Too Old, Cooled off Love, Economy or ???

[Chattanooga Mark]

     I'm a two time Valkyrie Interstate owner and find these bikes to be wonderful. But lately, many of the nice looking Valkyrie Interstates for sale seem to be going to less than I'd sell mine for. I think I paid $8500 for my 99 two years ago with only 6500 miles on it. It was in near new condition. Today it has a few more farkles on ot like the Ultimate seat set, Hondaline items now include the CB, fog lights, windshield deflectors, radiator pod deflectors, front air deflector and the Rivco passenger boards. It had the Hondaline trunk rack, saddlebag rail and front fender rail when I bought it.

     I couldn't replace it with anything new for under $23,000. I really like the Victory Cross Country Tour and suspect it would be a nice replacement for the Valk someday. But then I'd have to spend another several thousand in Victory accessories to match the Valk's add ons. I was at a City Heat MC Rally yesterday and the Valk did draw a fair amount of interest. When I talk to people about it and they realize for well under $10,000 they could have one like it they almost don't beleive me.

     Is the value dropping on our Valkyries because of their age, the economy or something else in combination with these two.  Seems to me my Valkyrie just might remain in my garage for a lot longer.

All the best,

Mark

[six2go #152]

Not sure what it is Mark. It's not just the Interstates either, I have a '98 Standard that I have thought about selling since I got my V-Strom, but it seems like people are almost giving them away. There's no way I would part with mine for what some of these owners are asking. The good part is, I don't HAVE to sell it, my garage is just a bit crowded. 

[Jess Tolbirt]

its just like the, i believe it to be, the c-5 corvette,, you can get a nice one for around 5 grand now,,,its time is has come and gone, its not a classic so its not holding its value, its just an old bike,,

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I think all bikes have took a hit look at Craigslist it's got $20,000 Harley's going for $13,000 to $15,000. What that tells me as soon as that new bike leaves the dealer floor you lose $5,000 just leaving the parking lot.

[Serk]

Just taking a guess, but a lot of people get spooked by the "19" part of the year of most of our Valks, and the fact that the bike has been out of production for nearly a decade now...

[tank_post142]

wait 1 more year when  honda stops carrying most parts for Valks.

[old2soon]

Just taking a guess, but a lot of people get spooked by the "19" part of the year of most of our Valks, and the fact that the bike has been out of production for nearly a decade now...

But or most of us it IS a labor of love. 2 years ago the 30th of this month i got mine fer $5800.00. If someone was to put a 1 in front of that i MIGHT consider it. RIDE SAFE.

[..]

    I'm a two time Valkyrie Interstate owner and find these bikes to be wonderful. But lately, many of the nice looking Valkyrie Interstates for sale seem to be going to less than I'd sell mine for. I think I paid $8500 for my 99 two years ago with only 6500 miles on it. It was in near new condition. Today it has a few more farkles on ot like the Ultimate seat set, Hondaline items now include the CB, fog lights, windshield deflectors, radiator pod deflectors, front air deflector and the Rivco passenger boards. It had the Hondaline trunk rack, saddlebag rail and front fender rail when I bought it.

     I couldn't replace it with anything new for under $23,000. I really like the Victory Cross Country Tour and suspect it would be a nice replacement for the Valk someday. But then I'd have to spend another several thousand in Victory accessories to match the Valk's add ons. I was at a City Heat MC Rally yesterday and the Valk did draw a fair amount of interest. When I talk to people about it and they realize for well under $10,000 they could have one like it they almost don't beleive me.

     Is the value dropping on our Valkyries because of their age, the economy or something else in combination with these two.  Seems to me my Valkyrie just might remain in my garage for a lot longer.

All the best,

Mark

Generic questions for owners

Do you have a payment on it?

If no why get a bike that would have a payment?

Does it make you smile the moment you leave the driveway?

Will a new bike have the same effect?

Do you wrench your bike?

Why get one you don't know the service history of?

etc, etc, etc.

[BF]

I think Joe is right.  Generally speaking, most folks are hanging onto their money......prices are coming down.  A bike is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. 

However, it'd take a pretty big wad of cash to make me even consider letting mine go.  I just spent all last winter making it mine and I'm not planning on letting it go anywhere anytime soon. 

[Jeff K]

wait 1 more year when  honda stops carrying most parts for Valks.

That is crap. It is truly amazing at the OEM parts available from Honda for my 1975 GL1000. Not a lot of plastic parts but a lot of mechanical parts.

