Why Do Motorcycles Hold their Value?

It’s a fact that experts always recommend buying a motorbike that comes with good value and can retain the same value over the years. But have you ever wondered why motorcycles hold their value? Here’s the answer. 

Motorcycles hold their value because of their unique selling point, along with the brand and country of origin. In many cases, the availability and build quality of the motorbike play a vital role in holding its value. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about motorcycles holding their value for years. 

Why Do Motorcycles Hold Their Value? 

We’ll always want to buy motorbikes that have a high value and can maintain that high value over the years, but have you wondered why motorcycles hold their value? 

According to various experts, most motorcycles hold their value because of the specifications it comes with. For example, the engine strength or any other unique selling point.

But some riders believe that just like expensive smartphones, a motorbike with a brand makes the motorbikes hold their value. For instance, people love to buy and ride old Harleys rather than buy any other manufacturer’s motorbike. 

In that case, Harley, an American brand, helps riders show off their motorbikes and stand out uniquely on the highway full of riders riding ordinary motorbikes. 

In simpler words, unique selling points like engine strength and brand can make any motorbike hold its value. 

Do Motorcycles Hold their Value?

So far, you understand why some motorbikes can hold their value but have you wondered if motorcycles hold their value? 

Motorcycles hold their value even after some years; however, holding the value is highly influenced by the brand and unique selling point, as mentioned above. 

The motorbikes of Harleys, BMW, and Ducati can hold their value for years more than any other manufacturers because of the brand, and even riders trust these motorbikes. 

According to Kelly book officials, the Harley motorbike can hold its value 84% better than any other manufacturer’s motorbikes, followed by the motorbikes of BMW. 

Do Motorcycles Increase their Value? 

So far, you understand that motorcycles hold their value because of the brand and user trust it carries. But have you wondered whether motorcycles increase in value? 

According to various experts, motorcycles do not increase in value because of the brand it carries but because of the rare availability and the demand for motorbikes. 

For example, Kawasaki KR 1S holds its value because of the rare availability and the stupendous demands among riders which sky boosts the motorbike price, and in that case, the riders hardly see the brand. Still, they see the trust the motorbike comes with, with the rare availability and sky-boosting price motorbike increase its value. 

Which Motorcycles Kept Their Value for Over Years? 

So far, you understand whether motorbikes can hold their value or not; now the question arises, what motorcycles kept their value over the years? 

According to various experts, motorbikes such as Harleys, Kawasaki, BMW, and Honda can keep their value over the years. However, some motorbikes can keep their value over the years more than some average motorbikes. 

Most commonly, an American brand motorbike like Harley with a unique selling point can hold the most value over the years. If you want to buy motorbikes with high value, I recommend researching their USP and engine strength. 

Are Motorcycles Depreciated Most?

We all want to buy motorbikes that can depreciate less. Still, motorbikes indeed depreciate most when compared with any other vehicle. 

According to various experts, motorbikes depreciate most in the first 3 years, at the rate of 10-12%, but amazingly after crossing the 3 years mark, your motorbike starts to depreciate at the lowest rate, which is 5-8%. 

It’s because most of the losses have already occurred in the first 3 years, and there’s nothing left more to depreciate. 

How to Stop Motorbike Depreciation?

It’s a trust that motorbikes depreciate most in the first three years, but have you wondered how you can reduce motorbike depreciation? 

According to experts, you can reduce the motorcycle depreciation rate by maintaining your motorbike regularly. The maintenance helps your motorbike parts to work effectively and fluently, which reduces the motorbike depreciation rate. 

Although in some motorbikes, the maintenance cost would be higher than the depreciation cost, believe me, you will get the benefit by reducing the depreciation cost over some years. 

Most people think that regular motorbike maintenance is hard and you don’t have to spend bucks on it and that’s why I wrote an article about motorbike maintenance in which you need to stop motorbike depreciation, CLICK HERE to read.

Why is Motorcycle Maintenance Crucial for Holding Value? 

We don’t want our motorbikes to depreciate as much as they can, and maintenance is the only way to prevent your motorbike from depreciation loss. But have you wondered why motorcycle maintenance is crucial for holding value? 

Motorcycle maintenance is necessary to add some life to your motorbike parts and make them smooth again as it was earlier when you bought it. Regular maintenance gives you a smooth and safe ride, irrespective of road conditions and assurance. 

Why do Harleys Depreciate Less? 

Everyone believes the Harley is the only motorbike that depreciates less or does not depreciate at all, but the truth is something different. 

According to various data available widely on the internet, Harleys can keep their value better than any other motorbike. Still, it isn’t true for all Harleys out there. 

For example, Harleys Ultra Limited shows a massive reduction rate of around 56-58% in the first three years. As mentioned above, the brand has less to do with the depreciation rate than the unique selling point and consumer trust it carries. 

If you are considering buying Harleys because of a lower depreciation rate, I would highly recommend buying the one with a unique selling point and motorbike which comes with vast consumer trust.

What is the Average Depreciation Rate of Motorcycles? 

Indeed we all want motorbikes that show a lower depreciation rate than the others, but have you asked the dealers about the average depreciation rate? 

According to various stats available on the internet, the average depreciation rate of motorbikes is as follows: 

If you recently purchased the motorbike, then your motorbike will experience a minimal depreciation rate, which is only five percent in the first six to seven months. 

But after six months, your motorbike will experience an insane surge of depreciation rate, around 16% throughout the year. After completing the first year, your motorbike will experience a minimal 5% surge in depreciation rate, around 21-22%. 

And after completing the three months, your motorbike will again experience the insane surge of a 10% depreciation rate, making the rate around 21-22%. 

Interestingly, after completing around 21-22% depreciation rate, your motorbike will experience a minimal 5% deprivation loss throughout the upcoming years. 

As mentioned above, you can reduce the motorcycle depreciation loss by about 10% with regular maintenance, including engine maintenance, paintwork, exhaust work, and most importantly, battery and stator maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Why do motorcycles hold their value? Motorcycles hold their value because of the unique selling point of the motorbike, along with the brand and country of origin. In many cases, the availability and building material of the motorbike plays a vital role in making it hold its value. 

I’ve also mentioned some stats about the depreciation rate of motorbikes and ways to reduce the duration to the minimum.