Ducati, BMW, Harley rank highest in resale value

The hottest motorcycles on the road don’t come cheap. But some of the best of them keep their value after you put them on the road. Bikes made by Harley-Davidson, BMW, and Ducati, in fact, seem to hold their MSRP value better than any others.

By brand, according to data compiled by the Kelley Blue Book Official Motorcycle Guide, Harley-Davidson motorcycles retained an average of 84% of their value over a five-year period. BMW was not far behind, at 81%, with Indian, Ducati and Triumph trailing slightly at 77%, 73% and 72%.

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Certain models scored even higher.

The Ducati GT1000, according to Kelley’s study of the model year 2010, had a best-in-show retention rate of 97% -- meaning it lost only 3% of its MSRP value -- after three years in service. Its 2008 model had a 90% retention rate after five years.

The company’s 2008 Sport1000S, similarly, had an 87% retention rate over five years. BMW’s 2008 F800GS had an 83% retention rate over the same period.

Also scoring over 90% among the 2010 field were Harley’s Softail Deluxe, Fat Boy, and Street Glide, along with BMW’s R1200GS and F800GS.

Other high scoring bikes over the five year period included Honda’s GL18P Gold Wing, Ducati’s Sport 1000 Biposto, and BMW’s R1200GS (all with rates just above 81%), and Bimota’s DB5R and Triumph’s Bonneville T100 (both with rates just above 76%).

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Even an expensive road king like Harley’s CVO Street Glide touring bike, which retails at $30,999, retained 87% of its value over a three year period.

Click here for a photo gallery of the industry’s highest-resale value motorcycles.

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