Originally written by claude #3563 on 3/23/2008 6:22 PM
Originally written by gregbenner on 3/21/2008 9:38 PM
I think the worst thing I usually do is to add stuff to the bike. Chrome, seat, saddlebags, lights, Ohlin shocks, etc, depends on the bike. The problen is, it doesnt seem to add anything to resale. the smart thing is perhaps to just leave the bike completely stock (I know I can never do this though).
From my experience adding 'stuff' whether if be chrome doo dads or funtional things does not really inhance the resale dollar of the bike but it may help it to sell. To get th emoney back out of accessories is tough unless they are sold seperately and then they will usually go at a loss anyhow.
I like GMN's outlook. But the thing to ride. If someone comes up and wants to drain his bamnk account on you take it and start the cycle (no pun intended) all over again.
If you want to ad stuff to make it more yours fine. If you want to add stuff to make it worth more at resale time you may be kidding yourself....although it could convince the better half that a certain coveted part is worthwhile when purchasing it.
Some bikes have been known to hold their value very well. Harleys being probably the most prominent. Sadly for many it seems like those who were riding that wave are just about to shore today though compared to a few years ago.
Gues I have drifted off topic here a little. Tough decision as far as bikes or rig sgo if someone is concerned abou ta good investemnt. For those who are willing to get a bike to ride and can focus on the RIDING as their payoff then no problem.
Yep, that's what I was getting at. Focus on the utility of the rig and the pleasure you get from it and that's good enough.
Keep smiling!
Originally written by gnm109 on 3/23/2008 5:56 PM
Without mentioning brands, It's my opinion that some solo motorcycles have a decent resale and can be sold relatively quickly. Sidecars and dedicated rigs, on the other hand, are easy to buy and tough to sell. In order to sell one, you need a motivated buyer, one who actually wants to try such a rig. Those are few and far between. Did you ever notice how many rigs you see on the road? Not too many, at least in my neck of the woods. LEt's face it. love them as we do, they just aren't that popular. Lots of the rigs of all brands on eBay close without either meeting reserve or getting bids. Not all, but a high percentage of them. If one is honest about motorcycles and sidecar rigs, one will not consider them to be an "investment" but rather a pleasurable "expense, somethng that one "wants" as opposed to something that one "needs."To solve the problem, I intend to keep the sidecar rig that I have and let it go at that. It's about all I want or need. If someone jumps all over me sometime and tries to induce me to sell it with a ridiculous offer of too much cash, fine, but I'm not holding my breath. Now, did you all notice that I got through that without mentioning any specific brands? That's because all of them are pretty much the same: Fun and easy to buy and hard to sell. That's my story and I';m stickn' to it!
Very well said. My heirs can figure out how to sell em.
