Don't you hate to give a bike away?

[ohiorider]

I've owned and put some good miles on my 2008 1200 Sport.  She has approx 68,000 miles showing on the odometer.  Still runs nicely.

Unfortunately, this lovely old machine is a bit too top heavy for me as I get older.  But apparently, CARC bikes don't make Guzzi owners want to  spring for them. 

Not sure what I'm going to do.  I have a former Guzzi mechanic that has expressed some interest.  I'm probably as bored about this potential transaction as he is.

[Strada]

At least you got some good miles out of the bike!
It is a shame that ergonomics no longer suit you.

Is the market that soft for the old 8V CARC bikes that you feel like you'll have to give it away?

[Hymes Inc.]

Wouldn't bother me if I didn't need the money.  Although I wouldn't give it away to just anybody. It's only stuff, can't take it with you in the end.

[flip]

Is the market that soft for the old 8V CARC bikes that you feel like you'll have to give it away?

In the USA, a 2008 1200 Sport is a 2 valve per cylinder bike.

[pete roper]

At least you got some good miles out of the bike!
It is a shame that ergonomics no longer suit you.

Is the market that soft for the old 8V CARC bikes that you feel like you'll have to give it away?

Strangely, with the exception of Griso's and big tank Stelvios,  all the CARC bikes seem to be about as popular as rat sandwiches! I really can't work out why as they are certainly among the very best to ever leave Mandello.

[larrys]

I think that all bikes go through a period of time where they are considered just old and dated and not worth much. Once they reach an age where they are considered vintage and collectible, their value goes up. I remember when you couldn't give an Ambassador away. They were old, and didn't have the power or appeal of an Eldorado. I bought a couple of decent ones cheap back in the day, and later sold them cheap. I'm amazed at the prices they get today.
Larry 

[Bulldog9]

The used market on Guzzi is very soft. Heck, so is the new..... When you can buy a 2016 Stornello left over in 2018 for $6899, and a 2017 MGX from the factory crate in 2019 for $14999, both 6-7K off MSRP, that has an effect on the used market.  I bought my 2014 Norge in 2015 for $6200.... a steal. I was able to negotiate to get $6K as a trade in. Sure maybe I could have gotten more on the private market, but I just see Guzzi's sit. There is a 1200 Sport in my area on Craigslist for almost 2 years.

The V7's seem to be moving, as they appeal to the skinny jean latte sippers, and Guzzistas, but every dealer I look at has 2016, 2017, 2018 models plugging the floor and inventory, with a few 2019.  Ah, the challenges of a Niche brand.

This factor is why I still own my 78 XS750, and 79 XS1100. They arent worth squat, but dont cost me anything to keep in storage in a friends garage ;-) I know I would regret selling them, and when the time came and I had room to keep with me would be irreplaceable.

[Gusable]

My opinion is I think motorcycling in general is a dwindling thing.  Here in Texas it seems sport bikes or Harley’s but everything just loses value too fast.  My point is there aren’t quantity of buyers possibly

[nobleswood]

  I wish I hadn't read this post !

A Red 1200 at a give away price 

Now the competing voices in my head will argue the merits of how close to a  I am prepared to get.

It's after all halfway between my V11 & the CARC Griso. And red.  and nearby

[tazio]

Love my Guzzi, but I have made an observation.
When I first got the BRAND NEW GRiSO my riding pal (owns a new H-D) said "good Lord!, take it back to the dealer, it sounds like your motor is coming apart!".
24k miles later, and not even broken in yet, I hear from other passerbys "that thing is worn out already?! Listen to it!". I'd imagine this spooks some potential buyers.
Bottom line for me. I'M happy and it runs like a freight train.
Too much "character" and some people's heads explode...

[n3303j]

Paid $2,100 for my 36K mile Clean '98 V11EV about 5 years ago. Amazed how inexpensive these wonderful machines are.

I expect that resale will be even less than that. I figure I die owning my bikes and let the heirs worry about usability versus resale value.

Motor Guzzi is really short money for some solid machinery. In this economy with the motorcycling falling out of favor it definitely is a buyer's market.

[Gliderjohn]

Ironic. I bought my T-3 in 89 when they were probably at their minimum value. Currently I could probably get more for my T-3 than my Norge 8V. Maybe when I can't ride it anymore the Norge will become sought after.
GiderJohn

[Ncdan]

If anyone buys a motorcycle with the expectation of making money on it, that’s wishful thinking. One is suppose to trade the money loss for the joy of owning and riding that bike. Remember, you can’t put a price on good memories. Every time I’ve had an issue with one of my three guzzis I’ve made another friend here who became a personal friend whom I talk with regularly and hope to eventually go meet in person:)

[n3303j]

Bought my T3 about 12 years ago. It had been sitting dead for18 years in a garage with all fluids on board. Needed a complete recon.

Paid 60% more for it than my "drive it home" V11EV.

Guess the price difference has something to do with the T3's greater "fun value" and longer fuel endurance. 

[bad Chad]

If you sell it your not going to get anywhere near what you think it should be worth.   The market is just too small.  But I agree, unless you really need the extra 2-3 grand, who cares.

[oldbike54]

 As a general rule , with motorbikes at least , the more reliable survivor bikes , which tend to be the work-a-day models that sold in relatively large quantities new because they were reliable don't bring much money . The exotic stuff , or things that were sexy but not really reliable bring more money , because most of them didn't survive . Ever wonder why a Triumph Bonneville from 1967 brings more money than a decent /5 Beemer ? Or why an MV Augusta America has folks drooling , while a better performing and more reliable bike from the same era gets a "meh" ?

