Resale Value is Starting to Suck
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 26
Obsolete? Seriously? Maybe not as 'desirable' to some as a new '14, but then no where near the cost either. If the 2010's are obsolete, someone needs to let Harley know so they can discontinue the Parts and Accessories catalog for all the 'obsolete' models and just do a digital download of the 2014 model-year accessories.
Not obsolete in terms of function, but in terms of resale? In the mind of new buyers, Yup. Sadly. I didn't consider my 09 obsolete by a long shot, but try selling it when the Rushmore came out. Not to mention the stock 103s of 12-13.
The 07s did it somewhat, the 09s did it big time, and to an extent, the 2012s did it (103 standard) to the prior years. When the new toys come along, you need to move fast, before word gets out about them.
IMHO, and experience, someone with the financial ability to purchase a 19k 3 year old bike, typically also has the ability to, and will just as soon, spend 25k on a new bike, with all the new stuff. It boils down to a monthly payment for most people, and most in my experience will pop an extra $50-100 per month to have the new toys.
Those who "want to wait a year or two to see how things shake out" when a major upgrade to the bikes comes along (07, 09, 2012, 2014) will pay the price financially in the end, when they do decide to jump, in my experience.
Last edited by flyingace; Jul 8, 2014 at 12:54 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,909
From: Western South Dakota
The 14's are more "Hype" than anything else!
A guy I know has one and has had a new one about every year since 09.
He says that really all they have is a more stable front end than do the previous years.
If you've got monotube's in the front end you've pretty much got it covered.
So, there you have it.
Keep your 2010 and enjoy it!
A guy I know has one and has had a new one about every year since 09.
He says that really all they have is a more stable front end than do the previous years.
If you've got monotube's in the front end you've pretty much got it covered.
So, there you have it.
Keep your 2010 and enjoy it!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 26
The 14's are more "Hype" than anything else!
A guy I know has one and has had a new one about every year since 09.
He says that really all they have is a more stable front end than do the previous years.
If you've got monotube's in the front end you've pretty much got it covered.
So, there you have it.
Keep your 2010 and enjoy it!
A guy I know has one and has had a new one about every year since 09.
He says that really all they have is a more stable front end than do the previous years.
If you've got monotube's in the front end you've pretty much got it covered.
So, there you have it.
Keep your 2010 and enjoy it!
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 521
Likes: 3
From: Virginia
Just venting, wouldn't want any bike but a Harley but.... It used to be Harleys held their value pretty well, even a couple of years ago. Boy this seems to be changing. I've been trying to sell my 2010 Limited for nearly 2 months and have the price lowered clear down to 16,500 and still not getting any calls. This isn't a stock bike either, lots of classy widely appealing expensive add-ons.
Anyone think we're going to pull out of this resale value tailspin anytime soon?
Anyone think we're going to pull out of this resale value tailspin anytime soon?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 92
From: Michigan
The dealers have a flooded market of used bikes. Cant believe the people that just had to have a 14 and took what ever $ for a trade in.
I held on to my 08 instead of taking a 3K loss and it paid off. Got 13K for it and it cost me another 13K to get the 14.
Asking $16,500+ is what a dealer would ask but you will never get that out of it. Your add on's will get you little, best thing you could do is take off all that you can and sell for 1/2 price. That's just the way it is.
Friend of mine just bought a 13 Ultra classic with 5500 miles for what you are asking, just saying.
I held on to my 08 instead of taking a 3K loss and it paid off. Got 13K for it and it cost me another 13K to get the 14.
Asking $16,500+ is what a dealer would ask but you will never get that out of it. Your add on's will get you little, best thing you could do is take off all that you can and sell for 1/2 price. That's just the way it is.
Friend of mine just bought a 13 Ultra classic with 5500 miles for what you are asking, just saying.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 727
Likes: 31
From: Fenton, MO
I just bought a 2010. It had 500 miles on it. Paid 14,500. My suggestion is take your mods off, sell them on this forum or eBay and lower the price on your bike. I'm sure you have been to the stealer and inquired on trade in value. I'll bet it was around 12k. I know that's a joke but it is what it is. You have to be patient because there is a A$$ for every seat.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 39
From: San Diego
It will cost you around $7,000, not including government fees, to upgrade your bike to a 4 year newer bike.
It will come with better lighting, better suspension, better motor, better transmission, a 2 year warranty. It will have zero miles on it, have improved tires, stereo, gps, new fresh paint and chrome. The seat will be brand new, the mufflers not burnt out, the shocks will be fresh.
It is not really that bad of a deal.
Those few years when you could sell a 2 year old Harley for more than you paid for it was an abnormal time as production could not keep up with demand. Now that supply and demand are more in balance the market place is more normalized.
With so many improvements included in the Rushmore package, those bikes are just flat out more valuable.
Forgetting the aftermarket accessories and government fees, just how much did you pay for your bike 4 years ago?
It will come with better lighting, better suspension, better motor, better transmission, a 2 year warranty. It will have zero miles on it, have improved tires, stereo, gps, new fresh paint and chrome. The seat will be brand new, the mufflers not burnt out, the shocks will be fresh.
It is not really that bad of a deal.
Those few years when you could sell a 2 year old Harley for more than you paid for it was an abnormal time as production could not keep up with demand. Now that supply and demand are more in balance the market place is more normalized.
With so many improvements included in the Rushmore package, those bikes are just flat out more valuable.
Forgetting the aftermarket accessories and government fees, just how much did you pay for your bike 4 years ago?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 226
Yep, 14's killed it for the 09-13's , just the way it is. Agree that you can try to sell the bolt on's seperatly and get as much out of it as possible. Best of luck on getting what you want next.
I keep my rides for a long time, so by the time I'm done with it, it will be just another old, high-milage Glide with a lot of wear and tear and not worth much.
I keep my rides for a long time, so by the time I'm done with it, it will be just another old, high-milage Glide with a lot of wear and tear and not worth much.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
Having the same issue with my 2011 Road King Classic with some nice bolt on add on's but mostly stock. Cant give it away. I could probably get more on trade than I can sell it for. The bike has 3k miles on it and have priced it to a few interested Craigslisters for $15k, still no takers. Kinda sucks but I would rather keep it than give it away.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 5
From: Cleveland, OH
Add-ons don't necessarily do anything for the value of the bike depending on what they are. I wouldn't pay for something I'm going to change or take off. Sometimes less is more. In my opinion this is becoming a tough time of year to sell. A lot of folks have already upgraded for the season, or are waiting for the new models. Stick with it, you never know who's looking.