How much for first bikes?

[blair]

I shopped around and found 4 bikes like mine within a 3-year range (93-96) for $2400, 3400, 3500, and 3600.

I got the cheap one, which was also in better shape than the $3400 one, not quite as clean as the $3500 one, and I don't know about the $3600 one because CycleTrader.Com said it was way on the other side of town, so why bother.

Take a look at the NADA used-motorcycle value guide to get some leverage when negotiating.

My bike was about $800 over mean price for that model year, but it was in really nice condition and I wanted to buy some goodwill from that dealer (Logan's Valley Motorcycles of Mesa, AZ), which is already paying off, plus it was considerably below what anyone else was asking for a similar bike, so I just paid what he asked.

So my vote is, $2400 is the perfect price for a well-kept beginner cruiser with fairly new rubber, new lube, a fine mechanical once-over, and acceptable dealership detailing.

[kah]

I just bought my first bike this week. If you are mechinacly inclined you should be able to get something cheep. I just bought an 86 Yahama Radian and it just needed carb holders, new pipes and a few other minor things. The bike cost me $500 and the parts about $200 (ebay and internet). Already had a helmet and some other protective stuff. Anyways thats what I've spent so far, I'm sure I'll want a better bike next year, but to much motor to quick will end me.

[Lion_Lady]

Today I went out to some local dealers, To look around and get a feel for it all. I found one dealer that only sells used bikes, He had some really good deals (99 CBR600 for 3800, and a few others around the same price), and didnt try to pressure me into buying something I didnt want or couldnt handle. He took down my name and information, and the next time he gets a bike in that matches what Im looking for (early-mid 90s bike with 500cc or less) he should call. Also I was looking at helmets, I want an Icon Mainframe Rubatone, but I am having a hard time finding motorcycle shops that have Icon gear. Is Icon stuff "crumb" or something? I would like to buy online but I wanted to try some stuff on so I could order the right size/fit. Thats where Im at so far. I dont get paid untill Friday so no new gear yet, and I didnt sign up for any classes however I did have a chance to see a class going on while I was at a shop.

Have you considered that dealers don't carry the more popular stuff because folks come in, try on helmets and gear, ask questions (taking up the dealer's time, which costs money) and then go online to purchase?
When enough people do this, the dealer just . . . goes away.

P

[iwannadie]

thats the great thing about free enterprise. i dont have any investment in the local dealer, nor do they care one bit about me beyond taking my money(as fast and as much as they can). why should i be a good person and help them stay in business so they can go on over charging to fill their own pockets. if they had problems theyd stop over charging for everything just becaue they Can. i hate going into a shop and seeing something simple like a pair of gloves costing over $100 when the same gloves can be had for half that price online. im not out to save the dealers when they show no concern for me outside of my wallet.

Have you considered that dealers don't carry the more popular stuff because folks come in, try on helmets and gear, ask questions (taking up the dealer's time, which costs money) and then go online to purchase?
When enough people do this, the dealer just . . . goes away.

P

[New_R]

Do you think the dealers care about new riders (or anyone on the road for that matter) when they try to sell them a CBR1100? I heard it enough, while I was out "If you take it easy any bike is a great bike to learn on..." Well at any rate if there was a local shop that cared more about me as a person rather than a $ sign I would be more likely to spend extra money.

[Lion_Lady]

Somehow I figured this would come up...

Most ethical dealers haven't raised their prices, unless its to cover the extra stuff they have to write off for excess 'shop wear' from people trying things on and then buying online. Dealers charge what it takes to be able to make product available to customers and still pay their rent and light bills and their people. Online sellers can charge so little because they only need to have an office with a phone/webserver attached to a warehouse. Some portion of them count on folks to make use of their nearby dealer for the try on/customer service part.

Building a relationship with your local dealer is to your advantage. If you come up with some need or problem down the road, having that previous relationship will mean that they just may go the extra mile to help you out when you really need it. Something to think about.

