| Author | Message | ||
     Timmy2shoes |
the basics apply, i guess, dealers discounting heavily, reliability concerns, bad reputations... But geeez.. people expect me to basically give mine away. i am asking a fair price, on (at aleast in these circles) what seems to be a desirable bike/model, and still, i have people offering me half of what i want to sell it for, just to "see if I'll bite" I was played for a sucker by my dealer, by paying what i did for my Buell. I still haven't forgiven them for that. I haven't forgiven myself either. It won't happen again. It'd be so much easier if i didn't love the damn thing.... Anyone else? thoughts? feelings?   | ||
| Mikej |
Tim, Buell is still functionally a relatively unknown bike brand. When I was out in Washington state on the M2 last July one of my relative's neighbors looked at it and said it was the first Buell he'd ever seen. Of course then I felt obliged to use a fair amount of throttle when I left and merged with traffic. It's kind of hard to sell a bike that the general public knows little about. Then there is the reputation-thing, the recalls, and the pundits who badmouth them at every opportunity, all of which is hard to overcome with facts and reality (pundit bait there). Then there is the "what is it" factor. As in, what is it good for? Hard to explain to someone what the definition of a "road bike" is, or what a "streetfighter" is, or what a "rider's bike" is. All you can really say is to ride one and then if you still have questions we'll talk more. As far as people offering you less than what you think it's worth, that's the nature of the game. With a soft market there are people panicked about never being able to sell their Buell, and therefore want to dump it just to get rid of it. But if you look at someone who regularly digs at Buell, he still has his S3T and isn't letting it go for half-price values, hates it but won't give it away in any case. You have to decide why you want to get rid of it. If you just want it gone, then you have to take today's offers. If you don't like the offers then you have to find a way to reach the people willing to offer you what you consider a fair value for it. My thoughts are this: with the discontinuation of the tube-framed Buells, that will either further soften the market for current/older Buells, or will catapult them into the "collector" category. I think it will do both for awhile. Some will advertise their bikes as modern collectibles, trying to get an impulse buy, others will take it as a sign of the end-times and won't go near them for fear of unobtainable parts supply (and bad dealers really lend to this problem and bad reputation). What is your current asking price anyway? I'm not able to afford one right now, and the link you posted earlier didn't work for me, but I'm just curious. Also, there is a low mileage S1 at a local dealership that I'm watching, owned by one of the shop owners. I'm watching how it is offered, and will continue to do so once the XB's hit the floor there. I'd love to have it, but not this year I'm afraid. Anyway, you asked for opinions, and there they are. | ||
| Timmy2shoes |
My hope is to get as close to 7200 as possible, i agree with most everything you said. Every serious offer i've had, has turned out to be not serious, i.e. "will ya take 4k for it?" i am picking up my new bike this friday, and though i can afford it, i'd like to not have two bike payments, at least for now....  and the new bike, set me back a bit more than i had planed on spending.. but alas.... it just caled out to me, and begged me to buy it.  | ||
| Mikej |
You might try getting a compression and leakdown test run on your S1, then use that as further sales incentive to show condition of the bike. Just an idea. MikeJ(Talking bikes are hard to resist.)  | ||
| Sarodude |
Thoughts... I think most people have a different concept of what the right things to do to a bike are. Maybe some of the perceived softness of the market comes from people expecting the extra cash for the 42mm Mikuni or maybe for some outrageous exhaust with a carbon can or some such. Maybe the buyer doesn't value all those things as much - and they may in fact be detrimental to the price if original parts aren't included or the bike has been 'permanently' altered. I saw a 96 S1 at a local custom shop. They wanted $7500. Custom (fugly) paint. Aftermarket mirror. Forecewinder. The bike was so packed so tight between the big iron types that I couldn't even see what the exhaust looked like. It didn't matter. I wouldn't have paid that price unless the exhaust was made of gold 'cause the bike as it was wasn't what I was looking for. Rambling... -Saro | ||
| Peter |
Timmy, What have you bought.....? PPiA | ||
| Dynarider |
