Best Time Of Year To Buy?

[WyoSemRider]

Is there a time of year when dealers prices on new (2007 Yamaha V Star Classic 650) bikes are lower than at other times of the year ---- when they will include more "incentives" (a windshield, saddle bags, etc.) in the price in order to move their stock along?

I'd like to buy the bike right now but I'm wondering if it would be worth while to wait until another time of the year.

[ZooTech]

Best time of year to buy a vehicle of any kind is between Christmas day and December 31st. Not many people are making large purchases right after Christmas and the dealers want to liquidate inventory before January 1st to avoid assessing taxes on it. Put on your best poker face and haggle away.

[Sev]

Makes sense to me, but you're gonna want to go in knowing what you want. Window shopping ain't a bad idea

[Lion_Lady]

Keep in mind that because motorcycles are considered "luxury items" like sailboats and vacation homes, there is only so much 'negotiating' likely to happen.

That said, wintertime is always the best time to shop.

Right now, BMWNA is offering 120 days with no payments on some of the leftover (new) 2006 models:

• 2006 K1200R
• 2006 K1200LT
• 2006 R1200GS (Adventure is not eligible)
• 2006 R1200RT

P

[Social Distortion]

owning an 06 650 classic, i recommend doing your homework and seeing what the local market value of your MC is.
In Chicago, i was about $1000 below sticker, but that was because there was about 12 yamaha dealers around. When i spoke to my sis in los ang. about 650's, she mentioned they were going for about $200 below retail....

Everyone has great suggestions on this thread. I think the main thing is to figure out your Out the Door price. I Was lucky and my dealer not only gave me about $1000 off retail, but didnt charge me freight or shipping. Just tax, title, license and a $40 doc fee. USed that figure, went to other dealers and decided they were the best one, though, when i asked to get a little bit off of my running lamps or helmets, they said no....but i was pleased w/ the end price of my MC.

good luck ..and you might not be able to find super great deals on 07 classics just quite yet - lots of 06's though are ready to move....

[snwflk303]

Social disorder has it right. shop around and shop prices. If you have a trade in make sure it is along. When you are ready to buy, GO TO A LOCAL BANK AND GET PRE APPROVED! Now you are a cash buyer and can get a better price because when you talk to the dealer you can talk CASH OUT THE DOOR. One more suggestion is when you go to the dealer you want to buy from and they give you their bottom line, shake your head and tell them you'll have to think about it and or check with another dealer. wait about two hours and call back making a reasonable offer for the bike. If another dealer was selling a "similar " model for the same basic model say a 1600 Nomad, Let this dealer know you want to buy from them but the price has got to be better because Joe's Kawi is selling it for $that. Finally let them know if you agree on the phone, you'll come in and sign the paperwork that day. Don't hang on the line. let them call you back with a yes if you come in today.

Oh yes this works very well on cars also. Cash customers rule.

[KingRobb]

I wish these guys were around to ask when I bough tmy first bike.

I think Jamuary is the hot time to buy a bike especially if there is snow on the ground....but start visiting all the dealerships in your area and chattin them up now....

Good luck and enjoy next season.

[scan]

Going back to what Lion_Lady said though, as a luxury item, there is going to be less distance between the actual price and the dealer markup, so it will be harder to get a deal on any bike. I noticed at our local shop they had a large stock of bikes and that certain ones would sit for months, and a few even for years. I watched the prices, and the never changed, even when it seemed clear they were having a hard time moving a bike. I think with the dealer overhead, and competition, it is pretty hard to make a lot of money in their line of business. Just my amature observation.

[307T]

I bought my bike from a private party. I had originally seen it as a consignment at the local dealer the summer before but the price was more than I could afford. In November I spotted it on the Internet and opened a dialogue with the owner. The lovely thing about the Northwest is that, for recreational rider/buyers, the winter is a bad time to be trying to sell a bike. Since the consignment thing hadn't worked out for him and, even with lowering the price, the bike wasn't moving (admittedly the style is not universally appealing) on the net, I waited until February and closed the deal after a particularly wet and cold winter. IMHO, now is a good time to buy if you are in less temperate climes because the merchandise, whether new, consigned, or private party, will not be flying out of the showrooms.

[jstark47]

Going back to what Lion_Lady said though, as a luxury item, there is going to be less distance between the actual price and the dealer markup, so it will be harder to get a deal on any bike. I noticed at our local shop they had a large stock of bikes and that certain ones would sit for months, and a few even for years. I watched the prices, and the never changed, even when it seemed clear they were having a hard time moving a bike.

The posted price on the close-to-2-year-old V-Strom I bought never changed, but when I approached the sales staff, they were willing to deal. Two years on the floor, the owner evidently wanted the bike out of there.