The phrase "blue book value" refers to the market value of a motorcycle produced in a specific year by a specific manufacturer. This value is referred to as the "blue book value" of the motorcycle. Those who are interested in purchasing a used motorcycle are likely familiar with the Kelley Blue Book (KBB), which is one of the most well-known price guides in the industry. This phrase derives from KBB. The other important motorcycle pricing reference is the NADA Guides provided by J.D. Power. The acronym "NADA" refers to the National Automobile Dealers Association, which published in-depth recommendations for consumers interested in purchasing used automobiles. J.D. Power acquired the business in 2017 and has since expanded its product offerings to include motorcycles, recreational vehicles, historic automobiles, yachts, and manufactured homes. NADA Guides publishes print assessment books for current motorcycles, as well as snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and personal watercraft. These books are also available for vintage and collector motorcycles.
Key Takeaways
If you are thinking about buying or selling a certain motorcycle, the Kelley Blue Book can help you get a better idea of how much money you can expect to spend or make. These values are based on auctions, dealer sales data, and dealer surveys from all over the country. Extra parts of a motorcycle, like an engine guard, could each have their own value. In order to arrive at its own set of values for bikes, the NADA Guide used a slightly modified version of these calculations.How the KBB Determines the Value of Motorcycles
According to KBB, the data acquired from "auctions, dealer sales reports, and dealer surveys, plus dealer and customer listings and sales transactions countrywide" is used to establish the prices of bikes. According to the company's statement, it also takes into account the current state of the market and the economy.In comparison to the List Price
You are presented with the option to choose between Trade-In Value and the Typical Listing Price once you have completed a search for a certain motorcycle by specifying the year, make, and model of the bike. The first figure is the amount of money you should anticipate receiving in exchange for trading in a used motorcycle that is in excellent condition and still has all of the original standard equipment. This is the price that a dealer would most likely ask you to pay if you were interested in purchasing a secondhand motorcycle that was in good condition or better and was being sold by the dealer.Additional Equipment
If you search for bikes, you may find that some of them offer information on the price of additional equipment; you may view this information by clicking on the Optional Equipment tab. For instance, the value of a motorcycle could increase by at least $35 if it has cruise control and an engine guard, but this would depend on the make, model, and year of the motorcycle. KBB operates under the assumption that these supplementary options are also in satisfactory condition.Mileage
The number of miles that are currently displayed on the odometer is ignored by KBB. According to KBB, the factors that have a greater impact on the value of a motorcycle are the road conditions as well as the riding style of the previous owner.The NADA Guide Formula for Determining Motorcycle Prices
On the website of NADA Guides, you may initiate your search for motorcycle values by selecting a manufacturer or a category of bikes, such as cruisers or motocross, to begin your investigation. You will ultimately select a year, model, and manufacturer, just like you do on the KBB website. On top of that, you will be asked for your postal code and any other preferences you have. You are even able to compare up to three distinct motorcycles with each other side by side.The website provides the following four price points for motorcycles:
The manufacturer's suggested retail price, often known as the MSRP, does not include taxes, transportation, and destination fees, which are expenses that cover the cost of transporting the car to the dealer. The MSRP only accounts for the cost of the basic equipment. The manufacturer's or distributor's highest suggested list price in the United States while the motorcycle was new on the market is referred to as the "suggested list price." Most of the time, it does not include the destination's fees or taxes. The low retail price is for a car that may display "severe wear and tear," including "dents and blemishes" on the body, but is still safe to drive. The vehicle is still in good working condition. Dealers typically avoid stocking motorcycles of this poor grade in their inventory. The price at which a car would typically be sold at a retail establishment if it were in good condition and "without visible flaws." The mileage should be close to what is considered average, and the bike should be able to pass an emissions test. When determining values, the NADA Guides take into account information from more than 1.5 million vehicle sales every single month. These dealings encompass wholesaling, retailing, and auctioning off items for profit. The asking prices that are listed on classified listing websites and on Autotrader are also taken into consideration by NADA Guides. According to the company's valuation team, "using the newest technology, a thorough understanding of each segment's market, statistics, analytics, and econometrics to derive our values" is how they arrive at their conclusions. It does not use a depreciation schedule because the rates of depreciation for different used motorcycles are very different.Questions That Are Typically Asked (FAQs)
How do I find out how much my motorcycle is worth according to KBB?
If you want to find out how much your motorcycle is worth, you may do so by going to the Kelly Blue Book website. It is necessary for you to input the year, the manufacturer, and the model.When I go to negotiate the price of a motorcycle, may I use the Kelly Blue Book value as a reference?
Although the blue book value of a motorcycle is frequently used as a jumping-off point for price negotiations, it is important to keep in mind that it is not the only thing that should be considered. There are also other factors to consider, such as the state of the motorcycle and the economic climate of the area in which you live. You might be able to use the motorcycle's blue book value as part of the price negotiating process; however, this will depend on the condition of the motorcycle.