valkyrie value

[Eric58701]

so I thought I had my bike sold, they guy came, rode it, loved it, goes to the bank and comes back saying they value it at $3400 . 99 Valkyrie interstate 31,000 some odd miles. aftermarket mustang seats with back rests,  short windshield , tall windshield  new tires, battery,  mark t pipes.  ok ya I know they cant put a value on the aftermarket stuff but what does one do to convince the guy after a banks tells him

[¿spoom]

Tell him the bank isn't going to buy it, but he still can.

[old2soon]

               Ain't a livin body gonna ride my 99 I/S away fer no $3400.00! The community here-this board-know what our Ladies are actually worth. He didn't wanna make up the diff tween the 3400 hundred and yer ask not much ya can do. IF he IS seriously interested he Might be back BUT do not hold yer breath. RIDE SAFE.

[Eric58701]

oh trust me its going to stay in my garage, I think I will super valk it and out the short windshield on it

[Jess from VA]

The definition of fair market value is the price a buyer would buy, and a seller would sell, neither being forced to buy or sell.  NADA and Kelly Blue Book are OK to look at, but not binding (it may be binding on the bank as far as floating loans to buyers (esp buyers without a great credit rating)), but Kelly BB and NADA are considered much more accurate for cars and trucks than motorcycles (for bikes, the going prices in your area or region or even nationwide is a better gauge.)

Although asking prices may not be actual sale prices, but you have to go with asking prices on line.

When I went to sell two bikes a few years ago, I checked KBB and NADA (and both were lowball, even after adding extra for low miles, yada), but I also went on the Cycle Trader website and punched in my bike make and model for my year, and also the year before and year after my model year.  First I tried local, but not enough bikes, so then I went regional.  I ruled out super low price junkers and super fine low miles beauties, and averaged the rest.  This is how I picked my add prices, and I was prepared to show this research to my prospective buyers, but both bikes were bought at my asking price by the first guy that showed for each.  Maybe I was a little low, but it's not something I wanted to make a career out of.  It's worth a few hundred bucks to have the first guy that shows up buy your bike and be done with it.  But you don't have to give it away either.

Also, while you can't count on getting full value for all your expensive add-ons, it is a good idea to create a piece of paper with all those add-ons listed and prices you paid for them, just to show a prospective buyer (that your asking price is more than fair).

Also, when listing a bike or showing it, have all your extra parts and seats and stuff out to show what you are throwing in with the sale.  Don't tell them, show them.  My on line adds had nice full sunshine pictures, and one picture was boxes of extra parts.  Any picture not taken in full and direct sunlight is a lousy picture.

Also, my bike adds posted on line included a few links to very favorable reviews of the bike, when it was new. 

I also keep a log book on every vehicle I own with all service documented, dates and miles, and those went with the bikes sold, and buyers are impressed and believe you took good care of it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

ok ya I know they cant put a value on the aftermarket stuff but what does one do to convince the guy after a banks tells him

Not much. If he needs a loan from the bank to be able to buy the bike, he has little choice. If he is just using that as a negotiating tactic, then you have to decide what it's worth to you.

There was a guy on the radio years back that I have forgotten his name. But he gave out financial, personal, just about anything advice. One thing he always said that stuck with me is "A ____ is worth what someone is willing to pay you for it".

[..]

And clean the extras for the sale photos.

So many post photos of dusty, dirty stuff. 

[cookiedough]

I would hate to total my Valk or any cycle, etc. for that matter for insurance companies would see the VAlk is only like worth 4-5K according to the 'books', but would fight VERY hard to not let it go for under 6K totaled for damages in a payout.  Doubt I can get 7K for it, but 6K resale is very do-able and that is what they should base it off but they normally do not. 

[Serk]

For better or for worse Valkyries are 20+/- year old motorcycles that have been out of production for a long time.

They tend to be worth far more in our garages and being ridden than they're worth in a for sale ad.

[MarkT]

+1 on everything above, and - that's a lowball number based on numbers I've seen lately.  Street price is $1,000+ higher.  If he needs a bank to help pay for it at these used prices, I'd guess he doesn't fit the historical demographic of the bike. (It could be just a negotiating tactic.) IOW he's a youngster sans play money he's saved up.  Too bad for him - I'd stick with my price - there will be another behind him.  I note I've seen the demographic get younger as these used bikes get lower in price. Well it's good these whippersnappers are appreciating our rides but on the other hand it's not a beginner's bike generally - one should have some biking experience before throwing a leg over the saddle.  Also, speaking just for me but I've noticed that most of us geezers have matured and learned how to be gracious; get along with others ( on the average ). That takes time and learning, something these young guys don't have yet.  Negotiating skills are wanting, while some rely on hormones to think for them.  Not generally a good thing.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I picked up my 98 this spring for $4k with 40K on the clock. I still watch the craigslist ads and facebook marketplace ads to see what's out there. Sad as it is to say, I see very clean Valks with reasonable miles sit forever if they're over 5K or so. Honestly, I almost wish I waited. I've seen a few really nice ones well below 4K lately. There's a low mile one near me right now for 2K, but it's a non-runner due to carbs plugged. I almost want to go look at it. If the tank isn't rusty, it would probably be about the best low-buck special on the market.

At these prices, if you own one, keep it forever. You'll regret selling it anyway.

