Total Motorcycle Community Forums

The prices of all used bikes took a good hit last year.

Do you think that used bike prices have stabilized from last year. Example: if a generic used bike was down in price sold from $10,000 to $7500, is the price on that same bike still $7500? Or has it continued to loose value assuming nothing else has changed.

Is your answer based off you selling bikes for a living or what you see in the paper or something else?

Thanks Dan

There's probably two answers to that, one for dealerships and one for private sales. I was in a local dealership on Saturday, they have some used bikes out on the floor they take in trade. Without being scientific about it, I got the sense there's a certain price floor they will not go below. I guess another way to say, I saw fair deals, but no screaming bargains.

For private sales, my sample is limited to 2004 and up Sportster 883's - I've been watching those because my stepdaughter may eventually buy one. Again, I'm not seeing huge bargains. There seems to be a certain amount people need to get for their bikes, or they just won't sell.

(On the other hand, the dealership had $3,900 off list on a 2008 BKing that apparently no one wants. Incredible deal, but my legs don't fit behind the bulges on that bike. That's new old stock anyway, off-topic to this thread.)

From what I have seen, used bike prices are continuing to fall, even new bike prices are being cut and slashed. I see on the different dealer websites and in their showrooms many left over 2009, 2010 models trying to sell within the new 2011 and 2012 ones.

On the used market I'm seeing prices back to 2005 on 80's bikes again and (not picking on HD) but sportsters going for a lot less than I've ever seen used in Canada. In the USA, H-D's are going for even less, this I imagine is due to the worsening US economy.

Some manufacturers (like Yamaha) have increased their prices on their new bikes, but in this market I'm thinking that really won't net them many sales. You have to roll with the times and right now, a motorcycle is a luxury many are having difficulty justifing. But that's life, ups and downs, be it cars, bikes or real estate.

Mike

Kawasaki has been aggressive at moving their bikes on the sales floor. Pricing, rebates, financing, cash incentives, etc. Used bikes are also pretty darn cheap now. I look through craigslist and find bikes that are in good shape and the asking price is very low from what I would expect at the dealer and the dealer by my place is presenting really nice prices for used.

With gas on the rise again and again, 2 wheels are becoming more of a secondary vehicle for many. Good news for awareness but may not be so good if these people are getting out there without adequate training.

When looking at the prices of used motorcycles, I find it amazing the prices of used bikes are higher than the same NEW bike! I can get a brand new Yamaha FZ6R for 4495, New Honda Interceptor for $5995, Suzuki S40 for $3695 these bikes may be new 09's or 10's, but are still new and come with a new warranty.
Certain models are higher priced cause they are in short supply and high demand such as the Ninja 250, Suzuki DL650-1000, Suzuki Burgman.
HD is in a different world all together, HD Dealers want to sell NEW HD's, they don't want your used HD as a trade in cause the used HD will take away their new sales so they offer an insulting low trade in price, so the customer walks out and sells his HD himself. HD ONLY wants the customer that never owned any bike before to buy a new HD with nothing to trade in.
Its tough selling a bike yourself with the classified adds. been there, done it, you will get 40 phone calls, 10 will say they are interested, 5 will say they want to come and look at it and 1 will show up to look at it, then they don't have the money, then they beat you down on price, then they say they will get the money and be back, but never come back.

Trick I use: When someone calls you about the bike ur selling, ask for their name, then using ur caller ID write down their name and phone number, then when they tell you they want to buy your bike and promice you the world and they never call back and forget about about you, then YOU call them back and ask them if they want it or not!

I had a classified add once where I was giving away a FREE used Warn Winch, it was damaged but it worked and it could be repaired, but I didn't need it cause i got a free winch when I got a new ATV, I was going to throw it away, but just being the nice guy I am, I just wanted to give it away to someone that needed one that didn't have the money. You would;nt believe the hassle and phone calls I got! Everybody thought it was a scam, people were calling me names and they tought there was a catch like if they showed up I would force them to pay for it and other people wanted me to deliver the winch to them, some people offered me money if I would bring the winch to them! After all of that hassle, I CANCELED the classified add and thew the winch in the garbage!

Marvin, I think you have a great topic idea on hand... "Tips and Tricks for selling a used motorcycle" . If you want to start that new thread I'd be happy to post some of my tips in there too. (this will give you credit for the idea too).

About bikes selling used for more than they are worth new. That won't work unless there is a huge demand or shortage for that model. In time, (a few months) supply goes back to normal and prices fall... sadly, those who bought a used bike for more than new lose out.

Mike

You're right, the late summer, early fall is the perfect time to buy a bike, dealers are getting desperate, but you are stuck buying a less popular model nobody wants, thats how I beat down the price of my Tmax, I waited 2 months and got the price $1000 lower.
The trick in buying a new bike is to really make sure thats the bike you really want, make a plan that you want to keep that bike for 10 years, everybody makes the mistake of buying a bike and later finding out they don't like it and want a different model. Thats why I always recommend the 600cc class sport bikes such as the Suzuki SV650S, Yamaha FZ6R, Kawasaki 650 Ninja-Verseys to beginners cause everybody loves these bikes and these bikes do everything well..
Dealers are a hard bunch to understand and its your job as the buyer to convince them you are a serious buyer, Dealers are burnt out cause 99% of the people that walk in just want to hang out and look at bikes cause they have nothing better to do and dealers are burnt out from giving prices and kissing every customers butt all day then they don't buy.
the only time I go to a motorcycle dealer is when I need something, parts, service, or buying a new bike, and the dealers know who I am and they roll out the carpet, when I was buying my Tmax I just walked in and told them I want their best price cause I am going to "shop" it and get prices at other dealers, but all the other dealers wanted the same exact price. waited 2 months and offered one dealer a low price, he refused saying thats lower than his cost, he then told me his cost and wanted $200 above that, I agreed cause I felt he was being totally honest with me and took it home. My dream bike is the Suzuki DL1000 V Strom, I have been dealing on one for 5 years with a goal of no more than $8400 OTD, can't touch one for under $9000, but they are in high demand and in short supply and everybody wants to sell me the DL650 instead. I own Yamaha but my heart is still with Suzuki, but I only own Yamaha cause i get much better prices and deals.