Total Motorcycle Community Forums

flynrider wrote:If you get gear with the purchase of a bike (from a dealer), the chances are very good that it wasn't "free". It's just factored into the price of the bike.

Last new bike I bought at a dealer, they wouldn't even let me keep the pen I used to sign the check.

Yeah I plan on negotiating the price on the bike first and then I'll try and get them to throw in some gear - that way they can't just add it in. Going to the dealer tommorrow so we'll see what happens.

So I went up to South Sound Honda today. Got the price settled before any mention of gear. Then I told the guy I was going to need a few things and while he was doing the paperwork I picked out a helmet and some gloves. When he came back I made it a point to ask if the gear was free of charge. He gave me the "I gotta go ask my boss" line, so I didn't think it was going to happen, but the boss said OK and I got the stuff.
The moral of the story is:

You can't get what you don't ask for!

Oh by the way I did happen to get a new bike also, an '05 Shadow.

Very cool - let's see some pix.

XITSTAGLEFT wrote: Oh by the way I did happen to get a new bike also, an '05 Shadow.

Congrats! Which one?

It's all down to your haggling skills really.

ZooTech wrote:

XITSTAGLEFT wrote: Oh by the way I did happen to get a new bike also, an '05 Shadow.

Congrats! Which one?

Got the Aero.
Told myself I was going to wait until I finished the MSF course before taking it on the road, but, well, I just couldn't help myself.
Anyhoo I'll have some pics up shortly.

Yep, the dealer threw in 2 helmets with my purchase of '05 C50'. Finangled the helmets in after I had sealed the deal on the bike. But I would guess that the dealers figure give away stuff when they list the purchase price.

Here is what I did to get about $250 in freebies.

1. I offered to pay in full with no financing on the spot (I had cashed out a stock for this purpose).

2. I said "if I buy my safety gear with this purchase, can you throw me a bone?"

They can give you savings on things other than gear. In my case they cut the dealer prep charge in half and gave me free deilivery to my doorstep.

Just keep in mind that no matter how good a deal you think you are getting, they are making their fair (or more than fair) share of profit.

I wish I had that kinda luck...the numbers game started with gear included (they kinda forced me into it), and by the time we came to a number we all agreed on, the gear was suddenly not included...however I didn't know that until I was walking out the door with keys in hand and I said I had to go grab the jacket and helmet they were including...the saleman looked at me with this look on his face and said the final price did not include that stuff and the paperwork was already signed so there was basically nothing I could do about it...

needless to say, I'm writing a letter...

That sounds like you got screwed oehlerts. I'd definitely write a letter for that. At the end of the day you have to be willing to walk away to get the best deal. I'm always nice and polite to salesmen, but if they go back on thier word on a deal I'm out the door, signed paperwork or not. I know they have your signature and everything, but don't we have 72 hours or some such rule in Wa on big purchases like that? Some kind of 'buyer's remorse' rule? Not saying you should walk away if you got the deal you wanted on the bike, that's the main thing. I just hate to get taken.