How Can Depreciation Hurt the Value of Your Motorcycle?
When you purchase a motorcycle from a dealer, or a private seller, you are paying a retail price whether you buy new or used. This initial investment begins to decrease the moment you take possession of the bike. Over time, your motorcycle will lose some of its value for various reasons including wear, tear and mechanical issues. This deterioration of the fair market value is referred to as depreciation.
The rate at which your motorcycle
will depreciate is contingent on the number of miles you put on your bike,
along with other important factors. These include the make and model of your
bike, specific mechanical issues and the overall demand for motorcycles by
consumers. Given advances in technology and shifting consumer requirements,
certain models of motorcycle can quickly fall out of favor. The fair market
value of these motorcycles can decrease rapidly.
If you wreck your motorcycle or are
in an accident with motorists, and the bike requires significant repairs, this
can further decrease the value of your bike. It can speed up the depreciation
and cause a substantial loss of your initial investment. The longer you hold on
to a motorcycle, the more likely you are to lose the money you invested along
with all of the funds you spend to make repairs and improvements.
While depreciation of some business
assets is tax deductible, a motorcycle held by you for personal use doesn’t
qualify. So, in addition to the wear and tear on the bike, you don’t get to
claim a tax benefit as your asset depreciates. Given that other investments can
appreciate in value, or at least pay dividends or interest, there are far
better places to park your money than in the corner of your garage. It is better
to cash out and reinvest.
Selling your motorcycle for cash is
the quickest and most efficient way to stop the depreciation process from
eating away at your investment. When you sell for cash, you remove risk from
the transaction, and you get money that you can reallocate quickly. There are
various investment opportunities that are time sensitive, and the quicker you
get cash for your motorcycle, the more apt you are to take advantage of good
opportunities.
The second you drive your
motorcycle off the lot it starts to depreciate, and it continues to do so until
you sell or scrap your bike. It’s better to sell your bike for cash, when
you’re done enjoying it, to recoup as much of your initial investment as
possible. Reinvesting the money can make your future more enjoyable and can
save you the headache of motorcycle maintenance and the added expense of
insuring a bike you aren’t using.
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