I know there are dealers out there with no ethics whatsoever. I was not speaking of them, I was referring to those who really do pay attention, and try to serve their customer base. They deserve your business.

thats the great thing about free enterprise. i dont have any investment in the local dealer, nor do they care one bit about me beyond taking my money(as fast and as much as they can). why should i be a good person and help them stay in business so they can go on over charging to fill their own pockets. if they had problems theyd stop over charging for everything just becaue they Can. i hate going into a shop and seeing something simple like a pair of gloves costing over $100 when the same gloves can be had for half that price online. im not out to save the dealers when they show no concern for me outside of my wallet.

Have you considered that dealers don't carry the more popular stuff because folks come in, try on helmets and gear, ask questions (taking up the dealer's time, which costs money) and then go online to purchase?
When enough people do this, the dealer just . . . goes away.

P

[JCS]

I try to buy locally as much as I can. If the local dealer can come within a reasonable distance of what I know I can get a piece for online I will do the purchase through them. I do not expect them to match the online prices. They cannot. If you find a dealer with a knowledgeable service department they can be a godsend. The ones that I deal with know that they will never see one of my bikes in their service department unless it for something that is over my head. They will also remember that I make an effort to support them. They have bent over backwards to help when I did have unusual problems. This is priceless.

As an example: I was having a problem with the rear disc brake on an old FT500. The rear caliper would drag and heat up the fluid to the point of locking the brake when the fluid expanded. I rebuilt the caliper, went over the master cylinder and did everything I could think of. No good. finally I took it to the dealer. They could not find the cause either. They found another one of their customers with the same model bike and asked him to bring it in so they could make some comparisons. Finally found the cause. The carrier for the rear disc was about 1/8" more offset than the one on mine. Otherwise identical. The mechanic called me and advised what a new one would be. He also suggested that I try to find a used one to save some money. I wasw able to do this and with the replacement part installed was good to go. The dealer ended up with way more time involved that they billed me for and helped me to save some cash.

For this type of service I will gladly pay a little more for some things to know that I can get this type of help when I need it.

[iwannadie]

i havent found a dealer yet that cares about me or my needs. the helmet shop i recomend actually has a shop front here local for me so i can go there try them on and then they will order what i need for cheaper than the dealers so it works out the best for me.

the dealers though are so full of teenager part time workers that know no thing and wont be there the next time you go back so theres no point of being loyal to them. if i found a decent dealer with the same people sure id try to build a relation ship and support them if they helped me out.

Somehow I figured this would come up...

Most ethical dealers haven't raised their prices, unless its to cover the extra stuff they have to write off for excess 'shop wear' from people trying things on and then buying online. Dealers charge what it takes to be able to make product available to customers and still pay their rent and light bills and their people. Online sellers can charge so little because they only need to have an office with a phone/webserver attached to a warehouse. Some portion of them count on folks to make use of their nearby dealer for the try on/customer service part.

Building a relationship with your local dealer is to your advantage. If you come up with some need or problem down the road, having that previous relationship will mean that they just may go the extra mile to help you out when you really need it. Something to think about.

I know there are dealers out there with no ethics whatsoever. I was not speaking of them, I was referring to those who really do pay attention, and try to serve their customer base. They deserve your business.

thats the great thing about free enterprise. i dont have any investment in the local dealer, nor do they care one bit about me beyond taking my money(as fast and as much as they can). why should i be a good person and help them stay in business so they can go on over charging to fill their own pockets. if they had problems theyd stop over charging for everything just becaue they Can. i hate going into a shop and seeing something simple like a pair of gloves costing over $100 when the same gloves can be had for half that price online. im not out to save the dealers when they show no concern for me outside of my wallet.

Have you considered that dealers don't carry the more popular stuff because folks come in, try on helmets and gear, ask questions (taking up the dealer's time, which costs money) and then go online to purchase?
When enough people do this, the dealer just . . . goes away.

P