IMPORTANT NOTICE! AS OF 7/11/2024 THE THREATS OF HARM MENTIONED IN A RECENT VIDEO HAVE BEEN RECOVERED AND SUPPLIED TO THE HUMBERSIDE POLICE CYBER CRIME DEPARTMENT FOR INVESTIGATION. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG THIS WILL TAKE, BUT HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO MAKE NO FURTHER COMMENTS WHICH MIGHT HAMPER THE INVESTIGATION OR PREJUDICE THE CASE. FOR THE MOMENT COMMENTS HAVE BEEN LEFT OPEN ON THIS VIDEO FOR INVESTIGATION BUT WILL LIKELY BE DISABLED AT A LATER DATE! THANKS TO MY VIEWERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Exactly, do your research and test ride as many times to make sure this is the bike for you. Most dealers have demo bikes and don't mind how many times you take one out. That is certainly the case for my preferred dealers. I can't afford to change my bike every 12months (or even less!)
Exactly. I bought my Gold Star with a view to keep it and ride it either until it falls apart, or I do. Anyone who buys a new vehicle and is not prepared to lose its entire value is a fool. I paid £5300 and I expect to get at least £5300 of enjoyment out of it.
@@Knowarxana same as me on my current Vespa. I've ridden from UK-Cyprus-Azerbaijan and back to the UK. It's still in nearly new condition , but the fun and people I've met mean it's paid me back in buckets. I will never sell it.
I think that dealers are probably refusing to take most bikes in part-ex at the moment, because the outlook for the motor trade is grim - EVs, high taxes, traffic jams, roads breaking up, ULEZ, lowered speed limits, road pricing...... The outlook for private transport is grim. Look on the bright side, at least a BSA is only £7000, an EV is £30-50000 and nobody wants them in part-ex either.
AGREED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A bad economy - that will get WORSE - because of Woke and Socialist policies - before it gets better after the next election - is not a good time to be SELLING ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To all. No one has to take in your pride and joy in for part exchange. If they do and you get a new favorite toy, then wonderful, but if they do not accept your baby in px, then so mote it be. Turn your entitled knob down to 1 and be grateful for what you have already.
@@keepitreal1547 yep and at least that way you will find the "true" market value. A quick scan of various private selling outlets shows that to start with, people have a very inflated idea of the market value of their babies. Prices reduced regularly until the fishes bite.
I’m not feeling at all entitled currently, just desperately trying to sell a bike to be replaced by something more manageable as I get older and more decrepit.😂 Agree though, far too many people whinging at their lot when they don’t seem to realise just how lucky most of us are.
@@keepitreal1547 Dare I say, I’m seriously thinking of going Chinese😬 - I looked momentarily at KTM, Triumph, Yamaha, Suzuki etc but then thought about the crazy prices. I could’ve dipped into my savings but then sanity prevailed and said I’d wait until I’d sold two of my beloved old bikes. Life is complicated enough as you get older without making it even more so with multiple bikes, insurance, maintenance, MOTS etc. Additionally the two bikes I’m parting with have far more power than I can enjoy safely now and even though they’re both huge fun when out on them I’m knackered from the concentration required, plus aching back, shoulders, arms, neck when I get back!😂 - sad I know but, ”A man should know his limitations” …..Clint Eastwood.😎 So CF Moto 450MT, Voge 525dsx or even Suzuki VStrom 800RE possibly?? Comfort is my best friend now.👍
I just sold a BMW R1200RS here in Canada. $23,000 in 2016, 70,000 km, excellent condition, every possible extra. Typically this would sell for around $12,000. BUT mine needed a service (a 3 hour ride away off-island to the nearest dealer). That was one reason I sold it: I was fed up with what was often an overnight trip just to get it serviced. So I traded for a KTM 390. I walked away with $800 in my pocket from a local dealer. Yes, I could have done better, but it was totally easy. I was happy. The BMW was worth more, but it wouldn’t be an easy bike to sell. The dealer took a chance, I took less than I might. That’s the way it goes.
I've owned six MCs here in Canada (Ont, NS) over 40 yr period. Always had to sell my old bike privately - dealers never interested in tradw-ins, in my case anyhow. One mechanic - Clarington Cycle in Bowmanville, ON - helped me move on two of the bikes.
In the U.S., dealers have never been willing to give you even a small fraction of what a bike is worth. There is a lot involved, but mostly dealer greed. But not completely. When you buy a brand new bike, anything you pay above msrp, and that includes tax, title, registration, and all the bogus dealer fees, like freight, prep, and doc fees, is just money thrown away. And all that can cost half as much as the msrp, turning a $6000 bike into a $9000 bike. In fact, that is about average here. What you call OTR, we call OTD, meaning "out the door". And it is not cheap. And when you pay it, it is gone for good. It means nothing when you sell or trade the bike. So if you paid $9000 for a $6000 msrp bike, you just lost $3000. Then there is initial depreciation, which is considerable. Especially for a non name brand bike, which the BSA is. As soon as you ride away on a bike you paid $9000 for, but was actually only worth $6000 new, it will now be worth an average of $4500. That's for a private sale. A dealer would likely off you $3000 for it on trade. And that is if you trade it in the same week you bought it new. Several months later with some miles, and it might be worth $1500 as a trade at a dealer. My 2013 Royal Enfield B5 Bullet 500 became almost worthless as soon as I bought it new. I made the decision to buy it when Royal Enfield lowered their prices $1000 across the board. Plus the dealer didn't scam me. It had an msrp of $5999, but RE lowered that to $4999. I paid around $6000 OTD, which included all the fees, plus delivery to my house from a dealer 150 miles away. Though that dealer did go out of business a couple months later. I paid cash, so there was no loan, and no expensive full coverage insurance. I've gotten 24,000 miles of fun out of it during the past 11 years, and it still runs good. I could probably still get maybe $1500 out of it in a private sale. No dealer would touch it. In many cases, a vehicle, whether it is a motorcycle, car, or truck, is worth far more for what it can do than what its market value is. In either the miles you can get out of it, or the enjoyment, or both. Vehicles are not an inexpensive hobby. The BSA has a couple of problems. First, it is not a real BSA. All they did, regardless of whether it is a good bike or not, is they bought the BSA name and stuck it on the bike to add "perceived value". Another issue is, it's just one bike. There really is no BSA "company" that makes a range of BSA bikes. Just a large conglomerate that made one single model. They are trying to cash in on the iconic BSA name. Polaris did the same thing with Indian in the U.S. The difference is, Polaris is an old, well established company with deep pockets. It is also a very large company that makes a large number of different types of vehicles. BSA, on the other hand, is a complete unknown. There is no way to know if it is a good bike or not. Then there is the possibility of being stuck with a bike that you cannot get parts or service for. The Indian company that made it could stop making it, and parts for it at any time, leaving you with a large, expensive paperweight. When you buy a vehicle from a well established company that has been around for a while, and makes many different models, the risk is much lower. When you are dealing with an unknown quantity, people are going to be very cautious investing in it. A good example of the is the Excelsior Henderson company back in the late 1990s and early 2000s in the U.S. They came up with a new, and very expensive motorcycle, which did have problems, acquired the Excelsior Henderson name, built a factory with venture capitol, made a couple thousand bikes, ran out of money, and filed for bankruptcy. Several investors, including the City of Belle Plaine, Minnesota, lost hundreds of millions of dollars, and the few bikes they did sell are now almost worthless. The only reason to buy one is as a curiosity. No parts are available to keep them going.
You may be surprised what the RE 500 is worth at the moment. Some are extremely high price. Not sure if that'll hold once the 650 classic comes out. I have a 500 classic and the enjoyment I've gotten out of it greatly outweighs what I paid for it. It starts more conversations than any other bike I've seen.
@@SafavidAfsharid3197 Yes it is. But it is not a motorcycle company. Triumph motorcycles are made by Triumph. Royal Enfield motorcycles are made by Royal Enfield. Both have an extensive line of motorcycles. The BSA is not made by BSA, and there is only ONE motorcycle. Most people probably have no idea who made it.
I am a life long, grey haired bike addict and all weather rider. Every bike, car or other form of transport WILL cost you money - it's a fact of life. I have a Goldstar that isn't worth anywhere near what I paid for it now and I don't care because I love riding it and it makes me smile. I have an old Tuono that will loose money and I don't care because it handles well, goes and stops well, sounds brilliant and it makes me smile. Lastly I have a baby GS which isn't worth anywhere near what I paid for it; guess what - I don't care because it gets me to work and back effortlessly, keeps the weather off me, is comfortable and to date has been totally dependable. If you care about the money then don't buy a bike. If you are into bikes then get one that makes you smile and get out there and ride the bloody thing. Money disappears, memories don't! Stay safe people.
Hi Stuart, I work for a small family owned dealership in East Anglia, we often get asked to buy used bikes outright & we simply can't afford to do this. So what we offer is a commision sale service, taking all the agro of advertising & dealing with tyre kickers away from the customer. We cannot afford to take bikes in part exchange either, it doesn't matter what make or model they might be. As you say its a very difficult business to be in at present, especially with dealers dissapearing on an almost weekely basis.
Their sales figures are an indicator. If the dealer will have trouble flogging any bike, they will always give a silly low P,EX. Why people buy bikes then within 12 months sell them is beyond me . Obviously buying the wrong bike in the first place
Hi Stu. For what it's worth, this is my view. I saw Freddie's video, and what I took from it was that some knob paid top money for a bike who's retail price has now been dropped markedly, spent silly money on extras and then decided he didn't like it. Anybody buying brand new should know that the depreciation the moment you take it out of the shop is massive. Any trade-in price has to include a profit margin for reselling, not to say the 20% VAT that has to go on top of it, plus some kind of warranty. When similar bikes are being sold at £4500 to £5000, then it should be obvious that £2-2500 is all you are likely to be offered. The scuttlebutt about Gold Stars is inevitable with a new brand, and they got off to a shaky start with some issues with the first bikes. This is bound to settle down in time now those issues are resolved. Personally I wouldn't want a Rotax-engined Mahindra with a brand name bought off the shelf, but that shouldn't stop others. If you like it, then ride and enjoy. Motorcycling should be a broad church.
Another fair and balanced explanation putting this particular issue into perspective. Your channel is one of the few biking related ones worth watching. Thanks.
Value is relative to the time of investment and sell. Value should be held in the use of the vehicle, I mean you buy a vehicle to use and enjoy at the end of the day. The most valued items I own are small pieces of paper, with old pictures of the family.
Winter around the corner. Huge stock of bikes at Completely Motorcycle that will probably push down prices. The threat of a budget that will put us in the stone age. 🤞the budget won't be as bad as pumped up to be. Spring will be early and glorious. The world will stop trying to have WW3 and we can get on with life.
Plenty of haters re the BSA. No idea why. I bought one of the first in the country, so paid the full fat price. So I have lost alot, reading that people have bought new for under £4.5 k. However, this only applies when selling, which I have no plans to do. After 6k miles, and with new Michelins fitted, I still love the BSA and ride it in all weathers. It cleans up beautifully and is more than the sun of its parts. Personally, I discount bikes at 33p a mile. So once I hit 19000 miles, the BSA owes me nothing. My Classic 350 has to do 10000 miles on that measure. The current climate will shake the chaff out of the dealer tree, leaving the better managed ones trading. As it has always been. Enjoy the bike you own, it is worth more to you than anyone else.
Thats a great idea to discount the bike per mile, I think more should do this instead of being obsessed what you pay new vs 2nd hand vs what it's worth when selling.. 33p per mile for the enjoyment of riding and owning a bike you like is a sum that's greater than just 33p isn it?
My understanding is that the BSA 650 Gold Star has a Rotax based engine derived from the Rotax engine used on the f650 BMW. There they had a reputation for being stone reliable.
Most dealers tell you how great a certain bike is on trying to sell it, yet say how undesirable it is when you come to PX it. Most dealers in general, want their cake & eat it.
