Some motorcycles experience rapid depreciation after purchase, losing value faster than other models. For example, the Harley-Davidson Street 500 and 750 tend to lose significant value due to lower demand compared to other Harley models. The Suzuki Hayabusa, despite its legendary speed, also depreciates quickly due to its niche appeal. Other models like the Yamaha V-Star and Kawasaki Vulcan tend to lose value faster, often because of oversupply or competition from more versatile or advanced bikes. These rapid depreciation rates can make them less attractive for long-term ownership.
Contents
Harley-Davidson Street 500
The Harley-Davidson Street 500, with a starting price of around $6,899, features a 494cc V-twin engine and a low-slung design aimed at new riders. Despite its Harley-Davidson badge, this entry-level model quickly loses value after purchase. The main reason for its rapid depreciation is that it doesn’t offer the same power or prestige as other Harley models. Additionally, buyers in the used market often prefer larger, more powerful Harleys, leaving the Street 500 in less demand.
Suzuki GSX250R
The Suzuki GSX250R is a lightweight sportbike with a 248cc parallel-twin engine, priced at around $4,599. Its budget-friendly price and entry-level status make it an attractive choice for beginners, but this very aspect leads to rapid depreciation. Riders tend to quickly outgrow the GSX250R’s modest power, and with a saturated market of used beginner bikes, resale value plummets within the first few years of ownership.
Kawasaki Vulcan S
The Kawasaki Vulcan S is a mid-range cruiser powered by a 649cc parallel-twin engine and priced at $7,199. While it’s a solid option for new riders entering the cruiser market, the Vulcan S quickly loses value due to competition from more established cruiser brands like Harley-Davidson. Additionally, as riders move on to larger, more powerful cruisers, the Vulcan S becomes less desirable on the second-hand market, contributing to its fast depreciation.
Ducati Scrambler Sixty2
Priced at $7,995, the Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 features a 399cc engine and is marketed as a more affordable entry into the Ducati lineup. However, it depreciates quickly because Ducati enthusiasts often seek higher-powered models like the Scrambler Icon. The Sixty2’s small engine and less potent performance fail to maintain long-term value, especially when compared to the rest of Ducati’s high-performance offerings.
Yamaha YZF-R3
The Yamaha YZF-R3, equipped with a 321cc twin-cylinder engine and priced around $5,299, is a popular choice for beginner sportbike riders. Despite its sharp styling and manageable power, the R3’s value drops significantly after purchase because many riders quickly upgrade to larger displacement sportbikes. The high volume of R3s in the used market also drives down resale prices.
Honda Rebel 300
The Honda Rebel 300, with a 286cc single-cylinder engine and a price tag of $4,699, is a cruiser designed for beginner riders. Like many entry-level bikes, the Rebel 300 quickly loses value as riders transition to more powerful models. Its smaller engine size and limited appeal to more experienced riders contribute to its steep depreciation, making it one of Honda’s models that suffers the most in resale value.
Triumph Bonneville T100
The Triumph Bonneville T100, powered by a 900cc parallel-twin engine, is priced at $10,450. While it’s a beautifully designed modern classic, its value drops significantly after purchase due to the availability of higher-spec Bonneville variants like the T120. Riders often gravitate toward these more powerful models, and with the T100 positioned as a middle-of-the-road option, it faces stiff competition on the used market.
Indian Scout Sixty
The Indian Scout Sixty features a 999cc V-twin engine and a starting price of $9,499. While it carries the prestige of the Indian brand, the Scout Sixty depreciates quickly because it’s viewed as a “stripped-down” version of the larger Indian Scout. Enthusiasts tend to prefer the more powerful 1,133cc Scout, leaving the Sixty with less demand in the used market, which accelerates its depreciation.
Suzuki SV650
The Suzuki SV650 is a versatile naked bike with a 645cc V-twin engine, priced at $7,399. Despite its reputation for reliability and affordability, the SV650 experiences rapid depreciation. Its relatively low price point makes it a popular choice for new riders, but many eventually upgrade to more powerful bikes, which leads to an oversaturated used market and lower resale values.
Kawasaki Ninja 400
The Kawasaki Ninja 400, featuring a 399cc parallel-twin engine and priced at $5,199, is a beginner-friendly sportbike that faces rapid depreciation due to its entry-level status. While it offers great performance for new riders, the used market is flooded with beginner bikes like the Ninja 400, which drives down prices. Additionally, riders tend to move up to larger displacement bikes, leaving the Ninja 400 in less demand.
