PULSE AUTOCYCLE NETWORK

[Steve Schmidt]

WHAT ARE THEY WORTH ??


VALUE GUIDE


Buying a Litestar or a Pulse is just like anything else. The seller wants as much as he can get and the buyer wants the Best Deal possible. Remember.... there were only about 350 vehicles built.

Before You Buy

There does not seem to be too much difference in appearance between the various years of production (1982 to 1990). All seem to have similar frames and body panels, HOWEVER the body panels are not really interchangable, due to the fact that each was hand built. Different engine powerplants and options were also available.

Finding replacement body parts will be a problem....these you will have to make or repair yourself....no replacement parts are available. If you find a spare vehicle, you could rob parts off of it.


You should always personally inspect any vehicle before you buy it.

Carefully examine the following:

******Engine and wiring
******Fiberglass for cracks
******Glass Windshields
******Inspect all frame weld joints for stress cracks
******Inspect main center support tube for rust by removing carpet

******Inspect outrigger attach points for rust.


Original Factory Price

The basic factory list price seems to be from $7,000 in 1986 to fully equipped models at about $20,000 in 1989-90.

Current Selling Prices in 2010:

"Junkers or fixer-uppers"..... start from $1,500 on up.

Complete Pulse needing new tires, carbs rebuilt, shocks, general clean up ... start from $7,000 and up.

Good running condition......start from $10,000.

Beautifully restored condition......start from $25,000 to $30,000



Pulse #57 sold in May of 2001 for about $4,500. In need of restoration.

Two Pulse vehicles sold in the fall of 2001 for between $4,000 to $5,000. Both needed repair.

An early Scranton Iowa Litestar sold on ebay for $7,600 in 2003

A junker on ebay received no bids in Sept. of 2003

A fully restored late model Pulse sold for $12,000 in 2003

Pulse #25 in good condition sold on Ebay for $8,700.00 in April of 2004

Pulse #233 in good condition sold on Ebay for $9,450.00 in May of 2004

Pulse #314 in good condition sold on Ebay for $10,000.00 in Oct. of 2004

Pulse #24? in fair condition sold on Ebay for $3,450.00 in Oct. of 2004

Pulse #120 in good condition sold on ebay for $12,500.00 in March of 2005

Pulse #259 in good condition sold on ebay for $14,000.00 in June of 2005

Owosso Litestar #4 in fair condition sold for $7,000.00 in Sept. of 2005

Pulse #211 in good condition sold for $8,800.00 in April of 2006

Pulse #184 in good condition sold for $14,000 in April of 2006

Pulse #106 in fair condition sold for $8,000.00 in May of 2007

Pulse #271 in excellent condition sold for $20,000 in May of 2007

Pulse #150 in good condition sold for $10,000 in Nov. of 2007 (in England)

Pulse #233 in good condition sold for $13,000 in Dec. of 2007

Pulse #31 in restorable condition sold for $4,000 in April of 2008

Pulse #116 in restorable condition sold for $6,500 in June of 2008

Pulse #115 in good condition sold for $22,000 in Sept. of 2010

Pulse #165 in good condition sold for $17,500 in August of 2011

"Good Condition Vehicle".... can range from $12,000 to $30,000.....asking price


I hope this will give you an idea on pricing. If you know of any "selling prices" in the last two years, please forward that info and I will post to this page.


Insuring this vehicle seems to be no different than motorcycle policies.


HOW MUCH TO INSURE A PULSE ??

Below are a few of the companies who will insure the Pulse vehicle. Information is provided by Pulse owners throughout the U.S.

Not all companies will insure in every state. Due to state regulations, the same insurance provider may charge different rates in each state.

Sept. 2010......Talked to my Independent agent in Owosso, Michigan 9-9-10 who sells Hagerty Insurance.
Hagerty will NOT insure the Pulse.
I am grandfathered in as long as I keep up the premium payment. If I drop it, they drop me.
Now if you had Hagerty Insurance with several antique or collector cars and bought a Pulse. They would add the Pulse on, because they probably don't want to lose the large account.

Sept. 2008...........Walt Crompton of CA
Midwest Classic Insurance
They required pictures and other details, and insisted that the car be in a locked garage when not in use. Their rates were $283/year, including collision (which they required that I purchase).

Sept. 2008..................Walt Crompton of CA
GMAC
The policy over the phone in about 10 minutes, with no collision insurance, for $209/year.

July 2008.........?
Midwest Classic Insurance
Coverage for the pulse with the option of driving to work for $250.00...PER YEAR plus state add-ons, depending on your state.
Through the many years we have been writing collector car insurance there are a few things that people have has asked for in an insurance program:

* Good rates on vehicles
* Coverage for Spare Parts
* A Roadside Assistance Program
* Deductible options on all vehicles
* Agreed Value Coverage - all years
* Glass Coverage without a Deductible
* Coverage while the vehicle is under restoration
* Rollover Miles - Don't use them, you don't lose them.
* Ability to Drive your Car to Work - (THIS IS THE BIG ONE)

I am happy to say that American Modern Insurance Group has listened and responded. We now have seen a great program made better with these additional coverage enhancements. This coverage is not available in all States but additional States are being added all the time.
Currently this coverage is available in all states with the exception of CA, MA, MS, NJ, NY, NC, SC, and VA, although we do have other markets of Collectible Insurance available in these States.
If you currently have coverage with us and would be interested in this new program we can endorse your American Modern Home policy. If you are in Infinity/Great American we would be glad to quote your policy in American Modern and let you know the rate. We are expecting a lot of interest in this program.
If you are a current client thank you for insuring with us and allowing us to keep you abreast of the constant changes in the Insurance Collector Car Industry. If you are not a client, has your agent let you know about these great changes and new opportunities. New clients that would like a quote please email us the following and we will get a quote out to you:

1. State the vehicle is registered in
2. Year, Make, and Model of vehicle
3. Modified or Original
4. Value of Vehicle
5. Approximate Annual Miles you drive

Just a handful of questions to answer and we can get a quote back to you.
This info is from July 2008.
CONTACT for current states available and quote:
Robbin R. Terry, CIC
Midwest Classic Insurance
POB 229, 110 South Fifth Street
Auburn, Illinois 62615
www.midwestclassicins.com
1-888-271-4000


2007.......Bob Hichborn.............
I just got off the phone with my Allstate rep and I was quoted $600.30 for the year. The biggest cost here in Florida is the Medical Payment. If I adjusted that number from $5000 to $10000, in case I were to have an accident with a passenger, the price goes up over $800.00

2007..........ashok rai........
State Farm $389.48 for six months [ thats all I need with the weather here ! ] Comprehensive policy including liability,medical and unisured motorist with unlimited mileage. Dropped Geico Cycleguard as they would not do a comprehensive policy on the Pulse.


2005.......Joel Patton..............
State Farm......$425 per year with an agreed value of $17,000. No milage restrictions. $500 ductable comprehensive/collision w/emergency roadside and uninsured motorist.


2003........Don Muddiman..........
Contact GMAC Insurance Touring Riders Insurance. I found them to give me the best coverage and price. Customer service number is 800-325-1190. My Premium was $274 a year in 2003. Reference my Name: Donald A Muddiman. My Pulse is setup as a 1986 custom motorcycle.


2001.........Luke Chaplin..............
Geico and J.C. Taylor (I already have policies there) and they quoted $386/year (Geico, second vehicle) and $340/year (J.C.Taylor, "Modified" class). Again, these were add-ons, not stand-alone policies.


After the Purchase

Congratulations!......Please Join Us.

Just fill out the Owners Survey Form, so we can add your unit to the Registry Page.