Current state of used bike market?
Discussion
Leading on from the ‘dealer discounts’ thread, what is the PH take on the current state of the used bike market.
Potentially looking at that new Tiger 850 Sport, but would have to sell a couple first. Unsure whether to sell now or wait for April/ May (if I do). Any anecdotes, data or recent selling experiences?
Potentially looking at that new Tiger 850 Sport, but would have to sell a couple first. Unsure whether to sell now or wait for April/ May (if I do). Any anecdotes, data or recent selling experiences?
My guess is this. A lot of potential buyers out there will be watching and waiting, saving their money until corona fear wears off a little & life can return to normal. So there'll be a lot of pent-up demand - so the supply will probably not have to cut prices much in order to sell machines, especially with better weather on the way (finally).
Had my Africa Twin on ebay for a month, cheaper than any other similar model (2018 Adventure Sports) by about a grand (cheapest on ebay) & had a few messages from people that were interested but didnt want to travel during the lockdown in case they got into trouble with the police etc so it ended with 43 watchers & cost me £25 for nothing really 
- I'll wait to the lockdowns lifted and try again.
- I'll wait to the lockdowns lifted and try again.I’ve been tracking the Honda CRF250L market, and considering the new 300 is now available for £5k, there are loads of 7 year old bikes selling for £3.5k+ Which seems strong money to me.
Seems if you’ve managed stay in a job, you’ve got cash on the hip and want to treat yourself this summer.
Seems if you’ve managed stay in a job, you’ve got cash on the hip and want to treat yourself this summer.
There are some super deals on the KTM 790 duke. Being replaced by the 890 but still a great naked if this floats your boat. £7k-£7.5k brand new. A lot of 0% deal. I bought a 1-year-old one with less than 1000miles loaded with options for £5.5k before xmas. Some 1 year old exchanged hands for less than £5k. I personally would not wait until it opens as there will be a mad rush in April....but I always buy my bike in winter anyway.
Sea Demon said:
Had my Africa Twin on ebay for a month, cheaper than any other similar model (2018 Adventure Sports) by about a grand (cheapest on ebay) & had a few messages from people that were interested but didnt want to travel during the lockdown in case they got into trouble with the police etc so it ended with 43 watchers & cost me £25 for nothing really - I'll wait to the lockdowns lifted and try again.
It's always harder to sell more expensive stuff on ebay. A lot of people are not "cash" buyers so will happily pay a premium at a dealers for the convenience of arranged finance. - I'll wait to the lockdowns lifted and try again.People are buying but obviously there will be more demand when the weather improves
I'm a great fan of advertising regardless - but just check out your current "competition" no point advertising if you want £5k and others are currently advertised at £4k
However I regularly see more expensive bikes selling - presumably because people either don't look very hard or won't travel
I'm a great fan of advertising regardless - but just check out your current "competition" no point advertising if you want £5k and others are currently advertised at £4k
However I regularly see more expensive bikes selling - presumably because people either don't look very hard or won't travel
Chicken Chaser said:
I keep seeing XT660s of a 12-14 year vintage going for over £4k. I sold one about 6 or 7 years ago for under £3k.
I'm thinking this is the result of brand new bikes being too expensive for the average rider. It strengthens the 2nd hand market, where 10 year old XT660's etc gives 90% of what its current successor offers. Its not like 10 year old japanese bikes are any less reliable than they were when they left the factory.Its a hard pill to swallow though, because like you say when you have seen the market much lower, it makes paying £4k seem like a kick in the teeth.
I've been out of the bike market for 5 years now and kind of wished I'd just hung on to what I had, they've lost nothing in terms of value over that time probably gained, I just spent the money elsewhere. Now I'm at a point where I'm thinking of getting back on one I'm having to accept that most prices have gone up.
I'm hoping to trade up this year, but it definitely appears that the bikes I want to buy are still holding their value during the current pandemic.
Unsurprisingly based on the part ex offers, and trying to sell last September, my own bike isn't holding value in the same way. Going to put an advert up for it in March / April again anyway, particularly once restrictions are relaxed a little.
Unsurprisingly based on the part ex offers, and trying to sell last September, my own bike isn't holding value in the same way. Going to put an advert up for it in March / April again anyway, particularly once restrictions are relaxed a little.
Max5476 said:
I'm hoping to trade up this year, but it definitely appears that the bikes I want to buy are still holding their value during the current pandemic.
Unsurprisingly based on the part ex offers, and trying to sell last September, my own bike isn't holding value in the same way. Going to put an advert up for it in March / April again anyway, particularly once restrictions are relaxed a little.
This! Everyone else's bike is holding steady, however, mine......Unsurprisingly based on the part ex offers, and trying to sell last September, my own bike isn't holding value in the same way. Going to put an advert up for it in March / April again anyway, particularly once restrictions are relaxed a little.
17 degrees this weekend - might help a bit!
I do wonder what the market really is for bikes over £10k new, particularly as many folk might be reluctant to tie themselves to a loan or finance.
There do seem to be strong prices for some bikes - started looking for an Aprilia RSV Factory which are around £4-5k for an 11 year old bike that probably wasn't £10k new. At 42,000 miles my Fazer is probably worth sod all and I want to move house this year, which isn't good.