BMW G 310 GS
The BMW G 310 GS is an entry-level adventure bike priced at $6,290, with a 313cc single-cylinder engine. Although it carries the BMW badge, the G 310 GS loses value quickly because adventure riders often prefer larger, more powerful models like the F 850 GS or R 1250 GS. The G 310 GS is seen as a stepping stone into the adventure market, making it less appealing in the long term and resulting in steep depreciation.
Ducati Monster 797
The Ducati Monster 797, with a price tag of $9,295 and a 803cc L-twin engine, offers entry-level access to the Monster lineup. However, the bike loses value quickly because it lacks the power and advanced features of its larger siblings, such as the Monster 821 or 1200. As a result, the Monster 797 doesn’t hold its value well, and resale prices fall as riders upgrade to more powerful models.
Harley-Davidson Sportster 883
The Harley-Davidson Sportster 883, priced at $9,999, features an 883cc V-twin engine. While it’s an iconic model, it depreciates quickly due to competition within Harley’s own lineup, particularly from the larger Sportster 1200 and other big V-twin models. Riders often outgrow the 883’s modest power, and the used market is saturated with older Sportsters, driving down their value over time.
Honda CBR500R
The Honda CBR500R, with a 471cc parallel-twin engine and a price tag of $6,999, is an entry-level sportbike that faces rapid depreciation. Its mid-range power leaves many riders looking for more performance, and with plenty of used options on the market, resale prices drop quickly. The CBR500R’s value declines as riders move on to larger sportbikes like the CBR650R.
Suzuki Boulevard S40
The Suzuki Boulevard S40, equipped with a 652cc single-cylinder engine and priced at $5,799, is a lightweight cruiser that loses value quickly due to its limited power and niche appeal. The bike’s small engine size and basic features make it less attractive to experienced riders, and with plenty of used models available at lower prices, the S40 struggles to retain value after purchase.
Yamaha MT-03
The Yamaha MT-03, priced at $4,999, features a 321cc twin-cylinder engine and is aimed at beginner riders. Despite its aggressive styling and fun handling, the MT-03 loses value quickly as riders outgrow its limited power. The used market is flooded with entry-level naked bikes, leading to lower resale prices for the MT-03 within just a few years of ownership.
Kawasaki Z125 Pro
The Kawasaki Z125 Pro, with a 125cc single-cylinder engine and a price of $3,399, is a fun, small-displacement bike that quickly depreciates. Its limited appeal as a “mini streetfighter” means it’s often seen as a novelty bike, and riders typically move on to larger models quickly. The Z125 Pro’s small engine size and niche market result in steep depreciation, with used models often selling for much less than their original price.
Royal Enfield Himalayan
The Royal Enfield Himalayan, with a 411cc single-cylinder engine and priced at $5,299, is an affordable adventure bike that offers great value upfront but depreciates quickly due to its basic features and modest power output. While it’s popular among budget-conscious adventure riders, many upgrade to more powerful and technologically advanced adventure bikes, leading to a saturated used market and lower resale values.
KTM 390 Duke
The KTM 390 Duke, with a 373cc single-cylinder engine and a price of $5,699, is a lightweight and agile naked bike. Despite its performance and handling, the 390 Duke experiences rapid depreciation because it’s marketed as an entry-level bike, and many riders upgrade to larger displacement KTMs like the 690 Duke or 890 Duke R. The high availability of used 390 Dukes further drives down resale prices.
Indian Chief Dark Horse
The Indian Chief Dark Horse, powered by a 1,811cc V-twin engine and priced at $18,499, is a heavyweight cruiser that loses value quickly due to its premium price and competition from other big cruisers. While it offers plenty of power and style, the high initial cost means buyers often take a big hit on depreciation within the first few years of ownership, especially as more affordable used models become available.
This article originally appeared on MyCarMakesNoise.
More from MyCarMakesNoise
20 Cars That Struggled with Aerodynamics and Performance
Aerodynamics play a crucial role in a vehicle’s efficiency and performance. However, some automobiles have designs that hinder their aerodynamic capabilities, resulting in poor fuel economy and handling. Read More.
8 Disappointing Engines That Underperformed in Sports Cars
When it comes to sports cars, a powerful engine is key to delivering an exhilarating driving experience. Unfortunately, not every engine lives up to the hype. Some engines underperformed, leaving drivers disappointed and sports cars falling short of their potential. Read More.
18 High-Tech Car Features That Ended Up Being Useless
As cars become more advanced, automakers continue to add high-tech features meant to enhance the driving experience. However, not all of these innovations have lived up to their promises. Read More.
