Harley prices

[Bertram65]

For the first time the local Harley dealer is selling bikes at MSRP, stopped in today, this is a pretty big dealer they had about 50 new bikes on the floor. I have been looking at the FLHT standard for a long time. They have always marked them up usually anywhere from $2K to $5K depending on model. Must be the supply has caught up the demand. A couple of my friends have bought in up state NY at MSRP in years past, they give a $500 deposit months before they are available and then when they come in the dealer just goes down the list. What kind of pricing do you see in your area?

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Dad bought his '04 Fat Boy from Gatto's in Tarentum, PA.



He got lucky and found one with some kind of HD limited edition paint and everything - right on the showroom floor.



They had the best prices out of any of the places he looked at... he was looking all over in New England. It's funny how a visit to PA to see grandma can get you into a lot of trouble. :-laf



Matt

 

[gitchesum]

I'm hoping the prices hold out long enough to get mine sold. Then I don't care what they do.

 

[EBottema]

Harley's are awsome bikes... dont get me wrong! But they don't have any competition and that is why the stuff is so expensive. The shirts are cool but way overpriced!



erik

 

[JConley]

Harley might be running out of people that are willing to pay high end prices for 1940's technology.



I was in a Harley shop last week, and there was a REALLY nice bike on the floor that I liked. ( I was killing time) the guy told me it would run around $35,000. I about died. The chrome looked nice, the diamond cut in the cylinder fins looked nice, but that is a whole lot to pay in order to "look" cool.



My 2003 Goldwing cost me $15,000, and it was 5 times the bike that Harley was. Course I understand that I didnt look "cool" like the harley riders I passed when it was raining. They (and the spouses on the back) were trying to hide behind the handlebar in order to keep the rain from drilling them in the head, as I passed by at 70 dry as a bone. I guess the only time I am cool driving a Wing is when I am sitting in traffic. I dont have the problem of roasted testicles since the fan in my radiators blows the heat away from me.



The only Harley worth anything in my mind is the VROD. Course that is the least desirable in the harley crowd, so what do I know. Why on earth the most technically advanced Harley is the least desirable is beyond me. At least it puts out 100 HP!



I would like to see Harleys priced in the 7000 range for a standard bike since you can get a comparable Yamaha for about the same price.



Hopefully the Japanese banks (that put up the financing so Harley didnt go bankrupt) can be paid off one day so Harley can

charge reasonable prices.



Trivia question... Why does a Harley cost more than a Honda Goldwing, when the Goldwing has more American made parts in it than any Harley???





Stirring the pot a little

John

 

[EBottema]

Where are the parts made for harley?







Erik

 

[outlawram]

Jconely,Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. :-{} :-{}

I will turn circles around your jap bike! 124inch sure packs a punch.

 

[JConley]

Outlawram. . You probably CAN turn circles around me. I hate doing tight circles on the wing. Besides... Its a lot easier to stop and put the bike in reverse.



Its true. . The Goldwing has more american made parts on it than a Harley, so I wouldnt call it a Jap bike. The people that assemble the bike in Ohio were American the last I checked.



Erik. . a bunch of them are made in Japan.

 

[Bertram65]

I do not know about the more parts on a Gullwing being made in this country vs the number of parts on a Harley, I doubt it. Nothing against any of the other bikes, Honda, Yamaha, ect. . But they are not the same, A Harley is a Harley there is really no comparison to any other brand of bike it is so much more than just a comparison of technology, power, handleing ect. Anybody that has another brand and tries to compare it to a Harley saying it handles better, has more power ect. . is just trying to justify not spending the extra cash to get a Harley, I know I have done it myself, there truely is no substitute.

 

[Boomer II]

I heard one of the local dealers in the DFW area is selling at MSRP too. Most dealers around here are usually 3 to 5 K over.

Must be running out of Baby Boomers with disposable income.

 

[DKayser]

$?$?$?$?

STirring the pot is good. What does a 10 year old technically superior GW sell for? I have owned both, & have always said my 84 1200 Aspencade may be my all time favorite bike for eatin up mile after mile. But depreciation kills the NEW GW buyer. I`m riding a 93 FLHS ( Road King under a different nameplate). DK.

 

[JConley]

I have heard the depreciation thing too. I didnt buy my bike with the intention of getting rid of it later, so resale value didnt factor into my decision.



I never understood that sales line either. Wouldnt it be better to buy a bike you DONT want to get rid of rather than buy a bike with the salesman saying "When you want to get rid of it, it will still be worth something" Besides... for the price of that shiney new Harley, I can buy two new Wings. I figure after 100,000 miles, it will be time to buy a new one anyway.



