A Word About "Is this bike worth $????" Threads

[clark4131]

I've seen a lot of threads lately asking whether a certain bike is worth a specified amount of money. In my opinion, these threads have questionable value for a variety of reasons. Firstly, no matter what amount you put up, as long as it's not ridiculously low or high, someone is always going to reply saying they got a newer, lower-mileage, better equipped bike from their brother-in-law for substantially less. Secondly, aftermarket parts never factor into the price as they are purely a personal judgement call unless somebody has modded a bike with exactly what you're looking for, and even then it's hard to justify adding in the total cost for upgrades. Thirdly, NADA is the definitive source for determining what a bike is worth. Hearsay, personal advice and straight opinion, all fall into the "gee whiz" category of information. That and $2.95 will get you a latte at Starbucks, and not much else.

So, here's my advice...go to the NADA site and get a baseline price for the bike you're looking at selling/buying. Then, add up the price for all the aftermarket goodies and mods, take 30% of that amount and add it to the bike's base price. However, this addition should be considered the negotiable margin (this includes the plate on a California bike that slipped through the cracks. It will eventually be caught and then you'll be bummed that you paid extra...Unless you have a cousin at the DMV who's giving you the hook-up, the plate's only being rented.)

Finally, it doesn't matter what the price for a bike is whether it's new or used. What matters is that you are happy with the deal when you walk away with it. If you don't feel like you just got corn-holed, then don't sweat it. Just be happy and ride ?...SC

[dirtysouth]

Them sounds like fightin words

[WindSpider]

Another aspect is that value, within reason, is a question of perception and sometimes even Geography. it just so happens I got a good deal on my DRZ, it was in good nick and low mileage and the previous owner just didn't want it. Where I am there are no Suzuki dealerships so I had little choice. I wanted the bike and would have to pay for it whatever the cost, (again within a reasonable margin). I realize most people have a wider choice than someone in my situation, put the point stands that "value" is never an absolute concept.

[C-P]

Hmm...sorry Clark, but I gotta disagree with your NADA theory as I use NADA every day in the car business.

I'd say certainly look at NADA as a reference, but it's most definitely NOT a definitive source for retail values. The only folks who use NADA as a "definitive" source for #'s are banks and insurance companies.

If buying a bike is like buying a car to some degree, here's what I see the smartest online shoppers do every day:

1) Look at NADA and KBB as a reference. You certainly don't want to pay more than those values unless it's under rare extenuating circumstances. If we're buying or selling a 10 year old Mustang Cobra with 1500 miles on it, we "throw the book away". The book just can't reflect the value of something that unique.

2) Go online to various sites and look for comps - similar bikes of age/use/modification. Here, craigslist, cycletrader, etc. Obviously, if you find something that much cheaper that looks good, then great! Go buy it.

3) Decide from there if a particular deal is good for YOU...if you do come here and look for opinions on what you find, well opinions are like ______, everybody has one!

At the end of the day, if it's a bike you can afford that's not insanely above market, buy it ride it and love every day that you're out in the dirt.

[sanbullet]

I thought that these was a forum that we could ask what we want about bikes to get some info from other people who want to help what is wrong with asking what a bike is worth I know it has helped me and I thought that is what this forums are about helping one another maybe I was wrongI feel if some body does not like a topic of a thread they dont read it but why bash people looking for help I have got great advice for this forum and I am sure that I have asked some dumb ?'s but people still have helped me and I thank them for that

[dugabrams]

So this freind of mine is asking $2600 for a '75 Honda Elsinore MT250. Is it a good deal?????????????????????

PS, It has an aftermarket (homemade) seat.

[mvryder]

Pipe down you blow hard. It a a freakin' internet forum...we talk about stupid crap all day on our companies' time. This isn't high brow, educated discussion.

[clark4131]

Boy, there are a lot of sensitive folks out there. I didn't say not to post these kinds of threads or that you were stupid for doing so, I was just offering a more direct route to finding out info on a potential bike. Also, I was speaking of buying a bike from private parties, not dealers, and car vs. bike sales are oftentimes an apples and oranges comparison. NADA, like KBB, is a definitive as it's a source used by lenders and other financial institutions to determine vehicle values. I also agree that "value" can be a relative term, which was the purpose of the last lines in my post.

If my post made some folks feel bashed, slighted, devalued, hurt, stepped on, belittled, made to feel small, and generally demoralized, then I apologize, but I still think you may be over-reacting just a little. If you disagree with me, great, differing opinions are what foster lively conversation. I invite anyone to offer up their take on the topic, just keep it constructive.

On the Elsinore, buy it! It's a steal! ?...SC

[Vegemite_luva]

Boy, there are a lot of sensitive folks out there. I didn't say not to post these kinds of threads or that you were stupid for doing so, I was just offering a more direct route to finding out info on a potential bike. Also, I was speaking of buying a bike from private parties, not dealers, and car vs. bike sales are oftentimes an apples and oranges comparison. NADA, like KBB, is a definitive as it's a source used by lenders and other financial institutions to determine vehicle values. I also agree that "value" can be a relative term, which was the purpose of the last lines in my post.

If my post made some folks feel bashed, slighted, devalued, hurt, stepped on, belittled, made to feel small, and generally demoralized, then I apologize, but I still think you may be over-reacting just a little. If you disagree with me, great, differing opinions are what foster lively conversation. I invite anyone to offer up their take on the topic, just keep it constructive.

On the Elsinore, buy it! It's a steal! ?...SC

Pipe down you blow hard. It a a freakin' internet forum...we talk about stupid crap all day on our companies' time. This isn't high brow, educated discussion.

