Greetings. general question here about Kelly Blue Book. In ya`lls opinion are they generally high, low or about right on motorcycles. Is it a logical place to start when buying a used vehicle from a dealer? I know there are a million other factors regarding condition etc. Just wondering if most dealers sell used bikes based upon KBB. THX.

In my experience it is wildly inaccurate. It is either way to high or way to low. It never seems to be even close. But it may be just me. I seem to be unable to get it into my head that it has become ok for people to way overstate the price in their ads and expect to be talked down. There was A time when a person would be insulted with offers that today seem normal. Recently I found out that asking prices have exploded but the price they will settle for is not even close. Dealers probably pay closer attention to it than private individuals. Anyway I think the closer to new the bike is the closer to accurate the KBB will be. There may also be some regional variances that they are ignoring.

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States visited on L2 DL650A Adventure since 7-14-12

I looked up my DL650AK7. It shows a trade-in value of $3265 and a retail value of $4750, not counting low mileage nor accessories (engine bars, etc.) This pretty much brackets what I think the bike is worth.
Kelley Blue Book

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Rooster today
Feather duster tomorrow

my experience is that KBB is high, they seem to publish asking prices and not a reflection of actual sale prices like NADA

KBB lists trade in value and retail value where NADA does not publish trade in, but the do publish a retail range

my 07 Vee for instance

KBB trade in 4230, retail 6140

NADA retail 4335-5705

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RandyO
IBA# 9560
07 Strom 1k (7x,xxx miles)
99 SV650 (135,006 miles)
82 XV920R
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It's a guide. That's it.
Up to you and the other guy to come up with what makes you happy. I bought mine, an 04 a couple years ago. KBB said $3500 and the guy wanted $3900. He acquiesced to $3500 and I got happy.
I mean really. This much motorcycle and fun for what we have to pay? Get real. It's bloody wonderful.
Some one is pinching the dollar until the Eagle grins.

I have generally found both KBB and NADA to have preposterously high retail values for both bikes and cars. It should not be hard to figure out why.

I came across a website recently (but forgot where it was) that took submissions from both buyers and sellers of actual private-party selling prices and posted them. Of course, this was a self-selecting sample and therefore not completely scientific.

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2007 DL650
"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" -- Harry M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927

I agree that the further from new a bike (or car, etc.) is, the less accurate the KBB will be, but dealers still like to use it. Private buyers and sellers often have their own ranges that are outside the KBB. The KBB also does not account for farkles.

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When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.
- C. P. Snow

I think bikes in Cali or Florida hold their value better than here in the Northeast

My Gixxer was KBB for 7000 not a nibble til I got down to 5200 sold for 5000

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Maybe, but my '07 Wee was listed in NADA/MCN at $4530 and I was delighted to get $3800 for it. Same for sports cars. My pretty much spotless '94 Corvette convertible is listed in KBB at $9900 in just "good" condition and I've got it on CL for $8800 -- with a $1000 OEM hardtop thrown in! -- and no serious nibbles.

I don't think the "official" numbers come anywhere close to reflecting market values no matter where you are.

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2007 DL650
"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" -- Harry M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927

more vehicles are sold by dealers than private sale, dealers report sale prices to NADA, are NADA prices higher than private sales, very likely, private sales don't report

__________________
RandyO
IBA# 9560
07 Strom 1k (7x,xxx miles)
99 SV650 (135,006 miles)
82 XV920R
A man with a gun is a citizen
A man without a gun is a subject
www.gbhsurvey.com
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/p...dStatesMap.jpg