how to bargain a bike price?

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resage · #1 Unread post by **resage** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:07 pm

if your going to buy a new bike say around this time (February) in NY its not exactly riding season what are some points you can put out to lower the price on a bike besides its not riding season yet?

#2 Unread post by **NWTrtle** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:19 pm

You don't have to justify why you are offering a lower price. Make sure you know what MSRP and if you can, find the dealer's cost. This gives you the range you can work with.

The following site has more info than I can provide here.

http://buy.lovetoknow.com/wiki/How_to_B ... Motorcycle

jstark47 · #3 Unread post by **jstark47** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:05 pm

Don't wait. Ideal time for this is December IMO - they want to move inventory before they close the year's books. If dealers have held onto inventory this long, they'll hold on for two more months 'till spring business picks up.

RegalSwan · #4 Unread post by **RegalSwan** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 5:55 pm

You are coming to the game a bit late. As mentioned before the dealers are now more inclined to wait a bit until Spring fever hits and then they can sell for what they want.

I think your best bet would be to find a few local dealers that have last years models still in stock and start making phone calls. Calling the dealer puts a bit more pressure on the sales staff because if they don't quote you a good price they might never actually see you. In contrast, if you are at the dealership they are much more likely to get a bit more aggressive and ask you to start the paperwork before they quote. Ask for a bit off at one dealer and keep working them against each other by calling other dealers and telling them you're looking to buy now and are wondering if they can beat a price. You should eventually end up at a level where no dealer is willing to beat the price.

I just did this a couple weeks ago and was noticing that a few dealerships were looking into keeping the inventory for awhile so get out there quick.

What are you looking for? I just got a good deal on an '07 SV650, but certain more popular models might not have as much wiggle room.

Happy hunting.

#5 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:36 pm

Show up at the dealer with cold hard cash... Some times those greenbacks work wonders...

big_ry_ry · #6 Unread post by **big_ry_ry** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:17 am

I bought mine last year around this time. I went on the internet and looked at the best price I could find. I looked at dealers online. Then I called local places and said I found what i want for this much online what is the best you can do, tell them you want out the door price including set-up and freight charge. Call all your local dealers and see who will give you the best price.
They all will give you a speal about buying online so just listen and then ask again then what is the best you can do and don't fall for the well just come in and take a look (you should have done this allready) and tell them you were allready looking and know what you want and you are going to the place with the best price.

Where in NY are you from?

NewGuy · #7 Unread post by **NewGuy** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:01 pm

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, anyone who pays MSRP on a vehicle (whether it's car or bike) is foolish, and that is especially true considering the current market. New motorcycle sales are so low that Harley-Davidson had to shut down production for a few weeks to save money, and Honda is shutting down production of bikes in the US.

If the bike you want has not changed substantially from the '07 to the '08 model year try to find a dealer that has the '07 model in stock. Every month that bike doesn't sell they're losing money, and the dealer knows no one is going to pay full price for an '07 when the '08 is sitting right next to it in the showroom.

Research the invoice price of the bike, and negotiate your deal the same way you would a new car, by offering a fair markup over the invoice.

Good luck.