I agree with the completed sales way of thinking.  Things are only worth what people will pay and the only way to figure that out is see what people are paying.

The books are only a starting point.

NADA is what the insurance companies use when you file a claim so that's the only one I use.

But if they pay out it's based on available stock in your area.

if it is a Harley Davidson, the price goes UP $500-$1000 per year after it gets to be 15 years old. Double that for chrome.


but seriously....tough question. it seemed to me like lenders would use NADA for bike values when approving a loan. I think they look at the high end of retail value so they can approve almost anyone.

I have not studied how either KBB or NADA values compare for bikes that are 15+ years old. To me, this is a VERY grey area. Most of the bikes I see that are over 15 years old are total crap. Must repair immediately.  OR, on the other side of the spectrum is a fully reconditioned bike that the seller wants at least double the original MSRP.

I do feel that a bikes value will reach a point, and maybe that is between 15 and 20 years old, where the value barely drops year-over-year.