Bert it is true there is nothing like a harley. I like the sound, but I assure you I am not trying to justify not spending the money. I could have bought any bike I wanted I couldnt justify spending more money on less power, less technology, less handeling, and less comfort. For running around town, I would love a Harley, but i take long trips, and the Wing was a better fit for my needs.



oh. . and it does have fewer made american parts.

 

[DKayser]

MSRP

What is the MSRP of a new GW? Last time I loked, the 6s were approaching 17k. That is not double the Electra Glide . I agree about not buying a scoot to get rid of it. But, any item is only worth what someone will pay for it. Items in demand, used or new,command higher prices than those that are not, i. e. Cummins vs. Powerstroke. I have owned all three of the 4 cyl. Wings, in each state of trim( GL1000, GL1100 I, GL1200 A) so I feel I can evaluate their merits, which are many. I still bought the Hog because I wanted it. The VROD is a neat motor in a puke chassis. It should have been put in a bagger style bike. Water cooling is coming for HD, but they need to keep a V twin that looks like one. DK.

 

[JConley]

Yup the MSRP is around 17K, but people dont pay MSRP for Goldwings. I dont know the price of an Electra Glide. I am saying I could buy 2 wings based on the Harley I liked at the dealer.



A store in Tennessee is selling 2004 Wings for 15K, and others are selling them in the low 16K range.

 

[DKayser]

They`re ALL overpriced. I would love to go down & buy a new 04-05 1200 4 banger. Loved that 84 Aspenfreighter! Just wish the 4 was still here, can`t get excited about the 6`s. A new Electra Glide Standard( No top box,radio,etc) is 15k out the door here. A ridin partner just bought one. You can spend 28k if you want all the goodies- 103 motor, 6 speed, more chrome than you want to polish, trick paint, etc. DK. :--)

 

[GFritsch]

Harley bikes are kind of like our trucks-- not the fastest or the cheapest, but there is no better feeling.



I have owned a variety of bikes over the years. All of them faster and cheaper, but I have never enjoyed riding more than on my 800lb hog.



To anyone considering a new bike purchase I would recommend renting a H. D. for a day or a weekend. Go to a group charity ride and meet people who will probably end up as good friends. Harley riders are very social people.



Bottom line-- get a bike and ride

 

[EBottema]

I wouldnt consider buying a new harley. they are not fun



custom bikes rule the free world!!!



erik

 

[DKayser]

Originally posted by GFritsch

Harley bikes are kind of like our trucks-- not the fastest or the cheapest, but there is no better feeling.



I have owned a variety of bikes over the years. All of them faster and cheaper, but I have never enjoyed riding more than on my 800lb hog.





Bottom line-- get a bike and ride

Well said! Just about covers it. DK.

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by EBottema

I wouldnt consider buying a new harley. they are not fun



custom bikes rule the free world!!!



erik

A "stock" Harley is like a blank canvas.



That's just a starting point.

 

[Wayno]

Well I have only own seven bikes in my life . The first one was a 750 Suzuki with a Windjammer and saddle bags , it was a big bike in its day. Then I got a 1978 Kawasaki 1000 police , then I got a 1979 Kawasaki 1000 police, then I got a 750 Honda and I didn't keep the Honda very long and kept the 1979 Kaw. I got out of the bike business for a few years . About a year and a half ago I got a 1996 Kawasaki 1000 police and a few months later I got a 1995 Kawasaki 1000 police . The only thing different with the Kawasaki's was the 78 and 79 had windshields and the 95 and 96 have fairings . Those Kawasaki's or fast , turn short , stop fast and handle great ( or at least I thought so ) but about four weeks ago I spent some big money and bought a 2003 Harley FLHTPI and when I took it for a test run I said this is weird but I bought it cause I got a good deal on it . Well after I drove it for about two weeks I took a little trip on the 96 Kawasaki and I couldn't hardly get it out of the driveway. The Harley drives and handles so much better than the Kawasaki's . It holds the road so much better ( the wind doesn't blow me around like on the Kaw's) and it ain't all that slow either. I put a set of Wild Pig pipes on it and the sound will not compare to any other bike . The fuel mileage is much better on the Harley than the Kaw's and I got caught in a rain storm ( not by choice ) and I didn't get that wet either but it does have a fairing on it. I did drive a friends 1980 Electra glide back in the eighties and the 2003 FLHTPI is so much better than the 1980, there has been a lot of improvement on the newer Harley's. Almost everyone I know has ask me " how do you like that Harley over the Kaw's " and I tell them you would have to experience it yourself to understand the feeling. I don't even like driving the Kaw's any more and I never would of thought I would be that way ------- its kinda like that . Now I have never drove a Goldwing but I don't like the looks of them . I like to see a little leg ------------------ uh , uh , uh I mean motor ( gotta be careful what I type here , wouldn't wanna get Mrs. R's fingers in high gear here ) every now and then .