[Willow]

Joe's is correct about prices fro motorcycles being down across the board, not just Valkyries.  We live in a supply and demand economy.

There are a few of us for whom a motorcycle (or motorcycles) is a significant part of our lives, but many, if not most, view a motorcycle as another toy or recreational property.  When the economy becomes unsure, the demand for toys and recreational items decreases.  Making matters worse, some folks in unsure or hard economic times will decide to unload their toys and recreational items.  Thus the supply increases even as the demand decreases.

It really doesn't make much difference to me.  None of mine are for sale.      

[Jeff K]

I for one hope the bottom drops out of the Valkyrie market. I don't sell them I buy them. I'm in the market for a cheap IS.

[Jess Tolbirt]

I for one hope the bottom drops out of the Valkyrie market. I don't sell them I buy them. I'm in the market for a chap IS.

whats a "chap" IS?
just kiddin,,,

[Jess Tolbirt]

I think all bikes have took a hit look at Craigslist it's got $20,000 Harley's going for $13,000 to $15,000. What that tells me as soon as that new bike leaves the dealer floor you lose $5,000 just leaving the parking lot.

yep remember when you said that i would be back? well you may be right,,when i find a nice tourer for about 2 grand i will be back...

[Jeff K]

I for one hope the bottom drops out of the Valkyrie market. I don't sell them I buy them. I'm in the market for a chap IS.

whats a "chap" IS?
just kiddin,,,

OOPS!

[cookiedough]

I bought my I/S for around 8K about 4 years ago and would not let mine go for under 7500 today.  I don't think 500 bucks in depreciation in 4 years is all that bad, do you?  If I can't get 7500, gonna keep it and wait until another 9 years have passed and put collector plates on it.  Then watch the value increase when they see a 20 year old bike hopefully looking like only 8-10 years old.  

I see more HD's around me decreasing in value more so than anything else since the market is flooded with them vs. most dealers around me want premium bucks for Valkyries and newer Goldwings.   I think as more time passes, the Valkyries depreciation will continue to go slow down.  Just look at 1980's honda V65 1098cc thru 700cc magnas.  I sold my 1984 honda magna in 1997 with around 20K miles on it for 1500 bucks (paid 1500 for it in 1989) and now that it is a classic vintage bike over 20 years old, the same 1984 honda magna NOT even in that good of shape  is still fetching near 2 grand.   These V4 magna's are no longer in production same as the Valkyrie, so I see just the opposite say in 5-10 years with our bikes appreciation instead of depreciating.  

[f6john]

   I'll buy all the nice C5 Corvette's @ $5K anyone can find!!

[Jess Tolbirt]

   I'll buy all the nice C5 Corvette's @ $5K anyone can find!!

looks like i should have looked at what they actually are before i spoke, c5 was a wrong year i was thinking of those that look like these,
http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/2986729705.html

[f6john]

  I'll buy all the nice C5 Corvette's @ $5K anyone can find!!

looks like i should have looked at what they actually are before i spoke, c5 was a wrong year i was thinking of those that look like these,
http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/2986729705.html

      I assumed you just mis-spoke, I am about as crazy for Vettes as I am my Valkyrie. Some of the C3's and C4's are bottoming out and can be bought cheap but they are much more expensive to tinker with than a Valkyrie.

[GiG]

I really like the Victory Cross Country Tour and suspect it would be a nice replacement for the Valk someday. But then I'd have to spend another several thousand in Victory accessories to match the Valk's add ons.

Hey, Mark, I have the Victory Cross Country Tour and I really like it. The Victory Cross Country Tour  IS a nice replacement for the Valk. But I did NOT have to spend several thousand in Victory accessories to match the Valk's add ons. The Victory Cross Country Tour comes loaded. I added the Heel Shifter ($90 - very nice machined part, machined out of billet looks and works outstanding), and cover for the rear brake resovoir (~$20). That's it. I use it for 2-up touring, will never get rid of my Valkyries, cuz they don't make them any more...

[Ice]

Joe's is correct about prices fro motorcycles being down across the board, not just Valkyries.  We live in a supply and demand economy.

There are a few of us for whom a motorcycle (or motorcycles) is a significant part of our lives, but many, if not most, view a motorcycle as another toy or recreational property.  When the economy becomes unsure, the demand for toys and recreational items decreases.  Making matters worse, some folks in unsure or hard economic times will decide to unload their toys and recreational items.  Thus the supply increases even as the demand decreases.

It really doesn't make much difference to me.  None of mine are for sale.      

