I have had hundreds of used/preowned/second-hand vehicles but finally retirement and vanity took over.

 

For a private sale the issue for many comes down to financing. A dealer makes it very easy where a local Bank wants a good down payment to finance used.

 

Of the 7 bikes I've owned, the only new bike is my current 2018.

 

Do whatever you feel comfortable doing. Different reason for everyone!

 

I've purchased only 2 used bikes in my life, out of about 20 motorcycles.

I like purchasing new as I know what I'm getting for the most part.
Used is a crap shoot......Seen a lot of disasters with accessory installs, wiring and lack of maintenance......not to mention hidden underlying issues

JMHO...

 

I have no issue with buying used, if the condition is good and the savings are significant. I purchased a current model year dealer program car one time with less than 3,000 miles on it. It came with a full warranty and was more than a 1/3 off retail. Kept it seven years without a single issue.

 

I have bought and sold several bikes over the last couple years. While mostly adventure and off road bikes, I bought a VTX, a Voyager and an 05 GW, Fixed them up a bit and moved them along. I did keep the 05 Wing for a while, but someone needed it worse than me, I guess. and now that I have retired I wanted another GW and found an 02 with a bunch of miles on it.

So, having recently purchased a used Goldwing, here are a few generic observations after slogging through the CL, Ebay and FB marketplace quagmire ...

A seller can ask for full KBB dealer retail for the bike. But don't expect a buyer to pay .dealer retail There are certain obligations a dealer has to ensure buyer satisfaction and a buyer has recourse if the bike is a lemon. Buying from an individual comes with no recourse except through the court systems. Folks just don't get it. KBB is a great resource for dealers and individuals to benchmark value.

An offer is NOT an insult ... just an offer. When you post something for sale in a public environment, you should expect lots of questions and requests. It comes with the territory. So a "don't waste my time" request turns away potential buyers and creates time wasting click bait for trolls. Just saying ...

Farkles are a very personal enhancement. It might be an incentive to help sell or market the bike, but there should be no expectation to get completely reimbursed for bling YOU liked.

When you market the bike, realize you might have a potential buyer that lives hundreds of miles away. The days of walking up and tire kicking are long gone. No one will drive hours to find a bike that just isn't quite what was advertised or worse yet, sold. Take the time to build a strong ad, describe the condition and history, take lots of photos and be prepared to spend time due to the long distances.

Finally, I've learned over time, that a seller who spends the effort to properly market and chat with a buyer, tells me that the bike has been well maintained. It's an interesting connection.

YVMV

 

I have bought and sold several bikes over the last couple years. While mostly adventure and off road bikes, I bought a VTX, a Voyager and an 05 GW, Fixed them up a bit and moved them along. I did keep the 05 Wing for a while, but someone needed it worse than me, I guess. and now that I have retired I wanted another GW and found an 02 with a bunch of miles on it.

So, having recently purchased a used Goldwing, here are a few generic observations after slogging through the CL, Ebay and FB marketplace quagmire ...

A seller can ask for full KBB dealer retail for the bike. But don't expect a buyer to pay .dealer retail There are certain obligations a dealer has to ensure buyer satisfaction and a buyer has recourse if the bike is a lemon. Buying from an individual comes with no recourse except through the court systems. Folks just don't get it. KBB is a great resource for dealers and individuals to benchmark value.

An offer is NOT an insult ... just an offer. When you post something for sale in a public environment, you should expect lots of questions and requests. It comes with the territory. So a "don't waste my time" request turns away potential buyers and creates time wasting click bait for trolls. Just saying ...

Farkles are a very personal enhancement. It might be an incentive to help sell or market the bike, but there should be no expectation to get completely reimbursed for bling YOU liked.

When you market the bike, realize you might have a potential buyer that lives hundreds of miles away. The days of walking up and tire kicking are long gone. No one will drive hours to find a bike that just isn't quite what was advertised or worse yet, sold. Take the time to build a strong ad, describe the condition and history, take lots of photos and be prepared to spend time due to the long distances.

Finally, I've learned over time, that a seller who spends the effort to properly market and chat with a buyer, tells me that the bike has been well maintained. It's an interesting connection.

