Buying a new bike from dealership

[CmHall9]

Used Rebel's come up for sale on craigslist fairly often - e.g. there's an '02 near me with 3K miles for $2200. Might want to check your local craigslist.

My girlfriend loves Craigslist. So I spent some time looking in my area for a Rebel. Found one last month. But the price for a new one compared to a used one in most cases is small. Besides I would feel more comfortable getting a new bike. I don’t want to worry about a hidden problem or half to deal with repairs just as I’m learning to ride.

I’ve already accepted the fact that this first bike will probably get dinged up a little. But that means I need to take even better care of it.

As for negotiating, your right, a new Rebel is just too cheap. A dealer won’t negotiate. And I wasn’t planning to.

[NewGuy]

But seriously … at such a low price for a bike should I try to negotiate?

Why not? There may be less margin for cutting the price on low end bikes, but MSRP is usually higher than most dealers are willing to sell the bike for, especially on a bike like the Rebel where there is plenty of competition both from other new entry level bikes from other brands, and used Rebels and other used entry level bikes.

[NewGuy]

BTW, there is a 3 part article on buying a new bike from a dealer in the February 2008 edition of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine.

In it they say, "But don't just take the financing at the dealership; check for better rates from your local bank or credit union." (page 57) However, not once in the 5 pages that the whole piece covers did they suggest that you should finance through the dealer to get the best price.

[NewGuy]

What you are all forgetting is that in the retail world, a motorcycle is considered a "luxury" item. Just like sailboats , airplanes , and jetskis. If you want the newest, hottest ride available, you'll pay full retail.

If you're lucky, the dealer may toss in a helmet and/OR jacket or offer a deal on accessories.

The simple fact is, you'll get very little markdown on a motorcycle that is brand new, just delivered. BUT, on something that has sat in the showroom for 6 months, that's another story.

P

All true when the demand for bikes is high. However, as demand wanes dealers will be more eager to cut prices. While some "hot new models" may still command a higher price due to demand, across the board the market demand is down, and deals will be easier to negotiate because dealers and manufacturers can't afford to have inventory sitting around collecting dust. It costs them money to have bikes sitting in showroom and factories, and they need to move that stock out.

[Carbonfiberjunky]

Before you buy your bike, buy an invoice. costs 15 bucks. saved me about 1000 bucks. I bought an 07, in January of 07, and paid almost 1000 dollars less than retail. I just told the salesman....I know how much you paid..and this is how much I'll pay. he came back 50 dollars higher and a few hours later I was on my way home with the bike. No one asked how I'd be paying for the bike until after a price was agreed upon. I also was not required to have full coverage from the dealer, but I refinanced the bike through my insurance company for 5% less for a fee of 30 dollars for some paperwork or clerical fee or some such nonsense. Of course I have to have full coverage now, but why wouldn't I want it. I pay 33 bucks a month for it, now if someone steals it, or I crash it an live...paid for. Also I live in FL, so I can ride all year, so I don't think I got a break because winter sales were slow. They want to sell you a bike, they need you, they will deal with you.

[NorthernPete]

The simple fact is, you'll get very little markdown on a motorcycle that is brand new, just delivered. BUT, on something that has sat in the showroom for 6 months, that's another story.

Amen. For some reason, V-strom 1000's weren't very popular in my area. The local dealership sold several V-strom 650's while the same 1000 sat and sat and sat...... it had been there for 18 months when I asked them about it. I got $1,100 off MSRP, they were tired of having the bike around at that point.

But for Orion wanting a Rebel, the problem is the dealership doesn't have much room to deal, there's just not much margin on those bikes. Used Rebel's come up for sale on craigslist fairly often - e.g. there's an '02 near me with 3K miles for $2200. Might want to check your local craigslist.

Ill second that....on smaller entry level bikes, they dont make much of a profit on them....and accessories are hard to find.... oh wells... its like a car, you buy a...say chevy cobalt or what ever theyre called, they wont move as much on the price as say if you were buying a fully loaded cadalac something or other. more wiggle room. but heck, even a few bucks in my pocket is better then in theirs....get them to throw in free stuff...helmet, boots what ever.

[baltimorebayside]

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/scams.htm

This may help somewhat...

dan

[Nibblet99]

Hell if you just save $50 thats a chunk towards your msf costs, or a night of drunkeness, or whatever. just because its a small amount of the vehicles price doesn't mean you shouldn't negotiate like hell to get as much back as you can

[Lion_Lady]

Used Rebel's come up for sale on craigslist fairly often - e.g. there's an '02 near me with 3K miles for $2200. Might want to check your local craigslist.

...Besides I would feel more comfortable getting a new bike. I don’t want to worry about a hidden problem or half to deal with repairs just as I’m learning to ride.

I’ve already accepted the fact that this first bike will probably get dinged up a little. But that means I need to take even better care of it.

As for negotiating, your right, a new Rebel is just too cheap. A dealer won’t negotiate. And I wasn’t planning to.

This is a common argument "against" buying used. And it just doesn't hold water in my opinion. The thing folks don't realize is that motorcycles are fairly simple, mechanically. There isn't much "hidden" stuff that won't show up in a basic safety inspection by a trained mechanic.

A lot can be learned by talking to the former owner... namely ask WHY the bike is being sold. "Moving up to something faster" can be a red flag for engine abuse or stunting damage.

If you figure you're likely to drop a first bike, why not let the original owner take the $$ hit and you benefit? Keep in mind most new riders keep their first bikes for less than a YEAR. So why be worried about "someone elses problems???"

P

[CmHall9]

Used Rebel's come up for sale on craigslist fairly often - e.g. there's an '02 near me with 3K miles for $2200. Might want to check your local craigslist.

...Besides I would feel more comfortable getting a new bike. I don’t want to worry about a hidden problem or half to deal with repairs just as I’m learning to ride.

I’ve already accepted the fact that this first bike will probably get dinged up a little. But that means I need to take even better care of it.

As for negotiating, your right, a new Rebel is just too cheap. A dealer won’t negotiate. And I wasn’t planning to.

This is a common argument "against" buying used. And it just doesn't hold water in my opinion. The thing folks don't realize is that motorcycles are fairly simple, mechanically. There isn't much "hidden" stuff that won't show up in a basic safety inspection by a trained mechanic.

A lot can be learned by talking to the former owner... namely ask WHY the bike is being sold. "Moving up to something faster" can be a red flag for engine abuse or stunting damage.

If you figure you're likely to drop a first bike, why not let the original owner take the $$ hit and you benefit? Keep in mind most new riders keep their first bikes for less than a YEAR. So why be worried about "someone elses problems???"

P

After I wrote about only getting a new Rebel I did some thinking, read some more posts and decided to go for a use one. Most of the used bikes I’ve been seeing are only 2 to 4 years old and are only a couple of thousand dollars. I wont be as afraid to ding it up if it’s a cheep, paid for bike that I can learn to ride on.