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

I purchased a Ducati Supersport recently, I wanted to trade in my 98 Suzuki Bandit 1200 (80K miles).  They offered $500 trade but said I could still keep the bike.

I have a nice 1200 Bandit, that might be faster than the Ducati (in a straight line).  I am short on garage space but couldn't stand to give it away to someone that will abuse or cut it up.

[Ncdan]

I purchased a Ducati Supersport recently, I wanted to trade in my 98 Suzuki Bandit 1200 (80K miles).  They offered $500 trade but said I could still keep the bike.

I have a nice 1200 Bandit, that might be faster than the Ducati (in a straight line).  I am short on garage space but couldn't stand to give it away to someone that will abuse or cut it up.

Is that a one lunger or twin. Sorry I’m not familiar with yamas

[Lcarlson]

Is that a one lunger or twin. Sorry I’m not familiar with yamas

It’s an in-line four , and a Suzuki.

[Ncdan]

It’s an in-line four , and a Suzuki.

Oops sorry, I meant Suzuki. I was thinking that at one time Suzuki has a one lunger 650 called bandit and just wondered if it was a similar design. Thanks

[Rich A]

I checked and my insurance would go UP (yes up) if I sold my Bassa and by quite a bit, $800/yr. Can't figure out why, except that there must be different levels of multi-bike discounts. Needless to say, that was a strong dis-incentive to sell.

Rich A

[Lcarlson]

Oops sorry, I meant Suzuki. I was thinking that at one time Suzuki has a one lunger 650 called bandit and just wondered if it was a similar design. Thanks

That Suzuki was named, improbably, the Savage.

[Gliderjohn]

This in another reason one should not buy a motorcycle (at least a new or late model) using a loan as you will be quickly  behind the cure and in the hole.
GliderJohn

[blu guzz]

Enzo at Cadre buys bikes to resell.  You should give him a call.  He is fair, but will still offer a price where he can make a dime.  Blu came to me that way.  An older fellow bought it in the fall of 16 and must have scared himself as he only went 400 miles.  Enzo bought it and resold it to me in June of 17, smokin deal and 1 1/2 years warranty. 

[Tusayan]

Some bikes see appreciation eventually, some don’t.  Most Guzzis have done so, but I think the Breva derivatives have very little appeal to classic bike buyers and won’t in the future, no more so than an R1150R BMW.  I think most of them will eventually see their engine and engine parts used in custom bikes, with the bike being worth about as much as its engine. The Griso has more potential and the spine framed bikes have significant potential.

Over the last 30 years I have better than broken even with my bike values, some have depreciated, more have appreciated.  You can do that by buying bikes with what proves to be a long lasting appeal, somewhere near the bottom on their depreciation curve.  For example I bought an early Le Mans for $1800, a bevel SS for $5700 and so on.  For bikes to be run hard and long, it’s more challenging to conserve money but possible: I’ve had three R100GSs and made money on the two I sold.  The current one is worth about twice what I paid for it.  So by choosing a little bit of care, I think you can spend less on your motorcycling.

[bad Chad]

I just ride what appeals to me, but to each his own.  I have no intention of breaking even, and that’s fine for me.

[Lannis]

  You can do that by buying bikes with what proves to be a long lasting appeal, somewhere near the bottom on their depreciation curve.  For example I bought an early Le Mans for $1800, a bevel SS for $5700 and so on.  I’ve had three R100GSs and made money on the two I sold.  The current one is worth about twice what I paid for it.  So by choosing a little bit of care, I think you can spend less on your motorcycling.

Without looking backward from an actual buy, how can anyone know when a bike is at the bottom of the depreciation curve?

Sounds like timing your buying of stock shares when the price has gone "as low as it's going to go" or selling "at the top of the price curve". 

I mean, you can guess, but ... let's see if we can predict one.   When will the price of Grisos bottom out so it's the best possible time to buy one before they start getting popular like the Ambassadors described above?    This post will still be here 15 years from now, we can look back and see .... ?

Lannis

[Tusayan]

Without looking backward from an actual buy, how can anyone know when a bike is at the bottom of the depreciation curve?

Based on my experience, by thinking about it. Some things are obviously desirable regardless of age.  Perfection in judgement is not required,  nor buying at the very lowest value possible over time - I wrote “somewhere near” not at.  I think 1100 Sports and many 90s Ducati’s would be a good choice right now, and probably for years from now.  They’re not going to rocket up in value, but I don’t think anybody thinks they’re going to lose value either.

The opposite end of the spectrum (i.e. not thinking about it) would be buying models that it is fairly obvious will be a way to spend money and never get it back: to me Brevas were in that category from day one, as was almost anything Aprilia has ever made and so on.  BMWs made over the last 20 years of so.  That’s fine if you’re in a position to lose motorcycle money without concern..  I’m not and like the OP don’t want to be 

[MadMike]

I'm on my third price reduction with this trusty ride. I just don't get it....runs like new!

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/d/mays-landing-harley-davidson-road-glide/6910250879.html

[Lannis]

I'm on my third price reduction with this trusty ride. I just don't get it....runs like new!

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/d/mays-landing-harley-davidson-road-glide/6910250879.html

Very VERY few people understand the concept of having over 100,000 miles on a motorcycle.   Market will be extremely limited.   Most people will run away, run away .....

Lannis