Trike Resales

[Condor]

OK I'm probably gonna get in a lot of trouble with this question, but why are used trike prices so damn high compared to the market value of the bike plus the trike kit?? Here's what I mean. Take a given bike.. Harley, Honda, Yamaha, etc., and shop around for a reasonable average selling price. Then take the cost of the installed conversion kit less 25-30% off since it's used, and add it up. Generally the total is a lot lower than what a seller is asking. Leaving some room to dicker is OK, but some of these prices are ridiculous... Some are even more than what you would pay for a used bike and new conversion. Either that or the owner doesn't want to sell it in the first place??

 

[rhino 2]

OK I'm probably gonna get in a lot of trouble with this question, but why are used trike prices so damn high compared to the market value of the bike plus the trike kit?? Here's what I mean. Take a given bike.. Harley, Honda, Yamaha, etc., and shop around for a reasonable average selling price. Then take the cost of the installed conversion kit less 25-30% off since it's used, and add it up. Generally the total is a lot lower than what a seller is asking. Leaving some room to dicker is OK, but some of these prices are ridiculous... Some are even more than what you would pay for a used bike and new conversion. Either that or the owner doesn't want to sell it in the first place??

There's an old saying.... Raise the flag and see who salute's it...
Or an relatively new one ..... Whats the you don't want to sell it price...

 

[mhgoldwing]

Much of the price difference has to do with options. Many trikes have thousands of dollars in options such as custom saddle($1,200), CB radio ($1,000), running board painted to match the bike ($1,200), passenger armrests, luggage racks, extra lights, etc., etc., etc.

Then there is the geographical difference in pricing that is normal and tied to the cost of living in any given area.

Low mileage, well maintained? Abused and neglected?

A myriad of things make up each trike's price so it's very hard to compare in a general sense. And then some sellers are simply in love with their memories and think someone will pay for them. Not likely.

 

[Condor]

I understand accessories, but a custom saddle and arm rests don't kick the price up thousands over what it should sell for. OK, for Reverse, and extra fuel tank add another couple of grand, but most conversions are done with a low end trike model, not the top of the line. Let's just say the conversion runs around 10 grand. Would you say that 7 grand would be a fair market value used and a few years old?? Low mileage?? Most conversions are done after the bike's 5-6 years old, with reasonable mileage on the odo by a rider that's getting on in years and doesn't want to give up riding yet. After the conversion the miles decrease and after 4-5 years very little mileage is added, and the condition is good because of that. 80% of them are garage queens... I know a lot of trikers will chime in and play 'yes-but' here, but it's just common sense rather than an exception. There's no reason why a 5-6 year old bike with a 2-3 year trike conversion should bring anywhere near what some of these sellers are asking....

 

[tbear]

I understand accessories, but a custom saddle and arm rests don't kick the price up thousands over what it should sell for. OK, for Reverse, and extra fuel tank add another couple of grand, but most conversions are done with a low end trike model, not the top of the line. Let's just say the conversion runs around 10 grand. Would you say that 7 grand would be a fair market value used and a few years old?? Low mileage?? Most conversions are done after the bike's 5-6 years old, with reasonable mileage on the odo by a rider that's getting on in years and doesn't want to give up riding yet. After the conversion the miles decrease and after 4-5 years very little mileage is added, and the condition is good because of that. 80% of them are garage queens... I know a lot of trikers will chime in and play 'yes-but' here, but it's just common sense rather than an exception. There's no reason why a 5-6 year old bike with a 2-3 year trike conversion should bring anywhere near what some of these sellers are asking....

You wanna buy a 5 year old Triglide with all options and Engine, exhaust etc.. upgrades for 28k??:Coffee:

 

[skuuter]

The FOR SALE Ads here at TRIKE TALK generally, I've noticed, tend to be Owners that really don't want to sell, but due to some unforeseen event are having to. This gets reflected into the price many, many times. Then, the flip side is I see lots of really cheap "You Better Grab It Immediately" Ads here also. These tend to not even make a full day of posting. "Most" Folks really wanting to sell Their Trike usually begin to peel the price slightly on a weekly, if not daily basis when They realize there are no "nibbles". If You see a Trike You are interested in, try a PM to the Owner...You may be pleasantly surprised at some point...ThumbUp...Don't expect Really Bargain Basement Prices though...Trikes are expensive...Good Luck.....ThumbUp

 

[hogcowboy]

There's no reason why a 5-6 year old bike with a 2-3 year trike conversion should bring anywhere near what some of these sellers are asking....

And don't most of them just sit there for months too? Most of them I've seen do. Then they ask why it won't sell. Was a thread here earlier this year asking why so many unsold trikes. Price is everything. I let one go last year that was over priced. Damn thing is still there and I won't even bother with an offer. Greed can stick it for all I care.

