopping $13,200...really? The other dealers cash value was about the same. I looked into selling it privately, but was a little affraid of the risks. I look at Cycle Trader and E-Bay, and some desperate sellers are letting them go for as little as NADA trade-in value @ $11k-$12k. Most are priced on average from $16k-$18k. I fully understand that the economy sucks but to see resale values that bad for a $23k motorcycle in 2007. I have approx. $5k in extras, transferrable extended warranty and only 2,600 miles. I am not desperate to part with it, I just want somebody to be enjoying it being I cannot. I am willing to get the dealer safety check and even a CARFAX report for the potential buyer. What creeps me out is the test ride. I understand it is NOT customary, the safety check is the key to avoiding it I guess. Too many horror stories of people just taking off on their bikes. That is exactly what I want to avoid but I am not willing to just give it away at fire sale prices either. BTW, how successful are the sellers on this forum? I am seeking just a bit of wisdom to help me in the process.

 

Added accessories do not add value to the bike. They only make it more attractive over the other bikes for sale. Unless you find that one person who wants all the accessories that you put on. I never buy an extended warranty. You are probably better off canceling it and recouping some of the money. Bottom line, Harley isn't what it use to be. Values dont hold up like they did in the 90's

 

If you don't need to sell it and the prices are down right now you'd be better off waiting until spring or until you don't see the low prices out there. It sounds like you want retail for it so you might hang on to it for while and a dealer won't be an option since they need to make money. Craigslist is free though so why not throw it on there

 

A motorcycle is not an investment and the value drops as you ride off the showroom floor.

extras are a taste thing and it may cost a new owner to get rid of the things the first owner liked ( that mural of the viking fighting the wolf under the full moon and the Indian with a single tear..)

The new frame has buried the older bikes, and now everyone can get a 103.

and a California compliant bike may have power robbing smog gear that the rest of us do not want to deal with

used bikes may be more difficult for a buyer to get financing, or may be at a higher rate than a new bike financed thru H-D



Last year I bought my 09 FLHTC with 5000 miles for 15K cash- that was a deal- just a few hundred dollars above the KBB trade in value ( retail was 19K, owner paid 21.5K new).

Sell it yourself, check the local craigslist and follow similar bikes to see if they sell or if they sit there for months unsold--- you can track a seller lowering his price until it meets what the market wants. ( that's how I bought my last 3 bikes- I just tracked them as the price dropped- in each case saving over 3000 from the original asking price.



The classifieds here are good.
I don't think a carfax means anything as long as the title is A box, complete and in your name

Test ride- ONLY with the full cash value in your hand--- it doesn't matter if they leave their car at your house ( what if it's stolen). Or if they crash it- well they bought it...
I have on a couple of sales offered a 48 hour return for full price subject to a hundred mile limitation and no damage- nobody has ever returned a bike to me.

I never ask for a test ride, until after i have checked compression and gone over the bike with the owner- i look for tool marks, touch ups and ask the owner questions about the performance ( if he says it does burn outs, I pass) and if it has ordinary car oil, low test gas, wires twisted together or a car tire...I'm outta there

So that's the perspective of a buyer.

Good luck with your sale,

Mike





I know it is harsh, but you have to be realistic

 

Most dealers have a program called buyers assist program, they finance it for your buyer, and my dealer does not charge for the service.

Mark

 

I think you have answered your own questions.
The bike is 5 years old.
Old frame
Your bling/accessories don't mean squat
Unfortunately low mileage doesn't mean squat
As a rule of thumb, when a dealer sells a used bike the price goes down about $1200 from new MSRP per year. 5 yr x $1200 =$6000. And yes the dealer still has to have a profit margin on used bikes
How many 07 Ultras are selling on Ebay or CL for over $13500?
If you are trying to move the bike, $13500 is a pretty good price, or you can wait for ........................14 or 14.5

jmho

Bwana

 

You realize that you bike is 5 years old. Just like a car, anything over 5 years loses half its value.

I'm pretty sure you'll find a buyer, since you do live in CA. You need to be realistic on how much you want to sell it for. Don't expect it to sell for 18k. You will be lucky if you sell it for 15k. With the new frame, it brings the price down even further.

If you bike is gawd awful (trinklets, farkles, really retarded cosmetic crap) good luck finding some one. Your better off selling all that aftermarket crap you put on and selling the bike stock. Or whatever you can take off and sell separately.

Just because you spent 5k on aftermarket parts doesn't mean you can add 5k to the price.

If you can bring it back as close to stock as possible, your chances of selling it are better than having it blinged out.

Good luck

 

4 years (almost 5) with 2,600 miles!

 

If you cancel the extended warranty, they will send you a pro rated refund.

 

The good news is you do have something that may be attractive to a person in the market, Your 07 Ultra has 96" with 6 speed. If I were in the market I wouldn't consider anything less.
With the milage on it, it is same as a new bike as far as wear.
Again if I was in the market , extras would make little difference.
I admit some would perk me up more than others but over all not willing to pay retail for 5K worth of extras.
If I was selling I would find the mean average of Nada and KBB , average them together and get a price half way tween trade in and retail. then add about 1500 -2000 to that for extras. Shine it up and take some very good pictures (at least a dozen) Pick the 4 best, one of each side. post on CL and this forum's classifides. Remember everyone wants a deal so serious buyers will usually offer a lower price, so I'd adjust my asking price accordingly.

Last of all as time passes the value decreases. As sombody already said, you can advertise it as financing available, because HD has the seller's assist program.