The Second Owner’s Advantage: Why Your Bike’s Previous Life Makes It Better

If you’re in the market for a motorcycle, you have several points to think about and decisions to make. One of the biggest is whether to buy a new or used model. Many people lean more toward new bikes. After all, they’re fresh from the assembly line, they’ve never been ridden, and they have the latest tech features.

 

Those are good attributes, but they’re not the be-all and end-all of buying a motorcycle. Used motorcycles have plenty of positive qualities in their own right. Like many people, you may be asking, “Is it smart to buy a used motorcycle?” In short, the answer is yes. In fact, they may give you even more value for your money. Take a look at some of the advantages you can get from being a bike’s second owner and why its past may actually make it better than a new one.

Used Bikes Have Slower Depreciation

Slower depreciation is on of the main reasons to consider buying a used motorcycle instead of a new one. It’s common knowledge that all vehicles, including bikes, lose value over time. That happens a lot more quickly during the first few years of their lives, though.

 

As soon as you drive a new motorcycle off the lot, it loses about 5 percent of its original value. During its first year, it could lose another 15 to 25 percent. That number is even higher for some models. Then, during the second, third, fourth, and fifth years after being purchased, it’s likely to lose as much as another 10 percent annually.

 

In total, new bikes can lose an average of half their initial value over the first five years. After than fifth year, though, depreciation tapers off. That’s especially true for those that have been taken care of. When you buy a used bike, you won’t have to lose so much of your initial investment.

A Used Bike Is More Budget Friendly

There’s also another angle to consider here. If you find the right used model, you might be able to get it for a low price now and sell it for more in the future. Some members of the Harley-Davidson family, like Iron 883s, Road Glides, and Street Glides, have been known to gain value over time or at least depreciate much more slowly than other models. Certain Fat Boys and Dyna Low Rider S models are actually worth more now than they were new.

 

Other models, including the 2002 through 2017 V-Rods and the 2021 Sportster S, could be the classics of tomorrow. The 2023 Fat Boy Fast Johnnie edition is likely to become a collector’s item. If you purchase any of those models used right now, you could easily turn a major profit on them down the road.

 

You Could Get More Bike for Your Money

When people go shopping for a motorcycle, many of them want to get the biggest, most powerful model they can possibly handle. That typically ends in one of two ways. Some people end up getting the bike they want, but they spend way more than they expected. Because of that, they may not be able to afford as many road trips and customizations as they planned while they’re paying off the bike.

 

On the other hand, quite a few people ultimately settle for as much bike as they can comfortably afford. That means they don’t get the power and performance they were hoping for. As a result, they’re not as happy with their bike as they could’ve been. They may not get as much use out of it as they would’ve if they’d been able to get what they really wanted.

Since used motorcycles are less expensive, they can help you avoid both of those issues. You can get more bike for your money. That means you can get a bigger, more powerful bike without going over your budget. On top of that, you’ll be more likely to get one you’ll be happy with, so you’ll get more use out of it.

You Might Pay Less on Taxes

You may have noticed that taxes are higher on new vehicles. That’s because they’re based on purchase prices and market values. As vehicles age and depreciation takes its toll, taxes gradually decrease. When you buy used, you’ll already be getting in on the lower tax tiers, and your costs will drop even more over time.

 

How much you’ll pay versus how much you’ll save here depends on several aspects. Not all states charge the same rates or base their taxes and registration fees on the same factors. Some states factor in vehicles’ fuel efficiency and weight. If you live in one of those states, a used motorcycle can save you money here in more ways than one.

Insurance Coverage May Be More Affordable

Another good reason to go used instead of new is the cost of insurance coverage. For the most part, insurance is naturally lower for used vehicles than it is for new ones. That, too, comes from several considerations.

 

For one, insurance companies strive to reduce their risks as much as possible, so the higher a vehicle’s market value is, the more it costs to cover it. Since used vehicles, including motorcycles, tend to have lower market values than new ones, repairing or replacing them if they’re in an accident isn’t as costly for coverage providers.

 

It’s fair to mention that age isn’t the only factor that determines how much you’ll pay for insurance. Motorcycles that are known to be more dangerous, like sport bikes, typically have higher coverage costs. Those with high theft rates are more expensive to cover as well. Based on the latest statistics, those include Hondas and Yamahas because there are more of them on the road and the demand for parts for them is higher.

 

Harley-Davidsons are popular targets for thieves due to their popularity and customizability as well. They’re not as high on the list as Hondas and Yamahas, though. With that being the case, they’re generally considered moderate risks in most corners of the country, so you’re still likely to save a good bit of money when you insure a used model.

There’s No Break-In Period

Buying a used motorcycle can save you money in several ways while also keeping you from having to settle for less bike than you want. Not all benefits are about money, though. There’s also the break-in period to think about.

