3 tips to save money when buying a motorcycle

Everyone hopes to buy the motorcycle of their dreams, but high prices and a lack of choice on the market are common issues to deal with. So how do you get the most for your money on the motorcycle market, and when is the best time of the year to buy a motorcycle? We have some tips and tricks you may find helpful.

1. Buy out of season

Cars can be used all year round, without worrying too much about their ability to cope with changing weather conditions. The same is not true for motorcycles, which don’t see use in much of the world for at least the winter. Buyers should take advantage of this – motorcycles are generally cheaper out of season.

“The best selection of used motorcycles usually is available in spring. However, the start of the riding season comes with a rise in prices, so riders hoping to save money should look for their bikes’ in the late autumn or early winter,” says Matas Buzelis, the Head of Communications at carVertical, which deals in vehicles history checks.

Automotive expert highlights that the average price of a used motorcycle is lowest from October through February. On the flip side, motorcycle prices begin to rise rapidly at the beginning of March and peak in May.

2. Buy used instead of new

Motorcycle manufacturers have faced some of the same problems as their car-making counterparts over the past several years. Supply chain failures and component shortages have driven up prices and increased delivery times. With that said, there is another reason why buying used will save you money – avoiding depreciation.

Average motorcycle checked on car history platform, age is 10,7 years. It means first-time motorcycle buyers are used to choosing a used motorcycle instead of the new one.For instance, if you’re interested in a Harley Davidson, opting for a used model can be a smart move to save money while still enjoying the iconic brand compared to buying new, and you won’t be hit with the initial depreciation that new bikes often experience. Consider checking reputable marketplaces or dealerships for well-maintained pre-owned Harleys to get the best value for your money.

According to various studies, motorcycles see the most significant drop in value over the first few years on the road. Afterwards, the rate of depreciation becomes a lot more gradual. As a result, buying used will let you sell the bike at a much smaller loss several years later.

New motorcycles are also more likely to suffer from manufacturing and design defects, which are typically sorted out (or at least known) with older bikes.

Of course, while buying a second-hand motorcycle is a great way to save money, it also comes with several risks.

3. Check for damages and mileage rollbacks to reduce the price

Just like the used car market, the used motorcycle market has a transparency problem. Sellers will often try to maximize their profit by selling bikes with hidden defects, such as damages or odometer “clocking.”

Based on data from motorcycle history reports, 50.38% of bikes checked on the platform have a damage record, indicating that they’ve been involved in an accident. Yamaha motorcycles have the most damage records, while Triumph motorcycles have the highest estimated repair costs, averaging €9,315.

16.7% of checked bikes have false mileage. If you check used motorcycle ads online, you’ll discover that most of them have a mileage of 10,000 to 20,000 km. In reality, the actual mileage may be 10 times higher. It is very dangerous to drive a motorcycle with huge mileage.

On the one hand, buyers should avoid damaged motorcycles due to safety issues – even a simple mechanical failure in a motorcycle can cause severe injury. On the other hand, pointing out undisclosed issues to a seller can be a great way to get a better deal.

“Evidence of odometer tampering or damages is very important when buying a motorcycle. Getting a history report is a good place to start – it will help you learn about records from insurance companies and other data sources, indicating damages, clocking, and other useful info,” explains Matas Buzelis.

Another important thing to check is whether your motorcycle has been stolen. Data shows that the highest number of stolen motorcycles are in Ukraine, United Kingdom, Poland and Romania.

Don’t settle for just getting a history check, though – before buying, it’s still a good idea to take it for a technical inspection.