I have just had that experience asking for a PX valuation the dealership picked every thing he could to reduce the valuation on my bike didn’t mention it had over a thousand pounds of Triumph extras on it, but on the other side the advert on the bike i was interested in, the few extras it had was highlighted 🤷♂️
@@crozzy28 It exactly how most operate & in my opinion they think most bikers are stupid. What you've experienced happens all the time & we as customers 'must not be taken in by their sales rubbish' Recently a biker friend PX'd his bike & suffered the dealers ways, offered him £1,900 & a week later had it for sale for £3,799. Utterly disgusting. So they made their full profit on a bike sold for RRP & also want a huge profit on the PX.
I’d love to have a BSA Gold Star 650 or an R-E Interceptor, but new bike prices are simply too high. I have taken up vintage bikes and now ride a small fleet of 1970s Yamaha XS650s (an Interceptor without balance shafts ABS or EFI) and an ‘83 BMW R1000RS which cost me $4500 CAD. My cousin bought a brand new 2021 Honda Gold Wing and he paid $38K+ CAD. In fact, he paid more in sales taxes than my BMW cost all-in. The BMW will do a buck-40 all day at 55 mpg, it’s smooth, quiet and comfy, has decent brakes and handling and is stone-cold reliable (but it never seems to break) plus it is simple to maintain and weighs 300 lbs less than the GL1800.
Part exchanges- called trade ins here in Australia, very rarely result in the person wanting a new bike getting what they hope to get for their old bike. As you mention, the dealer has to make a living after all. Three years ago, I wanted to trade my Ducati sports bike on a new Royal Enfield Interceptor. (Loved the Ducati but my old man's back, neck and wrists were no longer able to cope!) The Royal Enfield dealer wasn't interested! Unless I accepted a very low price for my Ducati. So, I put a cash deposit on a Chrome tank Interceptor, then came back 2 weeks later after I'd sold the Ducati privately and paid the balance. You simply have to be realistic when it comes to bike values and trade ins. I'm sorry you have had a rotten Summer in the Old Country. The Interceptor and I went on a lovely 240km ride around sunny Southern NSW yesterday, the trouble was I bought a huge antique book and had nowhere to put it other than stuffing it awkwardly inside my leather jacket. Looking at your lovely BSA with its handy saddle bags made me think if someone opened a BSA dealership here in Australia, I would be sorely tempted to add the classically styled single to the five bikes already in my shed!
@@lesgillard985 I'm afraid you are right. But if the BSA proves to be a good as it appears to be, I may import one privately anyway. I did that many years ago on an American Gilroy Indian, went through all the Australian compliance nonsense and now have a stylish American cruiser that I still enjoy riding on long trips.
@@StephenSkinner-y1c that's great to hear about the Gilmore. I am kinda surprised that BSA didn't consider OZ a viable market. 😞 Still, Kawasaki 650 single motor rumours and a small run of frames have surfaced... could be interesting or BS. If true it coukd be interesting 😀
Like you Stuart i knew immediately what the issue was when I saw Freddies video. He asked for comments on what was happening so I left him one on Wednesday politely explaining the last point you made in this video. Kept checking it to see if he responded but on Thursday morning he deleted it!
@@markellott5620 You Tube filters are instant, There is no delay. If it was still there a few hours afterwards and then disappeared it was manually deleted.
Mate - You made all the points, and the internet is a squeaky wheel. Dont like it Dont Buy it and the rest are "fanbois" of another brand, I love your laid back style and you made the right choice in colour, I'm about to hit that magical 2000 kilometer mark this weekend on my Shadow.
When the BSA Gold Star came onto the market early in 2023 there was quite a clamour for them in the UK and the buyers seemed happy to pay the seven grand to be one of the first to own one. According to the How Many Left website there were 597 (new) BSA Gold Stars registered in 2023, in the next six months this number increased by only 183 to 780. So clearly sales have slowed and BSA have dropped their price accordingly to keep bikes selling, which is tough for 2023 buyers but at least they benefited from the exclusivity of being among the first owners. I guess the BSA Gold Star has several competitors but comparing new registrations against the Royal Enfield Interceptor (again on How Many Left) the Gold Star had slightly more in 2023 at 597 vs 551 but less in the first six months of 2024, 183 vs 280. I don’t own either of these bikes by the way, I’m just an interested observer.
Enjoy your BSA, Its value is how big a smile it puts on your face. It's a brand spanking new bike which is no longer on the show room floor. Like any other brand. PE it's going to take a big hit. Triumph, I had one it held its value well. Logically a dealer will be willing to give you more for a bike they know will sell easily. My local triumph dealer had a Norton on the floor for about the same price as a New Bonneville for ages. I don't think they were even trying to sell it. Old guys like me would stop in to look at it, leave with a new Bonneville😀
In my limited experience, dealers will more readily accept as trade ins, vehicles that are from the same manufactures that they have familiarity with, in sales and servicing. I test rode a BSA Gold Star this week and was pleasantly surprised to find it even better than I had anticipated, and at the reduced cost it is now being offered, very good value.
I have a really pretty 72 Bonnie for sale. Beautifully restored and the later model that fixed all of the 71 year issues, its only worth £5k max. My local dealer has it on a commission sale basis and is asking £7k for it, with me getting £4k if it sells. Unsurprisingly, it hasn't sold. I'm not overly bothered, or complaining but it does show how the system works. Assuming it hasnt sold in the next few months, I'll probably just keep it and ride it next year
The best case for a dealer taking any bike on trade at this time of year is that it will sit on the floor until spring or even later. No one is going to pay top dollar for a machine that they can't sell rather quickly. It really is a matter of economics and market conditions. It looks to me that there may be some good private deals out there on the BSA machines. If I were in the market for a single cylinder machine It would be the BSA over many others. Rotax has a terrific reputation as an engine maker and lets face it, the engine is the heart and lungs of a motorcycle. If the engine is not good or you just don't like the engine you are not going to like the rest of the motorcycle. Thank you Stuart for bringing some common sense to this issue. It's amazing how bad news travels like wild fire but good news travels at tortious speeds. One persons bad experience, even if possibly of his own making, can sour a whole generation on a particular item or manufacturer. It really is unfair. BJ
Another informative and interesting video,You talk a lot of sense, some people don’t seem to understand how Motorcycle or car’s loose the day you take them out the showroom ,I love my Royal Enfield, but won’t be selling it any time soon due to the heavy discounts available at the moment, But I am watching these BSA 650 Gold stars as I fancy adding one to the stable. Keep up the videos,👍
My way: when I buy a bike, it has to enchant me, I have to love it. I want to know as much about, pro and con. I fell in love with the Shotgun as soon as it came out. I have a GT since 23. I just could not sell the GT, because I still like it so much, I just keep it. I didn’t go and buy the SG. I went to Guzzi, Kawa, Suz…, just to compare those bikes with the SG. I own a SG now, in full confidence that I bought the bike that fits me, for a long time. I have now 2 bikes, that will stay with me for years. Don’t need anything else soon. Very satisfied.
It is an overweight Aprillia Pegaso or BMW Funduro . Does not hold it's value due to being overpriced to begin with! where the BMW and APRILLIA have retained reasonable value over 30 YEARS!
If you haven't watched MotoTingle youtuber then please do. Half glass empty reviews on BSA. I got a new BSA for 4300 brand new. All reworks had been completed so hopefully i wont suffer any of the known stock faults. I love this bike. Trev
Well said that man! Too many haters and brand snobs about. I just commented on another post on this thread to some degenerate, ranting about prices... then had to take a pop at BSA. Honestly... they must have very small penis's and zero mates. Fook all wrong with new BSA 👍
Very well presented and covering all factors. I know some bikers who trade new bikes yearly and one who is so "upside down" that his game has crashed into a financial brick wall. Well done Stuart!
With things as they are nobody with a brain is taking any unnecessary risks, especially vehicle dealerships. If you want a bike my advice is research thoroughly and buy the bike that going to put the biggest smile on your face. Forget trade in values, you're buying good memories and experiences and that's priceless.
Hi uncle stu, don't think it's just BSA, I have a BMW f850gsa fantastic condition, no body wants it only BMW offered me £4500 for a 2 years old. So my answer is stick with what you have got and I hope these dealers go bust.
Exactly this. Most dealers will tell you how great a bike is on trying to sell it, yet say how undesirable it is when you come to PX it. They want their cake & eat it.
@@keepitreal1547 Do you believe what a car or bike dealer tells you? If they are telling me how desirable a vehicle is I assume it's because they are struggling to sell it. It's called selling. Buying is the opposite way round.
@@Thunderbloke2 Every single bike I've owned and I've had plenty. When you buy a brand new bike the dealer is all over you. But as soon as I've got fed up with it. And wanted something else And traded it in the the sob story starts. Well I can only offer you this because we might be sitting on it for a few months. And we have overheards, So you reluctantly except their offer which is a lot less than you expected but could have been a bit more . So with the excitement of getting another bike of your dreams,you except the offer. Then seen your bike on their website for one hell of a lot more than they offered you, Taking into consideration yes they have overheads, Only to find your old bike that you have traded in has already been sold before you even have picked up your new bike 😡
I sold my bike very quickly last month because l was realistic. I think just about everybody else thinks their bikes are "worth" a huge amount more than they would ever get for them.
Autotrader new BSAs search shows drop of £1500. In some cases even more. No brainer here. 650 Classic is few weeks from release, there are unsold BSAs from 2022 how they will compete with Classic 650? On price of course. On argument that your bike is all sound and dandy I am not surprised either. You are an authority on the subject and your word carry a lot. I am sure dealership who prepared the bike for you made sure it is tested and proven because any failure or problem will have a one or more episodes on your channel. So fingers crossed. Keep us updated how yours BSA is doing. I would like to know more about maintenance side of it.
You can also buy a new updated Interceptor for a figure with a 4 in the front, which may make people think twice about a new Classic 650 with a 7 or possibly an 8k price tag, with the same engine. I suspect sales of the Shotgun aren't setting the world on fire, for similar reasons.
The Mindful Motorcyclist did a video recently outlining some niggling problems with the earlier models and BSA's health check - pretty much a recall. This seems a proper response by the manufacturer. I had a recall on my Indian FTR, so BSA aren't unique in this regard. Yours is a later model, so those issues should be okay. The Bingley Wheeler has also been discussing it and the effect of Internet outrage.
If someone tried to sell me a bike I was unfamiliar with after owning it for 12 months, with 600 miles on it, I'd be suspicious of the bike. Along with everything you have said it makes complete sense for a dealer to turn it it down, if they did. I paid £6000 for a new Interceptor in 23, about a pound a mile so far, and am happy as a pig in shite with it. I love the dealers, Manhattan in Sheffield, love the bike and have absolutely no interest in it's resale value. For me, buying a motorcycle is a complete indulgence, not an investment.
People like to complain about dealerships until there are none. Every single person in the motorcycle community needs to realize that the dealerships are a profit business. There are times when the decisions they make are simply economic ones and the good ones do what they can. Often I buy stuff or services from a dealership because I can afford it and I want to support my local MC businesses. True I could find what I want cheaper somewhere else or do some things by myself but when I can I support the good dealerships near me. Some have had to buck the system and set their businesses up in a way that may go against the manufacturers wishes. One example is my local dealership has built his businesses up over the last 30 years and has many brands under one roof and many types motorized toys and vehicles. Yamaha is not one of their brands but even so I chose to have my Yamaha serviced there, they did a good job and treated me well. The others did not.
Going to put me head up over parapet. And suggest that it could be due to the small capacity fuel tank, many of us suffer from range issues. Most bikes that are being purchased now are where people are looking to go on road trips away. More bikers are now doing the NC500 or other tours around the UK and loads of people are now venturing back over to Tour Spain, France, Germany and the rest of Europe. Sadly the 12L fuel tank is a big no for me. Don't get me wrong. Yes it is a nice comfortable bike when it made its debut at the NEC. Perfect for the Sunny Sunday 100 mile round trip to a biker meet at a few well known cafes or layby trailers for some folk. Or daily use to work if you live in the local Town Suburb. BSA stated that their market research found that their targeted demographic don't do more than 2000 miles a year. But I am one of a few riders that like to get from A to B with minimal stops for fuel. I used to do 2500+ Miles a week commuting all over the place from the Midlands as contractor. And then head out to other parts of the country at the weekends for pleasure with another 1000 miles on the clock. And sadly some Petrol stations are still not 24 hour. Including those that offer pay at pump. (Suburb or out of town Esso/Tesco Shop stations is a classic example). And when you are given very short notice that you have to be at a MOD establishment in Cornwall at 08:30 the next morning, when you leave work in the West Midlands at 17:30 and you live 80 miles away in the East Midlands, try quickly planning fuel stops in a very short time period for a bike that at the time only had a 17L fuel tank and then find out that at 05:00 a planned Shell Petrol Station at Trago Mills Liskeard is not 24 Hours and the bike is on fumes, as the first stop was at Cribbs Causeway. (This was back in 2007).
well said Stuart - another issue that dealers might have is that I've seen videos saying that the wait for parts is lengthy so if a part ex needs work on it, then it could be that the dealer cant get it on sale very quickly either thereby tying up cash - just a thought.
