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[ultrafxr]

For those of you familiar with these things; how well do used units hold their prices?

From the Bushtec price sheet a new "RoadStar" model is $2395 including hitch and harness.  Have recently found out about a RoadStar model not too far away that is for sale.

It's a 2002.  So four or five years old.  Looks to have almost never been pulled.

It's offered without the hitch and harness.  It does have a lid with a recessed brake light which is an option on the stock unit.  Unit is still the basic plain white.  There is carpet inside but I don't know how to recognize if this is the standard carpet or some upgrade.

He's asking $2000 but says immediately he'll "entertain an offer."  Not being familiar with these things at all I've no idea what their used market is like.  What's a fair price?  What's a good price?

Don, if you've got their price list you can see that little extras add up very, very quickly.  So I'd see what the cost of a new model equipped like the pre-owned one would cost then probably expect to pay about 70% of that cost if the used one is in good shape.  That is about what I got for my 9 year old Turbo +II model which I sold before I purchased my new one.

[ultrafxr]

Another question.  How are bike trailers licensed?  Just as small utility trailers?

Exactly, at least that is how it is here in TN.  In fact such a trailer here does not require a tag.  However I registered mine so I would have registration to carry with me and plan to carry the tag inside the trailer just in case there is any question.

[VAZHOG]

For those of you familiar with these things; how well do used units hold their prices?

From the Bushtec price sheet a new "RoadStar" model is $2395 including hitch and harness.  Have recently found out about a RoadStar model not too far away that is for sale.

It's a 2002.  So four or five years old.  Looks to have almost never been pulled.

It's offered without the hitch and harness.  It does have a lid with a recessed brake light which is an option on the stock unit.  Unit is still the basic plain white.  There is carpet inside but I don't know how to recognize if this is the standard carpet or some upgrade.

He's asking $2000 but says immediately he'll "entertain an offer."  Not being familiar with these things at all I've no idea what their used market is like.  What's a fair price?  What's a good price?

The trailers are very durable - Sealed wheel bearings - The carpet is the same grade in all, Bushtech will check it out anytime you run acroos them at a rally or just drop by the shop.

The Hitch usually stays with the bike and the Harness comes with the bustech Hitch along with the wiring isolator. (make him a offer) Say $1500 to start. You can color make it in the fall at bushtech or anytime by a local painter.


Good Shopping -

[VAZHOG]

Another question.  How are bike trailers licensed?  Just as small utility trailers?

That depends on your state regulations. In va it has to be tagged (TRXXXXXX) to used on the road, although in all the years I've pulled on and been stopped I've never been asked for the registration for the trailer.

So check with your DMV and your local county (property tax )

[Twolanerider]

Don, if you've got their price list you can see that little extras add up very, very quickly.  So I'd see what the cost of a new model equipped like the pre-owned one would cost then probably expect to pay about 70% of that cost if the used one is in good shape.  That is about what I got for my 9 year old Turbo +II model which I sold before I purchased my new one.

Thanks Jerry.  The guys at Bushtec emailed me what appears to be a very complete price list and spec sheet with tons of accessories listed.

From the pictures and descriptions I've been given I think this unit is stock except for the difference in the lid for the recessed brake light and a couple of little accessory lights on the side.  No bras, coolers or other doo-dads.  Pretty plain jane.  Unless I'm missing something the new price on a unit as I'm seeing this one would be $2395.00 stock and around $2600 with the additions.

Figured if he'd let it go for $1500 I'd surely buy it.  For his $2k initial price, however, I had to think about it a lot more.  Also wanted to gather some insight from the group here who actually had experience with the things.  This is a new world for me.

[Twolanerider]

That depends on your state regulations. In va it has to be tagged (TRXXXXXX) to used on the road, although in all the years I've pulled on and been stopped I've never been asked for the registration for the trailer.

So check with your DMV and your local county (property tax )

Have had similar experience with the bike trailer behind the pickup.  Have been pulled over twice while pulling it.  Once in a drunk check where everyone was getting pulled over and once for no particular reason other than to get looked over (was told I was "swerving within my lane").

Both times the registration on the truck was all that was needed.  Nothing requested about the trailer at all.  Almost makes a guy wonder about swapping tags from one trailer to the other.... 