 

[keepinon]

There are so many things that effect the price of a ride. AND, I will agree with you that many of the trikes I looked at were priced too high.

I was looking for a triked 'Wing a couple of months ago. Seemed most people wanted the KBB used bike price, plus FULL VALUE for the conversion and accessories they added. A four or five year old conversion (of any make) must depreciate some, and most accessories that appealed to the current seller, may not do it for many buyers. Fer instance, Corbin seats. A lot of riders like them... I'd rather sit on a board, so if it has a Corbin seat, that would detract from it's value in my eyes. I'd rather buy a manufacture's original, than one that's all farckeled out. I'd rather do it my way.

Keep looking. One will come available if you're persistent. But, you will probably have to travel to get it. I ended up with an '07 'Wing (P) with the MT Adventure IRS kit. Total miles was only 13200, only 1700 miles on the conversion, with all paperwork to back it up. Got it for $22K. $13,500 KBB retail on the bike, $ 8500 for the conversion (his cost was 13,205). So, I think the deal was pretty good.

 

[3rdwheel]

If you look at the basic conversion kit price for the FLH Hannigan, they are $8,795 before installation costs. But after that the list of conversion options including paint, rake kit (incl. installation cost), floorboards (incl. installation cost), mechanical reverse (incl. installation cost), & extra fuel tank will about double that price.
I do know if I were trying to sell, I'd not get out of it what I put into it. Did I mention I'm NEVER selling?!
When I made this decision last year, I knew it was a trike I'd keep forever, so I did it right the first time. Beyond that, I've changed the front sprocket size and made the 103 engine into a 113.
It's kind of like owning a boat or restoring a classic car, always something else to buy to make it "just right".
It makes a used one look like a great deal, everything else being equal.
I'm happy with the outcome though, it's much more fun than I thought I would be.

 

[mhgoldwing]

I understand accessories, but a custom saddle and arm rests don't kick the price up thousands over what it should sell for. OK, for Reverse, and extra fuel tank add another couple of grand, but most conversions are done with a low end trike model, not the top of the line. Let's just say the conversion runs around 10 grand. Would you say that 7 grand would be a fair market value used and a few years old?? Low mileage?? Most conversions are done after the bike's 5-6 years old, with reasonable mileage on the odo by a rider that's getting on in years and doesn't want to give up riding yet. After the conversion the miles decrease and after 4-5 years very little mileage is added, and the condition is good because of that. 80% of them are garage queens... I know a lot of trikers will chime in and play 'yes-but' here, but it's just common sense rather than an exception. There's no reason why a 5-6 year old bike with a 2-3 year trike conversion should bring anywhere near what some of these sellers are asking....

The bottom line is this: the marketplace sets the price. End of story.

The only factor that enters the equation on pricing for any trike (or anything else for that matter) is what someone is willing to pay for it. Trikes are hot items right now and the used ones even hotter because they can save a buyer several thousands of dollars.

 

[msocko3]

And don't most of them just sit there for months too? Most of them I've seen do. Then they ask why it won't sell. Was a thread here earlier this year asking why so many unsold trikes. Price is everything. I let one go last year that was over priced. Damn thing is still there and I won't even bother with an offer. Greed can stick it for all I care.

If a person is in no hurry to sell, they can generally get close to what they want if the starting price is within reason. My brother is a master at this type of thing, he'll sit on something for years until he gets what he wants. I watched him sit on a used engine out of his dragster, he had over 30k in the engine, was looking to get 25k or more. When the dust settled he got his 25K, he had to wait a little over a year. But then like he said, the engine sitting in the corner wan't eating anything or taking food off his table.

 

[dirtdobber]

If its paid for I will sit on it until I get a good price. I got a brigs 9 hp shredder engine. Paid $400 and want $200 with only 2 hours of use. I get offers like $50 to $100. Its been sitting for a year. Its been serviced for storage. I can wait. Or ill end up using it later.

 

[Big Juice]

As with anything you buy, it's only worth what you are "willing" to pay for it. Everything else doesn't matter.........

 

[Condor]

The bottom line is this: the marketplace sets the price. End of story.

The only factor that enters the equation on pricing for any trike (or anything else for that matter) is what someone is willing to pay for it. Trikes are hot items right now and the used ones even hotter because they can save a buyer several thousands of dollars.

If they were such a hot item they'd be flying off the shelf, but they're not. The trike market is very limited, and special needs is the greatest motivating factor in buying one. Wishful thinking sets the asking price.. Common sense sets the selling.... and that is the end of the story....