Hi Stu. A good video and a very diplomatic point of view. If you take a bike to a dealer who has never seen the bike before, even if the bike pristine, they don’t know it true history. They either won’t want it or offer very little against another bike. If the dealer takes it in, he will have to give some sort of warranty to the next buyer. It could bite him in the butt and damage his reputation.
Too right Stu. Motorcycles have never been good investments, look at the classic bike market, its crashed! I just wish people would buy bikes to ride and enjoy. Some people don't develop any relationship with their bike, moving them on after no time at all. I know you've had a bad experience with Triumph, but I've had my T100 bonneville since bew in 2017, covered thousands of miles and never had any problem, likewise I've found tge dealerships very helpful and professional. After nearly 8 years of ownership I can't see me parting with my Bonneville. It's now part of the family as is my 1959 AJS 650. Thanks for the common sense explanation on what are the market forces impacting on motorcycling.
I’ve been motorcycling since 1977….done a few trade-ins. Always got a poor trade-in price. Nothing new there. I decided to sell privately in the main after that.
Hi, here in Belgium the used motorcycles market is rather flat dead... this year I’ve been trying to sell some of my motorcycles and there is now interest at all.... I’m buying and selling motorcycles for years, never had hard time with it, but this year it is totally an other story... probably multi factors, but hopefully it will change back soon.
I borrowed a Gold Star from a mate. I thought it was a terrific value for money bike. It fitted me much better than the Royal Enfield Interceptor, which I found a bit ‘cramped’. The suspension was very plush, but it still handled very nicely. With a screen and some luggage I would be happy to take one touring. If the ‘trade-in’ price reflects the second hand price then my advice would be to buy yourself one as a second bike and ride the wheels off it, whilst keeping the best one for sunny Sundays.
Another well thought out and worded video Stuart. I recently watched a video from Motolegends where the small print of warrantys was discussed in detail. Again another well thought out video. I must agree with both of you that much is a storm in a tea cup. However I do find that our fellow enthusiasts are quick enough to get a stick up their arse about a percieved rip off, but oh so ambivelent when it comes to taking action when something thretens the very exsistance of our shared pleasure and freedoms
I have zero interest in a BSA or any bike like that, but I stayed for the whole video and found it really interesting. You're point about negative equity is particularly interesting to me, as it's a situation I may find myself in next year. When I pass my full test I want a GSX650f or similar. I'm currently on a 125 Varadero that I paid top dollar for - £3300 from a dealership on 3 year HP and have only had it 6 months (traded my car in after failing my test 3 times lol). Do you think I would be better off paying off the finance early and just selling it on Facebook or trade it in with potentially negative equity? Thanks for the video!
get an actual settlement figure, then work out what’s best when you know exactly what the numbers are, also consider Citizens Advice. I took out HP once about 35 years ago, never again. It took me a few years to get out of the blasted thing and get squared up financially. It’s either Bank loan or save up and buy it outright for me, or don’t bother at all.
@@jfro5867 interesting, thanks for the reply. I actually had a bank loan for my 1st scooter, it wasn't too bad either. I only did finance because my car and scooter and car lessons and test were costing me too much to run + I'd never done bike gears before so just wanted car and scooter gone and new bike delivered. Paying for it now though, but I do love the bike and ride it every day year round, so depreciation Isn't as important. All the best to you.
I've watched the video and love how Stuart covers the subject so thoroughly and would like to speak briefly about a camera I bough new in 2016 it was a Sony RX100. I looked after it, used it sparingly, took it abroad and enjoyed it. Earlier this year I bought a new camera and when I researched prices of used cameras found I could probably sell the RX and get most of my money back, so I did. I paid £299 brand new in 2016 and sold it this year to a camera dealer (a one way deal) for £255. The buyer is currently advertising it for £419 such is the perceived demand for this brilliant camera. The point I'm making is the market for any goods is determined by the ability to supply that product and secondly to match the demand at any given time. We all know that in the UK the seasons impact on how we use our bikes. I am a 'retired motorcyclist' having owned well over 40 bikes since 1971 and in my earlier days lived and breathed for them. Riding to work, and at leisure in all weathers nothing stopped me. I only ever sold one at a profit. It was a Suzuki SB200. I paid £120 for it in 1990 when it was 12 years old scruffy and smoky. That bike was a paragon of reliability, took abuse and was used in all weathers. I rode it once from my home in Suffolk to Brands Hatch and on another occasion to Mallory Park (at the time is was the only bike I had). Never once did that bike fail me. Not once. It needed basic maintenance only and visited the local bike shop once a year for the MOT test and always passed without fail. Three and a half years later I advertised it via a postcard in the local post office shop window and a few days later sold it for £130. Such was the demand I had just the one phone call. The 'new owner' was delighted and used it for commuting to work locally. My tip buy wisely, look after it, enjoy your bike and expect it to depreciate.
I’ve been involved in 2 px’s this year (one a 4 month old Trident, just couldn’t get on with it) so it is with some confidence that I suggest a dealer will be looking for around £1500 margin on your trade in. The cost of space, wages and overheads will be much the same regardless of model. A new BSA is £5000 so no one will buy a s/h one at, say, more than £4000. I can’t, therefore imagine why a dealer would offer much more than £2000 to sell at say £3500. If you buy a new BSA, run it for two years and throw it away it’s only cost the same as depreciation on your Triumph or Honda.
Really well reasoned explanation of why the used motorcycle market in general is largely static in the UK. This, it would appear is not just limited to dealerships but the private sale market too. Trail by Facebook, as one of your commentators put it, is one counter prevailing factor that is helping to make the market even more turgid. Your forensic analysis of the factors that may have contributed to the negative impression left with the luckless, ex Gold Star owner are all familiar and well understood by those of us who have been around bikes for decades. I think the point about BSA dealers not being interested in taking in the bike is hardly surprising given that any dealership makes the bulk of their income from the sale and servicing of new bikes. Having a range of attractively priced used machines on the forecourt is only going to detract from the more profitable side of the business. As you suggest, they are more likely to trade it with another dealer who's business it is to buy and sell used bikes. One who's business model geared to that activity, on the margins of profitability.
Very thoughtful video, you are right in the slump in prices of second hand bikes, good if you are buying but not if you are selling. Interesting video, thanks for making the effort to describe the situation.
Well explained. One should never expect a bike to retain value, be realistic enough to realise that you are taking a chance not making an investment! Buy a bike to ride it and enjoy it.
Great video Stuart on what is a wonderful bike. Next question, why are the uk dealers running away from the brand? How is the importer and the manufacturer supporting the dealer network? This from my perspective, having owned a GS and would buy another tomorrow, is the real question. Dealers, for some reason, have had enough. And this approach is what is damaging the bike. I think the GS is wonderful ❤
In 2022 I had a choice between a 2021 Interceptor with barely 4000 miles on it and a brand new BSA - I swung my legs on both and went home on the Interceptor because it fitted more to what I had in mind- end of story - so people like the new BSA, some people don't like them - but I got no further stick in the game. Sure I will hear stories about them just like I will hear stories about Royal Enfield, BSA, HD, BMW, KTM, etc. Thing is that I haven't heard anyone who I met, owning one of those bikes, to confirm the horror stories - so they remain just that: stories. As for dealerships dropping the brand - I did notice that - seeing dealerships disappear or trimming down and focussing on what makes them money in an increasingly motorcycle hostile economy. There could be an infinite amount of factors influencing this or it can be just pragmatic: I heard one dealer mention he sold 10 RE's to 1 BSA. That spot on the showroom floor has a price tag. Perhaps some dream of a Marxist state that everybody must like their preferred brand and hate what they dislike (for any ole reason) by compulsorily mind control law. Perhaps it is none of the above reasons, perhaps all of them. I would take no joy to see BSA disappear because it will keep my preferred brand on their toes. - because I'm hoping to keep my bikes until the wheel come off, but it would be nice, in the event of that happening, there would still be a market with a selection of choices.
You are pretty much spot on with the BSA selling scenario. The other issue for the dealer is that, there was little money to be made in the deal. With new bikes starting at £5k, the dealer would have to have given the owner around £3k to be able to cover expenses and make some profit. I rather suspect the owner is not revealing the full story. I worked in the Motor Industry, with some time in 2 wheels, for around 40 years.
I was friendly with a Honda dealer a few years ago that told me one day, on some small bikes they can make as little as £80 profit on a new bike. They make it up on the very expensive bikes (Goldwings) where they can make maybe £3k on a sale. Those aren’t big sellers so they make the money by paying the lowest possible amount they can for every p/x or trade in. Sound familiar?
I really like the BSA and have rather fallen down the RUclips rabbit hole of watching reviews on them. I've seen nothing of any worth that would persuade me that the BSA isn't a great bike! There was one good review where a guy took his 2023 bike back to the dealership for a service and they did a number of minor factory upgrades to it. His experience was a very positive one. All the upgrades were done in one hit, free of charge and after a nice lunch in the village he was near, he took the bike home and was very happy with the service he'd received. As you said Stu, there really is nothing to see here. Great video as always 🙂
A bike is an investment in your joy of life,get the bike for you and keep it that way it will appreciate when it becomes an antique lol,Im 73 and my only transport is a Honda Scrambler cl500 absolutely love it,can flat foot it,I use it every day winter and summer but I do live in Greece
Very balanced points made here Stuart. I haven’t bought a new bike since 2016 when I bought a T-120 Black. When I bought this for AU$16,995 and maybe a couple of K for bells and whistles, the dealer showed me his margin. It wasn’t exactly fat and close enough to 10%. Six years later after much enjoyable riding it developed a major problem, and much to their credit Triumph Australia ponied-up $7,000 worth of parts to fix it. Well out of warranty but still subject to the Consumer Guarantees Act notwithstanding, but they did so with grace. The big problem was that I didn’t want to pay the roughly $2,000 for labour, and the dealer didn’t want to do the major work on a timeline. We settled on a compromise - I rode out on a nice 1050 Sprint GT and he took the T-120 with many goodies to repair at leisure. The agreed value on both was $10,000, which was fair both ways. Dealers have to make a living too with many overheads. Depreciation happens the moment you ride out on a new bike. $1,500 a year , not counting regular maintenance doesn’t seem outrageous to me for the enjoyment gained with the Bonnie. On the BSA, I’m going to stick my neck out and say that a 650 single seems like a very -odd- niche bike to me, as nice as they are. I might have been interested had they made a new Lightning 650 twin but I guess RE already had that covered and they wanted a point of difference. I hope the Beezer continues to bring you joy! 👍🏻🙂
When it comes to truthfulness on the internet Shakespeare nailed it over 400 years ago "But he’ll remember with advantages what feats he did that day". (Henry V)
Barry you are absolutly correct about the finance . Look at all the "Late plate bikes " looking for homes . Many PRIVATE SELLERS WITH BUYERS REMORSE. BOUGHT IN HASTE REPENT AT LEISURE. Many of the problems due to "FINANCE MANIPULATION DEALS" and the Buyers fall for it hook line and sinker.
I've been following the new BSA since before the launch I also worked in the motor trade for 40 years, there have been so many issues with them from cutting out, exploding headlights, gearboxes , wiring looms, clutch nut ,oil leaks and coolant leaks, traders just don't want the hassle of warranty work eating into the already meager profit. Why buy s/h when you can have a new one £1000 off list price with full guarantee !