[¿spoom]

Didn't have time to go in detail last night, but there's another reasoning for some often "too low" blue book pricing-tax cheats. Friend in the business told me years ago that the blue book was his best friend on a lowball trade-in offer to a new bike customer. "Here, I'll show you the book!" he'd say and slide it across the desk. Blue book goes mainly from actual sales/registrations of the used vehicles.
I'm guessing that lately, most '99 Interstates are sold by private parties, not through a dealership that fills in the registration and collects &  the correct sales tax, based on true purchase price. Lots of private sales are done with a "you write in whatever sales price you want" wink and a handshake, with the purchaser reporting perhaps half the actual sales price, and that's what ends up in the State's registration info used by KBB, Edmonds, etc. driving the used value down.    

[old2soon]

            Couple years ago My Brother Ross-a k a da prez-could have sold a Valkyrie at his ask Until the buyer-over 21-confided to da prez that this would be his first M/C EVER. Ross looked him in the eye said I will NOT sell this M/C to you as it IS the furthest thing from a starter M/C. Dud got upset BUT he did NOT leave with That Valkyrie. I'd ridden that Valk and had too be one of the fastest Stock Valks I'd been on. RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

Similar story (irrelevant to Valks).

I bought a 20yo CM250 Honda to teach my wife to ride on.  Bought it for $800, cleaned it up considerably, and sold it for $800.  So one of the first guys to show is mid thirties and had never ridden (and no MC endorsement, so he can't ride it either), and says he agrees with my add that it is a great starter bike.

Only thing was, he was like 6'7" tall.  I told him I'd be glad to take his cash money and sell him the bike, but first do me a favor and get on it (on the center stand).  He gets on, and I tell him to put his feet on the pegs, and his knees are almost hitting the handlebars.  He looked like a praying mantis mounted on a lady bug.  We both laugh, but he's bummed out, and asks what he should do.  I told him to look for a small engine dual sport dirt bike with real tall seat and suspension, but still street legal.  He thanked me and shook my hand.  

The bike sold later that day.... to a normal person.  

[Serk]

The bike sold later that day.... to a normal person.  

Hey now, I resemble that remark!

[Jess from VA]

The bike sold later that day.... to a normal person.  

Hey now, I resemble that remark!

You know that was just for you.   

[Oss]

Bought Stan's bike for what he asked for it 4k  and the bike had 169000 miles   

Just getting broken in, he changed the timing belts, had done the alternator and it is a beautiful bike

I would not have asked him to sell for the price you were quoted, but then again he is a friend.

As far as your buyer, he is no bargain if he has to go to a bank to get a 19 yr old bike, good grief
your bike IMHO should be worth 6k at least

[3fan4life]

Bought Stan's bike for what he asked for it 4k  and the bike had 169000 miles   

Just getting broken in, he changed the timing belts, had done the alternator and it is a beautiful bike

I would not have asked him to sell for the price you were quoted, but then again he is a friend.

As far as your buyer, he is no bargain if he has to go to a bank to get a 19 yr old bike, good grief
your bike IMHO should be worth 6k at least

Nice PIC! 

[cookiedough]

Didn't have time to go in detail last night, but there's another reasoning for some often "too low" blue book pricing-tax cheats. Friend in the business told me years ago that the blue book was his best friend on a lowball trade-in offer to a new bike customer. "Here, I'll show you the book!" he'd say and slide it across the desk. Blue book goes mainly from actual sales/registrations of the used vehicles.
I'm guessing that lately, most '99 Interstates are sold by private parties, not through a dealership that fills in the registration and collects &  the correct sales tax, based on true purchase price. Lots of private sales are done with a "you write in whatever sales price you want" wink and a handshake, with the purchaser reporting perhaps half the actual sales price, and that's what ends up in the State's registration info used by KBB, Edmonds, etc. driving the used value down.    

I never knew that.  I learned something today...

[9Ball]

Didn't have time to go in detail last night, but there's another reasoning for some often "too low" blue book pricing-tax cheats. Friend in the business told me years ago that the blue book was his best friend on a lowball trade-in offer to a new bike customer. "Here, I'll show you the book!" he'd say and slide it across the desk. Blue book goes mainly from actual sales/registrations of the used vehicles.
I'm guessing that lately, most '99 Interstates are sold by private parties, not through a dealership that fills in the registration and collects &  the correct sales tax, based on true purchase price. Lots of private sales are done with a "you write in whatever sales price you want" wink and a handshake, with the purchaser reporting perhaps half the actual sales price, and that's what ends up in the State's registration info used by KBB, Edmonds, etc. driving the used value down.    

I never knew that.  I learned something today...

Me too.  Makes a lot of sense.  Thanks for the info.

[Oss]

That is true, I heard of an attorney who put down a different number on something and got caught and disbarred  He lost his license over hundreds of dollars of tax, moron.

Tell the truth and you only have one thing to remember is what Dad taught me.

[baldo]

Bought Stan's bike for what he asked for it 4k  and the bike had 169000 miles   

Just getting broken in, he changed the timing belts, had done the alternator and it is a beautiful bike

I would not have asked him to sell for the price you were quoted, but then again he is a friend.

As far as your buyer, he is no bargain if he has to go to a bank to get a 19 yr old bike, good grief
your bike IMHO should be worth 6k at least

HEY, I've been there!

Nice bike BTW.