Bike Value
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Goode, Va
Bike Value
I have been thinking about selling my 03 FLHTI with 18,000 miles for a newer Classic or a Ultra Classic. We all spend hundreds of dollars on our bikes to get them the way we want them, and I know most of that cannot be made back on a sale, but what is the best way to get a truly accurate value for my bike. Is KKB accurate? add a few hundred for all the extras I have added, or book pretty much it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 1
From: Frederick, CO
nobody can tell you what your bike is worth but you. the question is do you want to take the time and take most of your chrome do-dads off and try to sell them or would you rather get it all sold at once with the bike?
myself I couldn't sell my bike because of the small fortune I have put into it. but its what i love to do and wont sell it ether.
I find NADA to be closer most of the time though.
myself I couldn't sell my bike because of the small fortune I have put into it. but its what i love to do and wont sell it ether.
I find NADA to be closer most of the time though.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Take all that KBB, Edmunds, NADA crap and throw it out the window! Those things are GUIDES! Merely and simply just a GUIDE for a dealer to use. Thats it! You wanna know what your bikes worth? It's worth what the market value commands in the geographical part of the country you are in. That combined with simply what someone is willing to pay you for it! What would you pay for a fancy little convertible sports car if you lived in Minne-so-cold where its fuggin freezing cold and snows all the time? Prolly not what someone that lived in sunny Florida would pay for it! And If you lived in sunny Florida would you pay top buck for an F-250 4x4? Prolly not!
I worked in the car business for years. Thats how I know this ****. Those stupid guides are worthless. Also remember, people develop emotional attachments to vehicles (especially our HD's), so they always think they are worth more than they really are.
I worked in the car business for years. Thats how I know this ****. Those stupid guides are worthless. Also remember, people develop emotional attachments to vehicles (especially our HD's), so they always think they are worth more than they really are.
Last edited by Harleydaddy; Sep 21, 2012 at 01:02 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 1
From: East Coast
When I traded my last bike, I left the extras on while negotiating and when we were pretty well in agreement I advised the salesman (who had told me they couldn't give me more on trade for the add-ons) that I'd be swapping out the upgrades for stock parts before making the swap for my new ride. Agreed. I presented them with the old bike back to stock except for risers. What I couldn't use on my new ride I sold online and used the money to buy bling for my UC.
If I had sold the bike privately, I would have probably sold it with the add-ons.
If I had sold the bike privately, I would have probably sold it with the add-ons.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
Beauty, and value, is in the eye of the beholder. You see your bike as a meticulously maintained perfect example of a previously owned classic American motorcycle. They see is as a used bike. The guides are just that, guides. Personally I would not buy a bike that someone "went inside the engine". Means to me he probably rode it hard, hot-rodded it and abused it. Location, season, modifications, condition; all factors in value or perceived value.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
I have been thinking about selling my 03 FLHTI with 18,000 miles for a newer Classic or a Ultra Classic. We all spend hundreds of dollars on our bikes to get them the way we want them, and I know most of that cannot be made back on a sale, but what is the best way to get a truly accurate value for my bike. Is KKB accurate? add a few hundred for all the extras I have added, or book pretty much it.
I suggest you go see a couple of dealers and ask them how much they'll give you for it if you buy a bike from them, then add the sales tax to that number and add 30% of the cost of the add-ons you can easily take off and sell direct. This number should be your absolute bottom price if you sell it yourself. I'd shoot for 15% above that number as a starting point but be ready to lower your price cause it's a buyer's market.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,724
From: Western South Dakota
We all spend hundreds of dollars on our bikes to get them the way we want them, and I know most of that cannot be made back on a sale, but what is the best way to get a truly accurate value for my bike. Is KKB accurate? add a few hundred for all the extras I have added, or book pretty much it.
As far as getting a truly accurate value for your bike, I do not believe that there is such method. KBB and the like are just barometers..and depending on how how bad you want or need to sell, this will fluctuate ofcourse,
If you are wanting or needing to sell, then it is usually a good idea to sell it below book.
Your bike is only worth as much as someone will pay for it as has previously been said.
Add ons and the shape of your bike will help sell it, but it is no guarantee of how much you will get for it.
If you are looking to maximize your dollar, then you are better off taking off all of the add ons and selling them, and putting back on the stock items and then selling your bike.
In this market which is a buyers market as there is a glut of bikes for sale, it is hard to privately sell a motorcycle, as you do not have the exposure.
You might ask your local dealer if they do consignments.
Some dealers do and some don't, but I think that you would be better off going this way if you can.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: Arkansas
If I were to buy it, I would use the NADA because this is what banks typically use when financing the bike. I take note of the the high and low retail price and then pick something in the middle. All of the extras mean nothing really in this market now. You will take a loss but as some have already stated...it's in the eye of the person that wants it and how much your willing to take bottom dollar. Also, keep in mind that you can offer financing through HD for potential buyers. I think it's the Sellers Assist program and cost 500 dollars. Makes it alot easier to get your money and for the buyer to get financed. They do have to get approved though.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Goode, Va
Hundreds? ****, I wished.. Try thousands. That is more realistic...
As far as getting a truly accurate value for your bike, I do not believe that there is such method. KBB and the like are just barometers..and depending on how how bad you want or need to sell, this will fluctuate ofcourse,
If you are wanting or needing to sell, then it is usually a good idea to sell it below book.
Your bike is only worth as much as someone will pay for it as has previously been said.
Add ons and the shape of your bike will help sell it, but it is no guarantee of how much you will get for it.
If you are looking to maximize your dollar, then you are better off taking off all of the add ons and selling them, and putting back on the stock items and then selling your bike.
In this market which is a buyers market as there is a glut of bikes for sale, it is hard to privately sell a motorcycle, as you do not have the exposure.
You might ask your local dealer if they do consignments.
Some dealers do and some don't, but I think that you would be better off going this way if you can.
As far as getting a truly accurate value for your bike, I do not believe that there is such method. KBB and the like are just barometers..and depending on how how bad you want or need to sell, this will fluctuate ofcourse,
If you are wanting or needing to sell, then it is usually a good idea to sell it below book.
Your bike is only worth as much as someone will pay for it as has previously been said.
Add ons and the shape of your bike will help sell it, but it is no guarantee of how much you will get for it.
If you are looking to maximize your dollar, then you are better off taking off all of the add ons and selling them, and putting back on the stock items and then selling your bike.
In this market which is a buyers market as there is a glut of bikes for sale, it is hard to privately sell a motorcycle, as you do not have the exposure.
You might ask your local dealer if they do consignments.
Some dealers do and some don't, but I think that you would be better off going this way if you can.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,190
Likes: 5
From: Eastern Washington
Private buyer may use book value. If you trade it in, the dealer will use a whole other book. I cant remember what it is called, but it is basically wholesale values. And no, they wont take into consideration the add ons.