How Much Does A Motorcycle Cost? The Average Price

Like investments in means of transportation, motorcycles cost you a fair bit, especially with high-end models. Luckily, the market offers a variety of variants depending on your budget and usage needs. 

Knowing the breakdown in the price of motorbikes certainly leads you to potential options available. If you still have no idea about this, scroll down to learn.

How Much Is A Motorcycle?

Standard Models

Also known as street motorcycles, standard motorbikes look like sports bikes without fairings. This design frequently appears in bustling urban areas as they receive favor for versatility with many driving skills. Another plus of them is economic prices ranging from $4,000 – $18,000. 

Cruiser Motorcycle

Cruiser motorcycles are about the same average cost as the option above – $4,000 – $18,000, but their looks are day and night. When looking at the low ground clearance and long body, you can never confuse them with other directions. People love the cruiser not for its lightning speed but for its stability. This characteristic makes them ideal for novice riders.

Sports Motorcycle

As the name suggests, these motorcycles cater to enthusiasts of speed and thrills. Manufacturers must install muscular engines to drive tremendous horsepower. Hence, it is no doubt that skyrocketing costs jump beyond the affordable segment. You should save between $10,000 – $30,000 for a “superior horse.”

Touring Motorcycle

Here we go with another type of bike with a massive body and a powerful engine. It possesses the hallmarks of the sport series but adds stability to suit long trips. With an enhancement in the rider experience, the cost of entry-level models rises to $17,000, while the ceiling price exceeds $30,000.

Adventure Motorcycle

Regarding versatility, nothing is better than a dual-sport or adventure motorbike. It runs on city streets, highways, or back roads as smooth as butter. You may be surprised that its value is as cheap as $6,000 and can go up to $16,000.

Used Vehicles

Except for limited collections, most used vehicles are discounted compared to new models. Depending on the amortization period, you can find offers for a few hundred dollars less, even half their value. However, it would help if you had thorough market research and reviewers for quality assurance.

Which Factors Determine The Price Of Motorcycle? 

As seen above, each type of motorcycle has a different price range based on its unique experience. So what makes the difference? Here is the breakdown of motorcycle values.

Brand

Leading manufacturers often price their products higher than new entrants to the market. For example, Honda, Yamaha, BMW, or Harley-Davidson – names familiar to speed lovers – offer more expensive products than Chinese brands. 

Targeting the same entry-level customer segment with similar 250cc engines, the Honda CB250R costs around $2500, while the X-PRO Hawk DLX EFI from a lesser-known brand is $500 cheaper.

Some customers may attribute their higher payout to better quality. However, this statement is not necessarily correct. From our point of view, the purchase price difference may cover advertising costs, customer service, distribution channels, etc.

Engine 

Also known as displacement, the engine is the heart of the motorcycle. It determines the power of the vehicle, or specifically, the magnitude of the horsepower. Usually, the larger the engine, the greater the horsepower.

Therefore, powerful engines that accelerate quicker and reach higher speeds are the goal of professional racers. Of course, this part upgrade adds up to the overall price. Below is our comparison table between three famous models of Honda CB for your better understanding.

Model	Engine Size	Horsepower	Price
CB 250R	249cc	27 hp	$2,500
CB 300R	286 cc	27.5 hp	$4,949
CB 650R	650cc	94 hp	$9,199

Features & Accessories 

Vehicles come up with many modern features worthy of a hefty payment. It offers outstanding performance, convenience, and safety benefits compared to other basic models.

Some must-have features for your motorcycle include dual-channel ABS, performance tires, traction control, etc. These parts are often supplied by the manufacturer. However, other options, such as hazard lights, crash bung, liquid cooling, etc., are optional. For example, the crash bung, around $50 -$60, is worth your investment to protect precious fairings.

Transmission 

The motorcycle gearbox is responsible for transmitting power from the engine to the wheels; thus, it determines the speed and smoothness of the vehicle during operation. The current market serves two types, including manual and automatic. The latter is less common but represents a technological upgrade in premium models.

As an important component of a motorcycle, fine-tuning a transmission increases the actual cost. The average expense for the complete system runs between $600 – $1200. Harley-Davidsons are known to assemble the most expensive parts.

Warranty

Besides the motorcycle cost, manufacturers have considered the high-end value associated with after-sales support. Extended warranties promise excellent after-sales service and a long-term commitment. You will get the service like a king when paying a huge amount.

Location

In this category, we mean two factors: the distribution of dealerships in the area and the shipping fee. Specifically, shops in rural areas may be less expensive than in urban areas. Don’t be so quick to suspect that it’s some trick.

The simple reason comes from the number of orders. If buyer demand is low, sellers tend to implement several discount programs. Additionally, the density of stores in the same market stimulates competition, creating more consumer benefits.

Consider delivery costs while looking for a place to shop. Motorcycles are very bulky, so you can lose out on the savings advantages when the distance is too long.

Additional Expenses Before Putting Into Use

Protective Gear

The helmet law varies by locality, but we recommend a commitment when you pay for a motorbike. Some people are concerned about their odd appearance or confidence in their driving skills. Trust us; the protection of you and your passengers matters. If you travel with a companion, take responsibility for that person’s safety.

