Motorcycle Depreciation Calculator
Motorcycles lose a big chunk the day you ride away, then settle down. See your bike's value curve and what it costs per month to own.
Get a plain-English read of your numbers, or ask anything about depreciation, when to sell or lease vs buy. Nothing is sent until you press Ask.
Today $16,000
- Total value lost
- $7,725 (48%)
- Cost of depreciation per month
- $129
- Worst single year
- $3,520
| Year | Value | Lost that year | Total lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | $16,000 | — | 0% |
| Year 1 | $12,480 | $3,520 · 22% | 22% |
| Year 2 | $10,982 | $1,498 · 12% | 31% |
| Year 3 | $9,884 | $1,098 · 10% | 38% |
| Year 4 | $8,995 | $890 · 9% | 44% |
| Year 5 | $8,275 | $720 · 8% | 48% |
Motorcycle depreciation rate
Bikes follow a sharper first step than cars: roughly a fifth of the value goes in year one, mostly dealer margin and freight/setup fees that no used buyer pays back. After that the yearly loss is gentler than a car's, around 8–12%, because most bikes are ridden few miles and stored over winter.
What holds a bike's value
- Low miles for the type, and a clean, dry storage history.
- Stock parts kept with the bike (exhausts and seats can be swapped back).
- Well-supported models with strong owner communities.
Mileage here defaults to 3,000 a year, a typical figure for leisure riding. Enter your own to see how commuting miles change the curve.
Questions people ask
What is the average motorcycle depreciation rate?
A new motorcycle commonly loses around 20–25% in the first year as it leaves the dealer, then roughly 8–12% a year after that. Popular cruisers and adventure bikes from well-known brands tend to flatten out sooner; sport bikes and niche models drop faster.
Do Harley-Davidsons hold their value?
Touring and cruiser models from Harley-Davidson have historically held value better than most motorcycles, but they still take a large first-year hit. Heavily customised bikes are harder to sell because buyers rarely pay for someone else's parts.
How many miles is a lot for a motorcycle?
Riders average only about 2,000–4,000 miles a year. Above about 5,000 a year, used buyers start to discount, and for small sport bikes 30,000+ total miles is considered high. Big touring bikes are built for far more.