Q: Why are Harley's missing in a certain price range?

**Flyingpony** · 12th October 2005, 16:17

Always like the sound of a Harley idling, and thought about eventually (many years from now) to buy one. But when looking at their prices there seems to be a missing price range.

I've not seen any Harley's on sale in the sub 2k or 5k market.
In fact the cheapest I've seen was 15k.

What happens to all the Harley's once they drop below 15k?
Where can the cheaper ones be found?

I mean, I know some models are sold new at 26k, surely they eventually must drop below 10k.

Thanks for explaining this puzzle.

**James Deuce** · 12th October 2005, 16:22

It's quite simple really. They don't slip under 10k. In fact once they get to a certain age they start to appreciate again, because they are representative of a certain "period" in HD history.

Cunning marketing, and always keeping supply short.

**SlashWylde** · 12th October 2005, 16:38

Originally Posted by Jim2

It's quite simple really. They don't slip under 10k. In fact once they get to a certain age they start to appreciate again, because they are representative of a certain "period" in HD history.

Cunning marketing, and always keeping supply short.

Yep, what he said in the main is true. Oh you will find the odd bike going for under $10k (I've seen them advertised) but really if you want a Harley for under $10k you're going to have to find out about it by word of mouth from friends or contacts who are willing to sell cheap, or build it yourself from parts scavenged from swap meets - which I will probably do myself within the next 5 years.

**madboy** · 12th October 2005, 16:40

The markets for Harleys are two-fold - those who will sacrifice anything to have "that" bike, and those who are at a position in life where dropping $15k on a bike isn't such a big thing. Supply and demand, a material object is worth as much as someone wants to pay for it. People in either of those two categories WILL pay $15k for one.

You're not buying a bike, you're buying a Harley. You don't say your ambition is to own a big, heavy, noisy cruiser (of which many Jappas are available for $5k) - it's to own a Harley.

You don't see $5k Ferraris.

**Coyote** · 12th October 2005, 17:09

Originally Posted by madboy

The markets for Harleys are two-fold - those who will sacrifice anything to have "that" bike, and those who are at a position in life where dropping $15k on a bike isn't such a big thing. Supply and demand, a material object is worth as much as someone wants to pay for it. People in either of those two categories WILL pay $15k for one.

That's why the 250 market is so high priced

**SPORK** · 12th October 2005, 17:12

Seriously, if you like the sound of a Hardley idling, just get an AG200 and make a small hole in the exhaust, or let rust do it's thing. It would be about 15 times cheaper too! Oh, and it probably has better performance

But anyway, wouldn't you rather have a real bike?!

**Big Dave** · 12th October 2005, 17:53

Originally Posted by OMGWTFBBQ

Seriously, if you like the sound of a Hardley idling, just get an AG200 and make a small hole in the exhaust, or let rust do it's thing. It would be about 15 times cheaper too! Oh, and it probably has better performance

But anyway, wouldn't you rather have a real bike?!

You've never ridden one - have you?

**SixPackBack** · 12th October 2005, 17:58

Originally Posted by Big Dave

You've never ridden one - have you?

What are they like compaired to a sprots bike, what is the attraction. I have ridden an old Suzuki harley clone and it was awfull

**avgas** · 12th October 2005, 18:12

Originally Posted by sixpackback

What are they like compaired to a sprots bike, what is the attraction. I have ridden an old Suzuki harley clone and it was awfull

Ride a buel, then jump back on ya GSXR, and i garuntee that your first ride you will have ground the foot pegs on it.....then be wondering how come it doesnt have the same punch in the corner.
Same with Harley bootin it on the open road. Was riding with a group of guys once, and saw some dude on a hardtail race a good ol zzr11 - i dont think i have ever seen a harley boot that fast.
While the jap cruisier have more power.....There is something about the reverse firing order of a harley motor that is like fire......you dont know why but you cant stop stareing.
Me i think that the MT-OS is the beez-kneez....that and the sound of a lovely triple - now that has a shaken not stirred feel to it

**Big Dave** · 12th October 2005, 20:01

Originally Posted by sixpackback

What are they like compaired to a sprots bike, what is the attraction. I have ridden an old Suzuki harley clone and it was awfull

They compare quite favourably. Don't listen to wankers who sprout 'they don't handle' without ever having ridden one.
What some of them don't have is enough cornering clearance for NZ conditions (they were designed for superslab) - but the all 'handle' just fine. Nicely in fact. Turn, change directions, stop, manouvre, just as well as any other modern motorcycle.

The noise they make and the feel good factor of the genuine article are special too.

Street cred. You can take the piss at the accountants who ride them once every whatever, but if you do want to go anywhere 'evil' every now and again.....

Interstate truckies wind their window down and tell you what a cool bike at the traffic lights.

For you and your back i would definitely test ride an FXDX Dyna Super Glide Sports. Most rewarding motorcycle. Adjustable front and rear susp, good ground clearance, brakes and a genuinely spirited ride. It actually handles really well.

2nd handers are in the mid/high 20's - The other good thing about H-Ds is that if you look after them - that's roughly what they stay worth.

(now most of the above is true of Triumphs too* - and they go even faster)
* except for the noise and the holding value bits.

**SixPackBack** · 12th October 2005, 20:13

Thank you Big Dave, coming from you that means something.......you got me thinkin now......can i get a harley in custard yellow

**Big Dave** · 12th October 2005, 20:54

Originally Posted by sixpackback

Thank you Big Dave, coming from you that means something.......you got me thinkin now......can i get a harley in custard yellow

Nah - I'm just an opiniated git who's ridden lots of motorcycles.
See his months kiwi rider mag or scroll down to the road king pic and story at
www.davidcohen.co.nz

about 40 large, but baby, what a ride.

**White trash** · 12th October 2005, 21:13

Beanman. I don't wanna sound like a cocky cunt, but I am, so I will.

I had a V-Rod and gave Deano a hiding and scared the shit outta Jimbo600 and Cycosis (2 of Welly Masives top dogs) on the Castle Point road. If you want to see what a Harley can do against a sports machine, chuck us the keys and be prepared to cry.

Being the "look at me" type rider I am, nothing will EVER come close to a Harley for the sheer experiance of ride.

And for the record, you can buy a brand new Harley for unde 15K, a ten year old 883/1200 can be sourced for well under 10 so I'm not sure where all these "high priced" arguments stem from.

If you're passionate about owning one, the price wont be an issue. If you have to question it? Well, you're looking at the wrong bike.