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Ducati, BMW, Harley rank highest in resale value

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The hottest motorcycles on the road don’t come cheap. But some of the best of them keep their value after you put them on the road. Bikes made by Harley-Davidson, BMW, and Ducati, in fact, seem to hold their MSRP value better than any others.

By brand, according to data compiled by the Kelley Blue Book Official Motorcycle Guide, Harley-Davidson motorcycles retained an average of 84% of their value over a five-year period. BMW was not far behind, at 81%, with Indian, Ducati and Triumph trailing slightly at 77%, 73% and 72%.

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Certain models scored even higher.

The Ducati GT1000, according to Kelley’s study of the model year 2010, had a best-in-show retention rate of 97% -- meaning it lost only 3% of its MSRP value -- after three years in service. Its 2008 model had a 90% retention rate after five years.

The company’s 2008 Sport1000S, similarly, had an 87% retention rate over five years. BMW’s 2008 F800GS had an 83% retention rate over the same period.

Also scoring over 90% among the 2010 field were Harley’s Softail Deluxe, Fat Boy, and Street Glide, along with BMW’s R1200GS and F800GS.

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Other high scoring bikes over the five year period included Honda’s GL18P Gold Wing, Ducati’s Sport 1000 Biposto, and BMW’s R1200GS (all with rates just above 81%), and Bimota’s DB5R and Triumph’s Bonneville T100 (both with rates just above 76%).

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Even an expensive road king like Harley’s CVO Street Glide touring bike, which retails at $30,999, retained 87% of its value over a three year period.

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Click here for a photo gallery of the industry’s highest-resale value motorcycles.

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