Advice Please!

[philly]

Hello All - I'm new to triking and need advice in differnet kits - I've currently got a 03 SUzuki Volusia with a Voager kit - I'ts okay but a want a real trike - hers the three I'm close to buying 1. 97 Valkyrie 25k miles with Motor Trike kit - $10.5 k - fast - needs paint probably - local to me - 2. 06 Yamaha 1700cc Road Star - very nice - Mystery kit - 9k miles - lots of chrome in as new condition - $12.5k - 3. HD 1200cc Roadster -03 - nice with SST kit - $9k - - please give me your thoughts ASAP as I want to decide this morning - thanks Philly

[John Luciano]

I have never seen any trikes selling for that kind of money and with such low miles . My money would be on the Valkyire... They are not wrecked are they ? The Valkyrie is worth about $17,000 even if it needed paint . The others are selling for the price of the kit. You would be lucky to find a 1200 02 HD motorcycle for that much with out it being triked . Where do U live?
Do U have pictures ? Have you seen these trikes in person ?
I am getting the money out of the bank to buy the 2 U don't want .

[Nana]

Hey Philly, Those prices all sound amazing! You will love whatever you choose to go with.
a big welcome to TrikeTalk!

[John Luciano]

I just talked to Philly on the phone .... sounds like the Valkyrie may be his choice . Being local and he has actually ridden it.

[John Luciano]

All depends on the region . Up here in Conn. you can get your $ ,,, some areas Trikes are plentiful, here in Conn. very scarce.

[skuuter]

Trikes here in Middle Tennessee seem to hold value pretty well. I looked at several used Aero 750s that weren't that far off "new price", and they got scarfed up pretty quick. We bought the one Mitzie has now well below what I kept finding, and there were other Folks waiting on it if we hadn't came back with "The Check".......There are a lota' Trikes here now, especially in the last coupla' years...apparently no one wants to get rid of em' after ridin' em'....."Imagine That".......

[BeHereNow]

What I see is 3 people that understand true trike values, especially the age of these. Trikes are not really worth what a lot people selling them seem to think they are!
Case in point: Starting watching E-bay, as I have for the last 3 years, and observe how many trike auctions end with either 0bids or "Reserve not met"!
It amazes me the number of people that trike their bike and then advertise it thinking they can recover the cost of the conversion + on a used bike!

Amen.
General rule that fancy options on vehicles do not bring good money on resale. Especially MC, and most especially trikes.
Most trikes listed on eBay are never sold, because the seller expects top dollar, as you pointed out. I've noticed that vehicle dealers that are selling trikes are more realistic. No surprise.
Nationwide, lots for sale, some good buys out there, but it is a buyers market.
I've told a lot of people, if you want to know what something is 'worth', see what they are selling for on eBay.
Too many poeple look at what they are listed for, forgetting that they never sell.
Trikes are not 'worth' the cost of the two wheeler plus conversion.

[John Luciano]

One members Valkyrie trike . i am convinced it is a good looking machine
check it out Philly
http://www.triketalk.com/forum/membe...p-top-box.html
i looked I can't find any of your trikes on E bay . I wanted to see what you are looking at PM me with ebay location /

[skuuter]

One members Valkyrie trike . i am convinced it is a good looking machine
check it out Philly
http://www.triketalk.com/forum/membe...p-top-box.html

That is a Great Lookin' Trike John....THANKS for the Link... ...I've never been a big fan of the Valkyrie as a Motorcycle...always felt kinda' top heavy and sluggish handling under 40 mph or in parking lot situations, but I'll bet two wheels added to the rear probably fixes those issues.....Guess I need to ride a Trike Version at some point.....:wtg:

[Papa Zook]

What I see is 3 people that understand true trike values, especially the age of these. Trikes are not really worth what a lot people selling them seem to think they are!
Case in point: Starting watching E-bay, as I have for the last 3 years, and observe how many trike auctions end with either 0bids or "Reserve not met"!
It amazes me the number of people that trike their bike and then advertise it thinking they can recover the cost of the conversion + on a used bike!

