Air Jordan 4 Motorsports: Price Comparison and Deals Guide

The Air Jordan 4 ‘Motorsports’ originally released in 2006 as an ultra-rare friends-and-family exclusive for Michael Jordan’s motorcycle racing team. It later saw a wider public release in March 2017, quickly becoming a sought-after colorway for collectors and Jordan fans alike. Given its popularity and age, finding the best price for the Air Jordan 4 Motorsports requires careful research and price comparison across different platforms, as prices can vary significantly based on condition, size, and seller.

Retailer Comparison

The Air Jordan 4 Motorsports originally retailed for $190 back in 2017. As this was a limited release several years ago, you won’t find them available at standard retail stores like Foot Locker, Nike, or Finish Line at their original price anymore. Occasionally, a specialty sneaker boutique might have a deadstock pair, but this is rare and prices would reflect its collectible status, likely aligning more with resale market values.

Therefore, your primary source for purchasing these sneakers now is the resale market, which we will explore next.

Resale Market Analysis

The resale market is where most pairs of Air Jordan 4 Motorsports are found today. Prices here are dynamic and influenced by supply, demand, condition, and shoe size.

StockX: As of late 2023 / early 2024, prices for new (deadstock) pairs typically range from approximately $350 to $600+. The price varies significantly by size, with more common sizes sometimes being slightly cheaper and very small or very large sizes potentially costing more. The average sale price hovers around $400-$450.
GOAT: Similar to StockX, GOAT offers new and used pairs. New pairs are in a comparable price bracket, from $380 to $650+, again depending on size and condition. Used pairs can be found for less, often starting around $200-$300, depending on wear.
eBay: Prices on eBay can be more varied. You might find new pairs listed from $300 up to $700. There’s a wider range for used pairs as well. Diligence is key here to ensure authenticity and seller reputation.

Factors affecting resale prices:

Condition: Brand new, deadstock (DS) pairs with original boxing command the highest prices. Used pairs depreciate based on wear and tear.
Size: Common sizes (US 8-11) might have more availability but also steady demand. Less common sizes can sometimes be more expensive due to scarcity.
Authenticity: Verified authentic pairs from platforms like StockX or GOAT provide peace of mind and can command higher, more stable prices.
Seller Reputation: On platforms like eBay, sellers with high ratings and positive feedback can often ask for slightly more.
Market Fluctuations: Sneaker prices can change based on trends, re-releases of similar models, or anniversaries.

Tips for Finding Deals

Be Patient: Prices can fluctuate. Monitor your desired size across multiple platforms.
Compare Platforms: Don’t just stick to one site. Check StockX, GOAT, eBay, and even reputable sneaker consignment shops or Facebook groups.
Consider Used: If you’re okay with a gently used pair, you can save a significant amount. Ensure you see detailed photos of the condition.
Set Price Alerts: Platforms like StockX allow you to place a “Bid,” which is an offer to buy at a certain price. If a seller accepts, the transaction occurs. GOAT also has a price alert feature.
Look for Offers/Negotiate: On platforms like eBay, some sellers accept offers. Don’t be afraid to negotiate respectfully.
Beware of Scams: If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to reputable sellers and platforms with buyer protection. Avoid direct bank transfers or untraceable payment methods with unknown sellers.
Check Local Consignment Shops: Sometimes you can find a good deal locally and save on shipping and authentication fees, plus you can inspect the shoes in person.

Authenticity Guide

Spotting fake Air Jordan 4s, including the Motorsports colorway, requires attention to detail. Here are key areas to check:

Overall Shape and Proportions: Authentic AJ4s have a distinct silhouette. Fakes often get the toe box shape, heel height, or overall stance wrong. Compare with photos of confirmed authentic pairs.
Stitching Quality: Genuine Jordans have neat, consistent, and high-quality stitching. Fakes often have sloppy, frayed, or uneven stitching.
Tongue Tag:
- The “Flight” script should be clean and well-defined.
- The Jumpman logo should be well-proportioned with distinct fingers and shoelaces.
- The stitching around the tag should be tidy.
Netting: The plastic netting on the side panels and lower tongue should be correctly sized, shaped, and textured. On fakes, it might be too stiff, too flimsy, or have incorrectly sized holes.
Heel Tab and Jumpman: The Jumpman logo on the heel tab should be crisp and well-defined. The plastic tab itself should be of good quality material.
Midsole Paint Quality: The paint application on the midsole should be clean and sharp. Fakes might have bleeding paint lines or a different finish.
Box and Label: The shoebox quality, color, and printing should be accurate. The label on the box should have the correct font, SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) number (308497-117 for the 2017 Motorsports), barcode, and size information. Compare it to images of authentic labels online.
Smell: This is subjective, but fake sneakers often have a strong, distinct chemical or glue smell that differs from the typical “new shoe” scent of authentic Nikes.
Insole: Check the printing on the insole (Nike Air or Jumpman logo) for quality and accuracy. The material of the insole itself should also feel right.

When in doubt, consider using a professional authentication service or purchasing from platforms that offer guaranteed authenticity like StockX or GOAT.

Conclusion

To get Air Jordan 4 Motorsports, you’ll usually buy them from sellers online, not new from stores. Prices change a lot, so look on sites like StockX or GOAT to compare. Make sure the shoes are real and not fakes by checking things like how they’re sewn and the logos. If you look carefully and are smart, you can find a good pair without spending too much money.

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