| Author | Message | ||
     Jesse_lackman |
I don't care if it's rebuilt, that is an amazing price. http://appleton.en.craigslist.org/mcy/4620603491.h tml | ||
| Bosh |
I'd go buy it right now if I were anywhere near Appleton. | ||
| Froggy |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/21/ 743427.html?1410701828 | ||
| Jesse_lackman |
So it's rebuilt from cosmetic damage, not a hard crash. Even more of a steal! Wow! | ||
| Court |
If it's REALLY a great deal . . it's gone by now. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Why would it be a good deal if the guy is willing to part it out? Weird. If the guy wants money to buy land why would taking the time to part out the bike make sense. Beware. I can see parting out a bike that is a wreck and doesn't run but can't see how a bike that runs gets torn down to part out. Blasphemy in my book if the bike is perfect and it gets taken apart. | ||
| Tempest766 |
I'm gonna say what many are thinking but would never admit. There is this dirty little secret we tell ourselves when we think no one is listening or reading our thoughts. We know that investing in the Buell is a fool's errand because they will likely never have real collector value and will become uber-expensive to keep running the longer we have them. I'm seeing it now: Buellers jumping ship and trying to get whatever compensation they can from their bikes before they end up being very expensive boat anchors. It really doesn't matter how awesome the technology is/was. The simple facts are that the era of the Buell is over and they are going to fade into obscurity, but not enough to become relished collector items that will command a good price. So what do we do...we continue to lie to ourselves, ignore our guts, and ride the hell out of them, hoping to get a few more miles our of them before they end up in the scrap yard. Flame away, guys! | ||
| Kyle401 |
It could be that the market is collapsing as you suggest. Basically a Buell fire sale 2.0 but driven by the owners rather than Keith Wandell. On the other hand, it could be that the market is responding in a more typical and predictable manner. It has been 5 years since the fire sale when Harley dumped Buell. At that time the market prices were established at $5K for new old stock '06 & '07 XB's. New '08 & '09 XB's could be purchased for $6K. Typical vehicle depreciation curves suggest that the residual value will be between 30-50% depending upon whether the vehicle is on a high depreciation or low depreciation path. A vehicle with an average deprecation rate would have a residual value of 40% of the new value. Assuming typical depreciation, an '06-'07 XB should be worth approximately $2K while an '08-'09 XB would be worth $2.4K. Any value in excess of the above prices indicates recovered strength in the market. It seems that both Buell buyers and sellers expect higher prices than the above. This is likely created due to the market bounce back after the fire sale depleted available inventory. The typical asking price for '06 & '07 XB12's in my area is about $4K with '08 & '09 asking around $4.5K. The transaction prices are likely closer to $3.5K and $4K respectively. Of course mileage and condition play a role. Unfortunately, a prior salvage title on a bike will always make it hard to sell. I dabbled in buying salvage title bikes and fixing them. My rule of thumb was a prior salvage that looked like it had never been down was worth about 60% of the current market price for a clean title equivalent. If I couldn't buy the bike and the necessary parts for less than 40% the cost of a clean title equivalent, it wasn't worth my time. (Message edited by Kyle401 on September 23, 2014) | ||
| Discochris |
No flaming here. Even though I got rid of my Uly, I still stop in from time to time here. I can say as a recent seller, that the market is pretty bad for these bikes. Book value for an 08XT is close to $6k, but you're not going to get anywhere close to that. I took a bath on mine. 2010's are really rare, but unless you really know the improvements to them, they're just another Uly. Plus, I could see some concern with the fact that some of those improvement were for a limited run, one year bike, making it even harder to get parts. These are niche bikes at best, and unless someone really wants a Buell, they're probably going to be looking at V-Stroms and the like for value priced ADV style bikes. The lack of support is widely known, and Buell's weren't that popular to begin with. As far as future values go, I think that the old tubers will hold their value or increase, simply because so many parts are interchangeable with Sportsters, but the XB's will just die out unfortunately. (Message edited by discochris on September 23, 2014) | ||
| Dtaylor |
I'm still a little sad to see the market value of my Ulysses at about half what I paid for it (sans farkles) a mere three years ago, but I've gone through the five stages of grief and I think I'm finally at Acceptance.  I'm going to keep riding my Uly until the mortgage is paid off, and I've saved enough for a Stelvio (if my heart is still into that). If my Uly suffers a catastrophe of some sort in the meantime, I'll probably get a used Wee-Strom on the cheap. As far as consumables go, front brake pads, clutch cables, drive belts, and front isolators come to mind as potentially hard to source, but I should be able to keep a stash to get me to my next bike. | ||
