Are HD's getting Cheaper?

[gwvulcan]

Alright, I am looking at new bikes, why because it's raining and I'm bored. But if you start comparing all the bikes there isn't the huge price difference. There used to be huge differences with metrics compared to HD's.

Road King classic (two-tone) $18,699
Yamaha Stratoliner S $16,970
Honda 1800 $15,499
Kaw 1700 $13,599

But now with the waters getting a little muddier it is harder to choose between bikes. I guess the other factor is dealerships. There seem to be an increasingly smaller number of Kaw and Hond dealerships in my area which makes it harder to up-grade to another Kaw. Getting parts is difficult.

[Biggy D]

Getting my 900 custom for $6500. Was a good reason but I really liked the custom and I felt spending 12k to 17k for my next choices wasn't worth it.

[VN900PhbxRider]

I got my 900 Classic for $7400 brand new with 0 miles on it. Price was important , but previous experience with Kawi's is what made the difference.

[JFeisty]

My 1500 cost me $8800 OTD. Yep, price was the main factor.

[Obadiah]

Our local Harley dealer is also giving $1,000 in accessories/parts with every new purchase. They always do this before the next years models roll out. They gave me $1,500 when I bought my Street Glide.

[Vol on a Vulcan]

I think it depends on what part of the country you are in. At this time
last year HD would not come down on the price of a Heritage Classic
or a Fatboy...at least for me they would not come down.

9200 OTD for my 1600...and 10% off on a bunch of other goodies.

HD is getting ready to open a new shop about 30 mins up the road
so I guess they are doing OK in this area.

[jbsmd]

Dealer wouldn't lower the price on the bike I wanted. so I got the kawi which was a lower priced bike. I still would have liked the other bike but what I have is not bad at all. If I could change any thing I would have tried to purchase the bike some other wayWasn't bad till I lost my job cause the business shut down. Credit went down the tubes All my rates went out of reach for awhile.I think I know everyone that works at HSBC bank by now. I believe I've been called by every employee there.

[DelRider]

I'm playing the same game now. Looking for sweet deals that make me want to take the plunge. And d-ah-um, HD's are pricey Forgive me, but I love HD's. I like their build, their sound, their looks (mostly), lineage, etc but I don't like their prices. To get into a used Road King that I found is about 14K. Ouch. OTOH, I am working numbers now for a new 08 VN2000 for 10 - 11K. As much as I like HD, the Kawi is just as reliable, looks good, and costs way less. For now I am content to put my HD ownership off with my other "when kids are on their own" luxuries. The cost-benefit ratio is just too good for my Kawi, and that is hardly a bad thing at all

[crazydave]

Nah, they've always been cheaply designed and cheaply infused with performance.

[yo4joy]

When I was bike shopping HD advertised test rides. I went to the dealer and asked to ride one. Buzz told me to come back when I was ready to buy. I bought a Kawasaki instead and will never, ever buy a Harley Davidson and will do my best to steer everyone I know away from Harley Davidson Motorcycles.

[DanL]

We spent less on our '08 1600 and '07 1500 combined than my friend did on his RK Classic. Yes, the RK Classic is a sweet bike and he had to add very little to it, but his otd price was upwards of 24k. Just too much for a bike for me, not when you can get the value and quality of a Kawi for so much less.

[idmtchris]

I went to the dealer intent on buying a VN500 becuase the price was right and all I wanted was something to commute on that got great gas mileage. I saw the Caribean Blue 07 VN900 and it was done, price did not matter anymore. Had to have the 900.

[Utah Motorcyclist]

I was able to find a 1600 Nomad with 10K miles for $7K. The equivalent in a HD would have been $15-$20K. Maybe when I make the big bucks. LOL!!!!!

[badlandsbrett]

if you are willing to take your time and shop you can find some great deals on used Harleys or any bike for that matter. I would never buy any bike new wait a year and you can save 4-5 k on any bike.

[raymo]

HD Dealer said I didn't have enough credit history for a sportster custom, come back in 6 months and apply again. I decided I didn't want to spend that kind of cash flow anyway. A week or two later bought my vn800a and could only be happier when I start to customize it. now that its fully paid off, and make it my own bike.

[byebyerocket]

Originally Posted by yo4joy

When I was bike shopping HD advertised test rides. I went to the dealer and asked to ride one. Buzz told me to come back when I was ready to buy. I bought a Kawasaki instead and will never, ever buy a Harley Davidson and will do my best to steer everyone I know away from Harley Davidson Motorcycles.

The test rides are scheduled in advance they bring in demo bikes for a weekend. Did you get to test drive a 0 mile bike at the Kawa dealer?

I love my nomad its an awesome bike, but I would have bought a Harley if I could have got it for the same price.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by gwvulcan

Alright, I am looking at new bikes, why because it's raining and I'm bored. But if you start comparing all the bikes there isn't the huge price difference. There used to be huge differences with metrics compared to HD's.

Road King classic (two-tone) $18,699
Yamaha Stratoliner S $16,970
Honda 1800 $15,499
Kaw 1700 $13,599

But now with the waters getting a little muddier it is harder to choose between bikes. I guess the other factor is dealerships. There seem to be an increasingly smaller number of Kaw and Hond dealerships in my area which makes it harder to up-grade to another Kaw. Getting parts is difficult.

You ought to include some Triumph entries on your list. Rockets (2300cc) can be had for between 15000 and 17400 USD depending on model, and the new Thunderbird (1600cc, but possible to increase it to 1700cc) will also be competitively priced...

[TriPA]

There are some great deals on used HDs right now, at least in the Phila. metro area. I sold my 900LT and picked up a mint condition, Glacier White, 2006 Road King with just under 5K miles on it for $12K. The bike has about $3K of extras on it. And, I will say, as nice as the 900LT was, the Road King is a whole nother experience. Really happy I made the switch. Will say this though, had I not found the deal on the HD, I'd still be driving the 900LT.

[Danase]

Are you also looking at the specs? My advice is don't just look at prices. Look at the specs and take a few for a ride and see what ones you like best. I personally am starting to like HD a little more as time goes on but they've been raping people for years. Most of the parts on the bike are made in China so how come they are still so much? LOL

[vulcaneyez]

Originally Posted by Danase

Are you also looking at the specs? My advice is don't just look at prices. Look at the specs and take a few for a ride and see what ones you like best. I personally am starting to like HD a little more as time goes on but they've been raping people for years. Most of the parts on the bike are made in China so how come they are still so much? LOL

Yes, look at the specs if you want a fair comparison. I got a left over '08 Honda VTX 1300 (did I say Honda? ) for $9,000. But I have to add a windshield, lowers, sissy bar, luggage rack, light bar, engine guards, passenger floorboards, saddlebags and maybe pipes. Ok, you have to add pipes to the HD too and maybe a sissy bar. So the price difference is less than it seems, though there is still a difference.