Mike, I agree with Buell being basically an unknown maker. I live in Kenosha only about 40 miles or so from East Troy & yet still nobody around here knows what the hell it is. I get the old "who makes that bike" crap all the time. | ||
| Brianh |
Timmy, I hate to consistently be the voice of negativity, but you just need to accept the fact that your money in that bike is gone. You see what kind of psychological impact that realization had on me. I'm only now recovering. Your competition is the dealers. When a new M2 can be had for $6500, there is NO WAY you're going to be able to sell your 4 year old bike for more. In addition, as soon as a potential buyer takes a look at the odometer, they have additional bargaining power. The reliability situation is well known, more miles = less resale value. Just ask yourself, would you pay $7200 for a Buell right now? You'll also find that the potential buyers are all full of crap. I have yet to find a guy who actually has money and wants to buy my S3. I've been offered boats, pickup trucks, and other Harleys (most recently an 88 FXR). But no one has come up with cash. All I want is $5000 for mine. A model that was more expensive than your S1W new and has more stuff (oil cooler, new top end, PM rims, etc...). Hell, dealers won't even take them in trade. It's a bummer. Just accept it now Timmy and make your decision. Sell it for cheap or just keep the thing. As time goes buy the financial ass kicking you take will be felt less and less. I just went out and bought the Kwaker. Took the payments and continued to enjoy riding. 2 years later, I've managed to pay it off after selling the house and I still have the S3. It's probably just gonna be my Harley project bike. A novelty that will sit in the garage most of the time with a lot of spit and polish. What else can you do? Lesson learned? YUP! And contrary to the majority opinion on this and other sites, the Jap bikes hold their value MUCH better than the Buells. I can still get $6000 for my ZX9 2 years later and I only paid $8900 for it. A salesman told me this past Saturday that he'd probably give me $5000 as a trade in on a new R1. Needless to say, the wheels in my head are turnin. You're not alone out there Tim. There's no good advice I can give you except that. | ||
| Rick_A |
I think Buells are fairly representative of the sportbike market as a whole. Granted, some bikes hold their value better than others...but for the most part they all depreciate fairly quickly and substancially. It seems the more current and popular sportbikes do best. As it is, anyone who hears about Buell outside the influence of real Buell riders has heard more bad than good, and they're typically shunned by the masses. It takes someone a bit more dedicated to really enjoy the ownership of one of these machines...I believe. Two out of three the dealerships I've visited did their best to sell me on a Buell honestly. The other was a primarily Harley oriented dealer and didn't seem to give a shit...as well as having Harleyish inflated prices on every model for sale. After all that, it only served to allow me to get a feel between the different models...and find a private seller with an offer I couldn't refuse. T'was it not for this...I wouldn't own one. Sucks to be sellin' one, but pays to be a buyer! | ||
| Libnosis |
Tim, I feel your pain. Unfortunately, I am on the other side of the fence. I just bought and S1W similiar to yours a few weeks ago for $6500 with a Joe Rocket suit included  (thanks Richard). Point being, there's a buyer out there just not at $7200. I think you're a grand too high but that's only my opinion. I personally view dealerships like I do real estate agents. I only buy from them as a last resort (can't live without it). Look on the bright side, if any Buell is worth keeping its a 1998 S1W. The crem de la crem.  I need two maybe three more bikes before my stable is complete. A Knucklehead and Electra Glide, and maybe the next S1 derivative from EB. Anyway, Good Luck! lib (just ramblin) | ||
| Buelliedan |
Tim, I'll trade you a cherry S2T for your S1  | ||
| Anonymous |
personaly I have found there is a lot of people out there, riding bikes, that just dont have the skill to handle a Buell. | ||
| Blake |
The bikes on eBay seem to sell for a decent price. I'd strongly suggest keeping the S1W though. It will be a collectors item for sure. I agree, a dyno chart, compression, and leakdown test data could be positive selling points. You may be at a disadvantage being so far from a major city. Park it over at MikeyP's and put it up for sale on eBay. You will probably pull in at least $6,500. Yeah,,, what's the new bike? | ||
| Kahuna |
Keep it for sure. When I baught my X1M a month ago from my dealer (brand new!) I knew there was no way I would get anything for it if I ever decided to sell it! Its been sitting on his lot for 2 years! I knew this was a keeper, and I would never look back at the money spent! Well worth it though | ||