I agree Willow, and to add onto that, we have to remember that not all too long ago, it was the thing to have a Motorcycle, as if it was a mid life crisis for all those "wanna be's" in the early to mid 2000's I saw more folks on bikes that had no business rideing that ever before, and most were people of money and just plain wanted to look cool. (that also caused the Harley bikes to go through the roof in sales) Now that the buzz is over and riding is getting back to reality (a bit, at least) many of the high priced toys are flooding the market and as Willow said, supply and demand.

[steve 3054]

Jeff K:  Yes and No.....

I needed a throttle body for my  Rune last year and had to wait 6 weeks for Honda to make one and ship it over...so on some parts that there is an over abundance in ok....if  Honda has to make a special order, better get out you wallet...just sayin

[Jabba]

I'd LOVE to get $5K for my 97 Standard.

It's still for sale.

Jabba

[signart]

If you sold your Valkyrie, say a well kept standard for $4500 or an Interstate for $7800, and still wanted to ride. What could you buy for that, and do what you could do with the Valkyrie. Will a new Victory wear out 2, 3, or even 4 used Valks? That's what you could buy for one new Victory.

[cookiedough]

Give it a few more years and the 2001 thru 2004 Goldwings will be under 10K and within reason for me to buy if you can find one with under say 30,000 miles on it.   Unless you plan on riding some serious miles per year (like 8-10K), I see no reason to spend over 10K on much of anything for any cycle.  I admire and a little jealous for those that put say 10K per year on all their cycles combined, that, to me, is very impressive. 

[Robert]

I have long said that most who sell their Valks are getting far less than what they are really worth. There is no bike that offers as much and still people are more and more recognizing them and wanting them. The old Mustangs didn't go for that much but with public recognition and people wanting them the law of supply and demand kicked in and the prices went through the roof. I have seen Ferrari's go up in value to the point that a car normally priced at 200k went for 1mill in a short time. If you have the perception that its just another motorcycle then that's all you'll get but if you start to understand that these bikes are actually gaining popularity and they aren't made anymore then you will understand that they are worth more than most are getting. The fact also that most bikes are sold when they don't have much life left in them is also a problem with getting a higher price but this as we all know doesn't apply to the Valk. If taken care of the new owner can ride just the same way that the first owner did, but the first owner had to foot the bill for the chrome and add ons. If you think that they go bad over time or that the bikes are in need of repair then ok other wise start to consider what is true market value. That is how its done in big corps they hire someone to determine market value of the $1.98 widget they just produced and he in turn says it worth $30.00.

[BradValk48237]

Hang on to Em!!!!

These bikes will always have "Value", As time goes on, the values will stabilize as people see the Longevity and Handsome lines of the "Mercedes of Cruisers"....

I think they will become like older Wings and hold a value for a long time because they are multi purpose- Other bikes will be in the scrap heap or worth next to nothing as our Valks keep going.... There alot of 20 year old Wings that can (or will) sell for several thousand dollars while bikes of the same period are going for hundreds. I personally don't plan to EVER sell mine and even if I loose $500 to a $1000 a year for a while, that is the cost of having it to enjoy for a long time. In ten years if my I/S is still worth $4-5000 (or less) I would consider that a great "value" for 10  years of having this bike under me.... I paid $8500 3 years ago and even if I HAD to sell it now for $7500 I would consider that a good value for a 13 year old bike (and 3 years of enjoyment).... That's what? 50 or 60% of what it sold for new? What other 13 year old vehicle is still worth 60% of it purchase price???????

Motorcycles have never been a great retirement fund.... but older Wings seem have to hit a plateau on prices.... Good 1200's are still going for $2500 to $4000....... 1500's can stiil get $4-5000 or more.... Even in this economy. So I think a Good condition Valk will still be worth several thousand in 10 years.

 As far as parts, there are enough members here with talent and a will to keep them going no matter what it takes..... Hell, people still manage to get bikes from the 30's and 40's refurbished and running. and there are plenty of Wing parts that could be made to work...... These bikes are made to run for a LONG time with proper care and maint. I had an 85 Wing that I had no trouble getting 99% of anything i needed or might have needed for a resonable price. Sure I couldn't get a color matched side cover new 6 yeqrs ago when one got dragged along the pavement by it's tether, but I found a used one in better condition in less than a week and there were new ones still available in other colors. So I don't see anything standing in the way of keeping mine running at a reasonable cost for many years to come.

Just my opinion, but if you don't sell it... you can't loose money.

Brad