Bike Valuation After Accident
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 240
Likes: 68
From: Phoenixville, PA
Bike Valuation After Accident
Hey all,
I'm winding if anyone knows of a resource to find sale prices of motorcycles with an accident history. Long story short, I was rear ended while traveling to vacation in June of 2025. The offender's insurance company (also my insurance company) won't pay Diminished Value because there apparently are no bikes similar to mine (2024 Road Glide) that have sold with an accident history. The insurance company doesn't deny that there is DV but rather says they can't pay because they don't know what the DV actual value is. I've hired an independent appraiser and they rejected his documentation saying they can't just use a calculation they need similar bikes. But we can't find any resources for this. The insurance company said, don't worry, statute of limitations is 2 years so if I find one in the next two years I can revisit it... I think they are BSing me. I'm at the point of having to sue the insured. On that note, if anyone knows a lawyer that does DV without personal injury in Indiana please let me know as well!
I'm winding if anyone knows of a resource to find sale prices of motorcycles with an accident history. Long story short, I was rear ended while traveling to vacation in June of 2025. The offender's insurance company (also my insurance company) won't pay Diminished Value because there apparently are no bikes similar to mine (2024 Road Glide) that have sold with an accident history. The insurance company doesn't deny that there is DV but rather says they can't pay because they don't know what the DV actual value is. I've hired an independent appraiser and they rejected his documentation saying they can't just use a calculation they need similar bikes. But we can't find any resources for this. The insurance company said, don't worry, statute of limitations is 2 years so if I find one in the next two years I can revisit it... I think they are BSing me. I'm at the point of having to sue the insured. On that note, if anyone knows a lawyer that does DV without personal injury in Indiana please let me know as well!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 19,344
From: The Wasteland
Sounds like some BS to me. Theres no way theres not another 24 Road Glide anywhere in the US that has been damaged in an accident.
As for an official source, I cant help, but if you look at Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay, you'll see bikes with salvage titles typically sell for about half what and clean titled bike sells for.
Has your bike been totaled?
As for an official source, I cant help, but if you look at Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay, you'll see bikes with salvage titles typically sell for about half what and clean titled bike sells for.
Has your bike been totaled?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,112
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So, what all was damaged and replaced? What amount are you thinking you’re owed? How much effort and time are you willing to devote to this? If the bike was put back to its original condition, who would know it had been previously damaged? Do bikes typically get Carfaxed?
Last edited by GalvTexGuy; Feb 16, 2026 at 08:34 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 19,344
From: The Wasteland
So, what all was damaged and replaced? What amount are you thinking you’re owed? How much effort and time are you willing to devote to this? If the bike was put back to its original condition, who would know it had been previously damaged? Do bikes typically get Carfaxed?
Here's what Google AI says-
Key Differences: Rebuilt vs. Salvage
- Repair Status: Salvage cars are damaged, often needing repairs exceeding 75-100% of their value. Rebuilt cars have already undergone these repairs.
- Inspections: Rebuilt titles require a state inspection to verify safety and that no stolen parts were used.
- Insurance: Salvage cars are generally uninsurable. Rebuilt cars can be insured, though some insurers may limit coverage options.
- Value: Both have lower market value than "clean" titles, but a rebuilt car is worth more than a salvage-titled car.
- Roadworthiness: Salvage vehicles cannot legally be driven. Rebuilt vehicles are inspected and approved for road use.
- Get an Inspection: Even if it has a rebuilt title, pay for a private, pre-purchase inspection to check repair quality.
- Check Records: Request repair receipts and photos of the damage, which can help confirm the extent of the initial, pre-rebuild damage.
- Insurance Check: Call your insurance company before buying to ensure they will cover a rebuilt title vehicle.
- Resale Value: Assume a 20% to 40% depreciation in value compared to a clean title.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,112
Likes: 5,359
I didn’t see where he said the bike got totaled. Based on his other recent threads, I got the impression the bike was repaired and he’s still riding the bike.
Diminished value is the loss in a vehicle's market value after it has been damaged in an accident and repaired, even if the repairs are of high quality.
Diminished value is the loss in a vehicle's market value after it has been damaged in an accident and repaired, even if the repairs are of high quality.
Last edited by GalvTexGuy; Feb 16, 2026 at 09:38 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 240
Likes: 68
From: Phoenixville, PA
Sounds like some BS to me. Theres no way theres not another 24 Road Glide anywhere in the US that has been damaged in an accident.
As for an official source, I cant help, but if you look at Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay, you'll see bikes with salvage titles typically sell for about half what and clean titled bike sells for.
Has your bike been totaled?
As for an official source, I cant help, but if you look at Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay, you'll see bikes with salvage titles typically sell for about half what and clean titled bike sells for.
Has your bike been totaled?
So, what all was damaged and replaced? What amount are you thinking you’re owed? How much effort and time are you willing to devote to this? If the bike was put back to its original condition, who would know it had been previously damaged? Do bikes typically get Carfaxed?
I didn’t see where he said the bike got totaled. Based on his other recent threads, I got the impression the bike was repaired and he’s still riding the bike.
Diminished value is the loss in a vehicle's market value after it has been damaged in an accident and repaired, even if the repairs are of high quality.
Diminished value is the loss in a vehicle's market value after it has been damaged in an accident and repaired, even if the repairs are of high quality.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,112
Likes: 5,359
Have you checked your bike’s VIN on Carfax?
Take it to the dealer that did the work and ask them to give you a trade in value as a wrecked bike and a trade in value if it hadn’t been wrecked.
Take it to the dealer that did the work and ask them to give you a trade in value as a wrecked bike and a trade in value if it hadn’t been wrecked.
Last edited by GalvTexGuy; Feb 16, 2026 at 02:27 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 240
Likes: 68
From: Phoenixville, PA
Carfax gives no values. I already asked the dealer, several actually, and they claim no DV at all because it was repaired. I call bullshit.
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From: USA
Well, I recall in all the "fighting" of DV between parties, the insurance side
always quoted (at least w/ automotibles) that there was a court precedent
to calculate DV. They call it "17c Formula".
Research - State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co v. Mabry
(Georgia Sup Court, 2001)
Is it worth hiring a lawyer?
How much diminished value is expected?
17c undervalues and is the ins. co. favor, BUT there is a formula.
always quoted (at least w/ automotibles) that there was a court precedent
to calculate DV. They call it "17c Formula".
Research - State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co v. Mabry
(Georgia Sup Court, 2001)
Is it worth hiring a lawyer?
How much diminished value is expected?
17c undervalues and is the ins. co. favor, BUT there is a formula.