Motorcycle

Brand Loyalty Drives Value More Than Miles

Motorcycle depreciation is governed more by brand desirability than by the odometer. Harley-Davidson cruisers consistently retain 60–70% of their value after five years — a rate that rivals Toyota trucks and far outpaces most Japanese sport bikes. A $25,000 Harley Softail purchased today is likely worth $15,000–$18,000 in five years, while a $12,000 Kawasaki Ninja 400 in the same window may fetch only $5,500–$7,000. BMW adventure bikes (the R 1300 GS) and Ducati performance models occupy the middle ground — strong brand cachet keeps depreciation moderate, and the adventure touring segment has seen sustained demand growth since 2020. Limited-edition and vintage motorcycles sit entirely outside normal depreciation curves: a documented 1969 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide or a low-production Ducati Panigale Superleggera can appreciate 5–10% annually and should be treated as collectibles for insurance and tax purposes.

How Mileage Affects Motorcycle Value Differently Than Cars

The average car owner drives 15,000 miles per year; the average motorcycle owner puts down only 3,000–5,000 miles. A 5-year-old bike with 20,000 miles has therefore seen "average" use, while a car with the same mileage would be considered low. Motorcycle buyers scrutinize mileage less aggressively, placing more weight on visible condition, service records, tire wear, and crash history. A bike with 25,000 miles and full documented service records often outsells a 15,000-mile example with no paperwork and worn chain and sprockets. High-performance sport bikes are the exception — sustained high-RPM engine stress is real, and buyers start discounting above 20,000 miles. Air-cooled engines (Harley, Royal Enfield) are generally considered more forgiving at higher mileages than water-cooled high-revving designs.

Business Use and the Section 280F Limits

Motorcycles used for business — courier services, mobile inspectors, delivery networks — are depreciable as 5-year MACRS property but subject to Section 280F listed-property caps. The annual first-year deduction ceiling is approximately $12,200 (2025) for vehicles under 6,000 lbs GVWR, the same limit applied to passenger cars. At an 85% business-use rate, a $15,000 delivery motorcycle has a $12,750 depreciable basis — and the cap still applies to limit how much of that can be claimed in year one. Businesses should maintain per-ride mileage logs matched against revenue records to defend high business-use percentages under audit.