I’ve always been a believer in buying used. Nearly every bike I’ve owned came to me pre-loved, and I’ve never once regretted it. Take my XSR900, for example. I bought it from a good friend who treats his bikes like family. It had all the upgrades I would’ve spent months installing myself, was in immaculate condition, and cost me about 25% less than if I had bought it new. I’ve since put more miles on it than on my car. That’s not a compromise, that’s value.
And that’s really the story of 2025. In a year when new-unit sales are sputtering, the used market is proving to be the smartest path forward for riders and dealers alike.
The economic climate hasn’t been kind to new-unit sales. Interest rates remain high, inflation has riders thinking twice before financing a toy, and inventory at the dealer level is still unbalanced from pandemic whiplash. Data shows that new powersports sales dropped nearly 8% in April 2025 alone.
But used? That side of the market is alive and well. Used motorcycle and powersports sales ticked up more than 2% in April, with dual-sports, UTVs, and touring bikes leading the charge. For riders, it’s simple math: get more bang for less buck, and skip the steepest part of depreciation.
For dealers, auctions like National Powersport Auctions (NPA) are where the action is. NPA data shows exactly where values are heading, which categories are heating up, and how dealers are sourcing inventory. It’s not just motorcycles, but UTVs, ATVs, golf carts, and even small RVs, too. They’re all seeing steady demand through the lanes.
But let’s be clear: auctions are just one piece of the puzzle. Riders don’t need to flash a bidder’s badge to get in on the used game. Depending on where you’re from, Facebook Marketplace, online classifieds, or even knocking on the door of a neighbor with an interesting toy gathering dust in their garage could land you a sweet deal. That's exactly how I got my hands on my KTM 390 Duke. The beauty of the used market is its diversity, and the fact that there are countless ways to get in.
It’s not just a powersports story or a motorcycle story, either. On two wheels, dual-sports and touring bikes are moving briskly, especially among riders who want adventure or comfort without the new-unit premium. On the powersports side, UTVs remain king, dirt bikes are steady thanks to youth racing, and even personal watercraft and RV crossovers are holding strong. Together, they show that across the enthusiast world, used machines are carrying a bulk of the load in 2025.
And here’s where it gets interesting. Chinese brands have made waves by offering brand-new motorcycles, ATVs, and side-by-sides at prices that undercut the competition. In some cases, they sell new for what a used Japanese or European bike would cost.
But if you ask a lot of enthusiasts (myself included), many would still take the used Japanese or European machine every time. Why? Because proven reliability, community support, and long-term resale value matter more than being the first name on a registration. A “cheap” new bike without a track record may not feel like value once the shine wears off.
Now, clearly, those of you who’ve been reading our stuff here on RideApart know that we’re not here to sell bikes. Our job is to call things as they are and help riders get the most out of their money. Sometimes that means heading to an auction or a dealer lot, but just as often it means buying from a friend, a neighbor, or a local listing. The smartest move isn’t always the flashiest one. It’s the one that gets you riding without stretching your wallet thin.
And the timing couldn’t be better. The used market is rapidly evolving. Early electric motorcycles from the likes of Zero and LiveWire are slowly filtering into the pre-owned pool, giving us a glimpse at how EV resale will play out. And more first-time riders are discovering affordable entry points in the used market, especially with smaller bikes and UTVs. And that’s exactly the kind of growth the industry needs.
For me, it always comes back to the XSR900 sitting in my garage, and the near-dozen other bikes that once sat where it’s now sitting: I paid less, got more, and never looked back. And in a global economy as volatile as it is today, that’s not just a personal win, it’s the model for how budget-savvy riders and dealers alike are navigating a tricky economy.
The new market may be struggling a bit, but the used market is thriving. It’s resilient, flexible, and packed with value if you know where to look. And whether you’re placing a bid at an auction, scrolling through FB Marketplace, or calling up a buddy with a clean bike in the garage, the truth is the same: the smart money is on used.
Sources: Powersports Business, Motorcycles Data