[VAZHOG]

Have had similar experience with the bike trailer behind the pickup.  Have been pulled over twice while pulling it.  Once in a drunk check where everyone was getting pulled over and once for no particular reason other than to get looked over (was told I was "swerving within my lane").

Both times the registration on the truck was all that was needed.  Nothing requested about the trailer at all.  Almost makes a guy wonder about swapping tags from one trailer to the other.... 

That's why I never throw away any trailer tags one size fits all 

[ultrafxr]

Thanks Jerry.  The guys at Bushtec emailed me what appears to be a very complete price list and spec sheet with tons of accessories listed.

From the pictures and descriptions I've been given I think this unit is stock except for the difference in the lid for the recessed brake light and a couple of little accessory lights on the side.  No bras, coolers or other doo-dads.  Pretty plain jane.  Unless I'm missing something the new price on a unit as I'm seeing this one would be $2395.00 stock and around $2600 with the additions.

Figured if he'd let it go for $1500 I'd surely buy it.  For his $2k initial price, however, I had to think about it a lot more.  Also wanted to gather some insight from the group here who actually had experience with the things.  This is a new world for me.

If you can get it for $1,500 I'd say that was a very, very good deal.  Personally I might go as high as $1,800 and still feel I got a good deal. 

Try it, you'll like it!

[Twolanerider]

If you can get it for $1,500 I'd say that was a very, very good deal.  Personally I might go as high as $1,800 and still feel I got a good deal. 

Try it, you'll like it!

Really?  That much?  Damn....

The guy "entertained" an offer of $1500 and declined.  Turned out saying he wouldn't go below $1900.  In fact it sounded like he'd have gone down another $100.00.  That still seemed high to me.

The trailer new is $2395.00.  It's being sold without hitch or harness.  A gent at Bushtec told me the hitch, harness and isolator kit would be $420.00.  For just a couple hundred dollars difference on a four or five year old trailer I'd rather buy it brand new and have the manufacturer's warranty in my back pocket.  Seems hard to justify a new or nearly new price for a trailer half a decade old  .

The really sucky part was that just talking to the guy and looking this one over made me want one.  Maybe it'll wear off.....

[Fired00d]

Really?  That much?  Damn....

The guy "entertained" an offer of $1500 and declined.  Turned out saying he wouldn't go below $1900.  In fact it sounded like he'd have gone down another $100.00.  That still seemed high to me.

The trailer new is $2395.00.  It's being sold without hitch or harness.  A gent at Bushtec told me the hitch, harness and isolator kit would be $420.00.  For just a couple hundred dollars difference on a four or five year old trailer I'd rather buy it brand new and have the manufacturer's warranty in my back pocket.  Seems hard to justify a new or nearly new price for a trailer half a decade old  .

The really sucky part was that just talking to the guy and looking this one over made me want one.  Maybe it'll wear off.....

To late now. This will never happen w/the "Twolane" I know. You're already having dreams about it painted nicely to match your all out diamond cut/powdercoated to match. Don't even try to fight it just go ahead and order it.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[WFP]

The really sucky part was that just talking to the guy and looking this one over made me want one.  Maybe it'll wear off.....

Trying to pack 2-up for 26 days makes me want one!

This winter, I will budget for one.

[WFP]

Stoopind question...how long do the tires last and are they readily available at dealers?

[Twolanerider]

Stoopind question...how long do the tires last and are they readily available at dealers?

Bill, I asked that question of the rep at Bushtec.  He actually danced around it a bit.  At least he tried to.  I could dance faster than he could.  Once he was finally pinned down a bit he'd go so far as to say "they're six ply, they'll last as long as your bike's front tire, probably longer."

I found a couple of references to trailer tires in old threads here on the site.  Each seemed to confirm that (at least so far as Bushtecs were concerned).  That seemed enough of an independent confirmation of what the guy was saying to pacify me.

[Twolanerider]

Trying to pack 2-up for 26 days makes me want one!

This winter, I will budget for one.

Part of my jonesing for this one was that it was less than 100 miles away.  If the price had seemed fairer I was going to have it ready to go this trip. 

Not to be......

[arcticdude]

The tires were the reason I bought the Escapade instead of the Bushtec.  You can really only get tires from Bushtec.   Some indies will order a tire for you, but that doesn't do much good when you're on the road.  The Escapade wheels AND tires can be bought at any wallyworld- no you can't buy chrome ones, but you can get a white wagon wheel to get you home- $40.