The Art of Motorcycle Trading: How to Maximize Your Bike’s Value

 

Spring is here, so warmer, more pleasant weather is on its way. That means riding season is just over the horizon. In fact, in some corners of the country, it has already begun. Of course, for some people, it never really ended in the first place.

 

Whether you’re chomping at the bit to feel the wind on your face or simply looking forward to once again being able to feel your fingers and nose after riding, you’ll need to get ready for the upcoming spring and summer months. For quite a few people, that entails trading in their old motorcycles for newer or bigger models. If you’re thinking of upgrading, though, you probably want to get as much money as possible for your trade in.

 

It’s no secret that motorcycles lose value over time. The more wear and tear they sustain, the more their value decreases. With the following tips, though, you’ll be able to beat some of that notorious depreciation and maximize your bike’s value.

 

What Makes a Motorcycle Worth More?

 

Before going over the specific steps you can take to boost your bike’s value, let’s cover some of the more general factors that make a bike worth more, or less as the case may be. One of the most effective ways to get more money out of a used bike is to sell it at the right time, and the best time to sell a motorcycle happens to be from the beginning of the annual riding season through around the middle of summer. Timing is crucial, but it’s only one point to consider.

 

The Bike’s Age

 

On the most basic level, newer bikes are usually worth more than older models. There are a few exceptions to this rule, like rare models, those that are in particularly high demand, and those that are considered collector’s items. Harley’s Knucklehead would be a prime example here. That being said, an older model that’s in great shape might sell for more than a newer model that has seen better days.

 

Low Mileage

 

In many cases, having low mileage can increase a motorcycle’s value. Many people feel that the less a bike has been ridden, the less wear it has sustained, and the less trouble it’s likely to give them. Around 10,000 miles is generally considered low mileage for a motorcycle with 30,000 miles or so being average and more than 45,000 being over the top for some buyers. A motorcycle’s age and whether it’s a cruiser, touring bike, or sport bike will also factor into the equation here, though.

 

Being in Good Condition

Another element that affects the value of a motorcycle is its condition. If wear and tear hurt a bike’s value, minimizing deterioration will have the opposite effect. That doesn’t mean you can’t ride a bike as often and as far as you want after buying it; it just means it’s important to take care of it along the way.

 

Two main aspects of a bike’s condition come into play here: cosmetic and mechanical. Potential buyers are initially drawn to the way a motorcycle looks. If it’s faded, scratched, and dented, they may not be willing to look far enough past those cosmetic issues to ask more questions.

 

From there, prospects will definitely want to know how the bike runs and rides. Any problems in that department, from skipping to worn shocks, could detract from the amount they’re willing to pay. That’s the case regardless of how impressive the bike looks.

 

Useful Upgrades

 

Some upgrades can ramp up a motorcycle’s market value as well. Those that improve power and performance without affecting appearance any more than necessary tend to be the most effective. Giving a bike a high-end exhaust system, better brakes and suspension, or a fine-tuned ECU are a few of the modifications that can make it worth more. Installing heated seats and grips may increase a bike’s value a bit too.

 

Specific Brands and Models

 

On top of those factors, some brands and models are naturally worth more than others. Most models in Harley-Davidson’s lineup tend to hold their value better than many other brands with the Softail and Road King being particularly strong in this regard. Some Ducatis maintain their value well, including the Superleggera, Scrambler, and Panigale R.

 

BMW’s R1250GS and S1000RR typically have high resale values. Yamaha’s V-Max and Suzuki’s GSX-R750 may sell for more than certain other older bikes as well. Those are a few of the bikes that have higher values simply because of their brand, popularity, and nostalgia.

 

Ways to Increase a Motorcycle’s Value

 

Now that we’ve covered some of the most important general points that determine how much a motorcycle is worth, we’ll dig deeper. First of all, you need to understand your bike’s resale or trade-in value to begin with. Several resources are available for just that purpose, including NADA and Kelley Blue Book.

 

Each of those websites can give you a rough idea of what your motorcycle may be worth based on its age, make, model, and other information. NADA allows you to add details about whether your bike has standard features or added accessories that could increase its value. KBB doesn’t

allow for quite as much customization, but it lets you choose between trade-in value and typical listing price.

 

Keep in mind that both of those websites give you estimated values assuming that your bike is in good condition. Any number of factors could affect its actual value for better or worse. You can also visit dealerships and online marketplaces to see how much other motorcycles like yours are listed for. Once you know roughly how much your bike is worth, you can take measures to potentially boost its value.

 

Have Your Bike Detailed

 

One way to boost your bike’s market value is to have it thoroughly cleaned and detailed. A good detailing can even get rid of minor scratches, shine up dull headlights and taillights, refresh your bike’s chrome, and potentially eliminate light rust. All of that will make a major difference in the way your bike looks. In doing so, it may attract more buyers and make people willing to pay more for it than they would otherwise.