There do seem to be strong prices for some bikes - started looking for an Aprilia RSV Factory which are around £4-5k for an 11 year old bike that probably wasn't £10k new. At 42,000 miles my Fazer is probably worth sod all and I want to move house this year, which isn't good.
I think yesterday’s good-ish news and roadmap out of Covid restrictions will help a bit. At the same time though, a LOT of people are still affected financially.
I’ve just gone back to work last night after being furloughed for a while.
I’m in the market for a cheap 5jj R1 or Ducati 748. £3k ish for the R1, £4k ish for a 748 and the decent ones at that price point seem to shift still.
I may just get a right snotter like a Thundercat for a grand instead, to just use whenever, for commuting and all sorts.
I’ve just gone back to work last night after being furloughed for a while.
I’m in the market for a cheap 5jj R1 or Ducati 748. £3k ish for the R1, £4k ish for a 748 and the decent ones at that price point seem to shift still.
I may just get a right snotter like a Thundercat for a grand instead, to just use whenever, for commuting and all sorts.
We are a hugely divided society in terms of people's economic outcomes from Covid. Ultimately, there is lots of money still chasing too few desirable bikes.
Many sales have got nothing to do with price - people are not legally allowed to travel and therefore may be willing to pay up to buy a bike in their vicinity. They are also conscious that prices are very unlikely to go any lower on the cusp of lockdown being eased and Spring arriving. Indeed, prices could go a lot lot higher with import issues and massive pent up demand. This is certain the case for pushbikes right now!!!
Many sales have got nothing to do with price - people are not legally allowed to travel and therefore may be willing to pay up to buy a bike in their vicinity. They are also conscious that prices are very unlikely to go any lower on the cusp of lockdown being eased and Spring arriving. Indeed, prices could go a lot lot higher with import issues and massive pent up demand. This is certain the case for pushbikes right now!!!
jonindorset said:
We are a hugely divided society in terms of people's economic outcomes from Covid. Ultimately, there is lots of money still chasing too few desirable bikes.
Many sales have got nothing to do with price - people are not legally allowed to travel and therefore may be willing to pay up to buy a bike in their vicinity. They are also conscious that prices are very unlikely to go any lower on the cusp of lockdown being eased and Spring arriving. Indeed, prices could go a lot lot higher with import issues and massive pent up demand. This is certain the case for pushbikes right now!!!
Give it another two months once furlough is stopped and we may start seeing the fall out. It will be a cascade of supply chains. I’m hoping I have to eat my words on this.Many sales have got nothing to do with price - people are not legally allowed to travel and therefore may be willing to pay up to buy a bike in their vicinity. They are also conscious that prices are very unlikely to go any lower on the cusp of lockdown being eased and Spring arriving. Indeed, prices could go a lot lot higher with import issues and massive pent up demand. This is certain the case for pushbikes right now!!!
I thought like that Bob, for most of last year. Sold our house last July (which we’d planned on doing before Covid anyway) but rented instead of buying, in preparation for the Great Depression. 
Then I read up a bit and spoke to a few mates who are more savvy than me and I realised that it’s not gonna happen. Lots of money sloshing about in the system, low interest rates, etc.
Hence we bought another house and are moving in in a couple of weeks. Still got a good deal mind.
What’s my point?
The government have now given us the exit plan for Covid and combined with Brexit most folk now want to see the country thrive.
I think we’ll see one hell of a bounce back. The main sector that won’t will be retail but that was doomed anyway due to online shopping and Covid merely brought it forward. That’s no consolation for those affected but I think apart from the businesses that have gone, all the rest will bounce back.
Everyone is screaming for a haircut, meal out, pint at the pub, holiday, cinema/theatre visit etc. I think things will be just dandy by July/August.
I know me and Mrs Marky are chomping at the bit for our Sunday pub lunches and to get back over to Europe for a roadtrip.
Longer term, who knows? But there are always ups and downs.
I’m happy to be corrected but I think we are almost through the worst of it.
Am I an optimist or just stupid??
Then I read up a bit and spoke to a few mates who are more savvy than me and I realised that it’s not gonna happen. Lots of money sloshing about in the system, low interest rates, etc.
Hence we bought another house and are moving in in a couple of weeks. Still got a good deal mind.
What’s my point?
The government have now given us the exit plan for Covid and combined with Brexit most folk now want to see the country thrive.
I think we’ll see one hell of a bounce back. The main sector that won’t will be retail but that was doomed anyway due to online shopping and Covid merely brought it forward. That’s no consolation for those affected but I think apart from the businesses that have gone, all the rest will bounce back.
Everyone is screaming for a haircut, meal out, pint at the pub, holiday, cinema/theatre visit etc. I think things will be just dandy by July/August.
I know me and Mrs Marky are chomping at the bit for our Sunday pub lunches and to get back over to Europe for a roadtrip.
Longer term, who knows? But there are always ups and downs.
I’m happy to be corrected but I think we are almost through the worst of it.
Am I an optimist or just stupid??
Edited by marky911 on Wednesday 24th February 05:33
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