Luxury Bikes That Have Depreciated Into Affordable Bargains
The used motorcycle market is delivering some genuinely remarkable deals right now. With new bike sales sluggish across the board and major brands facing well-documented financial headwinds, used prices — especially on premium machines — have softened considerably. What that means for buyers is simple: the gap between what a luxury motorcycle originally cost and what you can pick one up for today has rarely been this wide.
High-end bikes tend to depreciate harder than mainstream models in any market cycle, and the current environment has only accelerated that trend. Whether you’re drawn to exotic Italian sport bikes, capable adventure tourers, or big American cruisers, there’s a compelling “affordable luxury” case to be made across the board right now. The list below covers ten premium motorcycles that have fallen to prices that would have seemed unthinkable when they were new.
2008 Ducati 1098R
Price Range: $9,000 – $11,000*
It is pretty hard to believe that this once-exclusive race replica is only valued at around the $10k mark. When it was new, it carried a sticker price of $40k and was by all rights destined to become a collectible classic. Prices here reflect a bike that was actually used for its intended purpose: racing. The vast majority of these bikes are low-mileage garage queens (like the one in the picture), and you will likely still need to spend around $20k at auction if you want to get your hands on one. Still a bargain if you ask us.
2008 Victory Vision Tour
Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
With Harley-Davidson riding high throughout the ’90s, launching Victory as a new cruiser brand seemed like a sure bet. Unfortunately, much of Harley’s success was built on fierce brand loyalty — something Victory was never able to cultivate. The Vision Tour was one of several models that failed to find an audience, and it’s easy to see why. A design meant to look futuristic simply didn’t resonate with traditional cruiser buyers, but if you can live with the styling, there is a lot of value on offer — a massive V-twin and more luggage space than you’ll ever need.
2010 Honda VFR1200F
Price Range: $7,000 – $9,000
After initially being developed for racing, Honda’s V4 ended up finding a home in one of the best sport-touring bikes ever made. In a straight line, this is still one of the faster motorcycles around, but it is heavy, and obviously not quite as comfortable as a more dedicated tourer. Today, it simply offers outstanding value for money, for the right kind of buyer.
2011 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S
Price Range: $7,000 – $9,000
After developing the original Multistrada as a sport-touring bike, Ducati gradually shifted its focus toward adventure touring. With the brand’s DNA still firmly rooted in sport bikes, the result was a sporty crossover that became a massive hit. It redefined what riders thought possible in a single motorcycle, and today this class-defying machine is seriously affordable.
2011 BMW R 1200 GS
Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000
This was to be the last and most powerful version of the air-cooled boxer-twin. It was, to say the least, a thoroughly proven platform by this point, and while not quite as luxurious as the modern equivalent, it was still well-equipped for its era. It is also relatively light compared to current GS models, and arguably more capable off-road as a result.
2012 MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR
Price Range: $8,000 – $10,000
The naked Brutale was “optimized” for street use. So it was a little down on outright power compared to the F4, but it had a superior mid-range. This is such a bargain right now, but like any exotic Italian motorcycle, a bargain can turn into a disaster very quickly. It does help somewhat that it isn’t quite as highly strung as the F4, though.
2014 Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring
Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000
Much like the aforementioned Victory, this Moto Guzzi also set its sights on Harley’s territory. The results in the marketplace were not much different, but the product itself was. It features a far more traditional design, a characterful — if unconventional — transverse V-twin, and a solid, stable chassis. Many overlook it on account of the Italian badge, but it is well worth a look for those willing to embrace the occasional “quirk.”
2015 Motus MST
Price Range: $13,000 – $15,000*
Taking an altogether different approach to the sport-tourer formula, the MST uses a transverse V4 that cleverly mimics the character of a Chevy V8. This was a bespoke machine when new — built to order with almost no expense spared. Every single component is either handmade or sourced from the top shelf of aftermarket parts suppliers.
2021 BMW R 18
Price Range: $9,000 – $11,000
With 116 pound-feet of torque, this is one of the most torque-rich motorcycles on this list, yet it remains surprisingly affordable on the used market. Depreciation has hit the R 18 particularly hard, largely because BMW reduced the price of the new model. For those who originally paid close to $20k for these first-edition bikes, that is a bitter pill to swallow.
2022 Harley-Davidson Pan-America 1250
Price Range: $9,000 – $11,000
The Pan-America is currently one of the fastest-depreciating motorcycles on the market. The bike is not without fault, but most of the issues that plagued early models have since been resolved. Harleys generally hold their value well, making this a rather spectacular exception to the rule. If you’re after a high-end, full-size adventure bike, you can’t really go wrong here.
Sources: OEMs
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