SHOCKED

[Steve 0080]

True that....I have 55K on an Ultra and the value is down from approx. $36K...however it will never be worth less that $10 K..that is the value of H.D. Metric bikes... not so much .batman-smiley.

Add ons = 30% of original cost

[F6BPDX]

To me, while I am sure it came as a shock, it doesn't actually sound out of line.

#1 - As you said, upgrades in general are worth nothing, when I traded in my 2012 Suzuki C50 I had added a Batwing Fairing ($600) crash bars ($150) saddle bags ($100) Mustang Seat ($550) crashbar chaps ($125). Dealer didn't give a rip because they are personal preference and who knows if the next guy will be willing to pay ANY extra for them.

#2 - Yes, retail on the bike is $21k, however you can get one BRAND NEW for $17,500 as many on this board have shown (myself sort-of included, since mine was technically a demo with 650 miles on it). So if they are going for $17,500 new, then the Dealer is probably going to put it on the floor for $16 and take the first $15k that walks through the door. A $2k profit on a $13k gamble seems fairly reasonable to me.

#3 - I don't think this is actually indicative of what the resale value hold will be. Goldwings seem to lose a pretty decent chunk right away but then sit at that same value for 5-7 years.

[bobbyf6b]

I stripped as many add ons I could off the SG before the trade. Still have a few left but sold most to friends and on CL. Makes for good spending cash that the better half doesn't know about.

[F6B-RICH]

[QUOTE=bobbyf6b;16140]I stripped as many add ons I could


I did the same on my 2 Harleys & the Spyder. People sucked up the add ons on E-bay and I sold the 3 bikes quick & was very very happy with the $$$$$ I got for the 3 bikes

[robrm250]

What did you realistically expect?

I am with you On that one a new car or new motorcycle has always been the most depreciating asset one could buy,you try to buy them at the end of the year when the rebates are greatest but they are still a bad investment.I know that I will probably take a beating when I sell them from an investment point of view but still cheaper than paying a psychiatrist.

[1951vbs]

I am with you On that one a new car or new motorcycle has always been the most depreciating asset one could buy,you try to buy them at the end of the year when the rebates are greatest but they are still a bad investment.I know that I will probably take a beating when I sell them from an investment point of view but still cheaper than paying a psychiatrist.

Many,many years ago I had a discussion with my Father-in-law regarding the fact that my motorcycle habit cost me quite a bit of money year after year because of depreciation from putting on lots of miles and trading often. He asked if I enjoyed riding and I replied "yes, just about as much as anything I had ever done" to which he replied and put in perspective "I belong to the Country Club and probably spend $6000 a year just to golf. I enjoy it too but at the end of the year you still have something to show for your investment, I don't".

[Gumby]

Add ons frequently detract from the value. They certainly don't add, especially on a trade. And the Harley dealership does not want your bike on their floor.

My Tundra had poor depreciation right away too, because Toyota was discounting new ones big time. In fact, when my lease was up I bought a one year old one at a good discount.

Since the initial dip they've held their value very well. I'm not worried about the F6B.

And I bought one in Feb long before the prices fell.

Still like writing that check better than any other check I write every month.

[unsub]

but losing almost 8000 in a year is crazy.

As we have all come to learn from experience there is usually a big discrepancy between trade in value aka KBB Value and real Market value.

[db24]

But really, there are not many things better than a brand new bike--your first bicycle that was ALL yours; that 125 or 250cc motorcycle that you worked all summer for; the Sportster that didn't have scratches somebody else caused and sounded so cool; other bikes along the way, and now the F6B. Nothing wrong with a used bike or car; but, even at a premium there are few things like a new scoot. An this one is a keeper!

[Phantom]

The other factor that comes into play is that Riding season for most Dealerships is over, taking in additional stock when sales won't pick up until spring will only tie up their money.

Best time to SELL a bike and get top dollar is between Spring and early Summer
Best time to BUY a bike and get the lowest price is November, December and January

Timing is important.