In 1978, I bought my dream bike, a brand new 750 Bonneville. At 600 miles, the main bearings went. After much disagreement with Meriden, it was repaired.After 1000 further miles, the main bearings were shot again. Are the new BSA bikes worse than that?
Back in the glory days of BSA, (1950s 1960s.) owners would buy them and keep them as a long term investment. Look at the mileages people use to do on them, and there were few motorways at the time. I've said this before. Buy a motorcycle and keep it for 5 years, you have had the value out of it. The depreciation is irrelevant. Chop and change every year and the next owner will get the "Value" out of the thing. Clean it and service it yourself and it will cost you peanuts every year to run. As the Financial Advisors saying goes. "The stock exchange is a device for Enriching the patient and impoverishing the impatient." Ride safe! 😁🏍🏍😁.
hiya hope u r well message from chris ,i watched your item on bsa,s not abike i would buy, but they are work horses, also did notice on the video that both your gauges ,speedo and rev counter seemed to be permanently stuck at the 5 o'clock position ,were they working? ride safe
I saw that Freddie vid and someone did offer him about 3.5k which he felt was to low. When u can get a new one for 5k at fowler's that seemed reasonable.
Waiting another year till the second hand prices drop even more then I’m gonna buy one just to own one, I don’t mind chucking 2 to 2500 quid at one, they seem like decent bikes to me, something to ride for a year or so then flog it for next to nothing, a couple of grand isn’t a lot of money these days.
Take a look at Moto Tingle you tube channel and the video called Epic Depreciation - BSA Goldstar 650. Its a strange one because he purchased it for £2k at a year old and is showing the epic depreciation loss then shows its got a fault where the ignition turns itself off. So he bought it with a fault effectively so no wonder its value is pretty low. He's not been able to get it fixed for 5 weeks claimimg parts issues. I wonder how easy parts are to get for this brand?
the guy is an idiot i saw his first video and it was clear the bike had been extensively messed with by unskilled hands. but he laid the blame on BSA for his poor judgement.
As always Stuart, a balanced overview. I have been refused part exchanges with BMW’s, Ducati’s and Royal Enfields. The dealer has always provided a genuine and understandable reason. As a youngster, I also experienced the HP balance being more than the value of the bike. Since the price of the BSA has been adjusted and watching your reviews and the Freddie Dobbs review, they have been more attractive. Save up and buy something that you like and that you can afford, chopping and changing is a sure way of wasting a lot of money when you are using someone else’s to start with. Watching this space…………
Wow. I tuned in to watch a motorcycle review, and I got an Economics lesson ! Thank You for your honest views, and I love your videos. ( I do like B.S.A., and hope to see them in America .)
Hello, I had a BSA B31 over fifty years ago, and I wish I had it now. BSA bikes were brilliantly engineered, and mine started and run beautifully first time every time. Kind regards, Tony Marsh, Old Biker.
Great machine I have an early 23 one up to now no problems I bought it purely on nostalgia reasons as I had one of the last bsa back in 72 didn't do any research could only see the bsa badge in the tank that was enough for me to part with my hard earned pension is it worth it yes I have a few motorcycles but none that brings back what motorcycling is about like the goldstar it's a bike that you make your own with the bits and pieces available hopefully they will start selling them there soon
Many buyers simply do not understand or do not care to understand that a smart business owner, one who will have the lights on for you and the employees paid when you walk in to buy tires, oil, and oil filters, is savvy about all aspects of taking used vehicles in trade. Including, but not limited to, owners who do their own maintenance being a px risk when a new buyer comes along and expects to see receipts for the work done. In 50+ yrs of riding, I have made no money buying, owning, selling, trading, and buying again. I have motorcycle number 45 and 46 in the garage now, and the biggest lesson I've learned, if you are one to change bikes frequently every 20,000 to 35,000km as I do, is do not finance anything. When the sales dept shows you the bottom line, and the bike you are trading is paid for, the financial sting is less when you are not upside down with the shiny new machine that has your current attention, or, as I like to say.. motorcycle attention deficit disorder.
I don’t mind dealers making a living , that’s why they exist , once they are gone , that’s it gone forever , in fact I’m looking at spending a chunk on a newer bike in the next few months , am I going to get what I want for my part ex, (which is an older model of what I want to buy) probably not , but I have a figure in mind , which will get the deal done , but I like to look at the bigger picture , I’ll be returning to the dealer for servicing , which is about 50 miles from where I live , the service is always good and I think reasonably priced when comparing to other similar dealers in the area , good customer service is worth its weight to me , even if I have to lose a bit on a part exchange, just don’t tell the mrs😊
As soon as BSA become available in my country, I'm buying one! Tested one in England this summer, after already testing an Interceptor here. The BSA is the winner for me.
I was half forced into having a longish ride on a BSA Golden Flash and I resisted it, but after an hour I began to like the mild tuning and character of the thing. I was only used to modern superbikes and I admit it changed my values so much that I think I'm going to go down the route of something less powerful and more charecterful. I think the modern BSA would be one I'd definitely consider. On a more general level I can see parallels with the high street and motorcycle dealerships, they don't get a very fair deal with rates and rents in town centres compared with the online model. Society just sees the cost of everything and not the value, stagnant wages are a driver but im wondering if people from 1950s would have bought cheaper online items if they had that opportunity?
I think you could substitute BSA for CFMoto, Mutt or any of the newish brands. The motorcycle market is having a wee downturn and when times are hard dealers stick to what they know. BSA have not been in the market very long and do have a few issues(like every new brand does) Some dealers taking a part ex are unsure of demand, back up, depreciation etc etc so may well be nervous. We see the same with some electric cars. It's also worth remembering nothing is ever as bad as stated in facebook groups, youtube comment sections and internet forums. Does BSA have a problem? yes they do, Is it as bad as stated online? No. Are these issues peculiar to BSA? Not at all
Thanks Stuart for making this video, I was a tad surprised that Freddie took the story on face value without applying some balance/reserve on the subject.
It's not just BSA's. We are coming into the slow sales period and that bike could sit there for 6 months at that dealer. I know several people struggling to get any offer of a part ex for their "premium" bikes at the moment.
Freddie Dobbs makes some well-filmed and enjoyable videos (especially his trip films), but a lot of the content in his Tuesday show seem to be based on internet comments and responses to previous shows (such as the BSA / Guzzi episode).. Nothing wrong wrong with that (probably a fairly time efficient way of producing a weekly half hour show along with his other content and interests) but it's not independently researched or fact-checked information.
Nice to see so many other riders out during your blog. Your passion for the BSA and the fact your partner is enjoying the bike with you shines through. I'm in the market for either the Gold Star or a Super Meteor just now and used prices are way down; top line SM £4000. I'm not a lover of Triumphs (I've owned 3) but I certainly don't resent anyone who buys one, each to their own I say 😮.
Simple truth is new bikes rarely appreciate in value, bikes are rarely worth what the owner thinks. Dealers are never obliged to take your bike in part exchange unless previously agreed. Nearly ever negative story on the internet has a undisclosed backstory. My advice on buying a new bike do your research first , try to have a test ride ,see if it fits your frame,don’t let your heart rule your head (hard that one) then ride it till you have put so many miles on it you don’t care what the part ex is.
I am an happy Interceptor owner, having bought mine from new in June. When I was shopping for a retro, my choices within my budget were basically RE or BSA. I chose the former, principally because the RE dealer is close by. I have nothing against BSA, I believe competition is healthy and would like to see them succeed. But the things I have heard about the wiring loom failing and malfunctioning sensors have been red flags for me. I have also recently heard that BSA's warranty repair payments to dealers is pitiful. Any element of truth in these reports is a cause for concern and goes to explain the cooling desire for these bikes, both among prospective owners and dealers. This is not so much trial by Facebook as brand reputation, something that BSA seems to be ignoring, unlike RE.
Brilliant video as always Stuart and you hit the nail on the head with your observations once again, and it wouldn't put off a BSA, I love the look of them 😃👍🏻
You should ask Freddie Dobbs to talk more about this issue in his weekly show as it has the potential to kill the sales of BSA bikes especially in UK if many people believe wat was said.
Modern BSA, Royal Enfield, Norton or whatever just aren't British bikes, never have been and never will be. It could have anything on the tank but the British names have been used cynically as a selling aid. Any one buying these thinking they are buying British or reliving the golden era of motorcycles have been kidding themselves. Might as well buy a Japanese or European bike (or even Chinese these days). I have owned a few proper BSA and Triumph motorcycles and (with some work and expense) can be made very reliable. Amongst my daily rides was a Triumph T120v (1973) and a BSA B33 plunger (1954). No real problems if regular general maintenance carried out. I even Vintage Raced a 1952 rigid framed B31, for ten seasons,, revved to the limit every meeting, which was brilliantly reliable after a first season learning how to maintain it effectively and finding the best quality parts. If you want to relive the past, buy an older Brit bike. Parts aren't too difficult to find even now (probably easier to find than some modern bikes).
i dont believe anyone buys these bike under the illusion they are British, i think that just a figment of your imagination! as for buying a bike and spending time and money trying to make it reliable, i would rather buy an Indian bike knowing i will get that out of the box!
I agree with these comments. I said on the mentioned video. You can buy a good Goldstar for low 4k now, new just above 5k. The new price now is cheaper than when new to market. The market is saturated with them.Maybe there is no problem but if the market value is low and supply is good then dealers may also struggle to make a quick profit. I'll take a chance on a used one when I have more space and money.
I had the same problem with my very well know Italian brand Chinese built motorcycle which was mint by the way And this brand has been around for years. Honda Dealer didn't want to take it in part exchange against a new Honda, He said we don't take chinese built bikes. I said loads of brands use Chinese made components. He said its getting the spares to fix them. Because they have to put on a warranty on it and if it does go wrong we can't fix it. Been bit by these brands before. So sold it to we buy any bike. And used to money for the deposit.
Jees, if it was a 502X I would have bought it from you. Wearable parts easily available & anything else within 10days online. My local Honda dealer loves them & has always a few in for sale that he's taken in PX.
Nicely balanced video. I never think about resale value as I buy my bikes to ride. I have a couple of local dealers which I have an excellent relationship with.
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
AS OF 7/11/2024 THE THREATS OF HARM MENTIONED IN A RECENT VIDEO HAVE BEEN RECOVERED AND SUPPLIED TO THE HUMBERSIDE POLICE CYBER CRIME DEPARTMENT FOR INVESTIGATION. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG THIS WILL TAKE, BUT HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO MAKE NO FURTHER COMMENTS WHICH MIGHT HAMPER THE INVESTIGATION OR PREJUDICE THE CASE.
FOR THE MOMENT COMMENTS HAVE BEEN LEFT OPEN ON THIS VIDEO FOR INVESTIGATION BUT WILL LIKELY BE DISABLED AT A LATER DATE!
THANKS TO MY VIEWERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
The best way to get the best value out of your bike and not worrying about depreciation is to ride the bloody thing.
well said!
Exactly, do your research and test ride as many times to make sure this is the bike for you. Most dealers have demo bikes and don't mind how many times you take one out. That is certainly the case for my preferred dealers. I can't afford to change my bike every 12months (or even less!)
I would loose about £15000 on my Ducati I brought last year.
But I didn’t buy it to sell it.
Exactly. I bought my Gold Star with a view to keep it and ride it either until it falls apart, or I do.
Anyone who buys a new vehicle and is not prepared to lose its entire value is a fool. I paid £5300 and I expect to get at least £5300 of enjoyment out of it.
@@Knowarxana same as me on my current Vespa. I've ridden from UK-Cyprus-Azerbaijan and back to the UK.
It's still in nearly new condition , but the fun and people I've met mean it's paid me back in buckets.
I will never sell it.
I think that dealers are probably refusing to take most bikes in part-ex at the moment, because the outlook for the motor trade is grim - EVs, high taxes, traffic jams, roads breaking up, ULEZ, lowered speed limits, road pricing...... The outlook for private transport is grim. Look on the bright side, at least a BSA is only £7000, an EV is £30-50000 and nobody wants them in part-ex either.
AGREED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A bad economy - that will get WORSE - because of Woke and Socialist policies - before it gets better after the next election - is not a good time to be SELLING ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To all. No one has to take in your pride and joy in for part exchange.
