OK, I probably assume my bike is worth more than the market does but I thought I'd ask the forum members. 2008 Ultra Classic, Dark Blue Pearl, with 52,000 miles. No engine work, bone stock. Does have heated seat (Mean City Cycles) and grips (Harley). Oil and filter with synthetic every 2,500 miles and I have the records from the dealer to prove it. I was offered $7,500 and $9,000 by two different dealers today on a possible trade. The bike is babied and looks fantastic. I see dealers offering to sell at $14,000. I figured they paid maybe $10,000-$12,000 for these bikes. Am I expecting too much or am I getting hosed, at these offers?

 

Hmmm, check Kelly Blue Book for trade in value. Based on MY zip code a 2008 FLHTCU in "good" condition lists at $13,925 as trade in value. You may be higher than average miles for a bike that age, but that $7 to $9 thousand sounds low.

 

I just sold two bikes this summer for what I felt was less than they were really worth. However, worth is what you can really get for something and I got all that I could get for them.

If you feel your bike is worth more than you can get for it, then you should keep it.

It sounds like you have a nice bike, but obviously you want a new bike.
SO, you're gonna have to decide if the newer bike is worth the difference between the amount that you can get for your bike and the cash that you'll have to pony up for it.

It's sort of a "Catch 22".
The older bikes ain't worth much now and the olde they get, the less they're worth.
Buy a new bike for even more money and they'll depreciate even faster than the older ones!

 

My dealer in Southern California offers KBB trade-in value. I suppose they'd offer less for high mileage, and/or damage.

Alan

 

Kelly blue Book says......

2008 Harley-DavidsonFLHTCU Electra Glide Ultra Classic
Mileage / Equipment info Trade-In Value Good Condition
$13,925*

*Price Includes: Stereo w/CD & MP3, CB & Cruise Control
based on zip code 01581

 

what are you trying to purchase and How much are they giving off of MSRP. That difference may make up for the trade in quote

 

Those don't sound unusually low. There is no shortage of them. Your bike is 5 years old, by model year. It has a lot of miles, even if it the mileage is not excessive for its age.

Hurts, yeah. Consider how badly you want or need a new one, and then consider a private sale, too. You can pocket at least some of the profit that the dealer would.

Or, you could give it some detailing, install a swing arm brace, and be done with it, knowing that it isn't costing you an arm and a leg, and that a lot of people think you're smart for riding a paid-off machine.

Remember, too, that dealer prices on used units anticipate that the buyer will offer less and work the deal down. And if he doesn't, so much the better. But if they are advertised at $14K, the dealer will take $12K or less. And he wants to make money, a lot of money.

But if you have to have it, then know that when you have a trade, you need to work the trade-in up, and the purchase price from MSRP down.

Normally, that becomes a sliding scale, with you getting less for the trade as you trim the MSRP. See why it is easier to leave the trade out? Want to get a better price for it from the dealer? Tell him, "O.K. Take the trade out of the deal." Chances are he wants the bike to sell to a customer who he can't get financed on a new bike. Give it a shot and see if he comes up with a better trade offer, and mind that the discount from MSRP, options, or service that were thrown in don't disappear. Buyer beware.

 

Traded my 2008 Ultra Classic for a 2012 Road Glide Ultra this past May. The dealer charged full retail for the 2012' but gave me $14,000 trad. My Ultra was stock with 40,000 miles nod in perfect condition. Your deal seems a little low.
Zapps

 

just traded my 2008 ultra in (candy red/sunglo) with 24k on it. put it back to stock when i traded it except for some chrome accents and iso grips. the dealer gave me 14800 for it. they started at 12500.

 

I never smile. You want a smile, go rent a smile.