ORIGINAL: AZ Rider

A value of a motorcycle has nothing to do with Kelly or NADA. The value is what someone will pay for it. The market is FLOODED with used and new bikes. It's a trade in. You're going to lose money substantially the first few years. Keep your bike for over five years and it will maintain its value. I hear this all the time about someone who buys a harley and expects to get back $1000 below what they bought it for. The biggest depreciation is the first year.

That's why when you buy a bike, car, whatever be prepared to hold on to it or put some substantial cash down at trade in time.

Another thing, it doesn't matter what you have in accessories, they ain't worth squat when trading in or selling.

People need to be realistic. Why would the dealer give you, say $12,00 for a bike they sell new for $12,500? They have to prepare it for sale, they have advertising, over head, staff, utilities, and every other expense that a business has.

If everyone is offering $9500, then that's what the trade in value is.No matter what those little books say.

Keep it and sell in four years. Otherwise, eat the depreciation and keep the new Heritage for a lot longer than you are keeping the Super Glide.