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350 J Platform / Re: Trade-in Values on 350 Meteors/Classics

« Last Post by wspollack on Today at 09:33:16 pm »

So I've heard some scary stuff about trade-in values being horrible on Classics/Meteors and was wondering what folks here thought, or have experienced. One guy on FB told me I may as well just keep the bike instead of trading because I wouldn't get anything for it anyway. Now, I understand that trade-in is *always* going to be less than retail, what you could get selling to an individual. I was just curious if anyone has any firsthand information or experience they could share.

Thanks in advance!

Kev, it can't be very much.

RE of Albany (NY) is selling brand new M350 bumblebees like ours for $4,699. That's out the door -- NO shipping charge tacked on -- just a modest DMV fee that doesn't go to them, same with tax. If you're out of state, neither of those charges.

And if they have some '22 leftovers in stock, what do you figure? Another thousand below that?

Out of curiosity and to give you some possibly more meaningful data, I just went on CycleTrader, entered Royal Enfield Meteor 350, and then said to sort by lowest price. Here's the result:

https://www.cycletrader.com/Royal-Enfield-Meteor-350/motorcycles-for-sale?type=Motorcycle%7C356953&make=Royal%20Enfield%7C9301341&model=METEOR%7C764982995&trim=350%7C77345&buyOnline=true&sort=price%3Aasc

What you have are a couple of at c. $3,000, then $3,500, then $3,700 ...

And those are for NEW bikes! And it looks like there's no shipping charge, dealer prep, etc., on those lowest cost ones.

So, if you were in the market, would you pay that much for a used one, and with only some of the warranty remaining?

I think you would have to price it really low, almost to the point of might-as-well-keep-it-as-a-backup (or just not expect to get more than a couple thou).

I've sold two bikes privately over the years, but prefer to trade-in, if I'm really not keeping a bike as a backup. Here in NY, trading in a vehicle saves you some tax, as the you pay on the difference when getting a new vehicle. That makes up for a possibly higher sale amount you might get selling privately, plus you avoid the time, effort, possible scams, possible casing of your house, etc., associated with private sales.

What do you have in mind, if I may ask, what are you checking out, for a replacement to the bumblebee?

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350 J Platform / Re: Big Dang Bikes

« Last Post by Dexter on Today at 09:29:39 pm »

Yeah, the adventure style bikes are all the rage now and too bad for those of short legged stature. How many of those ADV bikes ever go off road anyway? I bet very few.

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350 J Platform / Big Dang Bikes

« Last Post by Siamese on Today at 09:26:01 pm »

Just got my Hunter out of winter storage, and am getting ready to do the spring maintenance.  Sitting on the bike, I was reminded how much I like the size of this bike. 

An general observation.  Bikes got big!  I remember when....the seventies.....when we scooted around on Honda CB350's, Yamaha DT360's, BSA 441's, Triumph 650's and so on.  And then bikes got bigger.  Ever swing your leg over a Honda Africa Twin?  It's like climbing on a camel.  Maybe that's why they call it Africa. 

I'm 5'11", so I should fit most bikes, but I sure liked 'em better before they got so darned tall and big. 

My Hunter reminds a lot of climbing on a BSA 441 but with refinement. 

Just sayin'. 

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350 J Platform / Re: Trade-in Values on 350 Meteors/Classics

« Last Post by Dexter on Today at 09:25:17 pm »

You will ALWAYS do better selling it privately. Dealers will never give you anywhere near the retail price, as they have to re-sell it to make money.

Set a fair price based on what you find others selling them for on online websites, but determine what the least you will take for it is as well and price it a couple hundred more than that, so you have room to dicker with a buyer.

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650 Interceptor & Continental GT / Re: Replacement Battery.

« Last Post by whippers on Today at 09:13:37 pm »

Just replaced mine on a 2019 because it was due.Better to be proactive and save wear and tear on the charging system.

Yep always best to replace on a schedule.  I had my car battery just suddenly die a couple of times when it’s inconvenient, same with my boat (but at least it can be started with the house batteries helping) so now just replace every 4 years.  If you don’t use your bike regularly for a longish trip to recharge the battery and don’t use a tender the battery won’t last as long.

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350 J Platform / Re: Trade-in Values on 350 Meteors/Classics

« Last Post by AzKev on Today at 08:59:32 pm »

I was offered £1900 give or take a few £s by several dealers when I was considering changing my Meteor. It was mint, as new condition, dealer serviced and two years old. Basically 50% of what I paid for it.
I sold it privately for £2750.
Sad but true I'm afraid.

I'm in the UK remember, if that makes a difference.

Thanks Ivy. Yeah, I'm thinking that might be the way to go - to sell it privately. I've seen some folks here in the US mention similar experiences regarding dealer offers. Appreciate your response.

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650 Interceptor & Continental GT / Re: Question about stock tires

« Last Post by ryguy76 on Today at 08:40:20 pm »

Thanks to all that responded.  I decided that upgrading the rubber was the right call and placed an order for the BT46’s.

Went with the same specs I posted above as I wanted a slightly wider tire than stock to hopefully reduce the lateral “shiftiness” I feel with longitudinal road imperfections.

Rear 140/70/18 (67H)
Front 110/80/18 (58V)

Will update this thread on my thoughts on the upgrade once they come in and I get them mounted.

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350 J Platform / Re: Trade-in Values on 350 Meteors/Classics

« Last Post by Ivy on Today at 08:28:22 pm »

I was offered £1900 give or take a few £s by several dealers when I was considering changing my Meteor. It was mint, as new condition, dealer serviced and two years old. Basically 50% of what I paid for it.
I sold it privately for £2750.
Sad but true I'm afraid.

I'm in the UK remember, if that makes a difference.

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535 Continental GT / Re: Geoffs Modifications

« Last Post by Geoff Vader on Today at 08:03:52 pm »

Guess some of you wonder why I bang on about saving weight on the bike.

I’ve attached a small spreadsheet/chart which may help explain.

I’ve taken the quoted weight of the bike as 185kg, the rider as 80kg and a ‘standard’ power improvement of 5bhp.

Rows 1 & 4 show the power as standard on the standard weight bike, and with a weight reduction of 20kg. I’ve already got rid of 15kg and expect to achieve nearer to 22kg reduction without too much more effort. These two rows are unrealistic as there’s no allowance for a rider.

So, rows 2 & 5 show the difference with an 80 kg rider. The bhp/metric tonne rises from 113 to 122 just by losing 20kg, no tuning required!

Rows 3 & 6 compare the bike with an additional 5bhp (probably a bit unrealistic at 17% improvement) and the same with reduced weight.

So, lose weight, it’s easier, cheaper and will improve acceleration.

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350 J Platform / Trade-in Values on 350 Meteors/Classics

« Last Post by AzKev on Today at 07:57:44 pm »

So I've heard some scary stuff about trade-in values being horrible on Classics/Meteors and was wondering what folks here thought, or have experienced. One guy on FB told me I may as well just keep the bike instead of trading because I wouldn't get anything for it anyway. Now, I understand that trade-in is *always* going to be less than retail, what you could get selling to an individual. I was just curious if anyone has any firsthand information or experience they could share.

Thanks in advance!