Harley or Honda who holds their value?

Question

I am looking to get a harley or a honda cruiser and i am wondering whos bike holds the best value? I want a med to a large bike like the size of the fat boys.

Answer 1

No doubt about it, a Harley will hold its value better than a Honda. I don't know of anyone who has selected a bike based on that criteria. Whatever your decision, be sure you select the one you really want, you know, the one that sends your heart beating faster and starts you drooling at the mouth. That's the one you want. Anything less and you won't be happy.

Answer 2

There's no doubt that Harley holds it's value better, but let me propose another point. If you plan to keep the bike for a very long time, you may have a real problem finding parts for any Honda over 10 yrs old. Honda and the other Japanese bikes tend to change things on a regular basis, and quit making the older parts. You can still buy almost any part for a 50 yr old Harley! Try doing that for a 1965 Honda!

Answer 3

Heres another take on this question. Yes, a new Harley will over time hold it's value better than a Honda. But lets talk used. A used honda will bottom out in price way before a Harley. After about 10-15 years, a Honda can't get much cheaper...

Answer 4

Depends on how many miles are on them ,if you have a 95 Harley with 20 thousand miles and its been rebuilt (engine tranny Etc) your not going to get as much as what u might think ,nobody in his right mind is going to pay the same price as what you bought it for 10 years ago . If you buy a 95 Honda with very little miles and excellent shape your going to lose maybe a thousand bucks on it plus depends on what kind of upgrades you may have done to it ,Look at the Honda Rebels in cycle trader they are still being sold used for over a thousand bucks and new for 3 grand . And depending on what part of the country your living in we here in Florida have a lot of older Honda's around ,plus the new device called Car fax can tell you anything about a vehicle .all its owners and any kinda of accidents, I could care less what anybody rides but any ride is only as good as what the owner keeps it /peace

Answer 5

If you are asking which holds it's value better, definately Harley. The better financial move, Honda. For example think of it this way, my numbers are probably off but you get the idea. A good low mileage 2 year old Harley around 17k. After a couple of years, it's worth around 12k. A good 2 year old Goldwing about 8k. After a couple of years it's worth 5k. A much higher percentage drop, but a much lower dollar amount drop. Hondas are also much more reliable, cost less to maintain, and in my opinion more comfortable on long cruises, but I must admit I don't have a lot of Harley time, just a few local trips on a friends. Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Your question is not which is the better bike, but what holds a better value.
I ride a Harley, but am not a "Brand Maniac" like a lot of other folks out there. You know who you are...
In my experience, the Harley holds it's value MUCH better, even after it's been laid down. It takes a serious amount of damage before they get totaled, which is not the case for cheaper bikes.
All that being said, my next bike (after i put another 150K miles on my road glide) will be a BMW. I'm tired of the Harley - Honda debate. Time to get a really well engineered bike.

Answer 7

Compared to new price, the Harley holds its value better. However the Honda will hold its value quite nicely as a used bike.

The other issue is reliability, there's really nothing out there that beats Honda reliability for bikes.

Answer 8

Harleys hold their value better - but NO bike is a good investment. One good drop and they are no longer worth very much at all... and costly to repair. A bike is for riding, not investing.

Get a used Honda for starters. You'll get a great deal and a great ride. Later, when you are a highly skilled rider, you can get the Harley Fat Boy if you still want it.

Answer 9

Harleys hold their value better - no question. This is because they barely change from one decade to the next - still slow, overweight under-braked and & vibration-ridden - by 1970 standards.

Hondas are a bit bland & boring - but they're superbly engineered & well finished.

My last Honda (CBR1100) did 56,000Km, and apart from the seat lock sticking - requiring lubrication, nothing at all went wrong - chains, tyres, brake pads, oil & filters - that's it. Started every time - even when sitting 3 months over winter. Still on the original battery & all the original lght bulbs.

But why do you want a "crusier" - aren't there any corners where you live ? (I'd move if that was the case...).

Answer 10

Harley's big twins don't depreciate as quickly a Honda's do. It seems that the more chrome and accessories you put on the Harley, the more it's worth. I put $2000 worth of stuff on my R1 and it's still not worth much.