A quality DOT-approved helmet usually equals about 10% of the vehicle’s value. Such an affordable payment for your life! Also, it would be best to consider other safety gears to enhance comfort and safety, such as boots, gloves, and jackets. Each of these costs you between $50-$200.

See more: Motorcycle Helmet Size Chart

Insurance

We did not realize the importance of insurance until an unexpected collision occurred. The lesson here is: the possibility of an accident on motorcycles increases much higher than on cars. 

However, the cost of motorcycle insurance is cheaper, but it depends on many factors. First, your property’s value is lower, or your insurance rate possibly covers physical damage to vehicles, not people. The medical bills are more than you think, so make sure your terms cover these unexpected expenses.

The highest we have ever used this service is about $200 per year for a Triumph 250 worth $5,000. Of course, it is not a mandatory payment for your case. Insurance companies offer a range of $100 to $500 based on the buyer’s conditions, such as motorcycle type, driving record, age, and local policy.

License

Initial licensing and title registration costs vary on the value of your property. You incur a bunch of basic taxes and fees that include:

• State tax (optional): 6-8%
• Motorcycle license: $30 – $50
• Payment for registration of ownership: 6-8% of the motorcycle’s value
• Annual subscription: $20 – $50

If you are new to motorcycling, prepare a larger budget. You must save for two tests and a driver’s license issuance for $75. On the downside, individual participants may struggle with self-learning and complicated paperwork.

Instead, we recommend basic and advanced riding courses depending on your skill development expectations. The cost of training in a personalized environment typically runs from $250-$375.

Maintenance & Repair

It is impossible to make an exact prediction because this expense is determined based on your upkeep and vehicle age. However, it is necessary to set aside a separate annual fund for checkups because the spare parts need periodic cleaning and inspection.

Common maintenance items for motorcycles include oil, tires, chains, spark plugs, hubs, and accessories. Some of these tasks can be done at home, but complex ones such as balancing tires and adjusting valves or carburetors require an experienced mechanic.

Fuel

Each gallon allows you to travel about 35-40 miles. It’s approximately 50-60 cents per mile, equating to $100 – $120 for a trip of roughly 200 miles. Of course, our estimates are for reference only. The total varies with your driving style, the motorcycle’s fuel economy, and gas price.

Tips To Buy Cheap Motorcycles

Buy Used Motorcycles

Secondhand items save you a lot of money. Another plus is that they do not depreciate as quickly as a new purchase. Your problem is: how to find a good deal?

It is best to double-check your target and avoid traits such as excessive wear, high mileage, difficulty starting, or rescue titles. If you are buying from a private seller, take the following steps:

• Ask the owner questions to get information about the age and characteristics of the item
• Look up the blue book site
• Check VIN to get a historical report
• Visual and technical inspection

Seize The Best Shopping Time

Winter is the best time to buy a motorcycle. The reason is simple: motorbikes fail to protect the rider from extreme weather, so demand drops. As a result, dealers offer lower prices to boost sales. You can also benefit from attractive year-end promotion programs.

Besides, clearance programs usually last from November to February. Retailers want to get rid of inventory to make room in the showroom for new launches, and it’s your golden chance to get one.

Expand Your Search

As mentioned above, prices differ in different localities due to subjective factors such as sales tax available market volume. For example, in well-known motorcycle markets, prices tend to increase with demand.

For the above reason, you should work with agents and private sellers in many places to find the best deal. This does not mean on-site showroom visits. Google gives you a list of trusted markets; you must contact them from home.

Let’s Negotiate

There’s nothing wrong with discussing with the dealers for a lower price, but you should provide a clear benefit in return. For example, you should offer to pay in cash in one go in exchange for a discount.

Another idea is to use the financial options recommended by the sellers. They get commissions from credit unions and become more lenient towards you.

FAQs 

Why Is There A Big Price Deviation Between New Motorcycles?

Numerous design and technical professionals have promoted the popularity of high-end models, which has driven their prices. For example, anti-theft devices, sports tires, electric starters, etc., improve minor inconveniences and increase racing performance. The best experience is what you can expect.

Another reason is the disparity between supply and demand following basic economic principles. Scarcity makes the actual value many times higher than the original price.

Where Can I Find The Exact Price Of My Motorcycle?

The official announcement on the manufacturer’s website is the most reliable source. However, some sites do not list the necessary information and require contacting your local dealer for an accurate update.

Then feel free to visit some reliable motorcycle pricing websites. Our frequent resources are NADA Guides.

How Should I Depreciate My Used Motorcycle?

The value of the vehicle drops 5% immediately after the completion of the ownership papers and reaches the fastest decline of 19-27% in the first two years. From year 3 to year 10, the chart goes down very little.

The depreciation rate is determined by many factors such as production volume, public credibility, manufacturer’s reputation, owner’s care, etc. For example, Indian brands tend to discount more slowly than Yamaha and BMW due to low supply despite their less well-known reputation.

Conclusion 

How much does the average motorcycle cost? It is a substantial investment in itself. However, it would help if you also considered the price difference between the several influence factors and additional costs during operation. Shopping sometimes holds you back from the research stage, whether you are an experienced rider or a newbie. Our tips will come to the rescue in some cases, so just calm down and stay wise.

See more: How Fast Are 250cc Motorcycles?