YVMV

Definitely a great and well thought out strategy. I don't mind buying used especially if I get it for what I'm willing to pay. I always factor in one major repair as well as a complete maintenance in my offer. I put the offer on the table and generally get turned down, but that's fine as I look at it as they are doing me a favor and saving me misery. It's truly hard to find a seller willing to take the cash, but I do get lucky. On the same hand I do sell with a great price.

 

I'm a huge believer in buying new holdovers in motorcycles .. you save thousands. In 2019 and 2020, you could buy a new manual base 2018 Goldwing for as low as $17,500 (original sticker was $22,500 or $22,900 I think). And in 2010, I purchased a new 2007 Honda ST13000 for a roughly $2,000 less than the original sticker. Of course, with Honda motorcycles, not much changes from year-to-year, so you're not losing out on features like with car buys.

 

Totally agree. I got my 2015 F6B new in 2017 for 15 grand. My son and daughter both did the same, buying 1 or 2 year leftovers new.

 

I'm afraid to buy USED, (meaning NoOne, sells a bike without a hidden problem(s)....Yes I know that I take a big hit, when it comes time to trade it in, BUT I baby my vehicles, and keep every vehicle a very long time.. From that very first oil change, on, I keep all 100% records of everything that I did to my bikes.... from every oil change, to every wax job, it's written down.....and documented....If I just tighten down a screw, it's written in.....even wash jobs, I can tell you how many times a season that I wash it, wax it, add air to tires, etc.etc.....

Life is Good!

Ronnie

 

I dont believe that is necessarily true, people trade and sell for a variety of reasons. Some simple as just wanting something different. I've seen people take meticulous care of their vehicles, and just trade them for a new model every few years. I've also saw people bite off more than they can chew and have to get rid of them due to a change in thier financial situation. Job loss, health, deployment, etc. Their loss can be someone else's gain. It doesn't always mean there's something wrong with it.

 

I bought 2 new bikes. 1982 Honda CB750 Nighthawk, watched it get uncrated at dealership.

A 2010 VTX1300R, bought new off showroom floor with 1.1 miles.

Numerous other bikes, less than handfuls were bought from private sellers and current one from a dealer in Chicago...used/"pre-owned".

Thrill of brand new get offset by initial required service for warranty work.

Whereas used bikes are get up and go, service yourself as it needs.

Honda had been reliable to me, IF I want another, it'll be another Honda, most likely another newer Goldwing.

 

Business owners can depreciate and write off expenses on used equipment much faster than on new. I know buisness owners that say their accountants tell them they can buy anything they want as long as it’s used. This is why the used heavy equipment and machinery buisness is so strong.

This is why used utility vehicles that can be used on farms, ranches and construction companies are easy to sell for top dollar used.

Living in southern Az the same is true with Mexico… Mexicans have to pay 100% duty on stuff and nothing on used.

Price has nothing to do with buying used for many. Other reasons exist.

 

If you don’t have disposable cash, used is best. Most very wealthy don’t play with bikes, they have expensive cars. Those cost waaaaay more $. A few grand a year in depreciation isn’t much for a hobby.

 

When it comes to vehicles, trucks or bikes, I all ways buy new. My father always taught me when you buy used, you are buying other peoples problems. Now I know with the technology of today, trucks and bikes can last a lot longer than of old, but I still hear my father telling me to go new every time i am in the market though.
I usually only trade in a vehicle when the deal is in my favor. Example:
I had a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. I was bored one day and the Chevy dealer down the road was having a big sale. Long story short, I bought the Toyota for 36000. They gave me 32000 as a trade. I drove that truck for 4 years for $4000 and a set of tires. It was truck days at Chevy and they were knocking off a huge amount to start with because they needed to move the trucks off the lot. Just the complete opposite today.

 

I have purchase 3 used bikes and 5 new. The biggest reason for me to slightly favor used, is that
A. I don’t pay all the crazy dealer markups over and above the MSRP and
2. I don’t pay all the crazy dealer markups over and above the MSRP.

I am just sick of the dealer fees. My local Honda dealer charges $750 for “Setup” and then another $249 for “Service Fee. That’s just crazy money. Buying used, gives me a lot of leverage that I just cant get on a new bike. Plus if you are bringing a good credit score to the table and at least 40-50% down, your local credit union is great way to finance a used bike.