| Reepicheep |
There is a reason a bike with a salvage title is cheap (I know, I own one). But a cheap salvage title bike can be one heck of a good deal and a very long lived and satisfying ride (I know, I own one). I think that price is a fair deal. If I didn't already own a 2007 salvage title Uly, I would have had the bike referenced here in my garage two months ago. Heck, if I had a toy budget right now, that bike may have been in my garage anyway. He isn't giving it away, but it's probably a good deal (pending close inspection). | ||
| Sperz1 |
Spot on Tempst. I was fully aware when I picked up my '09XP that there was no way that the bike would hold it's value (or even depreciate predictably). So I just ride the crap out of it. 35k and I'm still happy with the bike, which is rare for me. I usually get 20k max out of a bike before I become bored with it. So if, and when, I decided to let the bike go. I'm not going to be upset with the low resale. I enjoy the bike a ton. That's enough for me. | ||
| Etennuly |
I guess I am lucky. I bought my Uly new in May of '06. I paid full retail. There was a shortage of new Ulys coming out at that time, they were hard to find. Some dealers were actually adding on a grand or so on top of retail prices because of it. With the bags and a few other extras it was nearly fifteen thousand. I have easily spent another couple thousand in upkeep and farkles over the 61,000 miles and eight and a half years I have had it. In return I have easily have received $25,000 worth of love from this machine. Even if it rots in a shed, I'm up at least six thousand if we are looking at monetary values in reality. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
My feeling is that when I buy a bike I don't even think about future resale value. I buy a bike because that is what I want to do at that time. I really don't want to pay anymore than I have to and certainly would never pay more to support other Buell lovers' idea of what a ULY is worth or more to the point, what they would like it to be worth. Like others have pointed out a bike is worth what the market will bear and that is the way it usually is. My son's 07' was purchased about 2 weeks before the word of Buell's demise in Oct of 2009. Pretty much paid 2 grand more than if we had known and waited a few more weeks. Now that really sucked but it is a good bike and no sense crying over spilled milk at least not too much. I could really give a crap what my 06' is worth. I historically have ridden all the worth out of a bike and if it actually has some value left when it's time to move on then that is a pleasant surprise. If you buy a bike thinking it is some kind of monetary investment then good luck with that. My advice is to buy a bike to enjoy with the idea that eventually it will be a "used" bike and not worth a whole lot. And if you don't have a pot to piss in, try to refrain from inventorying all kinds of parts when the dealer is the one to do that. I really get a kick out of all the extras some ULY owners need to unload when they go to sell their bikes. | ||
| Charlie_zulu |
"My feeling is that when I buy a bike I don't even think about future resale value. I buy a bike because that is what I want to do at that time." "If you buy a bike thinking it is some kind of monetary investment then good luck with that"  | ||
| Bosh |
Motorcycles are almost never a good "investment" if you are talking about money. I'm planning on riding mine into the ground to make sure I get my $$'s worth. | ||
| Tempest766 |
Even though vehicles are clearly not an investment, you still need to consider repair costs over the life of the vehicle. If parts become hard to get then supply and demand economics kicks in and your cost of ownership will go through the roof. I think that's the big issue with loving a bike that isn't being made any more, and that the manufacturer would love to be completely separated from. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Somebody will probably figure out how to replace a bad ECM with a smart phone. | ||
| Discochris |
Correct, while not an investment, repair costs, parts availability, and actual ability to get the bike fixed (if it was something I couldn't do myself) all came into play in selling mine, even knowing I took a huge hit. I had enough problems with mine - mostly minor stuff, but still, that I wasn't enamored with taking it on any kind of extended road trip. I only have one bike, and I need it to be reliable, and I want to be able to get parts if I need too. As much fun as the Buell was, it was neither of those things. People keep old defunct models on the road for a long time. Old Brit Bikes and such, but those are stone simple. Even if you can't get a part, someone can machine one for you. I don't see that with the XB's quite so much. I think HD wants to pretend that Buell never existed and are going to try and make sure that happens. