Which bikes would you choose?

[Christbiker]

Question---If one was to suppliment income by purchasing gently used bikes off of craigslist etc. and resell, which bikes would you focus on that meet these requirements?

Availability
Popularity
Resale-ability
Dependable

My thoughts are the Honda Shadow series 750 and up.  Any thoughts/ideas from my Brothers and Sisters out there that are smarter than I? (just about all)

Woody 

[mario]

hey woody,

imo, don't rule out adventure and dirt bikes.  on the twtex.com (texas forum) forum they seem to sell fairly quickly.  those and touring bikes, ie fjr's, older concous', st's. just a thought.  can't go wrong with the shadow series, tho.

God bless your endeavor.

[Jess from VA]

To do this consistently for profit, I would think you need to pick decent quality bikes for good (meaniing better than average) prices that people will buy.... meaning all makes and models.  It will require you to do your homework on fair market values on all kinds of bikes.  Passing on anything that requires any significant repairs.

My experience shows many people buy new small to midsize metrics of all types, ride a few times and then let them sit in the garage for a few years before selling.  Also happens with larger road bikes, but not as much.

I believe you'd do better at turning more smaller, cheaper bikes over, than fewer bigger, more expensive bikes.  Guys looking for bigger, more expensive bikes usually know more about price and quality than rookies.

I know there is a constant small market for starter bikes for all those just completing MSF. 

[RainMaker]

I'd find and talk with Jim Miller (Stretch).  He used to do this all the time, to the point that we never saw him on the same bike more than twice. 

You can probably PM him.

RainMaker

[keepinon]

I do this quite frequently. However, finding a bike that doesn't need work, at a price that allows a profit on resale, will be very hard to do this time of year. Warm weather is coming, and everyone thinks their bike is worth bunches of green. LOL  Learn to use KBB.com (Kelly Blue Book) and check before you buy. I'll guarantee this time of year, every bike on C-List is $500-1000 over valued. Not to say deals can't be done, but they are few, be ready to jump when you first spot them.

I buy my bikes usually between September & February. Folks need school money, Christmas money, Tax money...  clean & repair as needed, and sell in March.

I do mostly old Wings, 1100-1500's, and a Valk when I can find it worth the money. HD's also, but many still greatly over value them, but with the economy prices are coming down. (Another consideration... what CAN you sell it for?) Shadow 1100's and both VTX's are good sellers. Shadow 750's not so much, until gas prices get much higher.

I've not fooled with the dirt bikes, or dual purpose bikes. Not that I wouldn't, I'm just unfamiliar with the market.