Now you’ve finally decided it’s time to part with your motorcycle, you’re ready to enter the market. However, you may be wondering, “How do I get the most when I sell my motorcycle?” In short, there are no hard and fast answers to this question. Instead, there are a number of different factors that can impact and influence what you can sell your motorcycle for. Let’s take a brief look at the top 9 factors that determine your motorcycle’s value.
1. Want to Sell a Motorcycle? What Condition Is It In?
The top factor that determines how much you sell your motorcycle is its condition. Simply put, no one wants a scrap heap. Motorcycles in remarkable condition will garner the highest value from any buyer. While much of the condition is subjective, think about the motorcycles:
- Mechanical condition
- Does it have frame damage?
- How are the tires and wheels doing?
- Is there rust or corrosion?
2. How Many Miles Does Your Harley Have?
The average number of miles traveled per year on a motorcycle spans between 2,000 and 3,000 miles, which is exponentially less than a traditional vehicle. And generally speaking — the more miles, the less you will get. However, motorcycle valuation works in thresholds. For example, a bike with 8,000 miles may be worth more than a bike with 12,000, but maybe not more than a bike with 8,600 miles.
3. Does Your Motorcycle Have Modifications?
Based on the type of mod, it can either increase or decrease the value of your motorcycle. For instance, shoddy paint jobs and cheap aftermarket parts can lower the value of your bike, while more expensive tour packs and stage kits can bolster it. However, certain small modifications may not have any impact on its value.
4. How Hot Is the Market?
Much like every other market, the motorcycle market is all about supply and demand. If more people want to buy bikes than there are available, you may get more. On the other hand, if there are more bikes than people want to buy, it can devalue your motorcycle.
5. How Hot Is the Temperature?
When the temperatures climb during spring and summer, you can expect significantly more for your bike. Why? Because they are in more demand (see previous section). However, when snow begins to fall, demand drops and so does the value of your Harley.
6. Does Your Motorcycle Have an Air of Exclusivity?
Some motorcycles — for various reasons — are in hot demand. Any bike can quickly become rare, sought after, and valuable when it has:
- A special factory paint
- Halted production
- Low production
- A special niche market
7. Is Your Motorcycle Costing You Money in Depreciation and Future Costs?
If you are in the mindset that you might as well keep your motorcycle because its not costing you anything to keep it you are mistaken. As with most vehicles, your motorcycle starts dropping in value the moment you drive it off the lot. The longer it sits around the lower the value becomes. When vehicles sit the battery, tires, and fluids age. You may need to replace items down the road in order to keep it running or to get it running again after sitting. If you are not handy or able to complete these services on your own, you may incur significant expense through a dealer or service center in order to get your motorcycle functioning properly. Therefore, it could end up costing you a significant amount of money to let your unused motorcycle just sit in the garage.
8. Is Your Motorcycle Functional?
This factor is relatively obvious — you will get more for your bike if it runs. And if your motorcycle has known issues or doesn’t run, you will get less.
9. Are You the Only Owner?
If you’ve ever gone to buy a vehicle, you’ve heard some variation of the sentiment “That vehicle was owned by a nice older woman who only drove it to church on Sundays.” This sentiment explains why vehicles with one owner have higher values: they are presumably cared for at a higher level. And this sentiment is true for motorcycles as well. However, the number of owners only plays a small factor in motorcycle valuations. More so, not every buyer really cares.
What’s the Best Way to Sell My Motorcycle or Sell My Harley?
Are you looking for the best way to ” sell my motorcycle?” If so, Cash 4 Motorcycles can help. When you sell your bike to Cash 4 Motorcycles, you don’t have to worry about listing your bike, explaining your bike, writing descriptions, screening potential buyers, and paperwork. Instead, we handle everything from start to finish. Most importantly, we will pay you cash on the spot and pay top dollar for virtually all motorcycles, Harleys, ATVs, watercraft, and other power sport vehicles. Our process is extremely straightforward and simple:
- Tell us about your motorcycle.
- We will schedule a pickup and meet with you.
- We pay you cash or cut you a check on the spot!
Ready to learn more? Contact Cash 4 Motorcycles today for a free quote.