I have to agree with mvryder and Clark4131. Sometimes I feel like I should have my posts reviewed by an attorney before I click the Submit Reply button. This is just an internet forum and people just need to calm down a bit. Sometimes it seems the attitudes of some of the members goes against the whole motorcycling culture of being free individuals(at least in my opinion). So like Clark4131 says, let's keep it constructive.

Probably too many of us are feeling too couped up from not being able to ride in the winter and we all need a good dose of the wind in our face, the pull of gravity/momentum on our bodies, the smell of high octane gasoline, and the taste of dirt in our mouths(I know I feel this way).

[Eddie5150]

Clark -

You are right on. Again, if someone is willing to buy a 2008 WR450 for $10000 - well, that is his willingness to buy! This is all just a matter of economics. He has thought that he got a good deal. Who cares that someone else got an '08 for $5000 OTD! Uhhhh, wait a minute, I DO!

As for the posting, understand where Clark is coming from! He saw what could have been a problem and he is trying to help people with it. There is no harm done nor implied in what he said. He is just trying to help people out on what he feels like a solution can be?

Clark - thanks for moderating this forum. Your help and expertise has been extremely useful.

eddie

[chrama1]

My 2cents wont get you a "Latte at Starbucks" but I feel that Clarcks very last statment in his first posting should sum everything up.... "JUST BE HAPPY AND RIDE".

If you are happy with your bike, then what does it matter what it cost you. Joe-Blow down the street who is jealous or a Mr. Know-it-all will always say you got ripped off.

If you are willing to buy a bike, just ride it. when you are out ripping up the trails, dunes, whatever... the last thing on your mind is "what-if" you over paid for your bike.

[byggd]

Clark -

You are right on. Again, if someone is willing to buy a 2008 WR450 for $10000 - well, that is his willingness to buy! This is all just a matter of economics. He has thought that he got a good deal. Who cares that someone else got an '08 for $5000 OTD! Uhhhh, wait a minute, I DO!

As for the posting, understand where Clark is coming from! He saw what could have been a problem and he is trying to help people with it. There is no harm done nor implied in what he said. He is just trying to help people out on what he feels like a solution can be?

Clark - thanks for moderating this forum. Your help and expertise has been extremely useful.

eddie

HERE HERE!! ? It's a dirty job but some has to do it!

[clark4131]

Thanks for the props guys. And to those who disapproved, thank you too...without criticisms, how would I know where I need to make improvements? I still think the Elsinore is a steal! ?...SC

[C-P]

Hey Clark:

Here's a crazy idea for the suggestion box:

You start a sticky called the "Value Index" where people can post what they paid for their bike. Include info such as:

New or used

Year of bike

Date Purchased

Mods

Condition ratings - Good/Excellent/fair/poor, etc.

See what happens - might be abused by some, useful to many. Particularly on new bikes - I see lots of folks new here asking what the market is on '07/08's.

Include lots of warnings/disclaimers and whatnot. Might be fun!!!

[pcmech2]

i think thats an excellent idea!!! i have always had older bikes and just got an 03 w/ like 150 miles on it for $3800 i feel it was an excellent value. no extras were included and i have seen where you can get clean 03's for 2750 ish, BUT it was brand new. i think a sticky would be helpful to us newbies. but in the end i also agree, if you got the money and buy your toy, be happy with it...

[clark4131]

Hey Clark:

Here's a crazy idea for the suggestion box:

You start a sticky called the "Value Index" where people can post what they paid for their bike. Include info such as:

New or used

Year of bike

Date Purchased

Mods

Condition ratings - Good/Excellent/fair/poor, etc.

See what happens - might be abused by some, useful to many. Particularly on new bikes - I see lots of folks new here asking what the market is on '07/08's.

Include lots of warnings/disclaimers and whatnot. Might be fun!!!

Not a bad idea. I'll put some thought into it and figure a way to format it. Can't do much now as I'm on vacation with the family at Disneyland and can only sneak away for a little time to use a computer...SC

[byggd]

Not a bad idea. I'll put some thought into it and figure a way to format it. Can't do much now as I'm on vacation with the family at Disneyland and can only sneak away for a little time to use a computer...SC

Did you bring your bike? Let's ride!

[kjr247]

I agree. Getting a decent dirt bike for less than $2000 is a steal. I bought a 40 hour '99 wr400 last summer for $1500. The bikes are pretty inexpensive. The trailers and all of the gear is what gets expensive. I have 7 dirt bikes (2 for me and for the family) and I bought them all used. I still have less $$$ in all of them than my friend who shelled out $7k for a new bike. Dirt bike NADA's mean nothing. Dirt bike pricing is based on condition, model and geographic location. KJR

[TWILES]

Thanks for the props guys. And to those who disapproved, thank you too...without criticisms, how would I know where I need to make improvements? I still think the Elsinore is a steal! ...SC

I think you are dead-on. I had a 1989 Honda TRX250R with good modifications that brought $5500 cash and could have brought more but I was young then and didn't know what I had. The Honda dealership told me they'd give me maybe $1500. That was 9 year ago. EVERYONE goes off KBB and NADA now for a base price and around here, they won't bring what NADA/KBB says they are worth. Aftermarket stuff is a plus if its what YOU want but junk if its not. I learned that trying to sell my Banshee. The best stuff for a Banshee turns into a who's got the biggest d**k (and no one will whip them out) arguement. I sold it for nothing just to get rid of it. If say a bike had a big tank, suspenion done that would fit me, a nice pipe, new tires I liked, and was extremely well taken care of, it would be worth a lot more to me than a stock one and a stock one would be worth more to me than one that had stuff I didn't like/couldn't use and had to replace it.

[clark4131]

Did you bring your bike? Let's ride!

Would have been great, but I was doing the family thing and I would be "soon-to-be-single" if I tried to jump ship. Besides, Frostbite is the only guy that can ship a WR on a plane...SC