If they do and you get a new favorite toy, then wonderful, but if they do not accept your baby in px, then so mote it be.
Turn your entitled knob down to 1 and be grateful for what you have already.
@@davecarreraor better still, advertise it & sell privately.
@@keepitreal1547 yep and at least that way you will find the "true" market value. A quick scan of various private selling outlets shows that to start with, people have a very inflated idea of the market value of their babies. Prices reduced regularly until the fishes bite.
I’m not feeling at all entitled currently, just desperately trying to sell a bike to be replaced by something more manageable as I get older and more decrepit.😂 Agree though, far too many people whinging at their lot when they don’t seem to realise just how lucky most of us are.
@@RichardS-qh8mi
What bike is it Richard?
@@keepitreal1547 Dare I say, I’m seriously thinking of going Chinese😬 - I looked momentarily at KTM, Triumph, Yamaha, Suzuki etc but then thought about the crazy prices. I could’ve dipped into my savings but then sanity prevailed and said I’d wait until I’d sold two of my beloved old bikes. Life is complicated enough as you get older without making it even more so with multiple bikes, insurance, maintenance, MOTS etc. Additionally the two bikes I’m parting with have far more power than I can enjoy safely now and even though they’re both huge fun when out on them I’m knackered from the concentration required, plus aching back, shoulders, arms, neck when I get back!😂 - sad I know but, ”A man should know his limitations” …..Clint Eastwood.😎 So CF Moto 450MT, Voge 525dsx or even Suzuki VStrom 800RE possibly?? Comfort is my best friend now.👍
Finally some common sense, dealers are struggling and the persistent 'trial by Facebook' helps no-one.
I just sold a BMW R1200RS here in Canada. $23,000 in 2016, 70,000 km, excellent condition, every possible extra. Typically this would sell for around $12,000. BUT mine needed a service (a 3 hour ride away off-island to the nearest dealer). That was one reason I sold it: I was fed up with what was often an overnight trip just to get it serviced.
So I traded for a KTM 390. I walked away with $800 in my pocket from a local dealer. Yes, I could have done better, but it was totally easy. I was happy. The BMW was worth more, but it wouldn’t be an easy bike to sell. The dealer took a chance, I took less than I might. That’s the way it goes.
I've owned six MCs here in Canada (Ont, NS) over 40 yr period. Always had to sell my old bike privately - dealers never interested in tradw-ins, in my case anyhow. One mechanic - Clarington Cycle in Bowmanville, ON - helped me move on two of the bikes.
In the U.S., dealers have never been willing to give you even a small fraction of what a bike is worth. There is a lot involved, but mostly dealer greed. But not completely. When you buy a brand new bike, anything you pay above msrp, and that includes tax, title, registration, and all the bogus dealer fees, like freight, prep, and doc fees, is just money thrown away. And all that can cost half as much as the msrp, turning a $6000 bike into a $9000 bike. In fact, that is about average here. What you call OTR, we call OTD, meaning "out the door". And it is not cheap. And when you pay it, it is gone for good. It means nothing when you sell or trade the bike. So if you paid $9000 for a $6000 msrp bike, you just lost $3000. Then there is initial depreciation, which is considerable. Especially for a non name brand bike, which the BSA is. As soon as you ride away on a bike you paid $9000 for, but was actually only worth $6000 new, it will now be worth an average of $4500. That's for a private sale. A dealer would likely off you $3000 for it on trade. And that is if you trade it in the same week you bought it new. Several months later with some miles, and it might be worth $1500 as a trade at a dealer.
My 2013 Royal Enfield B5 Bullet 500 became almost worthless as soon as I bought it new. I made the decision to buy it when Royal Enfield lowered their prices $1000 across the board. Plus the dealer didn't scam me. It had an msrp of $5999, but RE lowered that to $4999. I paid around $6000 OTD, which included all the fees, plus delivery to my house from a dealer 150 miles away. Though that dealer did go out of business a couple months later. I paid cash, so there was no loan, and no expensive full coverage insurance. I've gotten 24,000 miles of fun out of it during the past 11 years, and it still runs good. I could probably still get maybe $1500 out of it in a private sale. No dealer would touch it. In many cases, a vehicle, whether it is a motorcycle, car, or truck, is worth far more for what it can do than what its market value is. In either the miles you can get out of it, or the enjoyment, or both. Vehicles are not an inexpensive hobby.
The BSA has a couple of problems. First, it is not a real BSA. All they did, regardless of whether it is a good bike or not, is they bought the BSA name and stuck it on the bike to add "perceived value". Another issue is, it's just one bike. There really is no BSA "company" that makes a range of BSA bikes. Just a large conglomerate that made one single model. They are trying to cash in on the iconic BSA name. Polaris did the same thing with Indian in the U.S. The difference is, Polaris is an old, well established company with deep pockets. It is also a very large company that makes a large number of different types of vehicles. BSA, on the other hand, is a complete unknown. There is no way to know if it is a good bike or not. Then there is the possibility of being stuck with a bike that you cannot get parts or service for. The Indian company that made it could stop making it, and parts for it at any time, leaving you with a large, expensive paperweight. When you buy a vehicle from a well established company that has been around for a while, and makes many different models, the risk is much lower. When you are dealing with an unknown quantity, people are going to be very cautious investing in it.
A good example of the is the Excelsior Henderson company back in the late 1990s and early 2000s in the U.S. They came up with a new, and very expensive motorcycle, which did have problems, acquired the Excelsior Henderson name, built a factory with venture capitol, made a couple thousand bikes, ran out of money, and filed for bankruptcy. Several investors, including the City of Belle Plaine, Minnesota, lost hundreds of millions of dollars, and the few bikes they did sell are now almost worthless. The only reason to buy one is as a curiosity. No parts are available to keep them going.
You may be surprised what the RE 500 is worth at the moment. Some are extremely high price. Not sure if that'll hold once the 650 classic comes out. I have a 500 classic and the enjoyment I've gotten out of it greatly outweighs what I paid for it. It starts more conversations than any other bike I've seen.
Mahindra is multi billion dollar company in india.
@@SafavidAfsharid3197 Yes it is. But it is not a motorcycle company. Triumph motorcycles are made by Triumph. Royal Enfield motorcycles are made by Royal Enfield. Both have an extensive line of motorcycles. The BSA is not made by BSA, and there is only ONE motorcycle. Most people probably have no idea who made it.
I am a life long, grey haired bike addict and all weather rider. Every bike, car or other form of transport WILL cost you money - it's a fact of life. I have a Goldstar that isn't worth anywhere near what I paid for it now and I don't care because I love riding it and it makes me smile. I have an old Tuono that will loose money and I don't care because it handles well, goes and stops well, sounds brilliant and it makes me smile. Lastly I have a baby GS which isn't worth anywhere near what I paid for it; guess what - I don't care because it gets me to work and back effortlessly, keeps the weather off me, is comfortable and to date has been totally dependable. If you care about the money then don't buy a bike. If you are into bikes then get one that makes you smile and get out there and ride the bloody thing. Money disappears, memories don't! Stay safe people.
More smiles per hour, as we used to say
Good advice !@@des_smith7658
Hi Stuart, I work for a small family owned dealership in East Anglia, we often get asked to buy used bikes outright & we simply can't afford to do this. So what we offer is a commision sale service, taking all the agro of advertising & dealing with tyre kickers away from the customer. We cannot afford to take bikes in part exchange either, it doesn't matter what make or model they might be. As you say its a very difficult business to be in at present, especially with dealers dissapearing on an almost weekely basis.
Nice to read a response from a dealer. This is a real world answer. Thanks for the contribution.
Thanks for letting me know about this it certainly puts the situation into focus. Hope you all get through this!
Their sales figures are an indicator.
If the dealer will have trouble flogging any bike, they will always give a silly low P,EX.
Why people buy bikes then within 12 months sell them is beyond me .
Obviously buying the wrong bike in the first place
Bingo. They didn’t do their homework very well.
Some people are convinced they MUST have something new every few months, just shows the power of advertising.
@@Lee-70ish maybe the purchaser suffered ill health and had to give up riding?
Hi Stu. For what it's worth, this is my view. I saw Freddie's video, and what I took from it was that some knob paid top money for a bike who's retail price has now been dropped markedly, spent silly money on extras and then decided he didn't like it. Anybody buying brand new should know that the depreciation the moment you take it out of the shop is massive. Any trade-in price has to include a profit margin for reselling, not to say the 20% VAT that has to go on top of it, plus some kind of warranty. When similar bikes are being sold at £4500 to £5000, then it should be obvious that £2-2500 is all you are likely to be offered.
The scuttlebutt about Gold Stars is inevitable with a new brand, and they got off to a shaky start with some issues with the first bikes. This is bound to settle down in time now those issues are resolved. Personally I wouldn't want a Rotax-engined Mahindra with a brand name bought off the shelf, but that shouldn't stop others. If you like it, then ride and enjoy. Motorcycling should be a broad church.
I lost massively on a nearly new DL650, lesson learned.
You had to have a pop at the end of your rant. What a absolute 🛎🔚
Another fair and balanced explanation putting this particular issue into perspective. Your channel is one of the few biking related ones worth watching. Thanks.
@@hanlonclive gullible? who, why?
Value is relative to the time of investment and sell. Value should be held in the use of the vehicle, I mean you buy a vehicle to use and enjoy at the end of the day. The most valued items I own are small pieces of paper, with old pictures of the family.
Very wise words.
Nailed it!
Winter around the corner. Huge stock of bikes at Completely Motorcycle that will probably push down prices. The threat of a budget that will put us in the stone age. 🤞the budget won't be as bad as pumped up to be. Spring will be early and glorious. The world will stop trying to have WW3 and we can get on with life.
Dream on
let's hope so mate . aye !
We live in hope.
Plenty of haters re the BSA. No idea why. I bought one of the first in the country, so paid the full fat price. So I have lost alot, reading that people have bought new for under £4.5 k. However, this only applies when selling, which I have no plans to do. After 6k miles, and with new Michelins fitted, I still love the BSA and ride it in all weathers. It cleans up beautifully and is more than the sun of its parts. Personally, I discount bikes at 33p a mile. So once I hit 19000 miles, the BSA owes me nothing. My Classic 350 has to do 10000 miles on that measure. The current climate will shake the chaff out of the dealer tree, leaving the better managed ones trading. As it has always been. Enjoy the bike you own, it is worth more to you than anyone else.
Thats a great idea to discount the bike per mile, I think more should do this instead of being obsessed what you pay new vs 2nd hand vs what it's worth when selling..
33p per mile for the enjoyment of riding and owning a bike you like is a sum that's greater than just 33p isn it?
Re the 33p formula, so if a bike costs £7000 and you do 10,000 miles, its value would be £3700? Interesting, cheers.
My understanding is that the BSA 650 Gold Star has a Rotax based engine derived from the Rotax engine used on the f650 BMW. There they had a reputation for being stone reliable.
spot on mate.
Is it the same engine going in the new a65 scrambler?
Now that's a bike I could fall for..
Most dealers tell you how great a certain bike is on trying to sell it, yet say how undesirable it is when you come to PX it.
Most dealers in general, want their cake & eat it.
I have just had that experience asking for a PX valuation the dealership picked every thing he could to reduce the valuation on my bike didn’t mention it had over a thousand pounds of Triumph extras on it, but on the other side the advert on the bike i was interested in, the few extras it had was highlighted 🤷♂️
@@crozzy28
It exactly how most operate & in my opinion they think most bikers are stupid.
What you've experienced happens all the time & we as customers 'must not be taken in by their sales rubbish'
Recently a biker friend PX'd his bike & suffered the dealers ways, offered him £1,900 & a week later had it for sale for £3,799.
Utterly disgusting. So they made their full profit on a bike sold for RRP & also want a huge profit on the PX.
