Triumphrat

vonbonds · 06-13-2009, 12:08 PM

Hello all,

I debate back and forth about selling my 2004 TBS with about ~9500 miles on it. I haven't touched it since my son was born 11.5 months ago. I know there will be a time when I will have TIME to do something else but it doesn't look like I will have any for a year or two at the very minimum. My son is going to be entering an eating clinic since he seems to hate eating (he is healthy otherwise, growing, milestones, etc...) and it is keeping his weight down. With that being said can you take a look at my bike and its accessories to help me assess the value of it please?

Here are the pics...
http://lewisfamilyphotos.smugmug.com...2_scTX9#P-1-15

Here are the accessories...
Solo seat with cowl + stock seat
Triumph offroad exhaust + stock exhaust
Napoleon bar end mirrors + stock mirrors
Triumph fly screen
Triumph fork protectors
Monza gas cap
Skyking frame sliders
T3 Daytona cast wheels with custom rear rotor
Continental Road Attack rear with Sport Attack's on the front (maybe 50% worn)

Thanks a lot...

Tom

BRG-BIRD · 06-13-2009, 02:22 PM

Have you given any thought to storing the bike properly until you have time to ride again? I hope/pray your son will be ok...

Very classy looking bike.

thekeyman · 06-13-2009, 05:05 PM

Beautiful bike with all the right parts, here in the UK , l would pay £4000 and be well pleased. Solo seats go for £350 and the wheels add another £ 500. It is worth more but there is a limited number of people after mint TBS's. Try to keep it, after the credit crunch it will be a collectable classic, an heirloom.

Trophy4 · 06-13-2009, 05:26 PM

A bike's worth what someone will pay for it. I've found a good starting point for valuing a bike is Kelly Blue Book (KBB.COM). I then compare that number with the one shown in Motorcycle Consumer News. Finally, I do a scan for comparables on e-bay (including completed/expired auctions) to see what people are willing to pay. Then I sit back and pick a starting price out of the air that I hope won't scare people away!

One of my friends uses e-bay to find the value. He lists his bikes on e-bay w/a high reserve, one that should someone actually reach the reserve, he'll happily accept. Once the auction times out, he's got a pretty good idea of what the marketplace thinks his bike is worth, and he deterimines his asking price from there. Sometimes he relists it on e-bay, sometimes he just advertises it with a price close to what people were willing to bid.

Good luck, Tom! (Is this the only bike you currently own?)

cafetbird · 06-13-2009, 06:29 PM

The answer is simple, Tom - that bike is worth more to you than it is on the open market. It is priceless and you should never sell it.

You've been dancing on this issue for a while. Your concious is telling you not to do it. Your son will grow up in a few years, and you'll regret selling the thing.

As has been suggested, dry store it for now! Drain the gas, plug the holes, remove the battery, fill it with Marvel Mystery Oil, and lift it up off the ground. Spray it down with a protectant and cover it, or bag it if you can. We'll look forward to seeing you in a few years at one of the Classics rallies, once you take it out of the mothballs....

Saying a prayer for your son's health, btw!

Scot

BigAl8295 · 06-13-2009, 07:36 PM

Tom,

Sorry to hear about your son. I hope he gets better soon.

I have to agree with Scot, it seems like your heart isn't into selling it because of the high price you have asked for in the past. I know I'll never get what the bike is worth to me should I decide to sell it.

I also agree that you'd be better off storing it for a couple of years and not selling it if you don't have to.

Some of the most enjoyment comes from riding with my daughter on the back of my bike. Hold on to it if you can.

vonbonds · 06-14-2009, 10:40 AM

Thanks for the kind comments guys, I appreciate it. This is currently my only bike as I sold my Rocket III last year or maybe even the year before, I forget now. If my bike doesn't sell in a month or two I am going to dry store it properly. You guys are right, I don't want to sell it but I sometimes wonder if I will have time again to ride in the next 5 years.

Tom

cafetbird · 06-14-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vonbonds

You guys are right, I don't want to sell it but I sometimes wonder if I will have time again to ride in the next 5 years.

Tom

Well, there is always commuting! Remember, tomorrow is Ride to Work day... Studies show motorcycle commuters arrive to work more alert and energized.

http://www.ridetowork.org

It is one of the few things that has kept me sane during the early child development years!

BigAl8295 · 06-14-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vonbonds

Thanks for the kind comments guys, I appreciate it. This is currently my only bike as I sold my Rocket III last year or maybe even the year before, I forget now. If my bike doesn't sell in a month or two I am going to dry store it properly. You guys are right, I don't want to sell it but I sometimes wonder if I will have time again to ride in the next 5 years.

Tom

I wish I had the $$$$ when you were selling your Rocket. It was a good price and I know you take care of your bikes!

vonbonds · 06-14-2009, 05:18 PM

I rode my Rocket to work nearly every day when I owned it, that is what contributed to the high mileage on it. I work in sales now so riding to customer sites isn't really an option

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