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I went on two 3000+ mile trips this year and my bike performed without a problem. My 06', the best year, has over 47,000 miles on it and hasn't stranded me yet (excluding the 2 mile walk home at 25000 miles when the original belt snapped). My son's 07' runs like a top also, especially since I rotated the engine to fix the rear rocker box leak earlier this year. Thankfully it hasn't resumed leaking. Thinking Harley hates Buell and the parts availability is suddenly going to dry up is fatalistic thinking. May happen eventually but certainly not for a long time. At least that is the way I choose to think. Like Etennuly, my bike has also paid me back in lots of love. Never have owned a bike that fits me so well. Not perfect but what is. I also think it takes a certain level of self sufficiency to take any bike on a long trip. If a person is the type that can't think on their feet or always needs someone else to fix things for them or always thinks that Jap bikes are without faults then I can see that tripping on a Buell might keep that type of person's heart fluttering in the red zone. Personally, I've owned many Hondas and not a one of them was as reliable as this 06 ULY or as easily worked on. Never had a bike that has lasted this many miles either. My Harley probably will also if I'd ever ride the thing. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
How many years has Norton been defunct but I see that doesn't mean you can't get parts. http://coloradonortonworks.com/ | ||
| Desertjeff |
I paid 3400 bucks for mine 2006 in 2010. I had to add bags but got them here for 500 bucks as I recall. this is a great bike and I really enjoy it. I have no plans to sell and to be honest generally speaking there isnt much left when I get done. | ||
| Discochris |
I put 50,000 miles on my C10 Concours, including taking it to Alaska and Mexico. It never once left me stranded, and I did all the wrenching on it. Biggest issue was a shorted out coil, but I was able to limp home on 2 cylinders. I put 20,000 miles on my Buell. I had issues on both extended trips I took it on, and multiple other issues as well. I lost confidence in it, and would have sold it sooner, but I really wanted it to work out - I loved riding it. The last time I went to get some parts, everything I needed was pending obsolete from HD. That's a fact. I'm not someone who runs to the dealer for general maintenance. About the only thing I don't do on my bikes is tires. However, the the concern I have with Buell is that they're in a weird spot (and kind of always have been.) - Metric shops won't touch them. Maybe for tires, but not much else. - Only limited HD dealers will touch them, but those that won't tend to not be very helpful at all. (I've run into this, as have many others). - You can get some parts via HD, but that's shrinking, and the aftermarket and non HD vendors are limited. I can get almost any part for almost any metric bike going back 25-30 years on Bike Bandit for example, including parts diagrams. All makes and models have faults - I'd probably never own a BMW, but I would own a Harley, if I had the means. But my funds and riding time are limited now, and I had too much down time as a Buell owner to keep it as my only bike. Thus, I bought a Honda. As for Colorado Nortonworks, that's hardly a valid comparison. A friend of mine restores Nortons as well. I know what goes into that sort of a thing from a time and cost standpoint. A better comparison would be a Cagiva Elefant or Gran Canyon, but you can still get a lot of those parts from Ducati. But I wouldn't take one of those cross-country either. | ||
| Etennuly |
I have had several new Honda street motorcycles and dirt bikes over the years. I don't recall a single one of them staying with me for more than a few years. One of the problems they had was, as the new model bikes came out parts seemed to shut off, or get super expensive. On one three wheeler ATC that I had bought new, I needed a set of bearings and brake pads for the rear. This was ten years before the internet, and no aftermarket parts houses were supplying them. Honda did not service them after three years with the excuse that they were out of stock. I finally found matched bearings at a bearing supply house and I bought brake pads for something else, where I had to cut them down to fit and modify their mounting holes. I have had much better luck with Buell parts. Even after the closing. Oh yeah. I don't get all squishy and lovey about vehicles. My Uly excepted. The rest of my current fleet of about ten vehicles were bought to fix for sale as I use them. You would have to be extremely patient to ever buy a new one with plans of making a profit. When I was a teenager I had a chance to make my first car a Plymouth Superbird 383 4 speed. A dealer local to me, had six of them left over a few years after they were obsolete(no one wanted them) and he was clearing them out for $3900. I had a bank loan available, my insurance would have doubled(to about $80 a month), my dad hated the idea. What actually clinched it for me was when I went to look at them the bodies were poorly fitted and painted. The limited factory made add on parts fit and looked like crap close up. Who knew they would turn out to be million dollar cars? | ||
