The issue of the C-14 resale value comes up on this forum from time to time. The originator of the discussion is typically concerned about the low trade-in offered for the C-14.  To ascertain whether the C-14 depreciates faster than its competitors, the attached tables compare the “rough trade-in” values (as determined by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Appraisal Guide) for the C-14 with several of its competitors. NADA also provides clean trade-in values - the rough trade-in values are the more conservative numbers. Nonetheless, NADA trade-in values are only a guide.  The actual trade-in price offered by a dealer depends on a number of factors including: region, time of the year, condition of the bike, mileage, inventory, type of bike being purchased (don’t expect a BMW dealer to offer a good price for your C-14), etc.   

Summary: 

•Motorcycles depreciate most during the first year (40% for the C-14).
•The second generation C-14 (2010 and later) does not hold its value any better than the first generation.
•The C-14 depreciates more than its competitors but not by much.
•BMW’s do not hold their value and depreciate at rates similar to Japanese bikes. The $19,150 BMW 2011 K1300GT is worth only $12,180 a year later. 
•The Harley Davidson Street Glide holds its value better by a significant margin than the others sampled.

Disclosure: I am a C-14 owner and have no affiliation with automobile/motorcycle dealers. I was curious and did the research for the benefit of members.

Thats crazy.....and I could not be happier.  This means I can ride a really nice 2008 abs for what a new Kawasaki Versus 650 woudl cost.

I would NEVER trade a bike in, sell it outright, it might take a little linger but you will thousands of dollars ahead. The dealer has to make a profit on it when he resales it so there is a couple of grand there. And the reason Harley's have a better resale value is because most of them don't have any miles on them. When you see a Gold Wing for sale they usually have high ,mileage because people ride then and don't trailer them, same with the concours 1400 a lot of 08 and 09 have a lot of care free miles on them already. But it to ride and don't worry about trade-in value

NADA for an 09 non ABS
Low 8,157     high$10,687

KBB for an 09 non ABS
Excellent condition $9,145

I paid $11,200 out the door for my 09, includes Calif taxes, (8.75%) and license fees without that it was just above $10,000 so I don't think that is to big a loss .

KBB trade in is just over $6,000 so you see you can get at least another $2500 by selling it yourself.
I have always found NADA to be on the high side, good when your selling and trying to convince a buyer of the value but not close to actual value.

I got my brand new leftover model 09 ABS for $10.6 OTD, I've had a couple dozen bikes over the last 25 years and this is the first brand new bike I've ever bought, I only did it because the new leftover price was within a grand of used ones at the time. My suggestion is never by a new current year model if you're not expecting to take a major hit in the first couple years. And never trade a bike in to a dealer, that's just silly, sell it yourself and you'll be in much better shape...

  I,for one, love the crappy resale value of the C-14.....that way it cost me less than I lost on my K1200LT selling it after 3 years and perfect maintenance and not too many miles about 15K.
  C-14 a better ride and 8K @ 11,000 mile.......I love it!!
       Mike

I traded in my low miles  09 abs about 3-4  months ago.
I just wanted it gone .Had my eye on something else .
I wont tell you what they gave me for it but its still sitting there with a 9900 price tag on it .Saw it today and its sure getting scuffed up from all the people giving it a test sit.
They have to be getting tired of pushing that heavy beast  in and out every day.
This dealer has never done anything for me so I hope it sits there a year or 2.

So Cal Joe/ZG,

I agree that you can get more money for your bike by selling your bike outright, and this is the way to go if you don’t mind dealing with the hassles of selling the bike.  I, however, have good success with trade-ins. The OTD price on my leftover 2009 non-abs C14 purchased last year was $10, 700. The dealer allowed me $1,000 over the NADA trade-in value for my trade, effectively making my OTD cost $9,700 for a brand new bike. The dealer listed my trade for $800 more than he allowed me, and it took him nine months to move it. I did not feel too shabby about the deal.

Not sure what the sales tax arrangement is in other states, but in Iowa, if you have a trade-in, you only pay the 5% sales tax on the difference, new $ minus trade-in $.  So getting $6000 for the trade-in is equivalent to $6300 when you consider the savings on sales tax.  Still may be better to sell privately, but it reduces the difference some.

Not sure what the sales tax arrangement is in other states, but in Iowa, if you have a trade-in, you only pay the 5% sales tax on the difference, new $ minus trade-in $.  So getting $6000 for the trade-in is equivalent to $6300 when you consider the savings on sales tax.  Still may be better to sell privately, but it reduces the difference some.

Same in Texas, except I think the number is 6.25%.

In Oregon there's no sales tax on anything, the State takes their tax directly from your paycheck wether you buy things or not...

NADA is not even close to accurate the price used motorcycles bring in today's market.  Fantasia describes NADA.

Thats crazy.....and I could not be happier.  This means I can ride a really nice 2008 abs for what a new Kawasaki Versus 650 woudl cost.

There is no such bike as a Kawasaki "Versus".  There is only Versys.

I wont tell you what they gave me for it

$ 7,500?

Harley Street Glide starts at $19,499. And it holds its value better then any other bike... I must be from another planet because I wouldn't pay $10,000 brand new for it.

I've never been a dealer or worked for one and I'm sure there are a lot of factors when deciding trade-in values aside from NADA or KBB. Having said that, I was offered $5500 for my '09 with 10,000 miles. Needless to say I still have it.

Having said that, I was offered $5500 for my '09 with 10,000 miles.

Wow, that's really low. I would have expected at least $6,500, considering they (dealers) try to get at least $ 9,500 out of similar bikes.

I worked at several dealerships. Typically the attitude towards used bikes was keep them away.   The offered price of the bike was always well under wholesale value.  Occasionally a payment shopper would go for the deal.  Most dealerships were small and had limited floor space. Used bikes took space where new bikes could go.

Plus, a used c14 will be a tough sell due to the fact that new ones are available....new 09's.

Plus, a used c14 will be a tough sell due to the fact that new ones are available....new 09's.

I have not seen any new '09s for sale lately.

I'm sure it depends on what part of the country a persons in, but I've seen two 09's, in Utah, and one in Idaho this past month. One of the shops told me their 09 was a "10" and have been kind enough to mark it down to 12,500. Before dealer fees.  No idea why they cannot sell it.....