Originally Posted by
octane
I hear what you're saying, and while I agree that the prices some people ask for their bikes are ridiculous - but can you blame a guy for getting the most money possible for his bike if the market will bear it? Seriously. I think the fact that these guys find buyers at these inflated prices is unreal, but I can't blame a guy for making the most of a sale. If you don't like the price, don't buy it. I bought my bike in January before prices rose with the season and before everyone and their brother was looking for a bike, giving sellers the advantage. I wouldn't pay $5,500 - or even the $4,100 he got for an 11 year old gixxer with 22,000 miles on it - but the guy found a buyer, so good for him. Do you give your shit away when you sell it?
Have you read anything that has been written? The stupid buyers willing to pay those inflated prices are getting the majority of the heat. My problem with the sellers is when they try to sell a bike thats been down for as much as a new one, and don't tell me they are getting what they ask I've seen bikes on sale for craigslist for months at a time. I've even seen bikes that were on craigslist LAST year again because no one is willing to pay what they are asking for.
In addition, I think even paying 12,000 for a brand new bike, even 9,000 is a waste of money, and is only further inflating the used market. Although I do realize that motorcycles are on the cutting edge of performance and must absorb large costs in R&D, as well as don't have the mass production advantage that cars do, but can you honestly tell me it costs as much to make a liter bike as it does some small cars? The margin made on motorcycles must be huge. I can't imagine a bike costing 5 or 6 grand to make. This inflation can be seen in the price of fairings alone! 200 -300 dollars for a piece of plastic?! really???