There's a lot to consider when purchasing a motorcycle. Along with taking into account their level of experience, buyers also need to know the engine size, class of motorcycle and make and model they want. Whether it's a first bike or a fifth, it's also important to know what's considered to be a reasonable asking price. Many bikers turn to the Kelley Blue Book, a well-established price guide, to find this information. Conveniently, the Kelley Blue Book can be found online as well as in print volumes.
Gather as much information as possible about the motorcycle you are interested in pricing. In addition to the basic information (make, model and year) it's important to know the cylinder volume of the engine, whether the bike is a street, touring or moto-cross vehicle and its general condition.
Determine whether you need to know the trade-in value or the retail value of the motorcycle. The trade-in value is an approximation of the amount the bike is worth as a trade-in unit in a dealer transaction. The retail value is an estimation of the dealer price of a bike in exemplary condition.
Scroll through the home page of Kelley Blue Book online until you find the box headed "Motorcycle Values" (see Resources below).
Click on the picture of the motorcycle or the link labeled "Motorcycles" and choose the trade-in or retail value option on the next screen. There is also a selection entitled "Motorcycle Store," which brings up a screen devoted to dealer referrals and locating motorcycle parts.
Select and click on the correct year. This will be the year in which the motorcycle was manufactured as opposed to the year it was sold or in which it will be purchased.
Choose a make from the provided list or use the "Search Here by Model Name" link. This link will create a pop-up box that lists of all the different types of models, matching them to the manufacturer (or make) and providing a guide as to what years that particular motorcycle was produced. Clicking on the letters at the top of the box allows you to see model names beginning with each letter.
Pick the right model on the next page. Depending on what the manufacturer's available models were for that year, they will be grouped by type. Types include Sidecar, Street, Touring and Moto-Cross. Each model is further differentiated by the cylinder volume to help winnow down the options.
Review the information on the next screen to see the trade-in or retail value of the unit. The price is determined under the assumption that the motorcycle is in at least good condition and doesn't take into account additional equipment or mileage. The retail value is calculated under the assumption that the dealer has fully reconditioned the motorcycle before putting it on his lot.
Opt to view the Expected Accumulated Average mileage by clicking on the "Mileage/Condition" link. Likewise, you can view the Additional Equipment Retail Value by using the "Additional Equipment" link. This shows how much value each optional piece of equipment adds to your motorcycle.
