Honda Rebels - is the resale really THAT great?

[Thumper]

I sold a 2006 Rebel a couple months ago . . .

So why did you sell that bike? How long had you had it?

I sold it because 7 months before I bought a Suzuki SV650, and I just wasn't riding it as much as it deserved to be ridden (and now I kind of regret selling, because I could use it right now. The Suzuki goes up for sale this week...)

I'd had it for 2 years. Fun little bike, and the guy who bought it has been riding for at least 30 years. He prefers small bikes to bigger ones, and said he would likely be the last owner that Rebel ever has...

[UTRider]

Way I came up with my price was went to kelly blue book. Found the private party price, then found the "from dealer" price. Found the midpoint.

Where on the KBB website are those values found? All I've ever seen were RETAIL (price you should expect to pay from a dealer) and TRADE-IN (price you should expect to get from a dealer when trading in).

Sorry. went midway between trade in, and dealer.

Trade in should be a lower price than a private party sale.

[NewGuy]

Way I came up with my price was went to kelly blue book. Found the private party price, then found the "from dealer" price. Found the midpoint.

Where on the KBB website are those values found? All I've ever seen were RETAIL (price you should expect to pay from a dealer) and TRADE-IN (price you should expect to get from a dealer when trading in).

Sorry. went midway between trade in, and dealer.

Trade in should be a lower price than a private party sale.

That's exactly what I recommended originally.

[hy_tek]

In each case the sellers had VERY high asking prices, but I usually got them close to a price that was about halfway between Kelly Blue Book Retail and Kelly Blue Book Trade-In values.

Now THAT'S some handy used bike buying advice! Thanks!

Ok just some knowledge I have obtained in my search for a used bike. The accessories only recoup about 40% of their original cost on a used bike according to NADA. Many sellers price the bike thinking they will get back nearly full price for add-ons to no avail. Yes I think some unscrupulous sellers on Ebay for instance try to price gouge for popular models like the 250R and the Rebel. And the biggest thing I have found is every seller thinks their bike no matter what the condition is worth more than book value.

The thing to do is not set your sites on the most popular bike out there if you don't want to pay a premium price as well. As one other person said be patient and a good used bike will come along in time. Right now is the high season wait until the weather turns colder if you want any kind of a good deal.

Just be aware that if you are desperate for a particular bike chances are so are a lot of others. Cycling is more popular than ever before and the entry level bike market prices reflect the demand which is often greater than the supply as with the 250R's. I personally refuse to pay higher than MSRP for any new bike or used bike.