I’d love to have a BSA Gold Star 650 or an R-E Interceptor, but new bike prices are simply too high. I have taken up vintage bikes and now ride a small fleet of 1970s Yamaha XS650s (an Interceptor without balance shafts ABS or EFI) and an ‘83 BMW R1000RS which cost me $4500 CAD. My cousin bought a brand new 2021 Honda Gold Wing and he paid $38K+ CAD. In fact, he paid more in sales taxes than my BMW cost all-in. The BMW will do a buck-40 all day at 55 mpg, it’s smooth, quiet and comfy, has decent brakes and handling and is stone-cold reliable (but it never seems to break) plus it is simple to maintain and weighs 300 lbs less than the GL1800.
Part exchanges- called trade ins here in Australia, very rarely result in the person wanting a new bike getting what they hope to get for their old bike. As you mention, the dealer has to make a living after all. Three years ago, I wanted to trade my Ducati sports bike on a new Royal Enfield Interceptor. (Loved the Ducati but my old man's back, neck and wrists were no longer able to cope!) The Royal Enfield dealer wasn't interested! Unless I accepted a very low price for my Ducati. So, I put a cash deposit on a Chrome tank Interceptor, then came back 2 weeks later after I'd sold the Ducati privately and paid the balance. You simply have to be realistic when it comes to bike values and trade ins.
I'm sorry you have had a rotten Summer in the Old Country. The Interceptor and I went on a lovely 240km ride around sunny Southern NSW yesterday, the trouble was I bought a huge antique book and had nowhere to put it other than stuffing it awkwardly inside my leather jacket. Looking at your lovely BSA with its handy saddle bags made me think if someone opened a BSA dealership here in Australia, I would be sorely tempted to add the classically styled single to the five bikes already in my shed!
Hi Mate. Sadly BSA didn't think OZ was worth the effort.
@@lesgillard985 I'm afraid you are right. But if the BSA proves to be a good as it appears to be, I may import one privately anyway. I did that many years ago on an American Gilroy Indian, went through all the Australian compliance nonsense and now have a stylish American cruiser that I still enjoy riding on long trips.
@@StephenSkinner-y1c that's great to hear about the Gilmore.
I am kinda surprised that BSA didn't consider OZ a viable market. 😞
Still, Kawasaki 650 single motor rumours and a small run of frames have surfaced... could be interesting or BS.
If true it coukd be interesting 😀
@@lesgillard985we don't get Kove here, that's the bike I'm sad about. Got enough retro bikes in Aus to be honest
They’re called “trade-ins” here in the U.S. as well.
Like you Stuart i knew immediately what the issue was when I saw Freddies video. He asked for comments on what was happening so I left him one on Wednesday politely explaining the last point you made in this video. Kept checking it to see if he responded but on Thursday morning he deleted it!
Not necessarily. RUclips has form for disappearing comments. You don't even need to say anything contentious.
@@markellott5620 Yep. Comments are disappearing left, right and centre.
It's a youtube problem.
@@markellott5620 You Tube filters are instant, There is no delay. If it was still there a few hours afterwards and then disappeared it was manually deleted.
Perhaps I'll just think a reply and see if that gets me into trouble.😉
People do delete their own comments for various reasons .
Mate - You made all the points, and the internet is a squeaky wheel.
Dont like it
Dont Buy it
and the rest are "fanbois" of another brand, I love your laid back style and you made the right choice in colour, I'm about to hit that magical 2000 kilometer mark this weekend on my Shadow.
When the BSA Gold Star came onto the market early in 2023 there was quite a clamour for them in the UK and the buyers seemed happy to pay the seven grand to be one of the first to own one.
According to the How Many Left website there were 597 (new) BSA Gold Stars registered in 2023, in the next six months this number increased by only 183 to 780. So clearly sales have slowed and BSA have dropped their price accordingly to keep bikes selling, which is tough for 2023 buyers but at least they benefited from the exclusivity of being among the first owners.
I guess the BSA Gold Star has several competitors but comparing new registrations against the Royal Enfield Interceptor (again on How Many Left) the Gold Star had slightly more in 2023 at 597 vs 551 but less in the first six months of 2024, 183 vs 280.
I don’t own either of these bikes by the way, I’m just an interested observer.
Enjoy your BSA, Its value is how big a smile it puts on your face. It's a brand spanking new bike which is no longer on the show room floor. Like any other brand. PE it's going to take a big hit.
Triumph, I had one it held its value well. Logically a dealer will be willing to give you more for a bike they know will sell easily.
My local triumph dealer had a Norton on the floor for about the same price as a New Bonneville for ages. I don't think they were even trying to sell it. Old guys like me would stop in to look at it, leave with a new Bonneville😀
In my limited experience, dealers will more readily accept as trade ins, vehicles that are from the same manufactures that they have familiarity with, in sales and servicing. I test rode a BSA Gold Star this week and was pleasantly surprised to find it even better than I had anticipated, and at the reduced cost it is now being offered, very good value.
The voice of common sense and reason as always!
I have a really pretty 72 Bonnie for sale. Beautifully restored and the later model that fixed all of the 71 year issues, its only worth £5k max. My local dealer has it on a commission sale basis and is asking £7k for it, with me getting £4k if it sells. Unsurprisingly, it hasn't sold.
I'm not overly bothered, or complaining but it does show how the system works.
Assuming it hasnt sold in the next few months, I'll probably just keep it and ride it next year
The best case for a dealer taking any bike on trade at this time of year is that it will sit on the floor until spring or even later. No one is going to pay top dollar for a machine that they can't sell rather quickly. It really is a matter of economics and market conditions. It looks to me that there may be some good private deals out there on the BSA machines. If I were in the market for a single cylinder machine It would be the BSA over many others. Rotax has a terrific reputation as an engine maker and lets face it, the engine is the heart and lungs of a motorcycle. If the engine is not good or you just don't like the engine you are not going to like the rest of the motorcycle.
Thank you Stuart for bringing some common sense to this issue. It's amazing how bad news travels like wild fire but good news travels at tortious speeds. One persons bad experience, even if possibly of his own making, can sour a whole generation on a particular item or manufacturer. It really is unfair.
BJ
Another informative and interesting video,You talk a lot of sense, some people don’t seem to understand how Motorcycle or car’s loose the day you take them out the showroom ,I love my Royal Enfield, but won’t be selling it any time soon due to the heavy discounts available at the moment, But I am watching these BSA 650 Gold stars as I fancy adding one to the stable. Keep up the videos,👍
My way: when I buy a bike, it has to enchant me, I have to love it. I want to know as much about, pro and con.
I fell in love with the Shotgun as soon as it came out.
I have a GT since 23.
I just could not sell the GT, because I still like it so much, I just keep it.
I didn’t go and buy the SG. I went to Guzzi, Kawa, Suz…, just to compare those bikes with the SG.
I own a SG now, in full confidence that I bought the bike that fits me, for a long time.
I have now 2 bikes, that will stay with me for years.
Don’t need anything else soon.
Very satisfied.
BSA 🤣 You want to try and part ex a Range rover at the moment nobody wants it 😭
It is an overweight Aprillia Pegaso or BMW Funduro . Does not hold it's value due to being overpriced to begin with! where the BMW and APRILLIA have retained reasonable value over 30 YEARS!
If you haven't watched MotoTingle youtuber then please do. Half glass empty reviews on BSA. I got a new BSA for 4300 brand new. All reworks had been completed so hopefully i wont suffer any of the known stock faults. I love this bike. Trev
Well said that man! Too many haters and brand snobs about. I just commented on another post on this thread to some degenerate, ranting about prices... then had to take a pop at BSA. Honestly... they must have very small penis's and zero mates. Fook all wrong with new BSA 👍
Stuart, what a sensible and well thought out assessment on the Dobson compliant about the BSA
Very well presented and covering all factors. I know some bikers who trade new bikes yearly and one who is so "upside down" that his game has crashed into a financial brick wall. Well done Stuart!
With things as they are nobody with a brain is taking any unnecessary risks, especially vehicle dealerships. If you want a bike my advice is research thoroughly and buy the bike that going to put the biggest smile on your face. Forget trade in values, you're buying good memories and experiences and that's priceless.
One of the best ways to deal with situations like this is avoid them completely by always buying used.
Hi uncle stu, don't think it's just BSA, I have a BMW f850gsa fantastic condition, no body wants it only BMW offered me £4500 for a 2 years old. So my answer is stick with what you have got and I hope these dealers go bust.
Exactly this.
Most dealers will tell you how great a bike is on trying to sell it, yet say how undesirable it is when you come to PX it.
They want their cake & eat it.
@@keepitreal1547
Do you believe what a car or bike dealer tells you?
If they are telling me how desirable a vehicle is I assume it's because they are struggling to sell it.
It's called selling.
Buying is the opposite way round.
@@Thunderbloke2
No I don't, I know their talk & it goes over my head.
But unfortunately, many others do believe their talk.
@@Thunderbloke2
Every single bike I've owned and I've had plenty.
When you buy a brand new bike the dealer is all over you.
But as soon as I've got fed up with it.
And wanted something else
And traded it in the the sob story starts.
Well I can only offer you this because we might be sitting on it for a few months.
And we have overheards,
So you reluctantly except their offer which is a lot less than you expected but could have been a bit more .
So with the excitement of getting another bike of your dreams,you except the offer.
Then seen your bike on their website for one hell of a lot more than they offered you,
Taking into consideration yes they have overheads,
Only to find your old bike that you have traded in has already been sold before you even have picked up your new bike 😡
I sold my bike very quickly last month because l was realistic. I think just about everybody else thinks their bikes are "worth" a huge amount more than they would ever get for them.
Autotrader new BSAs search shows drop of £1500. In some cases even more. No brainer here. 650 Classic is few weeks from release, there are unsold BSAs from 2022 how they will compete with Classic 650? On price of course.
On argument that your bike is all sound and dandy I am not surprised either. You are an authority on the subject and your word carry a lot. I am sure dealership who prepared the bike for you made sure it is tested and proven because any failure or problem will have a one or more episodes on your channel.
So fingers crossed. Keep us updated how yours BSA is doing. I would like to know more about maintenance side of it.
You can also buy a new updated Interceptor for a figure with a 4 in the front, which may make people think twice about a new Classic 650 with a 7 or possibly an 8k price tag, with the same engine. I suspect sales of the Shotgun aren't setting the world on fire, for similar reasons.
The Mindful Motorcyclist did a video recently outlining some niggling problems with the earlier models and BSA's health check - pretty much a recall. This seems a proper response by the manufacturer. I had a recall on my Indian FTR, so BSA aren't unique in this regard. Yours is a later model, so those issues should be okay. The Bingley Wheeler has also been discussing it and the effect of Internet outrage.
If someone tried to sell me a bike I was unfamiliar with after owning it for 12 months, with 600 miles on it, I'd be suspicious of the bike. Along with everything you have said it makes complete sense for a dealer to turn it it down, if they did.
I paid £6000 for a new Interceptor in 23, about a pound a mile so far, and am happy as a pig in shite with it. I love the dealers, Manhattan in Sheffield, love the bike and have absolutely no interest in it's resale value.
For me, buying a motorcycle is a complete indulgence, not an investment.
People like to complain about dealerships until there are none. Every single person in the motorcycle community needs to realize that the dealerships are a profit business. There are times when the decisions they make are simply economic ones and the good ones do what they can. Often I buy stuff or services from a dealership because I can afford it and I want to support my local MC businesses. True I could find what I want cheaper somewhere else or do some things by myself but when I can I support the good dealerships near me. Some have had to buck the system and set their businesses up in a way that may go against the manufacturers wishes. One example is my local dealership has built his businesses up over the last 30 years and has many brands under one roof and many types motorized toys and vehicles. Yamaha is not one of their brands but even so I chose to have my Yamaha serviced there, they did a good job and treated me well. The others did not.
A very valid point.
