So do I trade the TG before something bad happens?

[MB1953]

Was out window shopping this past weekend (saw a '16 that really caught my eye), and salesman asked about a tradein. When I told him I had a '14 TGlide to trade, he naturally asked how many miles were on it; when I told him that I had about 45K miles on it, he came unglued. "My God, he said, you need to do this deal right now! If you get 50K miles on it, it will be worth nothing!"

While I usually take anything a salesman says with a grain of salt, and this guy was really trying to make a deal, it started me thinking. Is there something magic about 50000 miles on a Harley that makes it worthless? Never heard that one before! Sure I would love a new scoot, but I am also pretty proud of what I have done to mine.

[rhino 2]

You were talking to a salesperson..... Their job is to sell, Enough said.....

[1dn5up]

I am a firm believer in new doesn't mean better. If your pleased with what you have, stick with it. You can always improve it rather than starting over. JMO.

[Ozarkryder]

50K seems to be a magic number for Harelys. I had the EVO engine in my 1990 FLHS through the Harley remanufacturing program at about 80,000 when the bottom end got a bit sloppy. It was cammed, bored and stroked, so it wore more than a stock mill. The dealer was surprised at the mileage, they said around 4000-5000 miles a year is about average for the bikes they see, and most get traded in much before 50,000 miles.

[bronxbill]

The 40,000 to 50,000 problems may have been true for Evo engines (I don't think it was true even for them). With a Twin Cam, I would not even worry about being at 45,000 miles. I know too many people who have upwards of 80,000 on a twin cam with no real problems.

[alienwulf]

He could have meant as with a car 50,000 in two years would be hard to trade in. Most people are looking for low mileage bikes like 3 to 5k in two years. I would not take it to mean anything is going to go wrong with it. But if your thinking of trading it in yea mileage means a lot on value.

[DK Custom Products]

KBB says the average mileage for a 2014 Touring model is 10615 (for my zip code). They also say-

Figures shown are for expected accumulated average mileage. Actual mileages may differ substantially. Because of variances in riding styles and road conditions, it is impossible for us to determine accurate dollar values for mileage. Overall condition factors will have a far greater impact on a value than the actual mileage.

I do know that when shopping for a used bike I look for low miles, as do most people.

That being said, when I traded my '11 TG for a '14 TG, the '11 had around 55,000 miles on it and they gave me a trade in value of only a few thousands dollars less that what I paid for it. Sort of surprised me, actually it surprised me a lot.

Kevin

[MB1953]

Well, I am only two years into this ride, and I have the comfort of knowing that I still have two years of ESP left. I love this bike, have been many miles on it already (obviously), and I am not ready to walk away from all the work I have put into making it better, and making it my own. I take care of it, I make it shine, and I make sure that when you see it, you know it is one of a kind.

This is my Triglide. There are many like it, but this one is MINE!

I may just ride it until the wheels fall off (or the ESP warranty expires)

<rant off>

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Like others have said he is a salesman,My wife gave her 93 FXLR to our son last year it had 73,000 miles on it she bought it new and i did all the maintenance on it,the bottom end was tight when i replaced the base gaskets at 55,000.Mileage may reduce the trade in a little buy not enough to really hurt it.I bought the ESP on my trike so this will deter me from fooling with the engine like i have on all my other bikes,hope to just rack up the miles.

[Harleytrikes3]

Was out window shopping this past weekend (saw a '16 that really caught my eye), and salesman asked about a tradein. When I told him I had a '14 TGlide to trade, he naturally asked how many miles were on it; when I told him that I had about 45K miles on it, he came unglued. "My God, he said, you need to do this deal right now! If you get 50K miles on it, it will be worth nothing!"

While I usually take anything a salesman says with a grain of salt, and this guy was really trying to make a deal, it started me thinking. Is there something magic about 50000 miles on a Harley that makes it worthless? Never heard that one before! Sure I would love a new scoot, but I am also pretty proud of what I have done to mine.

I am finding do not compare trading in a used bike to a used trike There are allot of used bikes but very few used trikes.

[Beauregard]

High miles are an issue on trikes or motorcycles. There are simply way too many low miles bikes out there.
It is very easy to find two-year-old Tri Glides with less than 4000 miles, so few would go for the ones with 40k to 50k. Dealers know this.

[MB1953]

Well as much as I would love a new scoot right now, I am having way too much fun on one that I have put my time into making it mine. If something absolutely right comes along I will consider it, but for now I will ride it like I stole it!

[alienwulf]

Best way is to ride it into the ground, then rebuild it and do it again. No law says only new is the best. Keep it treat it good and it will treat you good.

[clint44]

While I usually take anything a salesman says with a grain of salt, and this guy was really trying to make a deal, it started me thinking. Is there something magic about 5000 miles on a Harley that makes it worthless? Never heard that one before! Sure I would love a new scoot, but I am also pretty proud of what I have done to mine.

Heck,I'm really jealous of you guys that actually ride that many miles,Mark. In my younger days,I probably averaged 10-15K miles/year but in my golden years,I just can't seem to make it happen.

[consitter]

Heck,I'm really jealous of you guys that actually ride that many miles,Mark. In my younger days,I probably averaged 10-15K miles/year but in my golden years,I just can't seem to make it happen.

Me neither. I'm still in my younger years, and I can't even make 5K a year happen. Ugh.

[MikeyTX]

Geezzzzz .............. Trike is only two months old and I'm going to do the 10k by the end of next week. By the time I get back from my up coming vacation the first week of Aug, I'll be needing to do the 15k .................

[clint44]

Geezzzzz .............. Trike is only two months old and I'm going to do the 10k by the end of next week. By the time I get back from my up coming vacation the first week of Aug, I'll be needing to do the 15k .................

Dang,Mikey,,that trike got a sleeper on it?

[MikeyTX]

No, I buy it to ride though. Heck, weather permitting, I plan on heading down to the FL keys in Oct. The trick is going to be timing it to miss Biketober fest. The trip in Aug is designed to be going in the opposite direction from the Sturgis crowd. It has been a good thirty years since I've been to the pacific northwest. I want to do this while I can still swing a leg over the seat. This will be the perfect time to do the northern part of US 101.

[Bikerbozo]

My '10 TG is in for 100k service right now. Engine rebuilt at HD expense at 86k. Riding my backup ' 04 2 - wheel Electra glide with 122k original miles on engine/tranny. And, yes, if you do the math, that works out to better than 18,500 miles ave per year. Still working full time. Don't know how I squeeze it all in.

[MB1953]

Heck,I'm really jealous of you guys that actually ride that many miles,Mark. In my younger days,I probably averaged 10-15K miles/year but in my golden years,I just can't seem to make it happen.

Geezzzzz .............. Trike is only two months old and I'm going to do the 10k by the end of next week. By the time I get back from my up coming vacation the first week of Aug, I'll be needing to do the 15k .................

I am knocking out 20K+ a year right now, and wishing I had time to do more... just wait until I retire!