 

Repair Visible Damage

 

As mentioned, visible damage will inevitably detract from a motorcycle’s appearance as well as its value even if it doesn’t affect the way it runs or rides. With that being the case, repairing cosmetic damage is recommended. If the seat is torn, cracked, faded, or flat, replace it. Swap worn grips for new ones. Have new tires put on it. If your bike has dents, have those addressed. Get rid of serious scratches or road rash with a new paint job. Damage you take care of before selling is likely to generate a return on your investment.

 

Give It a Tune-Up

 

Hopefully, you’ve been performing regular maintenance on your motorcycle all along. Maintenance reduces wear and tear and keeps a bike running like new. Whether you’ve been keeping up with it or not, taking the bike in for a tune-up before showing it to buyers is a great way to bolster its worth.

 

Tune-ups can include changing the oil; replacing the oil and air filter; checking the brakes; and making sure the spark plugs, plug wires, battery, and other components are in good condition. They cover several other points as well. Having your bike serviced will make it run better and ensure it’s safe for the next owner. Be sure to save your paperwork from the service appointment to give buyers proof of everything your mechanic did during the tune-up. It’ll give them that much less to worry about and potentially motivate them to dig a little deeper into their wallets.

 

Have the Title

 

Finally, be sure you have your motorcycle’s title and that it’s clear. This may seem obvious, but you might be surprised at how many people get ready to sell their bikes only to realize they can’t find the title or there’s a problem with it. The title is your proof that you own the bike and have the legal right to sell or trade it in. It also proves that there aren’t any liens against it or other problems for a buyer to contend with.

If you don’t have the title, apply for a replacement. In the event there’s a lien against your bike or an error on the title, resolve the issue and have the clear, corrected title on hand before selling the bike. That’ll make things easier for the next owner. In truth, if you don’t have a clear, valid title for your bike, there’s little chance anyone will be willing to buy it at all, much less for what it should be worth.

 

Mistakes to Avoid When Selling a Motorcycle

 

At this point, let’s talk about what not to do when you’re selling a bike. Just as there are things you can do to improve a motorcycle’s value, certain common mistakes can make one worth far less. You’ll want to avoid those.

 

Selling Without Fixing It Up

 

One common mistake is to sell a bike without taking at least a few measures to fix it up beforehand. You don’t have to fix everything that’s wrong with your motorcycle before trading it in or listing it for sale, but consider touching on at least a few of the points we mentioned earlier. Each issue you resolve on your own will add a little value to your bike, and even minor repairs and a good cleanup will make a major difference.

 

Making Major Modifications

 

It’s not uncommon for people to customize their motorcycles. As we’ve already said, some modifications can actually increase a bike’s worth. Still, others can detract from its value and turn off potential buyers.

 

Even modifications that are meant to improve a bike’s handling or performance may have unexpected repercussions. That’s especially true if they weren’t done correctly by a professional or were done with low-quality parts. Loud or unusual paint jobs, overly flashy graphics, and other extreme customizations that drastically affect the way a bike looks may hamper its value as well.

 

Any changes that involve chopping the frame can significantly hurt a motorcycle’s value. They’re irreversible, and they may interfere with a bike’s structural integrity. They can alter the way a bike handles and rides too.

On top of all that, they can cause title and registration issues. Some insurance companies won’t cover motorcycles that have frame modifications, either. When you take customizations that far,your bike may appeal to a very small crowd, but the majority of prospects won’t see actual value in them.

 

Not Replacing Original Parts

 

If you make smaller modifications that can be reversed, it’s always best to keep the original parts. When you decide to sell, reinstall them before showing the bike to potential buyers. With a few exceptions, OEM parts are worth more to buyers than aftermarket alternatives. If you didn’t keep the original parts or can’t reinstall them, you can still sell the bike. It just may not bring as much money as you’d like.

 

Investing too Much in Repairs

 

Yet another mistake some people make is investing too much money in fixing up their bikes when they’re getting them ready to sell. Though it’s important to do what you can to get the bike in good condition, you don’t want to spend a fortune only to turn around and sell it or trade it in. There’s a good chance you won’t get as much out of the improvements as you put into them.

 

Try to find a nice balance. Cover the most important bases, the ones that make the most difference in appearance and performance of the bike for the least money. They’re the ones that’ll go the farthest to maximize your motorcycle’s value. For example, cleaning up the bike, replacing its tires, and having it serviced might be more important than having it completely repainted and taking it to a shop to have several aftermarket parts replaced with OEM versions.

 

Selling Your Bike for More Money

 

Now is the perfect time to sell or trade in a motorcycle. If you sell it as is, though, you may end up selling yourself short. Remember the tips we’ve mentioned for maximizing your bike’s value as well as the common mistakes we’ve covered that could detract from its worth. They’ll help you get the most money out of your bike so you’ll have more to spend on the next one.