Going to put me head up over parapet. And suggest that it could be due to the small capacity fuel tank, many of us suffer from range issues. Most bikes that are being purchased now are where people are looking to go on road trips away. More bikers are now doing the NC500 or other tours around the UK and loads of people are now venturing back over to Tour Spain, France, Germany and the rest of Europe. Sadly the 12L fuel tank is a big no for me. Don't get me wrong. Yes it is a nice comfortable bike when it made its debut at the NEC. Perfect for the Sunny Sunday 100 mile round trip to a biker meet at a few well known cafes or layby trailers for some folk. Or daily use to work if you live in the local Town Suburb. BSA stated that their market research found that their targeted demographic don't do more than 2000 miles a year. But I am one of a few riders that like to get from A to B with minimal stops for fuel. I used to do 2500+ Miles a week commuting all over the place from the Midlands as contractor. And then head out to other parts of the country at the weekends for pleasure with another 1000 miles on the clock. And sadly some Petrol stations are still not 24 hour. Including those that offer pay at pump. (Suburb or out of town Esso/Tesco Shop stations is a classic example). And when you are given very short notice that you have to be at a MOD establishment in Cornwall at 08:30 the next morning, when you leave work in the West Midlands at 17:30 and you live 80 miles away in the East Midlands, try quickly planning fuel stops in a very short time period for a bike that at the time only had a 17L fuel tank and then find out that at 05:00 a planned Shell Petrol Station at Trago Mills Liskeard is not 24 Hours and the bike is on fumes, as the first stop was at Cribbs Causeway. (This was back in 2007).
well said Stuart - another issue that dealers might have is that I've seen videos saying that the wait for parts is lengthy so if a part ex needs work on it, then it could be that the dealer cant get it on sale very quickly either thereby tying up cash - just a thought.
Hi Stu. A good video and a very diplomatic point of view. If you take a bike to a dealer who has never seen the bike before, even if the bike pristine, they don’t know it true history. They either won’t want it or offer very little against another bike. If the dealer takes it in, he will have to give some sort of warranty to the next buyer. It could bite him in the butt and damage his reputation.
Too right Stu. Motorcycles have never been good investments, look at the classic bike market, its crashed! I just wish people would buy bikes to ride and enjoy. Some people don't develop any relationship with their bike, moving them on after no time at all. I know you've had a bad experience with Triumph, but I've had my T100 bonneville since bew in 2017, covered thousands of miles and never had any problem, likewise I've found tge dealerships very helpful and professional. After nearly 8 years of ownership I can't see me parting with my Bonneville. It's now part of the family as is my 1959 AJS 650. Thanks for the common sense explanation on what are the market forces impacting on motorcycling.
I’ve been motorcycling since 1977….done a few trade-ins. Always got a poor trade-in price. Nothing new there. I decided to sell privately in the main after that.
Hi, here in Belgium the used motorcycles market is rather flat dead... this year I’ve been trying to sell some of my motorcycles and there is now interest at all.... I’m buying and selling motorcycles for years, never had hard time with it, but this year it is totally an other story... probably multi factors, but hopefully it will change back soon.
I borrowed a Gold Star from a mate. I thought it was a terrific value for money bike. It fitted me much better than the Royal Enfield Interceptor, which I found a bit ‘cramped’. The suspension was very plush, but it still handled very nicely. With a screen and some luggage I would be happy to take one touring. If the ‘trade-in’ price reflects the second hand price then my advice would be to buy yourself one as a second bike and ride the wheels off it, whilst keeping the best one for sunny Sundays.
Another well thought out and worded video Stuart.
I recently watched a video from Motolegends where the small print of warrantys was discussed in detail.
Again another well thought out video.
I must agree with both of you that much is a storm in a tea cup.
However I do find that our fellow enthusiasts are quick enough to get a stick up their arse about a percieved rip off, but oh so ambivelent when it comes to taking action when something thretens the very exsistance of our shared pleasure and freedoms
In these days of internet 'Influencers'... a 'Lie really can travel the Globe before the truth puts its shoes on'....
I have zero interest in a BSA or any bike like that, but I stayed for the whole video and found it really interesting. You're point about negative equity is particularly interesting to me, as it's a situation I may find myself in next year. When I pass my full test I want a GSX650f or similar. I'm currently on a 125 Varadero that I paid top dollar for - £3300 from a dealership on 3 year HP and have only had it 6 months (traded my car in after failing my test 3 times lol). Do you think I would be better off paying off the finance early and just selling it on Facebook or trade it in with potentially negative equity? Thanks for the video!
get an actual settlement figure, then work out what’s best when you know exactly what the numbers are, also consider Citizens Advice. I took out HP once about 35 years ago, never again. It took me a few years to get out of the blasted thing and get squared up financially. It’s either Bank loan or save up and buy it outright for me, or don’t bother at all.
@@jfro5867 interesting, thanks for the reply. I actually had a bank loan for my 1st scooter, it wasn't too bad either. I only did finance because my car and scooter and car lessons and test were costing me too much to run + I'd never done bike gears before so just wanted car and scooter gone and new bike delivered. Paying for it now though, but I do love the bike and ride it every day year round, so depreciation Isn't as important. All the best to you.
My mate tipped the examiner £500 to get a pass
@@des_smith7658 that examiner anywhere near derbyshire?
I've watched the video and love how Stuart covers the subject so thoroughly and would like to speak briefly about a camera I bough new in 2016 it was a Sony RX100. I looked after it, used it sparingly, took it abroad and enjoyed it. Earlier this year I bought a new camera and when I researched prices of used cameras found I could probably sell the RX and get most of my money back, so I did. I paid £299 brand new in 2016 and sold it this year to a camera dealer (a one way deal) for £255. The buyer is currently advertising it for £419 such is the perceived demand for this brilliant camera.
The point I'm making is the market for any goods is determined by the ability to supply that product and secondly to match the demand at any given time. We all know that in the UK the seasons impact on how we use our bikes. I am a 'retired motorcyclist' having owned well over 40 bikes since 1971 and in my earlier days lived and breathed for them. Riding to work, and at leisure in all weathers nothing stopped me. I only ever sold one at a profit. It was a Suzuki SB200. I paid £120 for it in 1990 when it was 12 years old scruffy and smoky. That bike was a paragon of reliability, took abuse and was used in all weathers. I rode it once from my home in Suffolk to Brands Hatch and on another occasion to Mallory Park (at the time is was the only bike I had). Never once did that bike fail me. Not once. It needed basic maintenance only and visited the local bike shop once a year for the MOT test and always passed without fail. Three and a half years later I advertised it via a postcard in the local post office shop window and a few days later sold it for £130. Such was the demand I had just the one phone call. The 'new owner' was delighted and used it for commuting to work locally. My tip buy wisely, look after it, enjoy your bike and expect it to depreciate.
Do you think any people deliberately by a bike in the winter and benefit from any bargains that come along? Maybe a good idea.
I always do
@@m33triangle83 I did. or last years model in the spring.
I’ve been involved in 2 px’s this year (one a 4 month old Trident, just couldn’t get on with it) so it is with some confidence that I suggest a dealer will be looking for around £1500 margin on your trade in. The cost of space, wages and overheads will be much the same regardless of model. A new BSA is £5000 so no one will buy a s/h one at, say, more than £4000. I can’t, therefore imagine why a dealer would offer much more than £2000 to sell at say £3500. If you buy a new BSA, run it for two years and throw it away it’s only cost the same as depreciation on your Triumph or Honda.
Really well reasoned explanation of why the used motorcycle market in general is largely static in the UK. This, it would appear is not just limited to dealerships but the private sale market too. Trail by Facebook, as one of your commentators put it, is one counter prevailing factor that is helping to make the market even more turgid. Your forensic analysis of the factors that may have contributed to the negative impression left with the luckless, ex Gold Star owner are all familiar and well understood by those of us who have been around bikes for decades. I think the point about BSA dealers not being interested in taking in the bike is hardly surprising given that any dealership makes the bulk of their income from the sale and servicing of new bikes. Having a range of attractively priced used machines on the forecourt is only going to detract from the more profitable side of the business. As you suggest, they are more likely to trade it with another dealer who's business it is to buy and sell used bikes. One who's business model geared to that activity, on the margins of profitability.
Very thoughtful video, you are right in the slump in prices of second hand bikes, good if you are buying but not if you are selling. Interesting video, thanks for making the effort to describe the situation.
Well explained. One should never expect a bike to retain value, be realistic enough to realise that you are taking a chance not making an investment! Buy a bike to ride it and enjoy it.
Great video Stuart on what is a wonderful bike. Next question, why are the uk dealers running away from the brand? How is the importer and the manufacturer supporting the dealer network? This from my perspective, having owned a GS and would buy another tomorrow, is the real question. Dealers, for some reason, have had enough. And this approach is what is damaging the bike. I think the GS is wonderful ❤
In 2022 I had a choice between a 2021 Interceptor with barely 4000 miles on it and a brand new BSA - I swung my legs on both and went home on the Interceptor because it fitted more to what I had in mind- end of story - so people like the new BSA, some people don't like them - but I got no further stick in the game. Sure I will hear stories about them just like I will hear stories about Royal Enfield, BSA, HD, BMW, KTM, etc. Thing is that I haven't heard anyone who I met, owning one of those bikes, to confirm the horror stories - so they remain just that: stories. As for dealerships dropping the brand - I did notice that - seeing dealerships disappear or trimming down and focussing on what makes them money in an increasingly motorcycle hostile economy. There could be an infinite amount of factors influencing this or it can be just pragmatic: I heard one dealer mention he sold 10 RE's to 1 BSA. That spot on the showroom floor has a price tag. Perhaps some dream of a Marxist state that everybody must like their preferred brand and hate what they dislike (for any ole reason) by compulsorily mind control law. Perhaps it is none of the above reasons, perhaps all of them. I would take no joy to see BSA disappear because it will keep my preferred brand on their toes. - because I'm hoping to keep my bikes until the wheel come off, but it would be nice, in the event of that happening, there would still be a market with a selection of choices.
You are pretty much spot on with the BSA selling scenario. The other issue for the dealer is that, there was little money to be made in the deal. With new bikes starting at £5k, the dealer would have to have given the owner around £3k to be able to cover expenses and make some profit. I rather suspect the owner is not revealing the full story. I worked in the Motor Industry, with some time in 2 wheels, for around 40 years.
I was friendly with a Honda dealer a few years ago that told me one day, on some small bikes they can make as little as £80 profit on a new bike. They make it up on the very expensive bikes (Goldwings) where they can make maybe £3k on a sale. Those aren’t big sellers so they make the money by paying the lowest possible amount they can for every p/x or trade in. Sound familiar?
A refreshing video of someone that has a balanced opinion and knows his stuff...well done !!
I really like the BSA and have rather fallen down the RUclips rabbit hole of watching reviews on them. I've seen nothing of any worth that would persuade me that the BSA isn't a great bike! There was one good review where a guy took his 2023 bike back to the dealership for a service and they did a number of minor factory upgrades to it. His experience was a very positive one. All the upgrades were done in one hit, free of charge and after a nice lunch in the village he was near, he took the bike home and was very happy with the service he'd received. As you said Stu, there really is nothing to see here. Great video as always 🙂
A bike is an investment in your joy of life,get the bike for you and keep it that way it will appreciate when it becomes an antique lol,Im 73 and my only transport is a Honda Scrambler cl500 absolutely love it,can flat foot it,I use it every day winter and summer but I do live in Greece
You can't have too many motorcycles or guitars, for that matter.
👍
Good summary and interesting. I’m thinking of buying one, and was curious having seen the FD video….but your summary makes sense. Thanks
Very balanced points made here Stuart. I haven’t bought a new bike since 2016 when I bought a T-120 Black. When I bought this for AU$16,995 and maybe a couple of K for bells and whistles, the dealer showed me his margin. It wasn’t exactly fat and close enough to 10%.
Six years later after much enjoyable riding it developed a major problem, and much to their credit Triumph Australia ponied-up $7,000 worth of parts to fix it. Well out of warranty but still subject to the Consumer Guarantees Act notwithstanding, but they did so with grace.
The big problem was that I didn’t want to pay the roughly $2,000 for labour, and the dealer didn’t want to do the major work on a timeline. We settled on a compromise - I rode out on a nice 1050 Sprint GT and he took the T-120 with many goodies to repair at leisure. The agreed value on both was $10,000, which was fair both ways.
Dealers have to make a living too with many overheads. Depreciation happens the moment you ride out on a new bike. $1,500 a year , not counting regular maintenance doesn’t seem outrageous to me for the enjoyment gained with the Bonnie.
