Whether you’re looking to sell your motorcycle or you’re just curious about the current value, it makes sense that any Harley owner would want to know what their bike is currently worth.
Maybe you’re just looking to show off the value to your riding buddies. Better yet, maybe you want to know how much money your significant other just spent on their new motorcycle because you’re convinced it’s quite a bit more than they are letting on.
No matter the reason, we’re here to help you figure it out! There are plenty of resources online that can assist you in determining how much your bike is worth. However, it should be noted that all of the resources we list here do not necessarily stand on their own in terms of accurate pricing.
In order to get the most accurate idea of how much your Harley-Davidson motorcycle is worth, you will want to use a combination of the resources below to help find the true value of your bike.
Online Motorcycle Pricing Resources
Kelley Blue Book
If there’s one independent website that you definitely have to check out, it’s Kelley Blue Book. They have long been the go-to in the automotive and motorcycle industry to determine a bike’s true value. They are great for a quick and impartial evaluation of your motorcycle value.
The site is simple and straightforward, easy to use, and they allow you to explore all of the options for your bike’s make, model and year. After you plug in the make, model, and year of your motorcycle, you will be presented with two different values.
The first value is going to be your bike’s trade-in value. This is the amount of money a dealer would give you for your motorcycle. This information is more important for those looking to sell their bike.
The second value is the suggested listing price. This is the price that dealerships would sell the motorcycle for. If you’re looking to sell your motorcycle on your own and are unsure about how to price it, try picking a price that is in between the trade-in value and the suggested retail price. Start on the higher end of this spectrum, and if your listing is not getting any traction, consider gradually reducing your price until the listing starts attracting buyers.
This resource also allows users to compare several different types of vehicles quickly. For that reason, it’s also a great resource if you’re interested in purchasing a new motorcycle!
Kelley Blue Book is a great starting point, but keep in mind this website doesn’t take into consideration upgrades or any special modifications that you may have added to your bike. Custom changes to your bike can change the actual value pretty drastically. We will go into further detail about this in a moment. For now, remember that the value that KBB determines is a general overview and should be treated as such.
Of course, wear and tear on the bike must also be taken into consideration. Condition and mileage are major factors for determining a motorcycle’s actual value that Kelley Blue Book doesn’t factor into its estimates.
Whether you have had a ton of upgrades or a just a standard bike, KBB is an excellent starting point for determining the base value of your motorcycle.
NADA
NADA aka the National Automobile Dealers Association is another option for pricing resources. This site is very similar to Kelley Blue Book in terms of purpose and usage. You plug in the make, model, and year of the motorcycle, as well as any add-ons you have. The site then gives you three prices: Suggested Retail, Low Retail, and Average Retail.
One important thing to bring up is the algorithm that NADA uses. This algorithm assumes all trade-ins to be in very good condition, so the prices that it displays are often a bit higher than the other pricing websites. Unless the motorcycle you are trying to price is in top-notch condition, you should probably err on the lower side of the pricing spectrum.
The Harley-Davidson Website
This may seem obvious, but if your bike is two years old, or less, then the Harley-Davidson website is the perfect resource! You can have the motorcycles quoted to you by several dealerships and each model will have its own general price point.
Unfortunately, they will start removing older models off of their website after a few years so this resource has a fairly limited window. Some of the older Harley-Davidson motorcycles may not be available to be priced with this resource. But if you have one of the newer models, it shouldn’t be too difficult to speak with a dealership and get a professional price estimate from them.
ChopperExchange Pricing Tools
Okay, so we’re going to pat ourselves on the back a little here, but bear with us. ChopperExchange is an excellent resource to figure out how much how much any American V-twin motorcycle is worth.
We have thousands of American V-twin motorcycles currently listed and many more sold. It really is a helpful place to check out the current value for motorcycles that are similar to yours.
We also have a sold motorcycles section that allows you to look at motorcycles that have already sold and see how the current rates compare. Make sure to read the description of each bike you’re comparing to make sure that it is in similar condition.
When you’re doing research, find the motorcycles that are similar in both the amount and the type of upgrades and modifications. Otherwise, you could find a bike with a big price tag that’s not really the same as your motorcycle due to so much modification! This will help ensure that the price is accurate for your unique motorcycle.
Another useful feature is our Bike Price Report tool! It’s a great way to get quick information on the type of motorcycle you’re interested in selling. It’s incredibly simple to use and a great resource to discover the average price of similar motorcycles that are currently listed on our website.
Take Modifications Into Account
Tinkering and modifying things is in the blood of nearly every biker and adventurer. Of course, it’s thrilling to get a brand new stock motorcycle off the factory floor. However, it can be equally as exciting when you add on those custom saddlebags or install a new upgraded exhaust system.
Customizing your bike can be one of the most exciting parts about owning a motorcycle, but it’s important to remember that any customization’s are going to impact the value of your motorcycle. Keep in mind that just because you have put your time and money into modifications, the fact is that some potential buyers may not appreciate your upgrades.
At the end of the day, the odds of you getting the same amount of money you have put into customizing your motorcycle back are extremely low. The fact is that money put into upgrades and customization’s is probably not going to result in people willing to pay a higher price tag. If this happens, try not to take it personally. It’s not that your upgrades are bad; it’s a matter of whether your upgrades increase the dollar value of the motorcycle.
