What's you personal experiences regarding one year depreciation numbers on a newly bought Harley?

 

I’ve never flipped a new vehicle, bike or car, after one year. Frankly, his pricing looks a bit low depending on what market you’re in and what time of year you’re selling...but I think everyone knows you’re gonna take it in the shorts on any bike or car after one year.

Something he doesn’t mention is the warranty and the peace of mind you get knowing the vehicle history. Sometimes people that flip every year or two run the **** out of them because they don’t care about longevity. I like knowing that my bike was broken in and serviced properly. But maybe that’s just me...

 

I have found that a new Harley will depreciate pretty much the same as most vehicles for about the first seven to ten years. After that they tend to appreciate.

I bought a new Softail in in 1985 for around $7,500.00. Twenty years later, I got $10,400.00 for it.

 

From say..... 95-2005 those depreciation numbers were not applicable to Harleys.
But in todays real world, yeah. Its just the reality of buying a machine. Too bad so many "sellers" are still in fantasyland.

 

other than essential work/life stuff, i refuse to buy anything new. it's not that i can't, it's just silly unless you are getting it custom made or 100% have to have x color or blah. let some other guy pay all those feel and take the depreciation hit. i'll put that bacon in my portfolio. dif strokes....

 

I just assume every dollar I spend on motorcycles is spent buying fun and relaxation and is never coming back. I buy cheap, old bikes because I can get amazing rides at twenty cents to the dollar compared to buying new, plus I get the satisfaction of knowing that it runs and rides the way it does because I made it that way.

For me, there's no substitute for that kind of satisfaction.

 

Bruce Williams the old radio talk show host, used to say "Never invest in a depreciating asset". I think that's good advice. I buy my cars and trucks new, since I keep them a long time, and they get heavy use. And I get a GM discount. (Thank you BIL).

But I bought my boats used, my Mustang convertible used, and my Harley used. They all had low miles or hours, and were trouble free.

I would buy my next Harley new, but I don't like the current offerings. If I like the bikes available when I retire, I will buy a new one. If I don't I'll look for a low mileage 2013. I think if you ride a lot (15k miles/year), it pays to go new. As long as it isn't a major change like the M8, Then I would wait until the kinks are worked out.

 

I don't care much about depreciation on vehicles and toys but I do care about debt. The real screwing you get is when you take on a lot of debt for that stuff.

 

That was due to inflation not appreciation. That $’7500.00 in 1985 was worth $13,500.00 in 2005. Your bike actually lost $3000.00 in value.

 

I worked my way up to the bike I have now.
Buying used bikes (trying different models out) , paid cash for every one.
Tinker and fix any little issues, saving money as I went.
Next time I spent a little more money.
My last one I bought new, it had the options I wanted.
In the next couple years I will have updated/modified it to the way I want it.
But I plan on keeping her long term.
I hope in 5-7 years to be able to buy a second bike.
It will be a low mile used bike (if I buy one).
Another possible would be a basket case, but only if I stumble on the right bike.
Something to tinker with, build/restoration project.