On the BSA, I’m going to stick my neck out and say that a 650 single seems like a very -odd- niche bike to me, as nice as they are. I might have been interested had they made a new Lightning 650 twin but I guess RE already had that covered and they wanted a point of difference.
I hope the Beezer continues to bring you joy! 👍🏻🙂
Thanks!
thank you Hugh!
When it comes to truthfulness on the internet Shakespeare nailed it over 400 years ago "But he’ll remember with advantages what feats he did that day". (Henry V)
Barry you are absolutly correct about the finance . Look at all the "Late plate bikes " looking for homes . Many PRIVATE SELLERS WITH BUYERS REMORSE. BOUGHT IN HASTE REPENT AT LEISURE. Many of the problems due to "FINANCE MANIPULATION DEALS" and the Buyers fall for it hook line and sinker.
An excellent and well thought trough perspective. Yes, judgement by internet with a minuscule amount of information….
I've been following the new BSA since before the launch I also worked in the motor trade for 40 years, there have been so many issues with them from cutting out, exploding headlights, gearboxes , wiring looms, clutch nut ,oil leaks and coolant leaks, traders just don't want the hassle of warranty work eating into the already meager profit. Why buy s/h when you can have a new one £1000 off list price with full guarantee !
sounds like you are desrcibing a new triumph!
In 1978, I bought my dream bike, a brand new 750 Bonneville. At 600 miles, the main bearings went. After much disagreement with Meriden, it was repaired.After 1000 further miles, the main bearings were shot again. Are the new BSA bikes worse than that?
Where was your bike parked in the first part of your video today? Was that the Leek Market square? Looked like Leek, Staffordshire. to me.
Beverley.
Back in the glory days of BSA, (1950s 1960s.) owners would buy them and keep them as a long term investment. Look at the mileages people use to do on them, and there were few motorways at the time. I've said this before. Buy a motorcycle and keep it for 5 years, you have had the value out of it. The depreciation is irrelevant. Chop and change every year and the next owner will get the "Value" out of the thing. Clean it and service it yourself and it will cost you peanuts every year to run. As the Financial Advisors saying goes. "The stock exchange is a device for Enriching the patient and impoverishing the impatient." Ride safe! 😁🏍🏍😁.
hiya hope u r well message from chris ,i watched your item on bsa,s not abike i would buy, but they are work horses, also did notice on the video that both your gauges ,speedo and rev counter seemed to be permanently stuck at the 5 o'clock position ,were they working? ride safe
I saw that Freddie vid and someone did offer him about 3.5k which he felt was to low. When u can get a new one for 5k at fowler's that seemed reasonable.
Waiting another year till the second hand prices drop even more then I’m gonna buy one just to own one, I don’t mind chucking 2 to 2500 quid at one, they seem like decent bikes to me, something to ride for a year or so then flog it for next to nothing, a couple of grand isn’t a lot of money these days.
Take a look at Moto Tingle you tube channel and the video called Epic Depreciation - BSA Goldstar 650. Its a strange one because he purchased it for £2k at a year old and is showing the epic depreciation loss then shows its got a fault where the ignition turns itself off. So he bought it with a fault effectively so no wonder its value is pretty low. He's not been able to get it fixed for 5 weeks claimimg parts issues. I wonder how easy parts are to get for this brand?
the guy is an idiot i saw his first video and it was clear the bike had been extensively messed with by unskilled hands. but he laid the blame on BSA for his poor judgement.
Stuart watch the review this idiot did on BSA before he bought one 😬
@@stuartfillingham Yes, I saw that one. Took him with a pinch of.
As always Stuart, a balanced overview.
I have been refused part exchanges with BMW’s, Ducati’s and Royal Enfields. The dealer has always provided a genuine and understandable reason.
As a youngster, I also experienced the HP balance being more than the value of the bike.
Since the price of the BSA has been adjusted and watching your reviews and the Freddie Dobbs review, they have been more attractive.
Save up and buy something that you like and that you can afford, chopping and changing is a sure way of wasting a lot of money when you are using someone else’s to start with.
Watching this space…………
Wow. I tuned in to watch a motorcycle review, and I got an Economics lesson ! Thank You for your honest views, and I love your videos. ( I do like B.S.A., and hope to see them in America .)
Hello,
I had a BSA B31 over fifty years ago, and I wish I had it now. BSA bikes were brilliantly engineered, and mine started and run beautifully first time every time. Kind regards,
Tony Marsh, Old Biker.
I just wish they sold BSAs australia
Me too!
Great machine I have an early 23 one up to now no problems I bought it purely on nostalgia reasons as I had one of the last bsa back in 72 didn't do any research could only see the bsa badge in the tank that was enough for me to part with my hard earned pension is it worth it yes I have a few motorcycles but none that brings back what motorcycling is about like the goldstar it's a bike that you make your own with the bits and pieces available hopefully they will start selling them there soon
@@SamWaide-t6rthey won't
Perhaps I should be buying up all these great value underpriced machines in the UK and shipping them over to you guys 😅
Many buyers simply do not understand or do not care to understand that a smart business owner, one who will have the lights on for you and the employees paid when you walk in to buy tires, oil, and oil filters, is savvy about all aspects of taking used vehicles in trade.
Including, but not limited to, owners who do their own maintenance being a px risk when a new buyer comes along and expects to see receipts for the work done.
In 50+ yrs of riding, I have made no money buying, owning, selling, trading, and buying again.
I have motorcycle number 45 and 46 in the garage now, and the biggest lesson I've learned, if you are one to change bikes frequently every 20,000 to 35,000km as I do, is do not finance anything. When the sales dept shows you the bottom line, and the bike you are trading is paid for, the financial sting is less when you are not upside down with the shiny new machine that has your current attention, or, as I like to say.. motorcycle attention deficit disorder.
I don’t mind dealers making a living , that’s why they exist , once they are gone , that’s it gone forever , in fact I’m looking at spending a chunk on a newer bike in the next few months , am I going to get what I want for my part ex, (which is an older model of what I want to buy) probably not , but I have a figure in mind , which will get the deal done , but I like to look at the bigger picture , I’ll be returning to the dealer for servicing , which is about 50 miles from where I live , the service is always good and I think reasonably priced when comparing to other similar dealers in the area , good customer service is worth its weight to me , even if I have to lose a bit on a part exchange, just don’t tell the mrs😊
As soon as BSA become available in my country, I'm buying one! Tested one in England this summer, after already testing an Interceptor here. The BSA is the winner for me.
I was half forced into having a longish ride on a BSA Golden Flash and I resisted it, but after an hour I began to like the mild tuning and character of the thing. I was only used to modern superbikes and I admit it changed my values so much that I think I'm going to go down the route of something less powerful and more charecterful. I think the modern BSA would be one I'd definitely consider. On a more general level I can see parallels with the high street and motorcycle dealerships, they don't get a very fair deal with rates and rents in town centres compared with the online model. Society just sees the cost of everything and not the value, stagnant wages are a driver but im wondering if people from 1950s would have bought cheaper online items if they had that opportunity?
I think you could substitute BSA for CFMoto, Mutt or any of the newish brands. The motorcycle market is having a wee downturn and when times are hard dealers stick to what they know. BSA have not been in the market very long and do have a few issues(like every new brand does) Some dealers taking a part ex are unsure of demand, back up, depreciation etc etc so may well be nervous. We see the same with some electric cars. It's also worth remembering nothing is ever as bad as stated in facebook groups, youtube comment sections and internet forums. Does BSA have a problem? yes they do, Is it as bad as stated online? No. Are these issues peculiar to BSA? Not at all
Thanks Stuart for making this video, I was a tad surprised that Freddie took the story on face value without applying some balance/reserve on the subject.
It's not just BSA's. We are coming into the slow sales period and that bike could sit there for 6 months at that dealer. I know several people struggling to get any offer of a part ex for their "premium" bikes at the moment.
Freddie Dobbs makes some well-filmed and enjoyable videos (especially his trip films), but a lot of the content in his Tuesday show seem to be based on internet comments and responses to previous shows (such as the BSA / Guzzi episode).. Nothing wrong wrong with that (probably a fairly time efficient way of producing a weekly half hour show along with his other content and interests) but it's not independently researched or fact-checked information.
... in fact most of it is cobblers!
Nice to see so many other riders out during your blog. Your passion for the BSA and the fact your partner is enjoying the bike with you shines through. I'm in the market for either the Gold Star or a Super Meteor just now and used prices are way down; top line SM £4000. I'm not a lover of Triumphs (I've owned 3) but I certainly don't resent anyone who buys one, each to their own I say 😮.
Simple truth is new bikes rarely appreciate in value, bikes are rarely worth what the owner thinks. Dealers are never obliged to take your bike in part exchange unless previously agreed.
Nearly ever negative story on the internet has a undisclosed backstory. My advice on buying a new bike do your research first , try to have a test ride ,see if it fits your frame,don’t let your heart rule your head (hard that one) then ride it till you have put so many miles on it you don’t care what the part ex is.
I am an happy Interceptor owner, having bought mine from new in June. When I was shopping for a retro, my choices within my budget were basically RE or BSA. I chose the former, principally because the RE dealer is close by. I have nothing against BSA, I believe competition is healthy and would like to see them succeed. But the things I have heard about the wiring loom failing and malfunctioning sensors have been red flags for me. I have also recently heard that BSA's warranty repair payments to dealers is pitiful. Any element of truth in these reports is a cause for concern and goes to explain the cooling desire for these bikes, both among prospective owners and dealers. This is not so much trial by Facebook as brand reputation, something that BSA seems to be ignoring, unlike RE.
Brilliant video as always Stuart and you hit the nail on the head with your observations once again, and it wouldn't put off a BSA, I love the look of them 😃👍🏻
I considered one of these as I liked the look of it and the performance seemed adequte.
What put me off was simply the seat height.
You should ask Freddie Dobbs to talk more about this issue in his weekly show as it has the potential to kill the sales of BSA bikes especially in UK if many people believe wat was said.
If you don't know freddy why comment.
Modern BSA, Royal Enfield, Norton or whatever just aren't British bikes, never have been and never will be. It could have anything on the tank but the British names have been used cynically as a selling aid. Any one buying these thinking they are buying British or reliving the golden era of motorcycles have been kidding themselves. Might as well buy a Japanese or European bike (or even Chinese these days).
I have owned a few proper BSA and Triumph motorcycles and (with some work and expense) can be made very reliable. Amongst my daily rides was a Triumph T120v (1973) and a BSA B33 plunger (1954). No real problems if regular general maintenance carried out. I even Vintage Raced a 1952 rigid framed B31, for ten seasons,, revved to the limit every meeting, which was brilliantly reliable after a first season learning how to maintain it effectively and finding the best quality parts.
If you want to relive the past, buy an older Brit bike. Parts aren't too difficult to find even now (probably easier to find than some modern bikes).
i dont believe anyone buys these bike under the illusion they are British, i think that just a figment of your imagination! as for buying a bike and spending time and money trying to make it reliable, i would rather buy an Indian bike knowing i will get that out of the box!
I agree with these comments. I said on the mentioned video. You can buy a good Goldstar for low 4k now, new just above 5k. The new price now is cheaper than when new to market. The market is saturated with them.Maybe there is no problem but if the market value is low and supply is good then dealers may also struggle to make a quick profit. I'll take a chance on a used one when I have more space and money.
I had the same problem with my very well know Italian brand Chinese built motorcycle which was mint by the way
And this brand has been around for years.
Honda Dealer didn't want to take it in part exchange against a new Honda,
He said we don't take chinese built bikes.
I said loads of brands use Chinese made components.
He said its getting the spares to fix them.
Because they have to put on a warranty on it and if it does go wrong we can't fix it.
Been bit by these brands before.
So sold it to we buy any bike.
And used to money for the deposit.
half of nothing is nothing.
Jees, if it was a 502X I would have bought it from you.
Wearable parts easily available & anything else within 10days online. My local Honda dealer loves them & has always a few in for sale that he's taken in PX.
@@keepitreal1547
Right Brand wrong Model
Nicely balanced video. I never think about resale value as I buy my bikes to ride. I have a couple of local dealers which I have an excellent relationship with.
Excellent logic, thumbs up for trying to answer what must be a difficult situation. Regards.