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Blue Book value?

19K views 29 replies 17 participants last post by  Shadow Shack 
#1 ·
Hey everybody :)

Thank you all for your comments on whether to hold off until spring to start my "motorcycle career" I got my permit this last weekend and have been able to get into a MSF class next weekend. I am so excited.
My partner and I have been looking around at a few bike dealers already and my question is this: how much should you pay over the Blue Book retail value for a bike through a dealer? I've read that for a used bike you shouldn't go over and if they have added bags or other additions to take them off and buy your own. For example, one local dealer had a 2002 Rebel for $2700. I thought this was very high considering BB value is about $1600. Thanks for any help.

Lisa
 
#2 ·
You should pay the lowest possible price. A dealer has no were near the blue book value invested in a used bike. Take print out of craiglist adds and classifieds with you to show the dealer his competition and that he should match them. Don't be too anxious to pull the trigger and make your offers in cash. Checks can be a hassle for them as well as a tax liability.
 
#9 ·
I bought a 2002 with 7100 miles this year. $1300 with nice leather saddlebags and a new tire and battery. That was buying the very first one I looked at. Should be cheaper now than it was in the spring.

With a private seller I figure I might win and I might loose. With a dealer I KNOW I will loose.

I am more trusting in NADA than I am KBB.
 
#5 ·
That does sound high. Is this a dealer or individual selling?
 
#8 ·
Unless it's a newer model, it isn't likely to have much, if any, warranty from a dealer. And if it does, you will probably pay dearly for it. I'd go craigslist and see if one of the more knowledgeable members here could go look at it with you. They might be able to provide a good evaluation of the bike's condition. I'd do it if I were closer.
 
#11 ·
I'd go craigslist and see if one of the more knowledgeable members here could go look at it with you. They might be able to provide a good evaluation of the bike's condition. I'd do it if I were closer.

I'm close and if I knew more about bikes I'd offer to help but I'm just getting started as well. :confused:
 
#10 ·
You would definitely make the DEALER's day if you paid $2700 for a 2002! Think about it . . . that bike is 10 years old . . . it doesn't matter what the mileage is. Be patient. I've been real lucky on Craigslist. Picked up my '05 with 5K miles for $2000 (with a set of saddlebags and a crashbar) . . . and I probably could have "argued" for another 50-100 less, but, in the end, it's about what the BUYER is happy to pay and the SELLER is willing to take.
 
#12 ·
I second that the price quoted to you is much too high. A brand new 2012 Rebel is 4100 and that's zero miles on the odometer and all the bells and whistles you could want. What's so special about his '02 with 7200 miles that he's posting it for $2700?

I got mine off an independent bike shop here in Ocala. It's called CycleWerks and they have a great reputation; I got an '87 with 19,900 miles for $1200 and that came with the windscreen, brand new tires, new plugs and boots, brakes, and they put fresh oil in it, etc.

I've since put about 300 miles on it (that figure is probably conservative, I need to go look at the odometer to tell you exactly how many miles) and it's never given me an issue in all that time - not one. It cranks from cold on the first hit of the starter button, it rarely needs to be choked and when it does it's never excessive, etc.

Keep on looking, your new baby is out there! Don't be in a hurry and don't pay some ridiculous fee for a ten year old bike! :lol2:
 
#13 ·
Hi lsteph. I know how you feel about going through Craigslist. I just bought my 2005 Rebel from a guy in PA a few weeks ago after stalking the site for about 2 weeks. All the dealer prices were significantly higher than private seller prices. Yes, it's a risk going through a private seller but you can also get a real good deal. I would recommend having someone with you when looking at used bikes (preferably someone knowledgeable). There are also documents online that I used as a checklist for buying used bikes.

There is definitely a huge range of prices for used bikes and there are definitely scammers out there. Example: We got a decent deal on my bike and got hosed with a boat last summer. You never know.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck and safe riding!! :thumb:
 
#15 ·
I don't blame you a bit. That candy orange is one of the most unique colors.
The debate still rages as to which factory color stands out and sets the Rebel apart, that orange or '87 candy Wineberry red.
The 2005 was the only year for orange. A lot of years offered some variation of red but only the 1987 Wineberry had the frame in color.

If they'd only done the 2005 frame in candy orange...
 
#18 ·
Honestly if you see anything for more than $1500 you can find something better. Look on Craigslist. Use wrz's checklist: http://www.hondarebelforum.com/f74/revised-bike-checklist-8551.html and look it over. It's not super difficult; almost everything either is-or-isn't on the Rebel. And it's pretty easy to fix about anything on it.

On ebay (or whatever) you can find digital versions of the shop manual for pretty cheap.
 
#19 ·
That particular dealer is known for jacking prices. Ive walked out of that place numerous times. Parts counter is t any better.
 
#20 · (Edited)
how much should you pay over the Blue Book retail value for a bike through a dealer? I've read that for a used bike you shouldn't go over and if they have added bags or other additions to take them off and buy your own. For example, one local dealer had a 2002 Rebel for $2700. I thought this was very high considering BB value is about $1600.
Go to KBB.com and look up the wholesale value and compare that to the retail (resale) value. Your dealer bought it at wholesale, so there's his profit margin. Deal accordingly from there. Also keep in mind that the MSRP on that bike back when it was new was $2999 so yeah, they're asking a bit much for a ten year old bike.

Also look up the NADA values, as unscrupulous dealers are known to buy at the lower/sell at the higher value.

My dream bike is the 2005 candy orange Rebel
I like your dream. That was Honda's best color, they offered it on the 600 Shadow that year as well and carried it over to the 750 & 1100 and VTX lines the following year. None of those bikes became discounted leftover models. ;)
 
#21 ·
Hey, cool. I didn't know the bike I bought was so wanted! :D I thought it was pretty choice myself but that wineberry red color is a beauty too. Too bad I can't seem to upload a picture of my Lala (file too big).

@lsteph, I think I saw another orange Rebel on Craigslist (may be in NJ though) but it was there about 2 weeks ago. Good luck!
 
#26 ·
It's unlikely that someone looking for a bike in August 2012 is still looking - also please don't put your phone number in a post - if you need to share your email or phone number with someone, do so using private messaging. Thanks

ps. welcome to the forum :)
 
#27 ·
I picked up my 2013 Rebel with 400 miles on it for $2,300. It was a little more than what I was hoping to spend, but she's in flawless condition..


$2,700 seems way too high for a 2002. Keep shopping around, these little gems pop up on craigslist almost daily.


Since you're in market for a bike.. check out my review of the Rebel. Enjoy!


 

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#28 ·
I guess if you want your bike to look like a stripper's purse, you could go with orange or red... If you want it to look like a motorcycle, black is best! What next, someone claiming that due to pink Rebel rarity, it is the best color? Lolz.
Orange is actually my favourite color, but I've never seen one... Or a blue one, or a green one... How many colors were they available in?
 
#30 ·
Y'all DO realize that you're replying to a five year old thread when prices were a little higher...right?
 
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