| Pilot |
Timmy I paid 18,300 Aus $ for my 99X1 and traded it 3 years later for 13,000 Aus $ on my still to be delivered XB9R I was happy at the price as I had been watching prices in magazines etc. How does this pricing stack up against USA dealers? 52 cents US buys one Australian Dollar at the moment. | ||
| Timmy2shoes |
Well, I appreciate all your input. And those are al point well taken. I am going to sell it, and i'll just have to give some more on the price, i guess. I still owe on it, si that's my big sticking point, it seems i am upside down on it at this time. also, to those of you who wondered what new machine has graced my garage..... welll, none.. at least, not yet. It's bought and paid for, just need to activate the insurance, and it'll be home on this friday. No, it's not another Buell...... it's...... ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '  Should offer a nice alternative, with lotsa spunk, and a better touring capability. The Buell makes a perfect stablemate, for the time being. Maybe i should count my blessings?? i get to keep two great bikes and ride em, at least till one is sold. Oh, and as far as the Rod is concerned.... I didn't get raped on the price, i paid less than MSRP, got the accessories i wanted, pre-installed, at a 35% discount, and didn't have to wait long at all. i have already been offered 6k over what i paid for it to sell, and i haven't even brought it home yet. O well.. guess i'm livin in fantasy land, thinking that the Buell market is going to be anything like that  | ||
| Timmy2shoes |
Anonynous said -- "personaly I have found there is a lot of people out there, riding bikes, that just dont have the skill to handle a Buell. " Were you referring to me? e.g., I can't handle this bike, so that's why i am selling it? i am not a competent rider? i don't have the skills to work on it if it breaks?  if that WAS your implication, you are sadly mistaken, if not, then what the hell were you talking about? | ||
| Aaron |
"personaly I have found there is a lot of people out there, riding bikes, that just dont have the skill to handle a Buell. " I wouldn't assume he was referring to you ... probably me, having dumped one twice in one day a few weeks ago. I can honestly say are MANY days when I feel this statement applies to me perfectly. The bike is better than I am, no question. | ||
| Timmy2shoes |
Aaron, I agree with you to a point, but i also see a difference, between "handling" a bike, and "mastering" it. The latter, i will probably NEVER achieve. | ||
| Mikej |
"i have already been offered 6k over what i paid for it to sell, and i haven't even brought it home yet." Can you repeat the deal on the V-Rod? If so then sell it, consider the $6k the payment on the S1W, then order a new V-Rod. You'll then have a fairly-free S1W along with eventually a new V-Rod. Even if you can't fully repeat the V-Rod deal, looks like you've got $6K sitting there just waiting for you to pick it up. A bike's a bike, and cash is cash, just depends on what your specific situation is. The way I see it is that if you sold the V-Rod for $6K over, then took $5K for the S1W, you could say you functionally sold the S1W for $11K and then start from scratch on the V-Rod deal with an $11K down payment. But maybe my math ain't so good. Or all the fresh falling snow on the ground outside is clouding my judgement. MikeJ (Just a couple of more cents thrown in as observation.) ps, ignore that anonyperson, hard to say what he/she was referring to. | ||
| Road_Thing |
I sold S1#2 via a Cycle Trader online ad. Listed it for $4500 firm and had at least ten guys that wanted it. By contrast, BHR's MUCH nicer S1 has been sitting on this board for months at $5000 and apparently nobody has stepped up. Moral of the story? I don't know, but the more exposure you you can get, the more likely you are to find an ass to fit your extra seat! r-t | ||
| Timmy2shoes |
Mike, I had considered that, or at least something along those lines.... But the only reason i got such a deal was that my dealer and i are fairly close, and i have bought several bike from him in the past. He sold it to me for less than he is selling to other folks, so i wouldn't feel right about selling it and ordering another from him. I could always buy it somewhere else, but still, i just wouldn't feel right about it.... besides... i can't wait to ride the damn thing! woo hoooo!!! only a few more days! maybe i need more than i thought? | ||
| Libnosis |
Tim, Mike is right, ignore anon. His third grade English teacher must be so proud. lib | ||
| Mikej |