There are some good deals out there, but no one has to give away a very nice trike, especially a newer one because we all know what a new motorcycle and trike conversion costs....NOT cheap. There is demand and there are people out there selling their trikes for a good price. Just take a look at the trikes sold in our own classifieds section in the last year. I say this to encourage trike owners who are selling and moving up, because I feel its a fact. Buyers want a good deal, but sellers want to be treated fairly when they get ready to move up too.

As far as ebay, I dont think you take into account that many individuals and dealers simply post their trike on ebay to make their phone ring. Thats where most of the sales actually come from, direct contact. The listing is simply cheap advertising that reaches millions. I have a friend whos business is right across the street from mine who sell dozens of high dollar street rods and classic cars per year on ebay under seller name " auto investor " and almost never sells one on the ebay sale itself. Look him up on ebay. He lists his phone number and keeps 5-10 cars on there all the time. He has done this for years and has been very successful, but to see his auctions youd think his cars were over priced and he never sold anything. Far from true.

[BeHereNow]

I checked the closed Trike auctions in eBay, and 83% were never sold because the seller was expecting too much money (49 sold of 292 auctions).

[philly]

Thanks to All - however I was hoping for some advise on which trike you liked the most or particular aspects of each trike kit - you have collectively moved into valuation discussions - so let me offer to all that the prices I referenced were real and derived from negociations with owners on specific trikes - but they do represent the outliers as many folks are seeking $20k plus on newer big GW or HD trikes - thanks Philly

[BeHereNow]

Buy the Valk or I'm writing you out of my will.

[Papa Zook]

Philly-
Youre right...we did veer off the main topic a bit sorry about that. To get back to your original question, they all seem like good deals but I personally like the Valks. Lots of power, smooth as glass and a bullet-proof, proven power plant. Kind of a hot rod and touring machine all in one. That would be my choice of the lot.

P.S.- I happen to have a trigger wheel (timing advance) on my desk right now that will really wake up the low end on that Valk.

[John Luciano]

Bazook can you rake the Valk with the GW triple tree set up

[skuuter]

Bazook can you rake the Valk with the GW triple tree set up

Not sure, but got a feelin' there may be some "bracket mount" issues for headlight, etc.............just takin' a stab, because I know the Valk has more of the Cruiser type Light, Fork Tube Covers layout......

[John Luciano]

Philly post the Ebay Numbers so we can take a look

[Papa Zook]

Bazook can you rake the Valk with the GW triple tree set up

Ive not tried it John but Im 99% sure it would not work. If it was the same they would be advertised for fitment to both machines and I have never seen that or talked to any manufacturer that said they would fit both. Just off of memory, the Valk tubes appear larger than the GL-1500 tubes and the machining and drilling on them is definitely different.

[John Luciano]

Rule of thumb (Houses Cars trikes etc .) if it sells quickly your price was too low. after you do your conversion start adding up all you do to it . Some have compufire setups , some have running boards , raked fronts, and chrome ( true don't want it ). I think the trike adds to the price . Also the KBB is a bunch of whooy. I never did believe it , it is the car salesmans friend that is all. I too looked for a trike for 2 years and always felt someone should give me one for dirt cheap. after u have had yours for 2 years I want to see if you will sell it for $12,000 give me a call.

[CadtoChrome]

Ive not tried it John but Im 99% sure it would not work. If it was the same they would be advertised for fitment to both machines and I have never seen that or talked to any manufacturer that said they would fit both. Just off of memory, the Valk tubes appear larger than the GL-1500 tubes and the machining and drilling on them is definitely different.

True enough, Valk tubes are NOT interchangeable with a GL1500.
Not only are they larger they are a reverse fork tube, the tube is upside down as compared to a 1500 (or 1800).

my 2¢

Chuck