fair trike costs?

[rayg5102]

Looking in MD for a trike. And trying to justify or validate the cost.
Dealer has 2011 Ultra with 20K milesfor 29995. exhast system already modified.
private seller has 2011 with 4K miles asking $25K

no brainer right-- go with private seller. Biggest problem is it's 6 hour drive one way just to check it out. So I don't really know whats wrong if anything (nothng according to seller). Also will most likely need heat issue modifications running about 2k. That puts it at 27K

I think dealer is askingway too much...27k sounds more in ballpark but it sure seams HD dealers don't adjust much between each other. They almost act like it's a fair trade product like buying a PS3...everyone sells for the same.

my biggest issue right now is just trying to get the wife to agree on $. She already said no way does she go 30 for a bike..

just looking for some thoughts or directions.

[DTR 11TG]

Ray, for what its worth, I drove from just west of St. Louis to Delaware to just look at a TG, but I brought it back with me. I found it in the For Sale section on this forum and after talking to the owner a few times I was feeling good about the TG and I also got some background info on the TG. I used that info to call the dealer where it was bought and I also talked to the service manager, he had actual hands-on info about the TG. The service manager gave me warranty work info(just 1 recall), service work(more often than required), info about the goodies that were added(somewhere else) and gave me his opinion of the TG, I was totally sold after that.
As far as dealers, my local dealer(who I normally have a good relationship with) dropped the ball, after sitting on a sold TG I told the sales guy to call me when a new TG came in, I saw him write my info in their sales book, but I never received a call and I checked every time I stopped in for parts for my FXSTS. The dealer finally got some TG's for the showroom floor, after I bought my TG, but I still never got the call! I did let the sales guys know, quite loudly & pointing to my TG, that they DID lose a sale and they owe me gas money, a lot of gas money.

[Gorilla]

For $5k and 16k less miles I would drive the 600 miles. Also check to see if either has an extended warrantee. Also which one do you like better looks wise?

[Trent]

Hey Ray...With only 4k on the private sale, there cant be anything very serious to worry about on it, I would think. Some dirt maybe?..I would take that one.

[screwball]

So, you are already convinced you have a heat problem?? There are a lot of us out here that don't. 600 mile run could be fun and save you a bunch.

Good Luck, happy hunting

[trikermutha]

If its cheaper than anyone else take the ride and check it out..Drive the trike first before you buy..if you dont like it drive home and keep looking..There are plenty for sale out there..
It will save you on taxes too buying private..

As far as dealers go. they can lookup when there next shipment of trikes or bikes are coming in and where it is on the assembly line..or look at other dealerships what they have on the floor.

[sandrooney]

I drove from Colorado to Las Vegas. I wouldn't have to think twice, go for the private seller.
SR

[GARYD]

with Gorilla.
Which one do you like the looks of better? I had pretty much the same choice at the dealer = 2011 Baby Blue or 2012 Red. Red won even though it was $2k more - both new and in stock.

Screwball is also right - many people don't seem to have a heat issue and have a higher tolerance for heat.

[07BlueCSC]

Just because the Dealer's Tri has a different exhaust does not mean the heat problem was fixed. There might not have been a heat problem to begin with.

[rayg5102]

My wife and I rented a 2012 from the local HD dealer. In about 10 minutes she couldn't stand the heat from it on her legs. I thought riding was a little hot, alot more than my Virago 1100 I had, but I wrote it off to a trike thing due to air flow bloackage. Dealers have said, no, there have been issues.

Both bikes are same year, one black one black with merlot. So they should ride the same. Dealer bike has moification to pipes, converter and someother exhasut parts (sorry, not much of a mechanic) that suppose to fix heat issue.

Hidden jem in all this is the one for #25K...they are getting rid of it only because of $$ issues. So I might even do better with a hard cash offer. Just need to get off the pot on this and pull the trigger on a deal. I'd jump, but still trying to convince the wife about the heat thing...that it can be fixed.

Thanks for all the input

[Sloufoot]

My wife and I rented a 2012 from the local HD dealer. In about 10 minutes she couldn't stand the heat from it on her legs. I thought riding was a little hot, alot more than my Virago 1100 I had, but I wrote it off to a trike thing due to air flow bloackage. Dealers have said, no, there have been issues.

Both bikes are same year, one black one black with merlot. So they should ride the same. Dealer bike has moification to pipes, converter and someother exhasut parts (sorry, not much of a mechanic) that suppose to fix heat issue.

Hidden jem in all this is the one for #25K...they are getting rid of it only because of $$ issues. So I might even do better with a hard cash offer. Just need to get off the pot on this and pull the trigger on a deal. I'd jump, but still trying to convince the wife about the heat thing...that it can be fixed.

Thanks for all the input

First of all, the heat thing on some Trikes is a real thing, mostly because of it being a trike & not a two wheel. Also newer EPA standards make heat. You are able to help it with some mods, but they don't have to be expensive.
If your wife expects it to be like a smaller two wheel, it isn't going to happen. Especially in the rear seat. But it can be entirely livable. The one you tried out might be hotter than the other Trike also. Like Screwball says he doesn't have a problem on either Trike. But he rides solo on both also. Also maybe he is fortunate. And also maybe I just ride a little differently.
If the muffs have been changed, and especially if the air filter has been upgraded, make sure a tuner has been installed to take care of the fuel mix. Heat, or no heat . If it doesn't have one, that is another expense. You can wrap the header and keep a lot of the heat off the passenger's legs also. Doesn't cost much, and does help.
But then you may not need to do anything..... Won't know until ya ride it !!
HAPPY HUNTING!
Merry Christmas
Ride Safe !

[Lakeman]

Drive Drive Drive!!!

[Bill Reber]

Heats good , you can't heat your TV dinner with out it !

[Doug Nie]

Ray, you need to get your wife on a Gold Wing trike, and you will never look back. IF you are hung up on the Harley sound, you can get an aftermarket exhaust systen for the Honda and make it louder.

[zeman 1]

But it will still sound like a Honda

[Lakeman]

It's NOT a HARLEY!!!

[zeman 1]

Another source for trike prices and availibility in your area is the chopperexchange website. Use the search function. Both dealers and private parties post there.

[rayg5102]

Well, I took out a 2010 TG today. Has 7500 miles. The owner is asking $25500, but we talked and basically agreed to $23500. Of course today here in MD was cold as hell and windy. Foze my *7^% s off


Anyway, nice bike, has everything plus more. Only down side, was I thought it road a little shakey. Like tire was out of balance or stabilzer was out of whack. I'm no mechanic, but I hoping it must be something mechanical. Have not really felt that in any 2011 and 2012 TG I rode.

So the owner has agreed to take it to HD and let me check it and give me a report. If all goes well, they fix it and I could be a trike owner by 5th of Jan.

Will let you know.
Thanks for all the inputs and suggestions.

[Gorilla]

rayg sounds good to me. The cold could have just made the tires hard and until they could get warm they will ride rough. Good luck

[zeman 1]

Hope it works out well for you and you are on a trike that is right for you.