How does customizing a HD touring bike affect its resale? To my mind, the more personal a bike, the less likely it is that other people will want that bike. So, when I read advertisements saying "over $5000 in add-ons" I tend to think that I would be removing $3000 of them to start, and move on to the next ad. I don't want chrome skulls on my bike. We know how subjective seats are. And lace wheels, while pretty, are not ideal for distance riding. OTOH, I want a Tour Pack on my Road Glide. When I see performance mods, I worry about how hard the bike has been run.

What does experience show? Do cosmetic, accessory and performance upgrades help or hurt resale value?

 

custom anything depends on the right buyer in the right place at the right time. You accessorize a bike for your taste. You do performance mods to suit your ride habits. Having a big bore kit or 103 stroker engine in a touring bike is there for more grunt not neccessarily for racing or hard riding. I've invested over 10k in mine for performance and accessories to get it where I like it. The insurance co. and I have an agreed replacement value on the bike. So I think that determines what the bike is worth.

 

Tastefull cosmetic/practical performance customizing sure does not hurt resale but you will only see a minimal return on the extra investment. Hey when are ya gonna make the switch, I know you're leanin'? A well maintained Harley will retain much better value than a metric, Victory or custom build, that's for sure!

 

It's all about appeal if you bike has tasteful upgrades then the resale will not be hard. All the flames and skulls don't appeal to some and vice versa but plain chrome and not over doing it will appeal to almost everyone.

 

What's wrong with chrome skulls...

 

That is why I keep all the stock parts that come off my bike so that later if I ever do sell my bike I can put all the stock stuff back on. Then I can turn around and sell the mod parts on Ebay if I can not use them. I will get rich off way over priced junk just like every other ebay seller is trying to do. Muhahahahahahahaha

 

I find them tacky and way overdone. Too many people have them.

 

I guess there are two interelated parts to the resale market: Can you sell it at all, and how much will you get?

bountyhunter, I am hoping not to switch, but to add. Not going to happen until 2008 when I renegotiate the mortgage. I have another year in university before I get back into the workforce. In the meantime, I hope that my posts are worthwhile contributions to the forum.

redneck - I'd have a bit of a rough time taking the chrome skulls to church.

 

Hahahahaa

 

Also...(what I think) he's also asking is if I put $5K worth of accessaries in a $20K bike; shoudl I expect to price the bike from 20K rather than $25K. In other words, shoud I expect to eat the accessaries????????