 

When people buy new motorcycles, they’re advised to go easy on them for the first 1,000 miles or so. New bikes need time for their engine and transmission components to work their way into place and synch up properly. They also require a little extra wiggle room for their brake pads and rotors to settle into each other. Their rings and seals need time to get seated and work properly too.

 

Along the way, small leaks and other minor issues may develop. That’s common with new vehicles. They can’t be properly road tested before they leave the dealership. Break-in periods give them a chance to work out all their kinks, and pushing them too far too fast can cause major problems.

 

During that break-in period, you’re supposed to be gentle with a motorcycle. It’s best to accelerate slowly and carefully. Avoiding revving them up too hard and fast is recommended. Don’t stop too quickly or keep them in a single gear for too long, either.

 

When you buy a bike, you want to have fun with it and see what it can do. The break-in period takes a lot of the excitement out of the experience. When you choose a used motorcycle, it has already been through the break-in phase. You don’t have to handle it with kid gloves. You can

push it as hard as you want, within reason of course, without worrying about hurting it. You’ll be able to truly enjoy your motorcycle right from the start instead of having to ease into it.

Factory Issues Have Already Been Resolved

A lot of people who buy new vehicles find that they have unexpected problems. In fact, based on a recent report from J.D. Power, an estimated 25 percent of buyers deal with at least 1 factory defect within 3 months after buying a new vehicle. Almost 20 percent of new models present design flaws or reliability issues during their first year on the road.

 

Some of the most common problems are faulty electronics, calibration issues, and minor part malfunctions. Engineers and manufacturers do the best they can to work out as many bugs as possible before they release new models to the public. There are some quirks that don’t become obvious until vehicles are actually road tested in real-world scenarios, though.

 

With used motorcycles, most of those issues have already been caught and worked out. Their previous owners likely dealt with them long before they decided to sell. In cases where that doesn’t happen, the dealerships they trade their bikes to often make sure they’re resolved before reselling them. That means you don’t have to handle problems like those yourself.

More Upgrades and Customizations Are Available for Used Motorcycles

Yet another advantage of buying used motorcycles is the customization options they come with. People love to customize their bikes, and some spend thousands on nice upgrades, like new grips, custom seats, better suspension, and panniers. With used models, you might be able to find one with some fantastic upgrades already installed.

 

If you find a used model with the customizations you’re interested in, you won’t have to spend extra money to get them. You don’t necessarily have to find one with the customizations you’re looking for already installed, though. With the money you save by buying a used bike, you might have plenty left to add upgrades yourself.

 

Used bikes also tend to have bigger selections of aftermarket parts and customization options. The longer a model is on the market, the more time its manufacturer and aftermarket companies have to think of new changes, upgrades, and add-ons for it. Whether you’re looking for more comfort, better performance, or cosmetic upgrades, you’ll most likely have a broad range of options to choose from. On top of that, with a used motorcycle, you won’t have to worry as much about detracting from its resale value with your customizations.

Used Bikes Have History and Character

Finally, each used bike has a history all its own. New motorcycles have only been from the factory to the showroom. That means they’re shiny, spotless, and nearly perfect except for the possible glitches and factory defects. They don’t have much of a story, though, do they?

 

A used motorcycle has been places and seen things. It went on road trips with its previous owner whether they were across town or across the country. It waited out surprise summer storms with its rider and powered through trips in the bitter cold. It might’ve been to Sturgis or Daytona. It could’ve helped raise money for good causes in charity rides.

 

Used motorcycles may not be completely perfect, but they’re special. Every worn spot on their grips, scuff on their foot pegs, or faded spot on their seats is a mark from their past. That gives them character. They may have customizations from their previous owners. Those reflect the riders’ personalities and gives them their own charisma.

 

You can see all of that when you look at a used motorcycle, and you can feel it when you’re riding one. You just can’t get all that from a new motorcycle. Besides that, you know a previously owned bike is just waiting for someone like you to create new memories on it.

Getting the Most for Your Money With a Used Motorcycle

New motorcycles are great, but they’re not necessarily the best option. They’re more expensive, and their cost of ownership is higher. They need to be broken in, and you have no way of knowing what unexpected glitches they might have. On top of all that, they haven’t even begun to build their story.

 

People often shy away from buying used motorcycles because they’ve already sustained some wear and tear and they may not be equipped with the latest technology. When you buy from the right source, though, age and wear don’t necessarily equate to higher maintenance and repair costs or less reliability. In most cases, the latest tech features aren’t really essential, either.

 

When you buy a used bike, you’ll save money from several angles. You may even have a better chance of getting everything you’re looking for in a motorcycle without having to pay more for it. You won’t have to ease through a break-in period, and you won’t have to worry about unexpected defects putting a damper on your rides. Used bikes have been road tested and revised, and they’re ready to bring their character and personality to your rides. So, yes, used motorcycles can definitely be a smart investment.