In 2008, I had to have a new Harley Davidson motorcycle, so I walked into the dealership and purchased a new Harley Davidson Road Glide. I don't remember the exact out-the-door price I paid, but it was very close to $19,500. Even today I think that was too much to pay for a motorcycle. Now, in 2025 the same Road Glide model has an MSRP that starts at $27,999, and depending on your choice of chrome or blacked out, and the color of the bike, the MSRP can reach $30,000. Do you have any idea what vehicles you can buy with $30,000? Here's a short list of some other vehicles $30,000 will get you:
- A brand new car. Too many cars to list here with an MSRP under $30k. For example, a new Chevrolet Malibu is $25,800
- A brand new Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck
- 3 brand new Honda Rebel 1100 motorcycles
- 7 brand new Honda Trail 125 motorcycles
- A brand new Kawasaki 1700 Vaquero (looks just like a Road Glide) with $10,500 left over to enjoy.
I could go on with this list, but I won't. You get the idea, but to be fair to Harley Davidson, it's not just Harley Davidson with high priced motorcycles. The high end Honda Gold Wing has a base MSRP of $28,700. But what is also true, I don't Kawasaki or Suzuki has a new motorcycle model that comes anywhere close to $30,000.
High priced new motorcycles are a rip off! Especially in the motorcycle industry where there are too many used motorcycles on the market with low mileage. Don't believe me? Go to cycletrader.com and take a look for yourself. The new Kawasaki 1700 Vaquero I included in the list above has an MSRP of $19,499, but it's available on the used market for half that price with low mileage and in good condition. You can save thousands by buying used, and it will help remove the itch that compels you to waist your money on a new motorcycle. I only wish I had ignored the itch back in 2008 and bought a used Harley Davidson Road Glide.
