Resale Value Comparison of Motorcycle Brands
By brand, Harley-Davidson motorcycles retained an average of 84% of their value over a five-year period according to data compiled by the Kelley Blue Book Official Motorcycle Guide. BMW was not far behind Harley-Davidson, at 81%, with Indian, Ducati, and Triumph trailing slightly at 77%, 73%, and 72%.
Factors Influencing Motorcycle Resale Value
- Brand Reputation: A big factor, considering that some motorcycles are aspirational.
- Mileage: This metric typically has a major impact on the overall state and condition of the motorcycle.
Notable Motorcycles with High Resale Value
Some of the best motorcycles that hold their value well are Japanese motorcycles like Kawasaki and Honda with excellent build quality, reliable parts, and low maintenance costs over time.
Best Value Motorcycles for 2023
Technically, we picked two bikes sharing the same platform as our best value motorcycle of 2023, both offering a solid product at a reasonable price. At $9k for the 8S and $11,600 for the Strom DE, both motorcycles represent an excellent value in their specific categories.
Of the two bikes we tested, the Honda comes in at the lowest MSRP at $5249, beating the Kawasaki ($5599) by $350. Suzuki also comes in with a solid competitor from each class with its new 800 platform in the V-Strom 800 DE and GSX-8S. At $9k for the 8S and $11,600 for the Strom DE, both motorcycles represent an excellent value in their specific categories.