Best place to advertise Valk for sale?

[Cynic]

I've posted it here a couple times and have gotten a single call about it...from someone not even looking to buy!

I need to sell the Valkyrie, but haven't had luck either here or on cycletrader. Any other suggestions?

Thanks, Daryl

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Craigslist and/or Facebook Marketplace will probably get you the most viewing traffic these days. Good pictures and detailed info helps. Sadly, pricing isn't where most owners would like them to be these days. Good if you're a buyer; bad if you're selling.

Good luck with the sale.

[Jess from VA]

There is also CycleTrader.com.  But Craigslist is better for local, if your closest Craigslist area is actually local to you.

Also, the Trader is a good place to check to see other adds and what Valks are selling for elsewhere. (and prices will vary a bit geographically)

IMHO, good photos are a must, and good photos must be taken in full sunlight (no shade, no exceptions).

If you have a bunch of extras, seats, pegs, parts, manuals, yada; stack them up and take a pic of them too.

If you kept a log book or file of all periodic maintenance and receipts for add-ons, tell them you have it, and include it with sale.

I always found some nice bike review links of the bike i was selling, and included a few good links at the bottom of my add.  Valkyrie links will be old, but still good.

The idea is to have a better sale add than everyone else.  Care taken with the add, shows care taken with the bike.

Winter is never the best time to sell, and buyers expect even better (lower) prices in winter. 

[cookiedough]

unless you live in the warmer states driving year round,  wait till April to sell am sure you will get 1 grand more then vs. selling now.

Craigslist seems to be the way to go IMO.

Start high but not too high to get some interest.  If you go too high, no one will call you up.

skip trading it into any stealership,  they will low ball you pretty sure on that.

[f6john]

I went looking for your ad and couldn't find it in the classifieds, must have been a while back?

[JimC]

I've posted it here a couple times and have gotten a single call about it...from someone not even looking to buy!

I need to sell the Valkyrie, but haven't had luck either here or on cycletrader. Any other suggestions?

Thanks, Daryl

Daryl

I will have an interstate for sale soon, so I don't like it either, but you are asking about $1,000 too much for your bike in today's market. Take a look at the thread started by Dave Ritsma.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,103795.0.yhtml

You will be better off taking the bling off and selling it on this board  separately. Most people that know valks already have the extra's that they need, and people that don't know the valks do not realize how much they enhance the bike, or how much that stuff costs, so they will look for a standard without the added cost.

Sorry,  Jim

[Willow]

Yes, it's not where you're advertising.  It's what you're asking.  I don't want to disagree too strongly with the experts at KBB but a Standard selling for $5000 is very rare these days.  Like Jim, I'd say you are asking too high but I'd say $1,000 is rather optimistic.  I'd guess closer to $1,500 maybe more as it's winter most places.

[Rams]

Yes, it's not where you're advertising.  It's what you're asking.  I don't want to disagree too strongly with the experts at KBB but a Standard selling for $5000 is very rare these days.  Like Jim, I'd say you are asking too high but I'd say $1,000 is rather optimistic.  I'd guess closer to $1,500 maybe more as it's winter most places.

All I'm going to say is, I just bought a similar Valkyrie and it was considerably less than the one advertised.   Winter is a terrible time to sell but a great time to buy if, the buyer is willing to let it sit until the weather is better.  My (new to me) Valkyrie is now waiting in the shop.

The seller wanted/needed the room for other toys.  

Edited:  Rule of thumb is, items priced to sell will sell, items priced at or above market value may eventually sell.

Rams

[Bighead]

Agree with asking price.

[cookiedough]

When I sell stuff on craigslist, as said, good pics and descriptions are a MUST.  I find out usually when buying items that the pics are REALLY too good to be true and usually are since once I get there looking the cycle, etc. over,  it needs 1-4 things fixed that should have been fixed years ago.  Plus, 7 times out of 10 the owner does NOT wash and wax near spotless the cycle before posting on craigslist.  Why is beyond me, probably just laziness thinking it will sell eventually.  That turns me off when I see dirt and grime and bugs all over the windshield and wheels, etc.

You are more apt to sell an ATV/cycle, etc. or anything else if cleaned up very well as best as possible since that sets in the potential owners mind you have taken care of it mechanically as well. 