Also, there are some bikes that should not be modified if you want them to retain their value. For instance, you wouldn’t want to modify a prototype Harley that you manage to get your hands on. That would put a serious dent in its overall value! Your best bet would be to leave it unmodified and in excellent condition
When you figure out how much you’ve spent on upgrades, you can add some of that cost to your bike and help get one step closer to finding out the value of the motorcycle. Remember that your return on investment regarding your modifications and upgrades are probably going to be minimal.
Not all modifications are going to increase your bike’s value. For example, modifying your motorcycle with cheap or ill-fitting parts is a good way to ruin the value, and take a chunk out of your motorcycle’s final selling price. You should check around and get the best information possible before you make any major changes to your motorcycle.
A good rule of thumb is: don’t start upgrading your bike if you are hellbent on getting all of your money back that you put into it. Hopefully, by this point, you’ve checked to make sure your motorcycle isn’t an extremely rare bike that’s worth way more untouched than heavily modified!
Do Some Internet Digging
Harley-Davidson has long been a cultural icon, and as such, it has devoted fans spanning the entire globe. The level of devotion that Harley inspires is incredible, and that is great news for those looking to find out more information about their motorcycles.
Motorcycle Forums
There are numerous online forums dedicated to Harley-Davidson bikes and their owners. These forums can serve as a great source of information for anyone attempting to determine their Harley’s value. Even if you can’t find a thread with your specific model and year, you can always create your own and see who chimes in!
When it comes to figuring out prices and value, investing a little time into digging around the internet can be a good move. While it’s true that this method of research can be one of the most time-consuming, the good news is it will also provide you with the most resources when trying to find information on upgrades.
Forums can be incredibly useful when you are trying to determine the value of a motorcycle. You can also use them to crowd-source useful information on which parts should be used for your bike and which brands to avoid.
Social Media
Social media can also be a useful tool when looking to get pricing information for Harley motorcycles. Facebook, in particular, has a few different groups specifically for Harley-Davidson riders and enthusiasts. These groups are filled with die-hard fans who live, eat, and breathe all things motorcycles.
Twitter is another outlet that has the potential to connect you with knowledgeable riders who can give you a good idea of your bike’s value. If you tweet directly at Harley or one of their dealerships, you may even be able to get a conversation going and have them lead you to the right resources.
Using the power of social media as a resource can be a great way to get the information that you need. Once again, it’s important to note that information gleaned from social media should always be used in conjunction with another resource.
Check The Prices On Classifieds Websites
Websites like eBay and Craigslist can also be a helpful resource when it comes to pricing. It’s important to remember that the asking prices on these websites may not accurately reflect the bike’s worth. You can always list a motorcycle way above value, but that doesn’t mean you’re actually going to get that.
eBay especially has a feature that can come in handy with pricing. In their search box, there is an option to check “sold listings” which allows you to see items that have recently sold at auction, and how much they ended up selling for.
These sites may be full of knowledgeable people willing to help. However, there are also a bunch of armchair experts who don’t really know what they’re talking about and misinform you. Take what they tell you with a grain of salt until you do the proper research.
You can also bring the information you obtained from people online to our experienced team, and we can help confirm the validity of what you’ve been told.
Time Of The Year And How It Can Impact Pricing
Purchasing and selling a motorcycle can be a notably different experience throughout the different times of the year. Depending on your location and the time of the year, demand for motorcycles can drastically differ, which in turn effects pricing.
Summer
Summer is the height of riding season, and as such, this is when motorcycles will be at their highest price point. The warm, sunny days make for ideal riding weather and people will generally be more willing to pay more for a bike.
For buyers, be aware that most sellers are not going to be willing to negotiate a lower price during peak season.
Spring
While summer ticks motorcycle prices upward across the board, springtime can be a bit more unpredictable. Some sellers may price their bikes at summer prices to try and capitalize on anticipation for the upcoming season. Others may set a more reasonable price in order to get their bike sold quick so they can have money in time for the summer riding months.
Pricing in the springtime can be tricky. If you’re looking to sell your bike, you may not have to adjust your prices too much. If you’re looking to buy, you should act quickly before the summer prices start to pop up.
Fall
As the summer riding season begins to wane, so does the demand for motorcycles. Most of the country is forced into hibernation during the winter, and as such, they begin winterizing in the late fall. This is generally where prices begin to dip.
If you’re selling your bike, you may be able to unload at a reasonable cost if you act early enough in the season. Start near the middle of the pricing spectrum, and gradually work your way down. If you’re looking to buy, remember that buying out of season usually means a lower cost.
Winter
Obviously, winter is going to be the time of the year when motorcycle prices are at their lowest. The majority of the country is forced to put their bikes away until springtime, and motorcycles are not really on anyone’s mind.
For sellers looking to price their bikes, it’s important to know that you are probably going to have to lower your price in order to get it sold in the winter. You shouldn’t price it so low that you’ll end up taking a huge loss. If you do your research in determining the value of your motorcycle, you can set the price slightly lower than what you discover and see if it sells.
Winter may be the slow season in much of the country, but if you’re located in one of the warmer states, the winter season may not even affect your pricing.
Conversely, buyers can use the slow season to take advantage of a great deal on a bike. When figuring out a motorcycles value, you can use the information to negotiate a lower price.
Going Forward
Figuring out the value of a motorcycle is an important step to take, and you always want to make sure you have the best information possible. Lucky for you, whether you’re looking to buy or sell, you have quite a few quality resources at your disposal.
Looking for more information on selling your Harley? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Motorcycle.
Ready to sell your motorcycle already? ChopperExchange is the perfect place tosell your Harley! Let us help you find a new home for your motorcycle.