Well then, as long as you can get by financially perhaps you can give us a comparison of the V-Rod as compared to Buells. A local sales critter said the demo-riders of the V-Rod fell into two categories, those who did well and those who had problems. The problem riders of the V-Rod were primarily of Cruiser-descent, but the riders with Buell or non-cruiser experience had little or no problems with the V-Rod's handling. It'd be interesting to get a "rider's" perspective on the V-Rod. Also maybe let us know if your wife melts her shoe heels on the passenger pegs, I keep looking at that passenger peg position relative to the exhaust and I keep imagining shoe-prints on it (especially if the rider is spirited). Have you considered putting the S1 on consignment at the dealership? Might get it some additional exposure, especially with the XB coming out, and might even get a few looks from investor/collector types as your bike does look good. | ||
| Ralph |
Road Thingie, I've got one guy who has been talking about coming up to take a look at it (since November, long story). At this point I think he's a little late, 'cause I'll probably be keeping it. The ad I had at Cycle Trader got virtually no interest. When it got to the point I had to have money NOW I parted out the S3. Which really sucks by the way. But, in the end, it will bring more money as parts and pieces then as a whole bike. I have no idea what it would have taken to sell it as it should have been, whole. By way of contrast, when I put the TLR up for sale on a TL board and Cycle Trader I was virutally deluged with interested people. Understand it was being sold for a low price as a running project bike. It will be gone this weekend. With the money from the TL and the S3 parts, I should have enough to pay off the larger of the hospital bills. That leaves about another eight grand left, but they are all working with small payments. So anway Timmy baby, in my estimation, Buells have a low interest (low value) because; 1. They don't fall into an easy/popular classification. 2. Magazine writers have heaped Buells with faults (real and imagined). 3. Initial reliablility problems followed by massive recalls covering the entire Buell line. From what I've seen, the best you'll do selling your White Lightning is $6,500 unless you find somebody who absolutly needs one. There was one one ebay last week with no bids at $6,000. S1's go for 5 grand or less. For all of you guys who think that the end of the tube frame Buells will drive the price back up get a grip. I expect the prices for used Buells to stay pretty stable for the next five years and then, maybe start to climb back up. By the way Timmy, the first to climb would probably the the S1WL. I remember a few years ago people getting on the board asking about the resale of Buells, wanting it be like Harleys climbing value. My line then was "buy it to ride it not sell it". If you are upside down on our bike then ride till the shiney side is up or ditch it and take the knock. The only reason I sold my S3 was a desperate need for cash. bighairyralph | ||
| Anonymous |
Sorry I offended some people I was only defending the Buell but you know most are stright line riders. There are very few of us that like to roll it on in the twisties.Buells were not made for the interstate. I dont want my buell brothers pissed off. | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
Nothing like the feeling of being banked over while rolling on the throttle on a nice clear road. Soon it will be here.  | ||
| Timmy2shoes |
Anony... First of all, i was not offended, just inquiring as to what you meant. Second, who bashed Buells? maybe me? because i want to sell mine? Brianh? tell you what, that dude can RIDE. so, no wories, just read each post with a grain of salt, and honestly, Buell doesn't need anymore cheerleaders. On this site, you're preaching to the choir No offense, to anyone here, i too love the buell, and it's ideals. | ||
| Gotbuell |
2 more cents. As a motorcycle dealer, I have found the biggest problem selling used Buells is they are a bit of an enigma. The Harley riders begrudgingly accept them because of the Milwaukee V-Twin heart, but don't understand them. The Rice riders don't get it because a good 600 is faster for less money. I try to explain that the Buell is a real world bike and I have even shown some of these guys my lap times on an S-2 from the Streets of Willow race track that would have qualified me up front for a 600 Supersport race. But until they ride one it doesn't sink in. Being different can be good (and in Buell's case is) but it comes at a price. It's a perception problem and perception is reality! | ||
| Kahuna |
One interesting thing that boggles my mind is how much attention the bike gets? You'd think becuase of that, the bikes would be selling like hot cakes? The other day I was parked next to a croud of ricers, and the only person answering question was me |
