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[BigLew55]

I would definitely consider the savings on the taxes at the dealer on the trade in value as Mark mentioned. Plus, I would keep the tour pack and anything else that wasn't stock and sell it here or on ebay. If you could get them to bump your trade up a grand you would come out ahead of a 25k sale on the street.

23k x 6%= $1,380.00 which makes it the same as a $24,380.00 sale on the street. Then you sell your TP and any other little goodies you might have and you are better than 25k.

If it were me and I wanted that red, I would tell em 23k and I'll leave all the stuff on it! But then that's probably why I don't have any money...

My math works the same.  Except here, it's 5%.

[sawyerghost]

Go to ChopperExchange.com, see what the world is selling your bike for, list it there, and see what it does.

[1sharprdkg]

As best I can tell from checking a few industry sources, average trade-in value will be in the $22-23k neighborhood, not including the value of any add-ons, and retail around $28-29k.  The days of getting what you paid, or anywhere close, when you trade in your Harley are just a distant memory.  These days your Harley depreciates the moment you sign the contract, just like other vehicles.  It's something to think about if you're the type to tire of a vehicle quickly.  Paying premium prices for stuff that depreciates is not a highly recommended practice, especially if you plan to trade every year or two.

You don't mention if there are any other dealers you could work with, but if there are I would suggest getting some numbers from them.  And in the current economy and motorcycle market I wouldn't even consider paying a penny over MSRP for a new bike.  Tell them to take the bogus "extra profit" charges like prep and other fees and put them where the sun don't shine.  If the dealer doesn't want to give you a decent price for your add-ons, take them off and put the bike back to stock.  You can use the parts on the new bike, or sell them on ebay, or whatever.  I'd much rather give them away to a friend or acquaintance versus letting a dealer have them for nothing.  Btw, as noted by others you will be better served financially if you sell your bike privately versus trading it in.  If you split the difference between average trade-in and retail  and use that as your minimum private sale price, you'd be looking at around $26k plus whatever a private customer would be willing to pay for the Tour Pak and other extras.  Another question to ask yourself is how much is it worth to you to not have to deal with selling the bike.  Trading it in is definitely more convenient, but you pay for that convenience.  Nothing a dealer does is out of the goodness of his heart, he is in business to turn as much of a profit as he can.  For some of us it is worth something to not have to get involved with private sales and possibly unscrupulous people or scams, but for others who buy and sell stuff all the time the private sale idea can be well worth the extra time and effort.

What's so special about a 2012 that makes you want to get rid of a very low mileage 2010 that you've already customized to your liking?  If it's the audio stuff, you can add that sort of thing to your 2010 for one hell of a lot less than the $12k plus you stand to lose on a trade with that dealer.


Jerry

X2 Agree with Jerry 100%.

[Rio]

I thought he was looking for a negotiation starting point on his trade-in.  Working out the math, if the dealer would give the KBB trade-in value, one may come out better than selling straight out to a third party for 25K.  Not sure what the state sales  tax is, but let's say 9%....if I worked this out correctly, it would cost less to trade-in than to sell the SESG yourself and then have to pay sales tax on the entire sale...plus you avoid the hassle of selling it yourself. 

It may just be me, but I detest having to sell anything to the general public.   

Michigan sales tax is only 6%, and there is no trade reduction credit.  If the dealer give his $22K that's all he gets, he still pays tax on the full sale price of the new bike.

[1sharprdkg]

Go to ChopperExchange.com, see what the world is selling your bike for, list it there, and see what it does.

Pretty good idea but he will only see what the world "thinks" his bike should sell for. I don't think most of them are selling for anything close to what most people are asking for them. I listed my 99' Road King Classic on ChopperExchange for nearly a year, it had about 35,000 miles, price was $10,500, it received over 1000 views but I only had about 4 calls, those calls all wanted to trade me something that I didn't need (truck,trailer) or offer me $7,000. That was the way it went for me, I don't know about anyone else. I would guess he might experience the same thing.     

[Dan_Lockwood]

When I traded in my '08 SERK Annie, both dealers I was trying to deal with said that they would give me the same for it modified or as showroom stock.  I took my V&H Dresser duals off, V&H oval mufflers, SE AC, leather tour pak and traded.  They allowed me $23k in on an '09 SERG the week before the '10s came out.  I was holding out thinking they might do another SERG for '10, but when the SESG hit, I was all for getting one of the last '09 SERG's.