 

I hate those fees too....they are out of control here in AZ, but the car dealer lobby has got more clout than the consumer, so the legislature won't limit them. Having said that, I walked out on a car deal recently because they wanted to charge me $229 for VIN etching......something I can get for free at almost any police precinct. The salesman said "you'd walk out over $229?" ....I said "you'll let me walk out over $229 when I'm standing here with a 15 grand down payment and a 800 credit score?"......so I left. The salesman called me back within 30 minutes and I got a better deal than I had negotiated earlier.

On the last bike I bought, they wanted $678 for "setup".....I said OK, but since your labor rate is $115/hr, I want to watch the entire set up process to make sure I'm not being over charged......that got reduced quickly.

 

Out of 12 bikes I have owned only 2 were new, the rest were used and got great deals. If you are careful and do your homework, a used bike will save you a ton. I got my 03 wing with 19,000 miles and looked and ran like new. 6k

 

Bought a used 2018 Non Tour MT, 589 actual miles, 9 months old, 25 months left on OEM warranty. Saved a lot of money and other than replacing the battery it has been flawless. I usually buy used on all vehicles just so I can avoid the dealers bs.

 

It all boils down to what resources you have available for a particular task after meeting all your and your family expanses. Any particular object may be expensive for me or may be cheaper for you, it all depends upon how much finance one has. Cheap or expensive is basically a highly subjective matter. If any one is trying to give another explanation for the above philosophy is beating behind the bush. This the basic fact of life such as sun rises from the east and sets in the west. I am sorry, but that is what I am. HAVE FUN!!

 

While I do agree that ones financial situation may limit ones ability to purchase, I disagree that it is the defining factor. It suggests that people with money doesn't like a good bargain or value their money. Sam Walton drove around a 1979 base model Ford F150 until his death in 1992. Jeff Bezos drove a Honda Accord when becoming a billionaire. Obviously these men were capable of purchasing much more expensive automobiles, but their wealth did not define their purchases.

It reminds me of the days attending a few motorcycle rallies earlier this century. I was at them on my favorite bike of all time at the time, the VTX 1800C. Inevitably the comment would always come up "couldn't afford a Harley huh" . No one could believe that I was there on the motorcycle of my choice. The experience gave me a great understanding not to judge what someone rides or drives, new or used as an indication as to what they can afford. Some of the wealthiest people I know are ardent bargain hunters.

 

I don't mind used, but must be unmolested. All add on garbage is just that to me, and means work and expenses to remove, and many times remove is not possible to return to original. Very few used motorcycles are unmolested, so very few times I've bought.

 

I have purchased three GW's all used, one owner and all trikes but it's the same premise. My 2006 had 20K miles, one owner and in great shape when purchased in 2016. I had an opportunity to upgrade to ta 2012 for two thousand dollars and sold the 06 and purchased the 2012 with 6K miles in 2017. I sold the 2012 for five thousand more than I paid for it in 2021 when I purchased my DCT with 2,840 miles. There are plenty of low mileage, one owner GW's at great prices available. Be patient and shop, ask questions and use a variety of sources. I have found if you have cash in hand and don't need a loan or your wife's permission you'll get the better priced deals which sell in a hurry. Also decide if you are willing and have the capability to travel for a GW. One of mine was 4 miles from home. The other two where in Texas and came home to Kentucky. Good luck on your search.
Bill

 

I've only bought one new vehicle in my entire life, and at the point when I was least able to afford it - 18yrs old and right out of high school.

I understand where some people want either the brand new car smell, or those that like having the "newest and greatest", but I don't want to take the depreciation that comes with a new vehicle.

Another point is that sometimes what you want isn't available new, the F6B case in point. I don't like the new Gold Wing style as much as the 5th gen so when my girlfriend decided she liked riding but the V-Strom wasn't comfortable for more than an hour or so, it was Craigslist to the rescue.

In this regard, thanks to everyone who buys new and gives me a good deal a few years down the road!

 

If I was buying used, I would not want to buy something with a lot of "electrical accessories" on it (unless I got documentation) how things were wired.

I have seen lots of wiring on some bikes that is merely a "Rats Nest". Could be a "Nightmare" when issues occur trying to figure things out.

I always documented (in detail) how every "electrical accessory" was wired (connected) on my bikes. Of course, that went with the bike when sold.

See Attached....!

 

Gently used, let someone else take that big depreciation hit! Even with the chip shortage

 

You can find a lot of nice bikes with good prices, Most are barely broken in, Always used for me.
Cars- I won't even look at cars for another year or two. New or used prices are insane