| Jesse_lackman |
Wow. From what's being posted I should buy that 2010 Buell just for a parts bike!! Seriously what kind of parts do you Buell owners keep on inventory? What parts have you stockpiled for the day when parts are not available? One part I'd like to keep on hand is a new fuel pump. | ||
| Uly_man |
I agree with Electraglider_1997. First look at money/ price. A basic 2008 1200 GS, in the UK, is twice the price with twice the miles of a 08 Uly so from the start you are getting massive value for money. If you buy anything new then you will always take a "big hit" on money and is a fact of economics. Servicing a XB is dirt cheap and very easy to do yourself. Taking anything to a "brand dealer" will cost more as that is how they make there money. And anyone who thinks Buell service costs and parts were high should try a BMW bike dealer. Next is the OEM parts that may not be available in the future. I have no idea of what the situation is in the USA but in the UK the law states that parts have to be supplied for 10 years after production ends. I have been here before and I can assure you all that you will be able to keep your Uly on the road without issue for many more miles/ years. The parts that tend to cost the big money are the rare ones, like frame parts and plastics, but for the most part used and or other parts will fix the problem. Then there is the "how long" will the bike last? The XB is like any other modern bike and no matter what people think it will have a certain life span. It has its weak spots like anything else but if you take note of those it should not be an issue. What I can say is that there are very few bikes, in this class, with 50k miles in ten years to match a Uly. Most bikes are trashed by then and need BIG money spent on them to be of any worth. Oh and the 2010 bike ad? An ad is one thing looking and/ or buying is another. And it needs to be said. A Buell is a "bikers" bike. Something that benefits from the rider/ owners input. A rare and unique bike that will not come this way again for many reasons. Do not "critique" it because you have no idea of its build quality or what it is capable of. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Vern, who are we trying to kid, a teenager with a Super Bird? You would have wadded that thing in the first weekend or two.  | ||
| Jesse_lackman |
XB Parts Cross Reference Thread http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/721547.html | ||
| Arcticktm |
I don't really keep any repair parts on hand, other than the original belt (for a spare) and normal maintenance items (plugs, oil filters, o-rings). I don't want to jinx it, but my '06 hasn't needed anything I would have trouble getting. Clutch plates, brake pads, bearings, all have and should stay available for quite some time. I got my '06 used in the fall of '06 for about $8300 IIRC, plus tax and cost of bags, from HD dealer in Ocala FL. Had 1,050 miles on it. New ones were $11.5k MSRP, so the previous owner really took a major bath in just a few months. Turns out to have been a great deal 30k miles later, so if it dies tomorrow, I would still have to say I got my money's worth over the past 8 years. I was ready to buy a KTM 1190 Adventure this year, but then realized I was only doing it to be ready for when (if?) the Buell has a major problem that is not prudent to resolve ($$$). Decided KTM's will be available whenever I want one, and for that money I will just wait a while and see what happens with the Buell. Honestly, the engine pinging under roll on (with 93 and even non-ethanol) is the only issue right now that is bothering me at all. The rest is just fine, and I am so used to the bike and have just how a like it. Maybe I should see if EBR will re-program the EBR ECM I have. So, it's cost me $1k per year (if it dies now and is worth zero, which is unrealistic since I can sell parts to some of you!), plus cost of bags, and a few hundred dollars in repair parts (let's say $1k since I did buy a 2010 rear wheel). I can live with that vs if I had bought the BMW GS (used) for over $11k that I was considering at the same time. And I would have been just another GS rider, and never have found out about Badweb! It was a good decision at that time, no matter what happens next. | ||
| Sugarmcguinnmsncom |
This thread is depressing... One thing no one has mentioned is "this" community... I don't see the BadWeb going anywhere anytime soon. So far I haven't ever gone to an HD dealer for anything... Any part I've ever needed I was able to get here, from Al (American Sport-bike), or the myriad of other Buell Sympathizers supplying OEM and aftermarket parts online. There are plenty of parts for everyone. I will be keeping my Uly (and horde of parts) until I'm dead and my right ball looks like a dried apricot. So I'll be around here for awhile, as I'm sure many, many of us will. This community is incredibly supportive, helpful, and giving. I'm not worried. |
