Agreed. Judging from the full class sessions for the Basic Motorcycle Course I took recently...most weekend slots for around the time I took it were full...I don't think there is a lack of interest. But new riders and younger riders are going for sport bikes or if they want to start on a Harley then a Sportster, like I am. A large used bagger is probably a hard sell regardless. Where as a nice, reasonably priced Honda Rebel 250 gets snapped up rather quickly on CL, based on my personal obsvervation anyway.

 

IMO, put personality aside.....it's a matter of economics. Keep lowering the price until it sells.

 

I'm not sure the used bike market is dead.

This year I've sold two used bikes and bought one. The bikes I sold, sold quickly, but involved pricing from a prospective buyers POV. One had over 60K miles, the other almost 100K. Both had been purchased new and very well maintained. However, they had more miles than the typical buyer would be comfortable with. Both were marketed to, and priced to appeal to a slightly less affluent buyer. Also, both had easily removable add-ons that I didn't think would add to the price and that I removed to sell on ebay. I haven't gotten around to that yet, but I will.

The used bike that I bought was a well accessorized late model with less than 5K miles. I negotiated a price with the dealer just slightly above low retail with no consideration given to the accessories. The negotiation involved no "high-balling", "low-balling" or threats to walk out. In other words, no drama. The dealer made an initial offer and I countered with one $500 less and it was accepted.

I think these three transactions were completed successfully because I tried very hard to put myself in the position of the buyer when I was the seller, and in the position of the seller when I was the buyer. The bike I bought was being sold by a salesman with no emotional attachment to the machine. There was a number he was able to get to, and a number I was willing to pay.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

 

Is it possible you are seeing the impact of Indian to the market place? There does seem to be an overload of used Harleys. Indian giving wholesale trade-ins which lowers the whole market plus Harley lowered the market value when the 15 came out themselves. I wish I was in the market because it is a buyers market for the first time in a long time. Figures I'd be on the wrong side. I see plenty of very good well priced low mileage bikes for sale. Bargains really.

 

That, unfortunately, is the way of the world, especially in vehicles. Way to many new ones available always drives down the price of used. Easy to buy new now days too. Just be glad you didn't buy a metric cruiser: the market is even softer. Another thing is, most guys with a nice HD think it's worth more that it really is worth. It's not the old days when the factory had a waiting list at dealers for new bikes. Older bikes are falling off the end of the spectrum.

Not just bikes; look at cars. Here's an example: I was recently given a car by my brother, a 1995 Mercedes Benz S 420, top of the line body style back in the day, every option, excellent shape, one owner just turned 100,000 miles. It cost about $73, 000 new. It's worth right around 3-4 K now. Things depreciate, no matter how nice they are and what you think of them.

 

I think that your bike is not selling because the audience for what you have is very narrow.

What I mean is a Road King is sought because it is a stripped down bagger, so-to-speak. You have taken that stripped down bagger and made it a full dress (or almost) bagger which is the opposite of what people are usually after when seeking a Road King.

So, is the market dead? Not the Used HD market as a whole but you are in a sub-market of that market.

This is advice, which you did not seek and was not part of your post...Maybe take pics without the add-ons and price it on 2 levels...X with add-ons, Y without.

 

"I put items on my bikes to suit me for how I plan to use it. "

That is part of the issue. Consider at least taking that stuff off and try to sell it. You'll be surprised. The add ons, even HD ones do not add as much value as you would think, especially if it makes the bike look appreciably different than stock.

 

If nothing else, it did cause me to loo at my ad and make adjustments.

 

I agree with you on miles EXCEPT.... most people are focused on miles and the mythology that any HD is going to need a new top end (at least) by 80-100K. That's not true, but that is how most people think. Throw in that there are so many low mileage bikes out there (since there are so many low mileage riders) that it reduces your value, even if it is in top notch shape. Personally, miles don't bother me, but I can do my own work and don't really care that much about miles. I'm an anomaly.

 

To the OP:
You're right the bike market is completely dead. You are doing everything right. Your bike's mileage and accessories are what everyone else would want if they knew better. Your ad's pictures look incredible and the comment about no tire kickers is sure to draw in potential buyers. Your price is right, in fact, underpriced. Your attitude sounds like just the kind of guy I want to buy a bike from. EVERYONE else is wrong. There, do you feel better?