They had my bike for almost 9 months and sold it for $25k.  I sold all the take off items for around $1,500.  I consider that a pretty good deal.

Years ago I would try and sell before I would ever trade in, but in my older age, trading in is worth the stress of getting it advertised and dealing with private buyers.  I would still sell locally if someone wanted to buy it, but I would not actively promote a sale.

I think the dealer could cut the adders off the top of the MSRP and that would probably be a pretty decent deal for you. 

I agree with others that your bike is worth more than the trade in price, but there is a cost to the dealership to do the trade and if you push them they will probably cut the prep etc stuff off.  I would ask him straight up if "stock" is worth the same as your bike is now.  Also as someone else said, try another dealership and even if they don't have the same color you want, use their pricing, if better, to push your dealer down a bit.

Good luck with your purchase if you move forward.

[Cvostu]

Just so you know.  I just saw another 2010 blue with 5166 miles.  Asking 27,500.  Not that bad. 

[mark]

Michigan sales tax is only 6%, and there is no trade reduction credit.  If the dealer give his $22K that's all he gets, he still pays tax on the full sale price of the new bike.

Yikes...no credit on your sales tax for a trade-in in Michigan.   

[smkymtnboy]

 You may want to consider your bike may never be worth more than it is today. Next year 18k who knows? But if it is a bike you enjoy thats  how u earn your dollars invested by having all that fun riding! an investment in enjoyment!

[Rio]

You may want to consider your bike may never be worth more than it is today. Next year 18k who knows? But if it is a bike you enjoy thats  how u earn your dollars invested by having all that fun riding! an investment in enjoyment!

So go buy a new one and let that depreciate $5k plus throw another $3k minimum in accessories to make it yours?  I run car dealerships, we strive on that thought process, but as brothers in arms, not smart unless you have no issues burning Benjamins!

[Cvostu]

My question here,  is it better to just hang onto them for as long as you can anj just keep piling up the miles? Mine is now 8 yes old and now I have 72k miles.  I bet I can get a bunch for that now.  So I have name on a new sesg3 in black.  But now I am thinking about Hot Citris.   Decisions decisions.     

[110tHunDer]

 
The answer to that question is different for everybody.  For some like the OP, a simple difference like the change in color seems to be the main driver.  For others, that, along with the new frame, ABS, and other changes are needed in order to cough up the cash.  It hasn't happened yet for me, but then again, I did get rid of a perfectly fine '02 Electra Glide Classic to get my '04 SEEG and then I bought a '00 SERG to add to the stable just 'cause I liked the looks of 'em.

It should be obvious that the best fiscal decision is to keep what you have, at least to the point it no longer becomes reliable and maintenance costs and the related downtime get to be too much.  But, buying a motorcycle is usually more of an emotional experience than a rational one.  And that's the way it probably should be. 

[Cvostu]

Brian.  I agree totally with that.  I still have mine and still love it.  I am thinking about new frames. Abs and all that. Maybe that's the driver this time.  But really, is it smart to keep piling them up.  I could have 90 k miles on that soon and I'm thinking how long can I go on this one.  So it just be my time soon while I still have it me me and I can somehow afford it.  I'll keep you posted if anyone really cares. 

[1sharprdkg]

My question here,  is it better to just hang onto them for as long as you can anj just keep piling up the miles? Mine is now 8 yes old and now I have 72k miles.  I bet I can get a bunch for that now.  So I have name on a new sesg3 in black.  But now I am thinking about Hot Citris.   Decisions decisions.     

Hot Citris is well...HOT! But I've always loved black bikes, cars, boats. Tuff call. I wanted to keep the 99RKC but she wouldn't let me...I mean we decided to trade it in, yeah thats my story and I'm sticking to it.lol

[1sharprdkg]

Brian.  I agree totally with that.  I still have mine and still love it.  I am thinking about new frames. Abs and all that. Maybe that's the driver this time.  But really, is it smart to keep piling them up.  I could have 90 k miles on that soon and I'm thinking how long can I go on this one.  So it just be my time soon while I still have it me me and I can somehow afford it.  I'll keep you posted if anyone really cares. 

I care buddy! You need to ride a new one, you will say what took me so long! ABS brakes are worth the price of admission. IMO