Please explain used harley pricing for me
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,893
Likes: 29,868
From: PNW
Yep - the age old adage of buying that 2 year old bike doesn't hold up so well with Harleys. I was in your position 3 years ago. I searched and searched for an 09 Ultra. The going prices were about 17-20k depending on miles, options, and seller optimism. That's about 1-4k less than I could buy a new, similarly equipped bike for. The best deal I found was 1000 miles away from me for $16,500. Bike sounded nice but needed a new back tire. I figured by the time I traveled to get it and paid for a new tire I was easily out $1000. So back to the drawing board. After about a year I shopped the local dealers and saw exactly what you did. And it was very consistent. A one year old bike was $1000 less than new and had 1 year remaining on warranty. A two year old bike was $2000 less and had no warranty. So I ended up wheeling and dealing on a new 2011 in April of 2011. Got it for what they were selling a year old bike for and got the warranty plus some accessories tossed in.
I have since seen some better deals on used Limiteds (for whatever reason). But, I haven't really seen 09 and later Ultra Classics go for any better than what I was seeing back 3 years ago - still around $17k and up.
Good luck on your search.
I have since seen some better deals on used Limiteds (for whatever reason). But, I haven't really seen 09 and later Ultra Classics go for any better than what I was seeing back 3 years ago - still around $17k and up.
Good luck on your search.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 188
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
In 2010 I bought my 08 street glide from a private party with 3700 miles on it. Bone stock from the factory with cruise control, abs, and security system. Paid $14,000. Still have extended warranty through April of 2014. In 3 years of ownership he only had 3700 miles on it and was paying $400 a month. He owed slightly more than I paid but did not want the payment anymore. Keep looking, deals are out there.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 149
From: High in the Colorado Rockies
Go to EBay & Craigslist & Cycle Trader. The dealer's markup is probably 25%+. The time of the year is getting to be the best time to pick up low mileage Harleys at a good deal. If you are patient and diligently look at the sites you can score a great deal! It's still a buyer's market. SJ Ron
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 69
From: Orange County, NY
Patience and persistence will pay off.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
When an owner has made a purely, or mostly emotional, decision when they bought, they can not be bothered by reality when it comes time to sell. They see the bike as an enhancement to their virility, a fulfillment to their lifestyle, a definition of "who they are" (bad boy/girl biker sitting at the dealer on a Saturday morning in the pirate outfit having the free hotdog), etc.
but rarely exposes himself.
Last edited by Expat1; Nov 6, 2012 at 09:47 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 12
From: Chesapeake, VA.
One buys boats and scooters in the fall, sell same in the spring.
I perfer to buy out of the paper as people have to pay for that
post and if the item is too high they do not get any responses.
As I bought a 97 RK for 10K that started out in the paper for $14K
after the scooter went out of the paper. And of course CASH
will move the ball along.
Then the last one I bought off of CL, an 08 RKC that was less
than 2 yrs. old with 2 K miles. and paid 14 K for the classic.
And at the time I was not really looking for another scoot.
I like most have ask how did you derive at THAT price?
And have some tell me "That is what I think it is worth", and
then the old "that what I owe on it". They are out there and
they walk among us and THEY VOTE!.....tenn vol
I perfer to buy out of the paper as people have to pay for that
post and if the item is too high they do not get any responses.
As I bought a 97 RK for 10K that started out in the paper for $14K
after the scooter went out of the paper. And of course CASH
will move the ball along.
Then the last one I bought off of CL, an 08 RKC that was less
than 2 yrs. old with 2 K miles. and paid 14 K for the classic.
And at the time I was not really looking for another scoot.
I like most have ask how did you derive at THAT price?
And have some tell me "That is what I think it is worth", and
then the old "that what I owe on it". They are out there and
they walk among us and THEY VOTE!.....tenn vol
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
In 2010 I bought my 08 street glide from a private party with 3700 miles on it. Bone stock from the factory with cruise control, abs, and security system. Paid $14,000. Still have extended warranty through April of 2014. In 3 years of ownership he only had 3700 miles on it and was paying $400 a month. He owed slightly more than I paid but did not want the payment anymore. Keep looking, deals are out there.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
Interesting, so my 2012 is 2 years old.
The wife won't be happy because she knows I trade every two years.
The wife won't be happy because she knows I trade every two years.