I just saw an identical 1997 honda magna advertised at a dealership same mileage, etc. as what I have for sale come spring.  Dealer wants an unheard of 3500 asking price,  mine will ask 2300 and go down to 2200 if need be.  I could start off at 2500, but want people to actually show up since cheapest one ever seen similar is 1800 asking price while most are 2300-2500 or so.  Not too high is the key but reasonable. 

Then again,  when it comes to our VAlks in that size range,  what else out there BELOW 5K is out there to purchase?  Not much really, have seen a nice used honda vtx1800 though posted for only 3K worth looking at with batwing fairing, etc. fully decked out seemed to be a great deal locally.  I would think in general (depending on mileage, options, condition,  etc.)  7K for an I/S,  4-5K for a standard/tourer is tops nowadays.  The days of 8K for an Interstate are few and far between seen one locally advertised for that had a GREAT dragon paint scheme lower mileage 30K miles or so and it sat and sat on craigslist forever not sold.  Have to find that PERFECT buyer for 8K but would have sold easy enough for 7K I think.  Heck,  my neighbors decked out 2003 HD ultra classic with around 45K miles has sat for OVER 2 years NOT sold asking 8 grand.  The one time he let an older woman test drive it 2 years ago it came back broken she finally admitted tipping it over at gas station having to have his insurance repair it and she fessed up paying his 500 deductible since cost over 2 grand to fix. 

I would want near 7K for my I/S and if no one wants it,  I will keep it until I give in lowering to 6K bottom dollar or I find a super great deal on a newer used goldwing, etc. for 8-9K.  I do not believe in marking it up too much as said since no one will call or respond to the ad.  Some would say 7K is way too much, but to each their own.  Our Valks are becoming classic cycles and retro styling is back in nowadays as shown by all the new HD's, Yamahas, Hondas,  etc. that look retro from the 70s and 80s era.

I've seen on craigslist a nicely equipped looks to be perfect mint condition lower mileage 1984 V65 magna asking 3500.  I doubt he will get it since back in 1988, that was near the going sold used price of that bike.  2500 is more realistic even if one of the best/fastest classic cruisers ever made.

[Rams]

I would want near 7K for my I/S and if no one wants it,  I will keep it until I give in lowering to 6K bottom dollar or I find a super great deal on a newer used goldwing, etc. for 8-9K.  I do not believe in marking it up too much as said since no one will call or respond to the ad.  Some would say 7K is way too much, but to each their own.  

Your (and my) bikes are only worth what a buyer is willing to pay.  Our bottom dollar only reflects what we are willing to let it go for (if, that is the most we can get) and some buyer agrees.    As our situation changes/worsens, that bottom dollar will drop.   Been there....   That is precisely why/how I got my (new to me) Valkyrie last weekend.    Now, I just need to get enough range of motion in my shoulder to reach the clutch and ride it.  

Rams

[hueco]

Craigslist is the way to go. IMHO. But. Valkyries do not seem to be selling well around these neck of the woods. I say that this bike is not every ones cup of tea. But. It is the common theme when trying to sell a Valk.
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/d/dallas-price-dropped-must-sell-1997/6748275559.html

[Rams]

Craigslist is the way to go. IMHO. But. Valkyries do not seem to be selling well around these neck of the woods. I say that this bike is not every ones cup of tea. But. It is the common theme when trying to sell a Valk.
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/d/dallas-price-dropped-must-sell-1997/6748275559.html

My guess is, she's getting old.   Most folks want the latest and greatest.   
Though I do find it interesting that no matter where she goes, she still draws a crowd.   

Rams

[Dave Ritsema]

Yes, it's not where you're advertising.  It's what you're asking.  I don't want to disagree too strongly with the experts at KBB but a Standard selling for $5000 is very rare these days.  Like Jim, I'd say you are asking too high but I'd say $1,000 is rather optimistic.  I'd guess closer to $1,500 maybe more as it's winter most places.

I agree with Willow, based on the current market it's a $3500 bike which still isn't too bad for a 19 year old motorcycle. The accessories won't add any significant value, they just differentiate yours from another competitive bike and only them will they come into play. I would pull the GPS, put on the stock seats if you still have them and sell those two items separately.  Just my opinion, no offense intended regarding pricing.