Don't miss my Harley

[Molly]

Recently sold my '09 Fat Bob (the last in a line of Harleys inc. four brand new) because I really wasn't enjoying it and would've had to thow more money at it to get it where I wanted it to be. Hadn't had it long enough or done enough to it to get attached. Besides, I'd often go out to the garage and at the last moment decide to ride the Guzzi V11.

Spent the money on this Triumph, another '68 Bonnie project bike and still have $10k left to play with. Can't say I wouldn't like another Evo Springer if one comes along at the right money but I do know that I've bought my last new HD.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/pi...ictureid=30110

[popelli]

bought my first and only new harley 20 years ago

a soul less FXR which I sold after a very short period of ownership

since then I have bought 4 harleys and still own all of them

would I buy a new harley? thought about it seriously many times but the bottom line is the cost of removing / modifying the emission control shite to make it sound like a proper bike, the cost of personalising it to make it your own bike, the cost of the first years depreciation

in short the financial equation of buying a new hd basically doesn't add up

[Big Dave]

Overall money has little to do with it or we'd all own Scooters.

Value judgements are entirely subjective, particularly regarding recreational vehicles.

The $10k extra that's an issue to me is what sets it apart for the dude with the $300k boat.

[Headbanger]

Money has everything to do with it, I bought the bike I liked the best that fit my budget.

[Big Dave]

Money has everything to do with it, I bought the bike I liked the best that fit my budget.

And it just 'happened' to be a Harley?

There were no Hondas that could have done the same job for the same money?

I think you missed my point - You want a Harley - you pay for it. Happy to do so. How much depends on the size of your wad.

Why did I pay for it? - because I liked it.

[Headbanger]

Why did I pay for it?

Because otherwise it would have been stealing.....

[Big Dave]

Because otherwise it would have been stealing.....

Or you iz a Jernalist.

[Molly]

Money was a factor in that I just wasn't prepared to spend what it'd cost to be happy with it.

I'm not being anti-Harley all of a sudden. I loved my Evo Springer and put a lot of time (more time than money) into it. To me it sounded wonderful and had a personality. I also had an Anniversary FXST that I now regret selling after my wife reminded me that we had our first date on it. So, that too had some 'history' for me. Should've kept it. My FXWG Shovel was bloody MINT. Should've kept that too maybe.

But the '09 Fat Bob was, at the end of the day, just a bit of a disappointment and I can't think I'll ever want to sink around $30k into a new HD again. Couple of second-hand ones though? Now you're talkin'....

[carver]

bought my first and only new harley 20 years ago

a soul less FXR which I sold after a very short period of ownership

since then I have bought 4 harleys and still own all of them

would I buy a new harley? thought about it seriously many times but the bottom line is the cost of removing / modifying the emission control shite to make it sound like a proper bike, the cost of personalising it to make it your own bike, the cost of the first years depreciation

in short the financial equation of buying a new hd basically doesn't add up

Fuck, you own a XCLR?

do you like it?

[Molly]

Been trying to post a pic of the new Triumph. Hope this works:

Oh, arse. I'll come back to it tomorrow...

[peasea]

Money has everything to do with it, I bought the bike I liked the best that fit my budget.

That'd be the same for most folk. If you're like us you'll be shopping smart when it's groceries time; use your noggin. The same applies when it comes to bikes/cars. To buy a new vehicle is (to my mind) nuts. Let some other sucker roll it off the showroom floor, lose ten grand and trade it in.

I/we would prefer to pick up on the 'slightly used' machine for a much better price.

Being folk that keep machines for more than five minutes we consider ourselves to be fairly astute with purchases of mechanical toys and we maintain them well, with an eye to long-term ownership.

It's all about your own budget in the long run but I firmly believe that you need to own a bike for at least a year, preferably two, before being able to pass judgement on that bike.

Otherwise your appraisal is nothing more than a press release or a sales brochure quote.

Hardly the real world.

[Big Dave]

To buy a new vehicle is (to my mind) nuts.

My bike is my company vehicle. It needs to be most reliable and the depreciation is tax deductible.
A lot of people don't like working on vehicles either. New ones require less upkeep. Everyone has a different value on that and the warranty.

I also reckon I can make a pretty accurate assessment of a bike's capabilities and who it suits in less than 1,000km. I take your point about 'known issues' but that's another attraction on new with warranty.


So a Suzuki DR650SE is $9,100. It does everything the Harley does. Probably the most versatile bike on the market.
If it wasn't for something more than the money why aren't we all riding them huh?

[peasea]

My bike is my company vehicle. It needs to be most reliable and the depreciation is tax deductible.
A lot of people don't like working on vehicles either. New ones require less upkeep. Everyone has a different value on that and the warranty.

I also reckon I can make a pretty accurate assessment of a bike's capabilities and who it suits in less than 1,000km. I take your point about 'known issues' but that's another attraction on new with warranty.


So a Suzuki DR650SE is $9,100. It does everything the Harley does. Probably the most versatile bike on the market.
If it wasn't for something more than the money why aren't we all riding them huh?

Because it isn't about the money, is it?

[crazyhorse]

Totally agree. You buy the kind of bike you like and want - how new etc depends on how much you have to spend - but its still what you want!

Well done Molly, I agree, ditch it before it costs you more than its worth.

[Big Dave]

Because it isn't about the money, is it?

Yea. It is for me. I know quite a few folks that it isn't.

Be interesting to know what the average spend on accessorising a new Harley currently is.

The last time I asked it was $6k over the standard price - average.