Any rhyme or reason to used Drifter prices

[aclone]

Chief and I have spared about price and value of Drifters,  the book on my 2002 is $ 4500.00  stock.  The funny thing is I have been watching the prices for Drifters and the asking prices have gone up over the last year. I don't know what the final sale prices are but the asking price are higher. My 2002 is Insured for $ 8500.00 ( lots of custom stuff)  and  I would not sell her for much less than that.

Mark

[chief]

A bobber is likely my next project... but I won't be selling a bike to get one. I really want to build it myself. I'm considering an 800, maybe 900 classic, but almost anything would work.

[lumper]

Same for me, I Was thinking I would trade my bike in and get a bobber, I did actualy want to try the 1600 6 speed engines that were coming out, but again there just wasnt a bike that when I saw it I thought, I have to have one.
So I was looking for a replacement, had a budget and no idea of what I wanted until I stumbled upon some drifters while looking at Honda vtx's and tada, lol.

Lump

[chief]

I was riding a 98 RK and in 2001 started looking for something more "exciting". I found absolutely nothing at harley that made me want to spend that much of my money. It had been that way for a while.

I was looking at a bike mag with new bikes for 2002 from the various makers... I was shocked to see the Drifter... why had I not seen it before! That's what happens when you don't pay attention!

Needless to say, I love it and hope to never have to sell it.

[lumper]

Yeah clearly sentiment plays a major factor.

I think that is pretty cool that the market value on these is set by the individual for the most part.

I agree with you Marshall even on the high end you can do pretty well, although you can actualy get a pretty nice Harley and newer one for that money but I dont compare bikes to Harleys anyway.

I was just amazed to see some bikes at the $7 and $8k mark, while others just as nice were going for 3 and 4k$ and the only variable being the owner.

The one that I saw in Cali last week for $3200.00 was unreal, maybe one of the nicest ones I have seen yet.
Based on what others have gone for the guy could have gotten another $3k and it would have sold just as fast I think.

Harleys are alright but having owned a brand new one for 5 years and ridden many others I can say that for a guy my height 6'4" I just dont fit on a Harley.

Even with a lot of customizing for me I never quite fit on my Road King Custom.
It was a beautiful bike but if you arent fully comfortable on it what good is it?

Mine was 16k$ plus another 6$k in extras and I think my Drifter fits better already without any mods.

Anyway it's not like if I had more money to spend I would have bought another Harley, or I bought a drifter because it was less money.

I decided long ago when I was still riding my Harley I would either look at a Victory, Iron Horse, or a metric cruiser if I found one I liked, so it wasnt about the money.
Even though I was on a strict budget,  the $4k I had to work with went along way and I  think I did really good with this bike.

Anyway my point was when I looked at a few of the drifters for sale that I found over 6k$ I could just imagine the poor guy selling, either someone is making him sell it, or he has his back against the wall or something else cause at $6,7,and 8K you arent exactly trying to move it fast or anything.

I think for some people these bikes are maybe more than just another bike, they represent something special like another time when things were simpler.
I know for me the look and feel of that era are what sold me on the Drifter when I was looking for a new bike.

I actualy did pretty good I think and I was surprised really, having looked at so many bikes, now when I see one for 7 or 8$k I think, man I got a bargain!! just got lucky.

Lump

[chief]

Owners set the market... there are actually "blue" book prices which help set the range... but fact is, if Drifter owners decided enmasse to never sell under 7K (in general)... who knows.

Kelley has a value guide. I think its very low for our bikes... but it is what it is... I will NEVER sell for those prices.

http://www.kbb.com/motorcycle/

[marshalldoll]

Our rides are a breed unto themselves and therefore the owners of such have to make a determination as to what they want when the time comes to sell. The prices seem to hover in the 5K range. Yes you will find some for less and some for more but I think the round number of 5K is on the money. You should never think that because you added this or that that the bike will be worth more because it usually doesn't. But all that being said, even if you paid on the high end it is still a lot less than a HD and such a much better ride!! Just my humble opinion.
Dan
dwclocks@aol.com

[lumper]

Has anyone noticed the extreme differences in selling prices for used Drifters?

I have seen a beautiful 1500 with custom paint, hand shifter, extra seats, custom pipes, etc.. with the original stuff to go along with it too for $3200.00 and then I see others with high miles and very little extra done to them selling for $6, and $7,000.00.

There seems to be no consitency at all with these bikes.

In the northeast I can find bikes from $2800.00 for a 99 stock with 80k miles to $5800.00 for one with 15k miles on it.

In cali they seem to jump around all over the place but some of the most expensive used drifters I have seen recently were from Cali.
Even some 800's selling for over $6000.00.

While shopping around I marked and watched several drifters, well every one I could find, and the one thing I noticed is the miles and condition of the bike seem to have little to do with it's selling price.
There was a 99 all stock missing a headlight for $4400.00 while a much cleaner bike with extras to go along with it sold for under $3k.

I just thought it an odd observation.

It's not like you can say, well a 2003 1500 with 10k miles on it mostly stock in mint condition should sell for XYZ and then expect to find 4 or more for that price.

Anyone else notice this

Lump